Aloha! From the not as Big as we thought Island!!
For the last 50 years of trying to follow Jesus, John
Calvin has been a trusted friend and mentor. But in the last few days Calvin
has stormed across the Pacific as a terrible foe and menace. He would probably be
surprised that the nomenclature of the World Meteorological Organization has
made him such a bad boy. (I know some have always thought Calvin a bad boy! Not
sure if there will be any hurricanes named Arminius?)
Our island, Hawaii, is big enough to fit all the other
Hawaiian Islands within, the ‘Big Island.’ But Calvin was bigger! Storm clouds swallowed
the island and poured rain. Thank the Lord for His kind providence, the damage was
minimal! Calvin was ‘just’ a Tropical Storm at impact.
Strange how some can be hit by a monster storm and
still wonder, “Is there really a God?” Strange and sad. Old John was correct, “Only those who have
learned well to be earnestly dissatisfied with themselves, and to be confounded
with shame at their wretchedness truly understand the Christian gospel…No man
is excluded from calling upon God, the gate of salvation is set open unto all
men: neither is there any other thing which keeps us back from entering in,
save only our own unbelief” John Calvin (1509-1564).
‘Kalawina’ Churches’
I imagine Calvin would be more pleased to know his
name is linked to vibrant churches here in Hawaii today. The first missionaries
who sailed from Boston and landed in Hawaii in 1820 were Calvinistic ‘Kalawina’
Congregationalists. They planted dozens of churches throughout the 8 islands of
the Kingdom of Hawaii.
One of those churches was where we now serve
Kalahikiola (Hawaiian for “the day salvation comes”) Congregational Church
founded in 1832 in Kapa’au. We are very thankful to be a part of the
Kalahikiola ‘ohana’ (family!). The Lord is growing us in depth and numbers as
we worship and serve Him. From August I will be teaching Romans on Wednesday
nights and preaching through Acts in the morning, God willing. We are praying
for greater impact in our little community, especially asking the Lord to open
doors for elective after-school Bible teaching for kids in our local schools.
Last Saturday we drove to the other side of our island
to celebrate with a sister ‘Kalawina’ church – Kalapana Maunakea First Hawaiian
Congregational Church. They celebrated their 200th anniversary!
British missionary William Ellis preached to several hundred Hawaiians on the
beach at Kalapana in 1823. Earthquakes, tsunamis, and lava have pushed them
around, but they have continued to worship the Lord God – now in their fifth
building! We were greeted through video by Ellis’ great, great, grandson, the
Rev. David Ellis, aged 94, who rejoiced that the work of God continues! We
heard stories about the youth of Kalapana in the 1880’s who marched three days
to get to the all-state Song Contest at Haili Church in Hilo, singing as they
carried their church banner. They walked back home with a beautiful trophy,
presented by the Queen, as the winners of the contest. As the pastor’s wife led
us in worship she called our attention to the cross in their chancel, “Jesus is
not hanging on that cross. He is here with us now. And He will be with us for
our next 200 years of worshipping Him!”
Holding the Rope with IDEAS
Many people have heard of William Carey, do you know
about his good friend Andrew Fuller? In 1792, William Carey published a
treatise with the long title: An Enquiry Into the Obligations of Christians
to Use Means for the Conversion of the Heathens. Carey challenged the
hyper-Calvinistic idea that God would save the lost without workers going out
in mission. Carey reasoned that the Great Commission of Matthew 28:18–20 is a
binding command on every generation of Christians. Carey went to India and served
faithfully there until he died in 1834.
Before leaving for India, Carey challenged
his friend Fuller, “I will go down into the pit, if you will hold the rope.”
Fuller held the ropes by serving as president of the Baptist Mission Society
from its founding until his death in 1814. He traveled the British Isles,
raising funds and preaching mission sermons. Missionaries in India and other
early fields could concentrate on their work because they knew Fuller was
advocating for them back home.
We were in California and Oregon last month. Mark was honored to officiate a beautiful wedding for family in Santa Cruz. Lots of family gathered for a great celebration. We then had the privilege of sharing with supporting churches in California during the month of June. It was a great encouragement to meet friends and see the Lord’s work there. Many thanks to those who continue support and pray for us. We are very blessed to hold ropes for others now, having been held so well by you these last 40 years.
As I did a bit of searching on the Calvins, these
words by John have caused a storm in my heart, “If a preacher is not first
preaching to himself, better that he falls on the steps of the pulpit and
breaks his neck than preaches that sermon.” We so appreciate your prayers and
encouragement to continue faithful to Jesus!
Gratefully in His grip, Mark and Dayna Blair
Phones
Mark 808-218-4872 / Dayna 808-218-3698
Emails
blairstan2@gmail.com / mark.blair@ideasworld.org
Blog
http://blairstan.blogspot.com
Web
Site https://pastormarkblair.org
IDEAS,
7852 South Elati Street, Suite 202, Littleton, Colorado 80120 www.ideasworld.org
https://ideasworld.org/associate/blair-mark-and-dayna-support-0471
