NH East Shore...The Relational Church

This morning, I got the blessing and privilege to visit and help out at New Hope East Shore all the way at Kailua High School. For a Waipahu-guy, that is far away! But it was good visiting Kailua on the other side of the island.

It was comforting to see Stephan (One of the other legacy interns), Pastor Glenn, and Pastor Rick. But one of the things that I noticed was how hospitable and welcoming everyone at New Hope East Shore was.

At 8 AM, I came to help set up and was greeted by several people. I got sit in the worship rehearsal. I even got free 7-11 Spam Musubis (How awesome for a 1st time visitor??)!

But I could see how the staff, volunteers, and church people were so close to each other and I could tell it was "ohana." Carolyn Shima (She spoke at the past Fireside Chat) was right in her description of how NH East Shore was very "relational" and had a big focus on relationships.

I enjoyed the warm hospitality that I was welcomed with. It was awkward (that happens regardless at any first time visit or experience), but I had lots of fun and enjoyed the small, homey, church atmosphere.

There was even one of the church ladies, Francis, who went by every chair and said hello to every person and asked how they were doing. I also got to meet a nice lady named Nat and she was definitely a prayer warrior! It was fun setting up the table cloths before church service.

I had lots of thoughts and observations about the church. I could have placed a narrow-minded mode and create a list of critiques of "This is wrong or Why are the doing such and such..." on and on...but I didn't. I observed a warm hospitality described the verses,

"Rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man," (Ephesians 6:7 ESV)

"Show hospitality to one another without grumbling." (1 Peter 4:9 ESV)

Big thanks to my friend and fellow intern Stephan-You are awesome! You have a great singing voice and it was fun hanging out with you! :-) Thanks Pastor Rick for your encouraging and timely message. Thanks Pastor Glenn and all the volunteers at NH East Shore for your warm hospitality. And thanks to the church people of NH East Shore. May you guys develop into an irresistible church to heaven and not to men.

"As a result of your ministry, they will give glory to God. For your generosity to them and to all believers will prove that you are obedient to the Good News of Christ."
2 Corinthians 9:13 (NLT)

Serving....With A Brush In One Hand And A Mop In The Other

On Friday July 1,2011, Tia and I got to help out with the Levites Ministry at New Hope Oahu Farrington.

I thought we were going to help set up tents and tables....

However, we cleaned bathrooms instead.

THE HORROR!!! AHHHHHH!!!!! :O

But in all seriousness, we met Unko Conrad and he instructed us what to do and gave us cleaning supplies. So, with a mop in one hand and a toilet brush in the other, Tia and I got to work cleaning bathrooms.

Scrub. Brush. Rinse. Lather. Repeat.

I felt like Cinderella cleaning the floors.

But I had so much fun cleaning the bathrooms. Tia was there to help me out and make sure everything got cleaned thoroughly and properly. We sang Disney songs (Little Mermaid and Aladdin), Prince of Egypt (When you Believe and Ashira Ladonai), and even worship songs (Everlasting God, I give You My Heart, We Exalt Thee).

In the moments when I wanted to give up or when these thoughts in my head said, "Why the heck are you cleaning bathrooms??? So low! So low! You should be doing something better than this for your skill level!" I kept repeating to myself,

"IT'S ALL FOR JESUS! IT'S ALL FOR JESUS!!!"

That day, I was blessed to learn some valuable lessons:

1) It's not about you.

2) God deserves all the glory

3) Serve by humbling yourself and starting at the bottom.

I got to experience the "New Hope Intern" cleaning that most of the New Hope Pastors today talk about. Man, it's waayyyyyy harder than it looks. But I was able to see the importance of humility and serving.

I'm ready for the next thing the LORD has for, no matter if it's cleaning more bathrooms or doing something else.

...Oh and about the paper towel dispenser, Tia and I "conquered" that beast. Took some time and effort, but we conquered it! Mwhahahahahaha! :D