If so--you need to be involved in the car washing fund-raiser to fix the church roof!
Last week, the Juniors Pancake Breakfast brought in over $700, so they are well on their way to meeting their goal of raising $10,000 for the roof. PTL!
Here's how it works: The deluxe wash costs $13.00 at SUDZ but when tickets are bought in bulk for fund-raising purposes, SUDZ gives us $5.00 per ticket for the project!
Do the math! If we sell 200 tickets we will make $1000 for the church roof.
And the more people who get involved--the more we'll make!
Maria is hoping that 20 people will sell 10 tickets each. BUT...if 40 people sell 10 tickets, that's $2000! So PLEASE give Maria a call, text, or email and order your tickets today. 808-332-7633 or mlytwynic@gmail.com
Oh and by the way, won't someone please tell the owner of the Nisson Versa that they better get involved!
For years the Pastor's Office has housed church reference books and selected doctrinal reading books--but the volumes are a little dusty because of lack of use. But no more!
Some of our kids have noticed that our sister church in Kapaa has a library which includes missionary and adventure stories and character-building children's books. "Why can't we have a library like that?" they've asked. This last week Kahili Adventist School, since they don't have room to take all their books to their new location, allowed us to select some books for the Lawai Valley Church Library. Some may be a little ragged on the edges and yellowed--but when you've been around 50 or 60 years --that'sto be expected! Yes, some of the books may be old, but they contain classic, Seventh-day Adventist stories that will never get "old." Here's just a sample of what you'll find! Some great missionary and adventure books, like: These Fords Still Run, about Orley and Lillian Ford, early missionaries to Peru, Ecuador, Guatemala, Cosa Rica and El Salvador. Brothers of the Longhouse, about boys living in an Indian Village. You'll love reading all the books in Charles Mills series called Shadow Creek Ranch. We've got a few, including Mystery in the Attic and Cry at Midnight! And we've got a few of Jerry Thomas's Detective Zack stories. Kids love them! Most of you know Victor Czerkasij, who used to teach at Kahili. He co-authored a book about being how being a young Adventist is not for the faint of heart. It's called The Ride of Your Life. Check it out! And talk about BEDTIME and BIBLE and NATURE STORIES...we've got them! Do you remember "Uncle Arthur" and Eric B. Hare. These are timeless stories--and they are all available in our library! Immediately after church, we'll have the Pastor's Study library open. Right now, we're using the honor system. Try not to keep a book more than a month. And parents, jot down the names of the books your children take, and make sure they bring them back before taking any more. THANKS!
And THANKS to Kahili Adventist School for making this library possible for us.
God has answered our prayers! Pastor Douglas Na'a--our one and only choice--has said yes to the call to be the pastor of both the Kapaa Seventh-day Adventist Church--and our church. His first sermon will be on May 5th. Plan to be there and give him and his wife a BIG welcome!
Douglas Na'a is a popular pastor, a great speaker, plays the guitar and has a major interest in youth--and that's only the beginning of the many talents and gifts that God has given him. His lovely wife, among other things, plays the piano and sings. We have so much to look forward to in the years ahead with Pastor Doug leading us to a more dynamic relationship with Jesus and a stronger passion to tell others that Jesus is coming soon. We are indeed blessed!
Family Ministries Director: Kay Kuzma; 808-652-1803; kaykuzma@aol.com
What do the children do when they leave the church service after special music?
They learn reverence as they listen to character-building and Bible stories.
They learn leadership skills.
They learn to praise God with song.
They learn Bible stories and use their creative skills for Jesus.
We are blessed at Lawai Valley to have Kevin and Angela Kuzma and Kathy Keen offer a kid-friendly worship service that meets our children's needs in such a way that they absolutely love to worship God.
Six of the children who have been attending children's church and the special Bible study classes offered by Brian Tuzon are now ready for baptism. They are being invited to attend regular church, but most of them have expressed a deep desire to take on a leadership position in children's church and teach the younger kids what they have learned about Jesus and His love.
We are thrilled that they want to serve others, because when they are involved in church, they are not likely to be bored or feel they are not needed--which are the two major reasons teenagers leave church.
As you've probably observed, children's church is only offered on those Sabbaths where the content of the sermon and it's delivery is specifically geared to adult worshipers. Adults deserve to have their spiritual needs met, as do the children.
Our kids are doubly blessed for not only do they have children's church, but the church leaders are encouraging them to participate in the main service, especially in the praise music time and in giving the children's story. Slowly, as the children are trained, you'll be seeing them involved in many other aspects of the service. And as this happens, the older ones will naturally choose to spend more time in "adult church," especially on those Sabbaths when they don't have responsibilities in children's church.
And if you're thinking, "But kids need to be in church," let me assure you that when they are in children's church--they are in church. They're not reading other books, coloring pictures that don't have anything to do with worship, or playing with toys--and they certainly aren't bored! They are worshiping their friend Jesus who said, "Let the children come to me."
All ages are welcome.
We guarantee Children's Church will keep you awake!
While you were enjoying Kauai's February rain, Jan and I were in sunny San Jose del Cabo, Mexico with two of our kids and their families. Why Mexico? When our kids were growing up in Southern California, Mexico--especially the Sea of Cortez--was one of our favorite vacation places and so this year we returned. And just like every proud family, here are a few family pictures:
Kasen, Luke and Levi are under towels
I loved it when people asked, "And where do you live?" and then I would watch their expression when I'd say, "Kauai!" They couldn't believe that we would leave our beautiful island and vacation elsewhere! Right this moment, do you realize how blessed you are to live in "paradise"? Look around you and find a colorful tropical flower, notice the blooming trees, feast your eyes on the ocean vista or the green of the hills and Praise the Lord! Then take out your phone and snap a picture of one of your favorite things and send it to me. It would make a great post! (I'm serious. You send it...I'll post it!)
Like father--like son Zzzzzzz
Kadia: "I learned to swim in Cabo!"
On our way home from Mexico, we (Kevin's family and Jan and I) stopped by Southern California to see Angela's family, my sister and dozens of cousins and friends. I also spent a couple hours doing a video shoot making comments about George Barna's research on what kind of parents make spiritually strong young adults. I thought you'd be interested in some of the findings:
What Kind of Parents Make Spiritually Strong Young Adults?
1: Spiritually strong kids tended to come from smaller two parent families, where only one parent worked, and the parents felt that parenting was their "primary" job. My guess is that it wasn't really the small family or one income that made the difference, it was that these families spent more meaningful time interacting with their children, talking about God, living His love, and sharing what God was doing in their lives. Ask yourself: What can I do to make sure I'm spending significant enjoyable time with my children being the kind of parent God would have me be? 2: Parents showed unconditional love, but maintained control in ways that children accepted, respected and obeyed. Ask yourself: Do my children feel loved unconditionally--just because they exist, or do they feel feel they my love is dependent on their behavior? Do my actions let them know I have strong values that they can respect? Am I firm--yet kind?
3: The character development of their children was the parents most important focus--above money or their children's achievement in school or sports. They had regular spiritual conversations with their children and studied the Bible with them. They controlled negative media influences and involved themselves in their child's choice of friends. But they viewed themselves more as "coach" than "lecturer." Ask yourself: Am I effectively coaching my kids to live a Christlike life?
4. The top mistake parents made, according to the spiritually strong young adults, is that parents failed to identify and enforce rules that were based on principles and the Bible. They said that a well-ordered family made them feel secure, especially when parents were in agreement. Ask yourself: What should the Bible-based rules of my home be? How can I establish them in such a way that I won't provoke my children to anger and rebellion?
5. Hearing parents voice their commitment to each other underscored the security in the home. Ask yourself: How do we keep our marriage strong when the kids seem to need us all the time?
God says that nothing is impossible with Him. Commit yourself and your children to Him and enjoy watching them become spiritually strong young adults. (Mark 10:27)
The Arch at the tip of Baja where the Sea of Cortez meets the Pacific Ocean
ELEELE — At age 14, Bob McNamara found himself living on the streets of Minot, N.D., through no troublemaking antics of his own, but because of a difficult family dynamic. “I used to sleep in a caboose, or under the freeway underpass and get my food from a Dumpster behind the bakery,” said McNamara. “I guess that was the beginning of wanting to help people because friends had helped me.”
His giving back far exceeds what you’d expect from a busy 70-year-old superintendent of building operations for Habitat for Humanity, who didn’t have a clue what he and his wife would do when they moved to Kauai 25 years ago.
“The Lord picked us up and moved us here,” recalled McNamara, the father of three boys, five grandsons and 10 great-grandchildren. “A church friend and his wife had changed their travel plans to Kauai and offered to sell their plane tickets to us. We didn’t know what we were going to do when we got to the island, but I knew God had a plan for me. I thought it would be to help people like I had been doing in Minot.” McNamara had worked as a general contractor in Minot and became a union journeyman carpenter on Kauai. When the opportunity arose to work for Habitat for Humanity building affordable housing, McNamara jumped at the chance. The organization remembered him from volunteer work he had done for a married couple a few years earlier. The job for Habitat for Humanity paid less than one-third of what he was making at his union position, but he believed the non-material benefits more than made up for the difference in pay.
“I was getting paid to do what I love to do,” said MacNamara. “I told Habitat that as long as I could pay my rent, put food on the table and gas in the car, I was good. I love helping people in need.”
Scott Oakley praised McNamara for all he has done for the citizens of Kauai.
“He is always putting in 80 hours a week and getting paid for 40,” Oakley wrote. “He volunteers more than the volunteers do. He is a very patient man and knows every aspect of building a quality home.”
Habitat for Humanity is constructing 125 affordable homes in an Eleele subdivision and also repairing and renovating deteriorating properties around the island.
One of McNamara’s most memorable stories of giving involved a Hawaiian man, who McNamara said, made no secret of his dislike for white people. That is, until he got to know McNamara.
“When (he) needed more space, my son and I spent four days building a 22 by 16 foot addendum on the side of his trailer,” recalled McNamara. “The whole thing was a blessing. He got what he needed and we became best of friends. He even ended up giving us a car to express his appreciation.”
McNamara has endured more than his share of adversity. A tornado struck when he was 2 years old and demolished his home. He survived when his mother pulled him out of the chicken coop he was playing in and into a shelter.
Again, he escaped harm’s way in an earthquake in California, when 50 people were killed in the hospital where he worked. Then, there was the house fire that landed him in the hospital when he suffered severe burns. Devastating floods at a house in North Dakota displaced him and his family. And then there was the miracle during Hurricane Iniki in 1992.
“We were living in Anahola,” he said. “Everybody told us to evacuate because of the potential danger in the low-lying areas. When we returned after the storm, there were huge trees lying down like a wagon trail. We had to cut through them to get to the house.”
When they finally reached the house, it was in pristine condition.
“I couldn’t believe it was OK. I thanked the Lord,” said McNamara. “It’s true. What goes around comes around.”
• This is an ongoing weekly feature in The Garden Island. It focuses on everyday people who reflect the spirit that makes Kauai the place it is today.
If you know someone you would like to nominate, contact Lisa Ann Capozzi, the features/education reporter atlcapozzi@thegardenisland.com.
NOTE: Bob and Faye McNamara have been long-time members of the Kapaa Seventh-day Adventist Church and attend Lawai Valley weekly.
