Dear Family,
Please pray for Randy Shenk who is being transported to York Hospital today for heart cautherization.
The following is from Ben Tobias, Churches of God Global Reach Director, and David and Kenda Kapaku, Churches of God missionaries in Maui, Hawaii.
The world was shocked last week to witness the sudden devastation from wildfires in Maui, Hawaii. We thank God that Pastor David and Kenda Kapaku were and are safe, but we also want to support their work as they reach out to their devastated neighbors through the ministry of Kahana Door of Faith Church. Please read this heart-felt letter from David [below] and give as the Lord directs.
Thank you,
Ben Tobias
CGGC-Global Reach Director.
Subject: Maui Devastation Report from David Kapaku
Aloha! No— Greetings, Church, friends and family.
People on the west side of Maui are numb but moving forward. Time does not heal, but it is an essential part of the healing process. Trauma is an understatement. Chaos comes from a lack of Communication. Because there is no cell phone services, internet use, etc. church members are still in the dark about things. Everyone on the outside world is feeding news for people in Lahaina. And those news feed can be suspect.
We visited Kahana Door of Faith folks, the ones we were able to see. Traffic lights are out. Confusion on the roads. Those we saw are helped through family and community. The Hawaiian community and locals are pulling resources together to assist the needs of many in the area. Families from Moloka'i are bringing their boats full of supplies to the Kahana boat ramp to be distributed. No government involved, just community workers assessing and accessing resources. Those who had titles of leadership are nowhere to be found; and yet, those who lay dormant on the side have taken the leadership roles making things happen. As pastor, I'm proud of the Kahana community making sure people's needs are being met -regardless of race, religion, gender, etc. they are first human beings. The church is open for those displaced and in need of rest and shower.
Several church families have lost their residence. Some are still being accounted for due to no phone service and internet. As of August 14, about 100 people are dead, with around 1,000 still missing. Over 270 homes and businesses were destroyed. Several business people in the church lost their offices in the fire. Over thirteen churches and religious institutions are no more. About 40,000 tourists have been evacuated home or to Oahu within the last couple of days. Hawaiian Airlines and Southwest Airlines dropped their fares to $19 and added additional flights to the wee morning of 2am. United Airlines is bringing empty planes to haul tourists back. The world is responding to Maui. People all over the world is offering help and donating.
Governor Green, Mayor Bissen, and Senator Brian Schatz met on Maui, Lahaina area to assess the carnage. President Biden allocated federal resources to Maui.
On a personal note: This morning around 1:30am, I woke up, went to the living room, lit a candle to pray. Brothers and sisters, this is overwhelming. I wept. One cannot fathom the depth of this moment. Emotions down deep are surfacing. I tremble at the thought of this devastation. As I go through the morning, I stop and weep. Embracing change will be slow and painful. Priorities will shift. But the memories will be imprinted forever. The LORD is telling me I don't have to be strong; I just have to be transparent. And as people see through me, they will see the Christ in me.
Psalms 46 reads "God is our Refuge and Strength, an ever-present help in troubled times. Therefore, we will not fear..." Like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego coming out of the fiery furnace, we too will emerge from this fiery debacle to glorify the LORD.
Pray for us, encourage us, as we share the aloha of Jesus Christ. Kahana Door of Faith's boots are on the ground.
Blessings.
Kahu (Pastor David Kapaku)
If you wish to donate support, you can use the following link:
cggc.shelbynextchms.com/external/form/37514670-68a7-4a97-9d79-b2283453b08e and submit your amount at the bottom of the page,
or mail in a check marked, "9085 Maui Disaster Relief" to Churches of God General Conference, P.O. Box 926, Findlay, OH 45839.
Thank you for your partnership!
“We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.” 2 Corinthians 4:8-9
For His Glory,
Pastor Gary
Pastor Gary
Gary Hornbaker
Shippensburg First Church of God
Pastor of Visitation and Discipleship
Church Phone: 717-532-8421
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