Monday, December 12, 2011

Hawaiian Dreams















Each time I return to Hawaii its with mixed feelings. The place holds such mystique for the surfer with its famous surf breaks and massive swell as well as the beautiful climate and backdrop. But it is also a chaotic place of overcrowding, intimidation, traffic, and lost people. This trip was focused on fundraising, chaplaincy, International Conference preparation and a pioneering short-term mission.

A 9-hour flight feels short now and with just a 4-hour time difference it's an easy one on my body. Cal Fisher met me at the airport and we drove through the pineapple fields where the North Shore opens up, virtually unchanged since I first visited in 1981. Of course it has changed some, but nothing like the rampant tourism of the South Shore and you still dodge the odd chicken on the road, which does pose the question, "Why did the chicken decide to cross the road?" "To get to the surf of course!" Everyone surfs here. It is not a subculture, it is the culture and one reason I sense Christian Surfers has never really formally taken off in Hawaii. 

We stay at Eric and Sue Arakawa's place and I appreciate their faithful example and hospitality. There is a huge amount to organise for the fundraiser and a team from 'The Mission' church are helping gather auction items, organise tables, deal with caterers and plan decorations. We have focused on chaplaincy as it is an easily understood part of our mission, with Mike Stangel already having been chaplain to the Triple Crown the past four seasons. For most of the 140 attendees that Saturday night it is their first exposure to CS, so I see it as awareness raising as much as fundraising. Highlights include: Abe Andrews' bed hair as we wake him up for a live video Skype call, a powerful video testimony of Abe's chaplaincy from the ground crew of the ASP, Muelas from Peru sharing his testimony, one of the last boards in Andy Irons' Hawaiian quiver purchased by CS South Bay's Mark Chu, incredible food by Camp Homelani, over 15 church leaders receiving an insight into surf ministry, 12 shiny Christmas trees dominating the room.

For 7 years I had pitched the idea of a concentrated mission to the world's surfers as they travel in Hawaii. This year we finally tested the waters with a handful from Japan, Peru, the Canary Islands, Brazil and Australia who came for 3 weeks to pray, befriend and share. The local churches were invited and 'The MIssion' was our main partner. "I have been so inspired and reminded of the international mission opportunity right here in my backyard," said Christian, a 35-year-old local surfer. We hope to do this again, expanded following our conference in 2012. Special thanks to Andy and Jenny Carruthers for leading the team there.

Back in the old sugar mill, Eric's factory is a mix of high-tech surfboard manufacture and slow traditional craft. Erics showroom is a revolving door of pro surfers, industry leaders and local legends. World Tour veteran Jeremy Flores from Reunion Island drops in to get his big wave board for the Eddie and as he hobbles by is asked if he would like prayer for his injured ankle. "Sure, I would love that!" And our table of friends gets to stand by him as Eric prays right there. Jeremy is obvously moved and says, "I know God does all things for a reason." A local artist does amazing fibreglass art that hangs in galleries around the world, but has its beginnings amongst the red mud of the old sugar mill. 

We check out Camp Mokuleia and are stoked with our venue for the November 2012 10th anniversary International Conference. It's rustic and will be a combination of high school camp and world leadership conference right on the waters edge! We negotiate a heap of details and Cal has a big job ahead of him as the leader of the host region. Turtles flap about in the aqua bay and a monk seal is basking in the afternoon shadows. I can already visualise 200 surfers filling the place and overflowing into the camping area. I only hope we don't rock the locals too much!

The Eddie. The world's best big wave surfers come to compete at Waimea Bay in memory of Eddie Aikau who laid down his life for his friends paddling for help in the dark after their boat capsized. Sadly he violated the common conviction of staying with the boat and all were rescued later. I attend the opening ceremony and the world's elite are there with Quiksilver branding it all. A Hawaiian priest talks a lot of the 'manna' of Eddie and before I know it, it sounds like Eddie is a kind of Jesus right down to his 'power' being available to all in the water. Waaaayyyyyy too much in that. How sad we will deify a man who dies bravely but impotently, and ignore Christ who dies bravely and triumphantly. 

Flying home after just 5 days I reflect that it was another action packed Hawaiian visit. I also have a 9' Waimea gun poking out of my board bag with a cardboard box to protect it. At $170 it has become my Christmas gift from Gill. When I hold it under my arm I know I will never use it seriously, but it sure feels good! I think Hawaii is more paradise than nightmare when shared with godly friends and our egos left at home. I'll be back in November with 200 of my friends, and we will see how it is then!