YWAM 50th Kona celebration Day 1 - Lets get this party started

So the great day is finally here and done! After months of crazy hard work for hundreds of people the YWAM Jubilee celebrations here in Kona have finally begun. Time to really celebrate what God has done through this crazy family called Youth With A Mission, that I am proud to call my tribe.

The campus has been transformed. New building names and signs, a new movie theater - complete with proper tiered seating, an extended deck and over-hall to the cafe, the craziest tree house you have ever seen - unless you have seen a 3-level ship in a tree with masts and ropes, the 24/7 prayer room completed, an interactive innovations center, an art exhibition, the time-line room, more flowers and plants than ever, new flags to celebrate the nations ... and the biggest meeting space with a huge bed-sheet style roof!

All the hard work and lack of sleep are beginning to pay off as we welcome in 100's of people from around the world to celebrate. The Ohana Court (the Kona campus normal meeting place) was abuzz today of reunions and joy as people came to register ... across the campus there is such a sense of excitement and anticipation.

I have been responsible for turning our soccer field into a camp-ground ... as of tonight we have over 50 people sleeping under canvas to be able to be part of this week. Everyone is so willing to do whatever it takes to be part of this great week. It has been such a privilege to meet the campers and be able to take the hungry ones out for meals and hear their stories … where else would I go to lunch with people who work in New Zealand and Spain, then dinner with those from Chicago & Venezuela? Tonight was rounded off by taking 3 South Africans out to look for food at 11pm, and laughing more than I have in a longtime … in true YWAM fashion I introduced Pieter from Jbay who I’ve know for a couple of years to the other hungry couple Simon & Sarah from Maui who I had just met, only to discover that they all knew each other, so we had a great late-night catch-up.

I have had a great couple of days welcoming in old friends from so many nations: Finland, New Zealand, South Africa, Australia, Kenya, Hawaiian islands, the UK, Egypt, India and meeting wonderful new friends from far flung nations and then just across the waters in Maui.

Tonight’s opening highlights

Island Breeze (a YWAM ministry that uses cultural productions to celebrate God) kicked off the evening. The team entered into the arena with two canoes and paddles, there was amazing dancing and music – the IB guys know how to party. Multiple generations of fire-dancers lit up the stage with their crazy skills.

A round-island torch run was completed over the past two days … the final leg was run by ultimate Ironman triathlete, and this year’s world championship Kona race second place finisher, Chris Lieto. Representatives of the nations brought their lit torches into the arena to symbolize the flame going forward.

Welcoming the nations … David Hamilton led us in welcoming the flags of 209 nations – to show all the countries that have sent people into YWAM … even Bhutan, North Korea, Afghanistan and Iraq have YWAM nationals.

A declaration was read from the Hawaii Lieutenant Governer, Duke Aiona, announcing today, November 29th to be Youth With A Mission Day!!

The Hawaiian Kupuna (elders) of the land prayed blessing over our time and the Cunninghams spoke of their joy and expectation.

The new Innovations Center opened … a technology packed interactive facility to present what YWAM is doing locally and around the world.

A full-house at the first showing at the new Kona Campus movie theater … this is not just like being in your front room … no this is a proper tiered seating, popcorn selling, movie theater … tonight they showed ‘Jesus Freaks’ – a documentary about a DTS in Colorado that occurred just after a tragic shooting at the base.

As in true YWAM style, not everything went to plan today, but we are YWAM so we roll with it, make it work and act like it was supposed to be that way. I am tired, my car is covered in dust, I have not stopped in days … but I would not want it any other way. I am honoured to love and live the life I do.

I love this tribe, this Ohana or family. … we know God is going to do great things in this week and I wish all my YWAM family were here.  

I will try to post some brief highlights everyday ... so check back in.

WISH YOU WERE HERE xx