February 10, 1991

A Hui Hou Uganda, Aloha Haili


Mark and Dayna Blair
Haili Church
P.O. Box 1332
Hilo, Hawaii  96721


February 1991

Aloha in Jesus name!

     We write this final "Uganda Update" half the world away from East Africa. Mark has accepted a call as the Pastor of the Haili Congregational Church; the church where we were married and commissioned to missionary service in 1982. Our ministry began here this month.

     Founded in 1824, the church is the second oldest in Hawaii. Once there were thousands of members, over one thousand people were baptized one day in the 1800's! Today there are 200 members. Our Haili Christian School, where our boys now attend, has 310 students, pre-school through eighth grade. We are excited about the ministry which God has given us here. There is a far greater percentage of non-Christians in Hawaii than in Uganda. We pray God will bless His church for the blessing of many, and the honor of His name. May God do what He's done here before.

     We look back fondly on seven years of ministry in East Africa. We had some part in the training of several hundred Ugandan pastors. The Word of God is preached in many churches. We shared the gospel in homes, open-air markets, prisons, hospitals, prisons, and mosques. We prize the loving friendship of many Ugandan friends. None of this would have happened without your generous support and faithful prayer. The Lord is mighty!

     This summer Haili Church will give us an unpaid leave of absence. We hope to come to the "mainland" to express our gratitude and share with those of you who would like us to come. Funds which you have given since our return from Uganda will defray the cost of this trip for our family. IF YOU WOULD LIKE US TO COME TO SEE YOU THIS SUMMER WE NEED TO KNOW SOON. This is the last prayer letter we anticipate sending. We do hope to hear from many of you.

     As you send this letter from "paradise" you may be surprised to see our "prayer card." We need prayer to minister in Hawaii just as much as we did in Uganda, perhaps more. "Salvation is of the Lord." Perhaps those of you who never visited us in Uganda could be persuaded to come here. We would love to host you. We are very grateful for the tremendous support we have received for the past eight years. May God return your kindness tenfold.

Gratefully in Him, Mark and Dayna, Nathan, Josiah, & Aaron



Continuing Education of a Missionary Theologian