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!
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!
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…
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.
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/
