Many of you know that we moved to Kona two years ago after receiving a call from Pastor Ryan Fasani, a friend whom Eric had worked with in Nashville, TN. We didn't move to Kona for the Fasani's or apart from discerning God's direction for us, but knowing the Fasani family, their similar convictions as Christians, and our common hope for the church made moving a lot easier. Justice had instant friendships with Chenoah and Ahanu, and Eric had a theological dialogue partner and co-conspirator for living this radical thing we call the Gospel. We had anticipated this relationship to not only ground us in Kona for the long term, but also provide the germination of a community of disciples committed to one another in grace, love, and practice.
About three weeks before we left for furlough, Pastor Ryan resigned as Pastor of Kona Coast Nazarene. The Fasanis chose to leave Kona to focus on their health as a family, and we continue to pray for them and KCN even in their absence.
But their absence is difficult for us. We have given in at times to fits of anger, overwhelming sadness, spontaneous tears, and all out weeping. We are at times confused, and wrestle with guilt at whether we contributed at all to this outcome. In short, the past summer has been a summer of grief. We are grieving the loss of close family friends; grieving that Justice won't be able to celebrate birthdays with Chenoah; grieving that we can't surf with Katahdin or play soccer with Ahanu; grieving the loss of such a close theological brother, and certainly grieving what could have been with Mission Kona Coast under Ryan's leadership.
Many have asked whether we will step in as Pastors of Kona Coast Nazarene. This is a legitimate question, as both of us are ordained elders in the Church of the Nazarene and have intimate knowledge and experience of our Mission and Vision for our mission zone and the broader Kona Coast.
The short answer is, No. We do not currently feel God leading us to assume the full responsibilities of Pastor. We very much feel that God is using us in our current role as Missionaries, afforded us the freedom to follow and pursue relationships in the community, and continue the work we have already begun in training local leaders for the future of the church on the Big Island. While our work connects deeply with the life of KCN, it is not dependent upon the lead pastor. Our work and ministry will continue, with your continued prayers and support, in the Mission Zone of North Kona.
Many have also asked about the future of Mission: Kona Coast. The truth is that we just don't know. Our District Superintendent, alongside our board, is going through the process of calling a new pastor. We hope and pray that he/she will have the gifts and passions that fit well into our unique culture and mission here in Kona. We know that the transition will bring changes, but we also trust that the work and culture the Fasanis began will continue through the discernment process for a new pastor.
Please keep us and our church ohana in your prayers as we commit to the health of our community during this transition. Mahalo.
Thursday, August 20, 2015
Wednesday, August 12, 2015
Home
We're home!
As Eric mentioned, furlough was hard. Many missionaries we know choose to have a longer "home assignment" of 5-6 months. We have lived in Hawaii for two years, and this was our first trip back to the mainland as a family. Our trip was five weeks, and we packed that month full. We flew over 9,000 miles and drove another 4,000 miles. Our travel days were long (and frequent), and our two littlest travelers found it hard to be strapped to a seat day in and day out. They met more people than they wanted to (about week 2, Justice said, "I can't remember any more names") and missed home like crazy. We spoke to 20 groups and over a thousand people.
But furlough was good. Life-giving, restorative, and encouraging. We told stories of how God is working, where God is leading, and transformation we are witnessing. We met with other missionaries and church planters. We shared our struggles. We were honest about the work God is doing in our own home. We shared our hope for the future.
We were met with loving and caring individuals. People who are praying for us daily. People who can relate, and people who can't. People who have advice, and people who want to hear more. People who were encouraged to hear and see God's movement. People who were challenged by God's call in their present location. People who want to be a missionary-people in their communities. We are so encouraged by the conversations that began.
And in the midst of that, we visited with our families. We were blessed to see the relationships between our kids and our parents come to life. Relationships we've fostered over FaceTime and Skype, but didn't know what they would look like in person. We were grateful for our kids to play with their cousins, and their aunt/uncles. And we were giddy to hug our own brothers/sisters.
As Eric mentioned, furlough was hard. Many missionaries we know choose to have a longer "home assignment" of 5-6 months. We have lived in Hawaii for two years, and this was our first trip back to the mainland as a family. Our trip was five weeks, and we packed that month full. We flew over 9,000 miles and drove another 4,000 miles. Our travel days were long (and frequent), and our two littlest travelers found it hard to be strapped to a seat day in and day out. They met more people than they wanted to (about week 2, Justice said, "I can't remember any more names") and missed home like crazy. We spoke to 20 groups and over a thousand people.
But furlough was good. Life-giving, restorative, and encouraging. We told stories of how God is working, where God is leading, and transformation we are witnessing. We met with other missionaries and church planters. We shared our struggles. We were honest about the work God is doing in our own home. We shared our hope for the future.
We were met with loving and caring individuals. People who are praying for us daily. People who can relate, and people who can't. People who have advice, and people who want to hear more. People who were encouraged to hear and see God's movement. People who were challenged by God's call in their present location. People who want to be a missionary-people in their communities. We are so encouraged by the conversations that began.
And in the midst of that, we visited with our families. We were blessed to see the relationships between our kids and our parents come to life. Relationships we've fostered over FaceTime and Skype, but didn't know what they would look like in person. We were grateful for our kids to play with their cousins, and their aunt/uncles. And we were giddy to hug our own brothers/sisters.
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