First Sunday.

Aloha everyone. I hope your weekends have been as great as mine. Saturday night after the Katie's first birthday we had a little potluck here on the commune(Thats what we call the property we live on haha) with those of us who live here and a couple friends. It was a great food but one of my favorite items was this dip Nick's wife Kirsten made. It was made with a cream cheese base, top that with pumpkin butter, on top of that sprinkle some chopped walnuts and bits of bacon. I probably could have finished the whole thing. I didn't though, I controlled myself :D


After that we began watching Unknown, which I had never really been interested in watching since it just looked like another Jason Bourne wanna-be, and I love me some Jason Bourne(right?). Part way through the movie I get a text and start skyping with Janna and everyone at the Brinner party, which was so hilarious. I had a lot of fun skyping them, and really felt like I WAS at the party haha. I do miss my friends!


Well Sunday came the next morning and it was time to attend the morning service. The first service, which starts at 9, is a more traditional service. Meaning the worship is all hymns, the service elements are a bit different, and the congregation is mostly the older generation. It was fun and interesting hearing songs I had never heard before. I thought I knew some hymns, but not the ones from the 1950s I guess. One that I can recall is called "Are you washed in the blood of the lamb?". Another thing that is done in that service as that one of the elders takes prayer requests from the congregation. He asks them to raise their hand and share any requests they may have, and then, after all requests are taken, he/we pray for them.


I led worship for the 2nd service and It went much better than I thought. I tend to doubt my guitar playing/leading abilities, but I think that having been able to go to mexico just last weekend and lead so much there really helped prepare me. I would much rather not have to play guitar and just lead vocally but I'm guessing thats not what God has planned. He's trying to grow me, and I will definitely grow if I keep this up. After the service everyone heads to the fellowship hall for some lunch. Fellowshipping over food and coffee is the best! Community is super encouraged and I'm glad for it being that I'm still pretty new. 


I realized that back home I was pretty spoiled with an awesome network of musicians. Now over here I don't know any! I'm going to have to rebuild a network of musicians I can hang with and jam with. Hopefully maybe some of my musician friends will vacation here? Hmmm? sound appealing? haha


Well thanks again to all of those praying and supporting. Specific things I'm praying for are : Financial support for myself, That the youth would learn the heart of worship, and that the congregation would be led to serve the Church. Missing you already! Mahalo

Here's to the weekend :)

Aloha! I Hope you all find yourself well on this saturday morning. Today happens to be Katie's(the Pastor's baby) 1st Birthday! I'm just about ready to get started setting up for her afternoon shindig. You only turn 1 once so its going to be great! "Its all downhill from here kid!" HAHA!


Well, Last night (Friday) we had our regular youth bible study. The few that came were familiar faces and greeted me with "welcome back!" We enjoyed some pool playing and pizza eating (Impossible pizza that is, SOOOO GEEEEWWWD) and then got into a time of worship. I could tell for the kids that worship is still something that they are not quite comfortable doing, or may not understand, which presents a challenge. I know that that is one of the reasons I'm called to be here. To not only LEAD worship, but to TEACH the kids and church what worship is and get them to a place where they can do that openly. I would appreciate your prayers on this matter. Afterwards we discussed the first few verses of Romans ch.1 in great detail. Pastor Larry led the discussion and he proved to be quite the knowledgeable Braddah.


It was a great time and being that there were just a few kids I was able to really spend sometime connecting and learning more about them. Jp is a great soccer player. Caio could use more practice on the pool table. Katie loves Anime! Jack is passionate about skateboarding. Next week I get to hang out with them all on my own since Pastor and his family will be on the Mainland visiting family.


Well folks, time to go help out with the set up. As always you can write me words of encouragement here or my email Marsisnotspectacular@gmail.com. Or text/call 909 236 3729. As usual any financial support you can help me with is always appreciated. Thanks so much for reading! Mahalo!

Touchdown. Eagle has landed.

Aloha! Well as most of you know I departed from LAX this morning at 9am. I touched down to a very warm honolulu airport around 11am Hawaiian time. The difference in temperatures was ridiculous. I had been wearing two jackets, mainly just so I didn't have to pack them and worry about the weight of my check in bag. They quickly came off after de-boarding the plane. Pastor Larry picked me up promptly and we made our way to run various errands. During lunch at "Blazin Steaks" we went over my responsibilities/duties/rules/expectations etc.

On our way home we also got a chance to stop by "Lanikai Juice" where one of Larry's Youth students from before he moved out here works/manages. This place was pretty awesome, and had only opened 3 days ago. She gave us a sample of a couple of her favorite drinks and I must say they were rather delish!

 Afterwards we made our way finally to the church and my room. It looked like it was ready for me to come in take a nap. I got settled in, but I still haven't unpacked...that might happen tomorrow...maybe...after my background check! whoa! Its a good thing i'm not a criminal...

Thanks for your continued prayers/support. If you want you can contact me through my email Marsisnotspectacular@gmail.com, my #9092363729, or just chat with me on Facebook! I'm still accepting financial help from friends and family. You can do so by clicking the donation button underneath my picture, or you can write a check to The Cause community church with my name/initials(LC) in the memo line and Hawaii (ex: memo: LC Hawaii) Any and all support is greatly appreciated and will help me do big things here!

Well thats all for today, I may not update everyday, but trust that updating this blog so that you can know how things are going will be very important to me :) Mahalo!

The beginning.

         This summer I have had the great opportunity to go and serve at Sunset beach christian church on the Island of Oahu. SBCC is not only a church but an elementary school and has been around since the 1950s, impacting the community and winning lives to Christ on the North shore of Oahu. Through mutual friends the current Senior pastor, Larry Garret, and I were connected. Pastor Larry, a missionary himself from California, shared with me his heart for the North Shore and that he had been praying for God to fill some roles in the church that were crucial to the health and future of SBCC. Most importantly the church needed someone to lead Worship and focus on youth.

After receiving some advice from my closest mentors I flew out August 17^th to see if SBCC was where God would have me as a long term missionary. During my 2 week stay I was given the pleasure of leading worship at two sunday morning services, meeting and interacting with the youth , as well as helping out around the two acre lot on which the church and school reside. My heart began to ache with compassion as God used me to serve the church. I am no stranger to mission trips, having been a part of trips to the Dominican Republic, Haiti, and Mexico; but never have I had the opportunity to serve away from home long term.


I am currently believing and praying that God is going to not only use me, but also challenge and stretch me through this next chapter in my walk with Him. I am excited to return to Oahu very soon and serve for 6 months. During my stay I will be asking my friends and family that are able for financial support in order to be able to feed myself and keep up with a few bills. I understand that what I am asking for is a sacrifice but I believe 100% that sowing into God's kingdom is much more rewarding than any other investment. Your prayers and support make you a teammate and not just a spectator. I have created a button for you to be able to donate directly to my paypal account(located above and to the right, below my picture), or if you are more comfortable you can make a check out to the Cause community church with my name in the memo line(tax deductable).


            I am so excited to keep you updated with how God is using me away from home. Please understand that I don't believe I earned this opportunity, I only made myself available. I hope that encourages you to follow the Lord and walk through the doors he opens.

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11