Kokua Crew

So where am I now?

New Year's Eve, I leave on a plane flight bound for Kona, Hawaii. I'll be living in the volunteer dormitories of the YWAM base at a Christian university called the University of the Nations. I'll be working in a practical department on the university campus (I'll learn what main department I'll serve in once I arrive there) and in exchange for my labor, my room, my meals, and my board will be provided for. I'll work for eight hours a day, Monday through Friday, from seven o'clock in the morning until three o'clock in the afternoon with breakfast and devotional meetings prior to the start of the work day and an hour lunch break amidst the day. Weekends are free for resting and leisure time and affordable tours of the island and spiritual conferences are offered from the university. 

I'll be staying in a room with two or three other girls as my roommates. The group of us volunteers will be picked up and driven in a van to the university campus every day for work and services. There are weekly worship services which as a member of the Kokua Crew, I will be required to attend (gladly!). 

I'll be six hours' time behind my family and friends in Georgia on the eastern coast. 

I'll return back to Georgia on March 21st after three months of living in Hawaii. Three months was ideal in my opinion. I've never been to Hawaii and I've never been away from my family before but I also wanted to be gone long enough so that some of the novelty will fade into real life for me there and so that I'll have to stay faithful to my commitment and remain there past the stage of homesickness. Three months seemed a practical length of time for me to "get my feet wet" so to speak. 

However, I am praying and hoping for the Lord to forge connections for me there and to open doors of opportunity for me to return again for a much longer period of time in the future. In the near future. 

Whoever you are reading this blog, perhaps you know me personally or perhaps you've simply stumbled upon my story here, your prayers regardless would be appreciated! I'm excited and I'm looking ahead eagerly to all that God has in store planned to reveal for me there. 

For more information about YWAM Kona, the University of the Nations, and the Kokua Crew, check out their website and FAQ section at www.uofnkona.edu/volunteers.