April 15, 2022

Save Us!...50 years into forever…

 

Aloha from Honolulu this Holy Week 2022,

Wherever you are in our troubled world, we pray you’ll carve out a moment to reflect on why this is the most important week in human history. The Desire of Nations delivered our dying world. As churches around the world will proclaim this holy weekend, this shocking wonder came at the excruciating cost of His own execution. Yet His story has not ended, He had breakfast on the beach with guys who attended his funeral! Guilty disciples touched His wounds, suffered for their sin and shame. And He still lives among us – multitasking to govern the galaxies – while offering undeserved mercy.

My history (Mark) was eternally changed this week, fifty years ago. The high school kid who went to a YMCA camp in 1972 on Catalina Island for fun went home forgiven. The campfire talk was Great News to me, and I walked up to pray. Now, after fifty years of doing some of the same stupid things over and over again, I remain in the grip of His grace. Two thousand years ago the Palm Sunday throng shouted “Hosanna.. SAVE US” --- He did, He still is, and He forever will!  

“Community Life Specialists”

We spent this week in Leadership Team Meetings with our new IDEAS associates via Zoom. We are growing in our appreciation of this effective ministry and the opportunity the Lord has given us to contribute.  Our new title is “Community Life Specialists.” From our IDEAS Project Yearbook, “Community Life leaders work to see our personnel holistically thriving, having clear understanding of IDEAS’ niche for the holy calling of Christian professionals found in the identity, character, and purposes of God.” The mountains we all climb get steep and scarry, but sometimes the hardest part is the rock in your shoe! We hope to remind our new colleagues that it is o.k. to sit down and take the rock out! So, they can keep climbing with fresh zeal and joy.

Important Correction

As we introduced IDEAS in our last letter, we attached a web giving link that did not work. (Thanks to those of you who tried and helped us get it right!). If this sounds like a not-so-subtle appeal…well… Here is the right link, with the giving information we put in our last letter:

IDEAS (International Development and Educational Associates) is a 501 © (3) public charity. Contributions are tax deductible. IDEAS also receives Donor-Advised Funds, Employer Matching Gifts, Stock, Mutual Funds, and IRA contributions.

The easiest way to contribute - for you and IDEAS - is online.

https://ideasworld.org/associate/blair-mark-and-dayna-support-0471

This secured site protects donors and keeps track of your giving. Check it out.

If you would prefer to mail a check, no problem. Checks (no cash, please) made to IDEAS (our name should not be on the check, but attach a note: ‘Mark and Dayna Blair’) and mail to:

IDEAS, 7852 South Elati Street, Suite 202, Littleton, Colorado 80120

There is a great Finance Team who can answer any questions at: give@ideasworld.org  or     720-283-9100. Many thanks, for contributing to our work through IDEAS!

 Another Correction…

A couple months ago we mentioned a one-hour film about the history – and continuing impact – of Gospel missions to Hawaii called “A Witness to Aloha.” Then the site got removed! But it is back up, so hurry and watch it - interesting, encouraging, and free!


 Front Row Seat for More Hawaiian History

For April and May we’re in a Guest House of Kalihi Union Church in Honolulu. There are 14 different thriving congregations who call KUC home. We have enjoyed meeting brothers and sisters from Tonga, Japan, Korea, Micronesia, Samoa, and Hawaii. 

Worship and witness happen all week long, sports in the gym, senior’s programs, food distribution to over a 1000 people, Bible Study Fellowship, American Heritage Girls and Trail Life - Christian ‘Scout’ programs for boys and girls, prayer meetings, weightlifting, floral arrangements, Youth Nights, and of course sermons, studies, and songs! We don’t have to get in the car to find ministry!



Over 500 neighbors come for ‘Manna Ministry’ weekly – Bread - fresh and Eternal – is given freely!

Three people obeyed the Lord through baptism at KUC Sunday. The Pastor wisely reminded us of the Palm Sunday shout “Hosanna.. SAVE US!” – because that cry begins and must continue through all our life with Jesus. Two got dunked, but if the Sister in the blue t-shirt had gotten in the pool, they all would have sizzled. She was wearing an electronic ankle monitor. She raised her arms in joy as loved ones poured cleansing water over her…



Our Sister will be sentenced soon, but wherever she goes she is a blood-bought, Spirit-filled, heaven-bound daughter of the King. “Hosanna.. HE DOES!”

 We enjoyed the Hawaiian Islands Ministries conference with people from our islands and the Mainland, including these brothers and sisters.



We witnessed Isaac Ikeda, here with his wife,  ordained to Gospel ministry in the Honolulu Nazarene Church. He heard us speak in his church when he was in elementary school – and distinctly remembers hearing for the first time about a strange and far-away place called Kazakhstan!

Upcoming Ministry Opportunities…

April 24 – Japanese Fellowship, Kalihi Union Church, Honolulu

                 Hawaii Kai United Church of Christ (over Zoom)

                 Kaneohe Christian Church, Oahu             


April 30 – American Heritage Girls, Kalihi Union Church

May 1      Kailua Christian Church, Oahu

May 20,22 Waipuna Chapel, Kula, Maui

May 29   Kalihi Union Church

June 19   Kalāhikiola Congregational Church, Kapaʻau, Hawaii

July 24 – 29 IDEAS Global Conference, Estes Park, Colorado

Maylee in Russia

For the last four years our Granddaughter, Maylee, has been an on-line student of a private high school in Moscow, Russia, while living in Almaty, Kazakhstan. She plans to graduate in June. She has just flown – via Belarus because of global sanctions – to take her final exams in Russia. We really hoped to be there to celebrate her accomplishment! Hopefully, we will see her before long in Hawaii.

We are so proud of her! She has been an excellent student, recently earning a ‘Good’ score on the ILETS exam for a British University she is considering.

Thanks for your many years of faithful prayers for Maylee, please continue to pray as she considers future education and where to live. Lots of big decisions in these challenging days for a young lady with a Russian and an American passport.

Josiah in Istanbul

Maylee’s dad, our son Josiah, has taken a new job in Istanbul. He recently moved from Almaty to Turkey to become a Sales Executive for Tersane Istanbul. https://tersaneistanbul.com.tr/

If you want to buy a beautiful condo on the Bosphorus, in the historic Golden Horn of Istanbul, we know a great guy who is ready to help you! Pray for Josiah as he starts a new life there. Yet, thankfully, in the same part of the world as Maylee – for now! Ah, life is an adventure.

 On Good Friday Peter swore he never even knew Jesus! A few weeks later he stood before thousands in the city where Jesus was murdered. God saved him too; and filled him with power to declare salvation for all, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call” (Acts 2.38,39) ---- “Hosanna” for all our loved ones!

Rejoice! He is Risen!! Mark and Dayna Blair

Our Phone Numbers    Mark 808-218-4872 / Dayna 808-218-3698

Emails  blairstan2@gmail.com / mark.blair@ideasworld.org /  dayna.blair@ideasworld.org

 

IDEAS - 7852 S Elati St., Ste 202 Littleton, Colorado 80120,  www.ideasworld.org

https://ideasworld.org/associate/blair-mark-and-dayna-support-0471

 

Blog  http://blairstan.blogspot.com/               Web Site https://pastormarkblair.org/

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