Make It Clear Ministries

Usually Stan writes these types of letters but he thought you would enjoy hearing from me for a change. As of this writing I have been on Oahu since August 12th and what a cultural education I am getting!

Even though Hawaii is our 50th state in the USA it is truly a "foreign" country…only 20.4% are Caucasian (mostly military), 19.4% are Hawaiian / part Hawaiian, 18.4% are Chinese, 18.3% are Japanese, 13.6% are Filipino, and the remainder are from other Asian countries, Australia, and South Pacific islands like Samoa, Fiji, Tonga, Tahiti, Bora Bora, and Micronesia. Their customs and traditions are so different than those who live on what the island people here call the Mainland .

Yet they are very intelligent people. Stan and I have found that to effectively and culturally relate to them for ministry, we must not assume that we as former Mainlanders are smarter than they are and will now tell them how to do ministry. Our style is to love them, show them, and explain to them what the cross-cultural Word of God has to say. This seems to be what the Holy Spirit is using to help us have a more fruitful ministry among these sweet island people.

To better understand the island culture, as time permits, Stan and I try to attend a cultural event or festival (there seems to always be one happening somewhere on the island). Today we attended a funeral on Waikiki Beach of Kimo Makua, one of the old original beach-boys who took tourists on outriggers (canoes) or taught them how to surf.

We saw Hawaiians, barefoot, leis around their necks, palm fronds and Hawaiian flowers stuck in the sand. Hearing them sing and pray in Hawaiian was a real experience. His ashes were put in a small beautiful Koa wood canoe. With Bible in hand different ones shared how he loved the Lord and reached out to help others overcome alcohol and drugs (ramped on the island).

Then a dozen outriggers paddled out to sea with palm fronds and tropical flowers attached. The one outrigger with Kimo's ashes took one last wave ride into shore, then paddled out to have his ashes scattered upon the water. What was unique about this was that Kimo had taken us out on outrigger rides in years past and we remember this dear man of God well.

On Stan's day out of the office, we often go to Waikiki (only 5 minutes from our temporary apartment) and get to talk to a lot of people. We come loaded with pamphlets explaining how to come to faith in Christ also inviting tourists to church providing them transportation from their hotel. Stan and I have seen many heartbreaking scenes since arriving here; such as homeless people eating out of garbage cans right next to $300 night hotel rooms. Because the weather is beautiful all year, you will find many homeless people live on the streets and in the parks.

Our church helps with a soup kitchen and we have support groups that use our facilities every week. Because the only way to effectively change a life forever is through Jesus Christ and the Word of God, we want to transition the two groups that are not Bible-based into ones that are. The third is Bible-based and is getting the results they should.

Illegal drug use on Oahu has caused the theft rate to be the highest in the nation. Many home have bars, gates, fences, and alarm systems. Every tourist is especially warned not to leave things visible nor in their locked trunks as the cars are so frequently broken into and all personal items stolen.

Everyday three girls ages 15 to 17 become pregnant in Hawaii - 3600 each year! 13% of Hawaii's teens ages 16 - 19 are idle, neither in school nor working. We have no one trained yet to minister to the teens in neither our church nor our community. Please pray for the Lord to raise up someone to help us in this critical area of need.

Yes we live in what many people call "Paradise". The islands with palm trees, beaches, sunsets, and rainbows are beautiful, the people are very loving and friendly, the culture (music and traditions) fascinating. But all this is intoxicating and numbs people to the reality of sin and its horrific consequences.

Yet inspite of all this, the possibilities for effective and fruitful ministry are endless. Because most of these dear island people have no place to go, we have a "captured" audience. But we need help. Stan and I are desperate for God to burden His people with the spiritual needs of these people and come along side us in prayer, support, and personal involvement. Will you seek the Lord with us for helping these island people come to faith in Christ and grow to become fully obedient worshippers of God?

Making It Clear,
Stan and Carol

MAKE IT CLEAR MINISTRIES
PO Box 994
Honolulu, HI 96808
706/633-8426 - Cingular
706/455-4245 - Verizon
Email us at: StanPonz@MakeItClear.org
Home Page: www.makeitclear.org