In August 2023, Maui, Hawaii was devastated by wildfires, taking the lives of over 100 people and burning more than 2,000 homes and businesses. Local churches have worked hard to support Maui’s recovery, but the process is slow. Many displaced families have moved between multiple locations, some having relocated nine to 12 times since the fires, all while waiting for their homes to be rebuilt. Although it has been over a year, recovery in Maui continues at a very slow pace.
Through Cedarville’s Global Outreach ministry, I had the privilege of traveling to Hawaii with a team of 18 over spring break. We saw God continually open doors to make this trip happen and witnessed Him work in amazing and powerful ways during our time in Hawaii!
Oahu, Hawaii
On Saturday, we flew to the island of Oahu, where we stayed at International Church of Oahu (ICO). We spent time touring Pearl Harbor and learning more about the island.
On Sunday, our group was able to attend two church services. We started the morning at Daybreak Church, where we were welcomed and had the opportunity to connect with several church members. It was a beautiful service, and our team was shown so much love during our visit. Afterward, we traveled back to ICO and attended their morning service. We had the sweetest time talking with members of the congregation and enjoying the food they had prepared. After the service, we spent time at the beach before being invited to a local family’s house for dinner. That evening, we returned to ICO to clean their third-floor space and prepared to head to the airport early the following morning.
Maui, Hawaii
We flew into Maui on Monday morning and immediately went to work. We assisted with food trucks that serve meals for a local fruit packing company and helped clean up Living Way Church. Kahu (Pastor) Greg greeted us Hawaiian-style and shared about the amazing ‘āina (land) that we were on and about their ministry and outreach to the Happy Valley community and all of Maui.
Tuesday was a busy day filled with a variety of service projects. We were divided into teams and visited two different churches. At Living Way Church, the first team prepared food packages for those affected by the Lahaina wildfires, worked on a deck for a house where homeless individuals can stay, and cleaned the church itself. Meanwhile, the other group traveled to Waihe’e, where they were met with Aaloha by Pastor Verle, Auntie Susan, and the Pohnpei (Micronesian island) pastor, Pastor Welter. They shared the church’s nearly 200-year-old history and discussed the integration of the local Micronesian community into the church. Our team helped with yard work and trash clean-up. Later that afternoon, the Waihe’e group went to the Takitanis’, a local couple who are starting a Hawaiian culture Christian ministry, Mino’aka (Smile) Ministries. They have been blessed with eight acres of land and needed help with some cleaning on the property. Both teams reunited at Living Way Church for a Bible study and dinner.
On Wednesday, the Living Way Church team completed their deck project, while the Waihe’e team continued yard work and organized and distributed food to the local impoverished community in need. The nursing majors on the team hosted a wellness table where people could receive free health assessments. Both groups then met up at Waihe’e to host a kids’ ministry night. We taught a Bible lesson that included the gospel message of Jesus Christ, played games, and danced with the kids. The night ended with dinner and a celebration for Auntie Susan’s birthday.
On Thursday we traveled to Lahaina, Maui, once the capital of the Hawaiian Kingdom, now devastated by the wildfires and where approximately 100 people died. Six of our team members worked with Samaritan’s Purse to help with work in the construction of two separate houses for displaced families at locations where houses formerly stood. The remaining twelve members served Lahaina Baptist Church by doing a significant amount of yard work and other facility maintenance projects. Our support amounted to roughly forty hours of work. The help was crucial for Pastor Erik, who has been at the church for less than a year and is working hard to rebuild the church community as well as his own home after the fires. Pastor Erik told us the story of the day of the fire, how he prayed, and the Lord spared his church building, despite every building around burning to the ground. Pastor Erik showed us the two tall trees at the entrance path to the church, charred, but standing. After our long workday, the Brown family hosted our team for a Bible study, fellowship, and dinner.
On Friday, our team traveled to Kula, where we completed more fire relief work. Many people on the mainland are not aware that on August 8, 2023, there were four separate fires on the island of Maui. Lahaina has received the most attention due to the mass devastation and loss of life. Another fire location, Kula, was a location where 23 homes and over 500 structures burned down. In Kula, there has been minimal county, state, or federal aid, and there is still so much work that needs to be done in the community. The Community has banded together in a group called Malama Kula to recover together. In Kula, our team spent a full day pulling weeds, cutting down invasive tree species (Australian Wattle), hauling logs, and planting new grass. These efforts are vital for preventing future fires, minimizing soil erosion and damage from the various island’s frequent rains, and supporting the reintroduction of native species. Our day ended at Living Way Church with a traditional Hawaiian Haka and Aloha (goodbye) from Pastor Greg and a time of reflection on how we had seen the Lord work throughout the trip.
Saturday was our last day in Maui, and we went on a fun snorkeling outing. Afterward, the organization that provided our lodging, Made in Hope, shared a presentation about their work in the community. Made in Hope is a nonprofit organization that houses and supports women who have survived trafficking in the Philippines. We learned about the prevalence of trafficking in the Philippines, Hawaii and other parts of the world and heard stories about women’s trafficking experiences. Before flying back to Ohio Saturday night, our team walked around a local beach park praying with some people, sharing, and handing out flyer invitations to a gospel message event hosted by Haumana (“Disciple”) Baptist Church.
Personal Impact
God has laid so many things on my heart since this trip. I witnessed firsthand the poverty in Hawaii and was amazed to see the generosity of these people who have so little. I heard many testimonies of how the Lord continues to provide in both big and small ways as well as just how grateful these people are for His generosity. The churches we partnered with displayed an incredible love for God, their church community, and others. I think this is something that can easily be lacking in many churches but is so vital for the church’s community and worship of God.
Lastly, many of the people we met had an unwavering relationship with the Lord, which was so inspiring to see. Their desire to know Him better and share His love with others was evident in their lives. Their recollection of Scripture and knowledge of the Bible was incredible, and they were truly a blessing to speak with. As Christians, we should have a love so deep for Christ that it is evident in every aspect of our life and is something we cannot help but speak about and share with others — both believers and unbelievers. This GO Trip taught my team and I so much, and it will always hold a special place in my heart!
Major: Nursing
Year of Graduation: Class of 2026
Tags: #experience, #globaloutreach, #GO, #missions, #personal, #student, #studentlife, #testimony
Posted in: Experience, Global Outreach, Student Life