Maui, Hawaii
October 18th - 25th, 2023
On Tues., Aug. 8, 2023, dry conditions on Maul prompted fires which turned catastrophic on Wed., Aug. 9, as winds of Cat 4 Hurricane Dora swept it into an inferno. Lahaina, home to more than 13,000 people was leveled.
ALOHA - our Calvary Relief team of 10 served in Maul from Oct. 18th through 25th, 2023. What an amazing trip - very different from previous deployments but miraculous in many ways and we were all so thankful to be a part of it.
We worked in the "Hot Zone" where families were finally being let in for the first time to see their homes. It looked as if a bomb hit their neighborhood, and they were devastated, but as we met with them and sifted through the ashes and found a few things that were important to them, many were able to come to closure and move on with God's hope and peace. The stories we heard from homeowners that escaped the fire were horrific - one lady clinging to the rocks of the ocean with 30' flames over her head for 12 hours - but she survived with only a slight burn on her leg and was very thankful.
Driving into the "Hot Zone"
It was hard work, hot and exhausting, but all worth it - just being there for them and allowing God to use us.
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There were many God-moments & miracles
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7 people came to the Lord including 2 Buddhists
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Upon discovering beads for a Buddhist family, a huge wind came & blew them all away. Upon finding one of the beads again, it disintegrated, and as they tried to wipe off a statue, it also disintegrated.
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Found lady's wedding band - it sparkled as if never in a fire and the homeowner cried as she put it on.
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It seems impossible to find anything in the ashes - as we prayed for a specific item, God led us directly to it.
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One homeowner only wanted was a small horse statue that his girlfriend had made in 3rd grade and given to him as a gift - we found it intact for him!
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Teammates worked for 2 days trying to open a safe. They finally got it open revealing the homeowner's most precious thing - their wedding album!
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Lots of spiritual warfare and confusion at times, but as we prayed, we saw God triumph each time. Praise God!
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"Here am I. Send me!" Isaiah 6:8