November 29th (Week 9)

Happy US Thanksgiving!
This was a short week with Thanksgiving Day on Thursday followed by a four day weekend. We had a great worship service in the morning followed by a prayer walk around the 45 acre campus. I couldn't believe how big the property is. We walked for about an hour and a half, stopping occasionally to hear about the olympic sized swimming pool going here, new staff accommodation there, full size soccer field and stadium and on and on. Loren and Darlene Cunningham, the founders of YWAM back in 1955 walked with us and explained what was coming next. We then went up to the cafeteria where we were served a delicious turkey dinner complete with cranberry sauce, stuffing and mashed potatoes.

Three families splashed out and stayed one night at the Hilton and invited us up to enjoy the pool, slide, and mono rail. I pulled up to the reception to drop Ryan off (with his crutches) and the valet guy asked me for my keys. I tried to explain that I was just dropping off my disabled son when he said don't worry about the valet charge, its on the Hilton! Is that child exploitation? In my defence I didn't plan to get special favour but well, thanks to Ryan and thanks to the Hilton (it would have cost $30 to park)!

We rented a car for the weekend (first time in 9 weeks) and it feels great to be able to pop out and buy milk without scrounging a ride or waiting till Wednesday for the shuttle.

On Friday we drove up to the North of the Island and Saturday I went on a road trip with the ‘singles’ (my unattached class mates). We went to the southernmost point on Hawaii which is actually the southernmost point in the USA. We hiked 5km (each way) to green sand beach which was amazing. Massive waves and soft sand. After that we headed over to the volcano just in time for a hike on a lava lake before the sun went down. It was quite cool up on the volcano so I used my towel to keep warm (hence the superman cape). We had supper in Hilo and then took the one and a half hour drive over the top of the island back to Kona. Dan (from bathroom cleaning duty) was our trusty tour guide and driver.

13 'singles' and me at South Point

Green Sand Beach (the sand really is green!)

Loren Cunningham telling us about future plans for the campus.
He turned 80 this year  and is going strong.

Dan, Meghan, Tim, Sigrid and me on the lava lake called Iki Crater.

Thanksgiving Dinner for 1000

This may not look that appetizing but it was delicious!

Our trip to the Hilton

Christmas??

Our drive up to the north of the island. This photo does not do justice.