Aloha to Missionary Mona

Lawai Valley Seventh-day Adventist Church

Family Ministries Messages

Family Ministries Director: Kay Kuzma; 808-652-1803; kaykuzma@aol.com

     When Mona (BeBe) Nicholas recommitted her life to God and joined the Seventh-day Adventist Church, she said, "Lord, I'll go where you want me to go." 

     Last year, she joined Bob McNamara and the team from Habitat for Humanity on a mission trip to Nepal where they built homes for the homeless. That experience was thrilling, and she came back to Kauai wondering, What more can I do?

     Her thoughts kept going back to her homeland of Guyana, South America and the tremendous needs among the isolated Amerianda tribes deep in the jungles. Then one day as she was watching 3ABN (Channel 25 on cable on Kauai) she saw a program featuring the pioneering work of Adventist World Aviation (AWA) that had sent missionary pilots to that region to provide transportation  to medical facilities impossible to reach by ground transportation and fly in supplies and medical/dental and Bible workers who are volunteering to help the people in this remote area. 

     She was introduced to the LaBore family and their two Cessna 182s--one of which is called the Pathfinder, because it was purchased with funds raised by Pathfinder Clubs across the world. This couple not only pilots these planes, but are homeschooling their two children, recruiting volunteer Bible and health ministry workers, and trying to build a much needed hanger. 

     On April 15th, Mona (our own volunteer missionary) is flying to Guyana for 15 days to do whatever she can to help. She is willing to use her nursing skills, help take care of the children and even contact government officials which she knows in Georgetown who might be helpful in getting the hanger built. 

    AWA continues to build God’s Kingdom, reaching the unreachable who live with desperation, disease and death as constant companions, and introducing them to Hope, Health and Life. The process of meeting people’s physical needs and proclaiming a message of hope lays a foundation for the future, indeed, all eternity. This is what AWA has done since 1995:

•     68 tribal nations impacted
•     Over 43,000 people reached
•     More than 5,000 youth involved
•     23 churches and schools established or built
•     Over 35 epidemics stopped
•     In excess of 8 million missionary seat miles flown
•     Well over 2 million pounds of food and supplies delivered
•     Over 2,000 emergency medical evacuations conducted

   How is AWA funded? Totally through donations that come in monthly to take care of the missionaries needs and the operation of the planes. (It costs $500 to do one medical evacuation!) You may not be able to go to Guyana, as Mona is doing, but you can support this work. In fact, wouldn't it be wonderful if Lawai Valley Seventh-day Adventist Church saved 5 lives (or better yet 10) because we paid for these people to be air-lifted to medical facilities! Or, maybe we could help build that much needed hanger! Even though we can't go to Guyana, we can join Mona and mail our checks to:

ADVENTIST WORLD AVIATION, PO Box 444, Sullivan, WI 53178-0444. To set up an automatic deduction from a credit card, call 414-226-5195.

Aloha Mona--And May God Bless and Keep You

Be A Husband Your Wife Can Brag About

OK, I've got your attention! Now let me share some advice Gerald Rogers gave in his Live Big blog. He said he wished he knew these things before his marriage of 16 years fell apart. So men, listen up! You're still got time! I've selected only a few of his suggestions. If you'd like to read his entire blog, go to: http://geraldrogers.com/marriage-advice-i-wish-i-would-have-had/

1: Never ever take your wife for granted. Keep courting; keep dating; keep falling in love with her again and again and again.

2: Commit to being the protector of her heart--and yours. Make a special place for her in your heart. "Keep that space always ready to receive her and invite her in, and refuse to let anyone else enter."

3: Accept her as she is with no expectation that she will ever change. It's not your job to fix her. Instead, see the best in her and let her know what you admire about her.

4. Don't expect her to make you happy. "You are responsible for finding your own happiness, and through that your joy will spill over into your relationship and your love." Don't blame her. Take responsibility for your own feelings, and if they are triggered by childhood wounds, get help to heal yourself.

5. Be honest and transparent. If you want to have trust you must be willing to share everything--especially those things you don't want to share. Drop the mask. It takes courage, but let her love you in good times--and bad. That's the only way to really grow together.

6. Be silly. Don't take yourself so seriously. Laugh and make her laugh. Have fun together.

7. Be vulnerable. You don't have to be perfect or pretend you have all the answers. "Be willing to share your fear and feelings, and quick to acknowledge your mistakes."

8. Fill her soul everyday. Learn her love languages and the specific ways that she feels important, validated and cherished. "Ask her to create a list of 10 things that make her feel loved and memorize those things and make it a priority everyday to make her feel loved."

9. Forgive immediately. Focus on the future. Don't let the past hold you hostage like an anchor. Forgiveness cuts you free to choose love.

10. Be present. "Give her not only your time, but your focus, your attention and your soul. Do whatever it takes to clear your head so that when you are with her you are fully with her. Treat her as you would your most valuable client. She is."

11. Give her the tender caress of words and touch . . . "to carry her away in the power of your masculine presence, to consume her and devour her with your strength, and to penetrate her to the deepest levels of her soul. Let her melt into her feminine softness as she knows she can trust you fully."

12: "Allow your woman to just be. When she’s sad or upset, it’s not your job to fix it, it’s your job to HOLD HER and let her know it’s ok. Let her know that you hear her, and that she’s important and that you are that pillar on which she can always lean. The feminine spirit is about change and emotion and like a storm her emotions will roll in and out, and as you remain strong and unjudging she will trust you and open her soul to you… Don't run away when she's upset. Stand present and strong and let her know you aren’t going anywhere. Listen to what she is really saying behind the words and emotion."

Gerald Rogers ends his blog with these words: "MEN- THIS IS YOUR CHARGE : Commit to being an EPIC LOVER. There is no greater challenge, and no greater prize. Your woman deserves that from you."

Let's Car Wash Our Way to a New Roof

Do you recognize any of these cars?

 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!

This week, Maria Lytwynic has volunteered to lead out in the "adult" fund-raiser by purchasing 200 tickets for a car wash from SUDZ (which is across from Costco Gas). 

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!

Family Library--Check it Out!

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's to 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.

Good News! Pastor Doug Na'a is Coming!

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! 

And if you can't wait to enjoy some of his sermons, check out the following:

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Douglas%20Na%27a&sm=3
https://www.audioverse.org/english/sermons/presenters/183/douglas-naa.html
http://www.peweevalleysdachurch.org



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!

A Look Inside Children's Church

Lawai Valley Seventh-day Adventist Church

Family Ministries Messages

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! 

What Makes Spiritually Strong Kids?

I had a great time--reading!

Kevin & Angela, Kari & Jeff  and KIDS

Kasen makes the catch!

       
We're 
back 
from vacation!    

Keana and Cousins 

Cousins working on a puzzle

     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