December 17, 2023

Advent Blessings from Kapa'au

 



Aloha from the Hale (house) Kahu (of the pastor),


By God’s mercy it is Advent again. Our hope is closer than it has ever been! We’ll soon light the Christmas candle with our new family of faith at Kalahikiola Congregational Church in Kapa’au, Hawaii, population 2,004.  We are thankful for our first year of pastoral service here.


One blessing of old age is growing more and more convinced of the truth and power of the gospel of Jesus Christ – “the same yesterday, today, and forever.”


Our grey heads groan for “adoption as sons and the redemption of our bodies.” And yet, to the praise of His glory, we’re already seated with Him in heavenly places. By the gift of faith, we rest securely in His once-for-all redemption. We try to begin most days with devotion but must end every day with repentance. We’ve tearfully watched dear ones stubbornly refuse Jesus, preferring the bitter fruit of their rebellion – some for decades! We’ve also walked with brothers and sisters through sickness, poverty, disappointment, and abuse for long hard years “afflicted in every way but not crushed” – trusting in the Savior who stands for them.


Even more, this gospel - so perfectly designed for our sins and struggles - fits every person. The Creator of every culture sent His Son who speaks every language, sings in every style, and sympathizes with every pain. The Nazarene satisfies hearts in every land. We have never seen a person too far or too foreign to be saved by the Jesus of the Scriptures – “we know that this is indeed the Savior of the world.”


We are blessed to be part of a encouraging and outward looking church. We are growing together in the Word – Acts on Sundays and Romans on Wednesday nights. As the Spirit applies the truths of God, our vision for our families and  communities to know and follow Jesus is growing. 


We have worked with sister churches here on issues that impact our community.


Looking at our small community through our old mission-eyes we see kids in spiritual darkness. Their Moms and Dads profess no faith, some are hostile to religion, the light of Jesus rarely cracks into their worlds. We have learned from Child Evangelism Fellowship that Hawaii law allows facilities use on campus after school hours. So, we hope to offer Bible, song, and sharing to children at Kohala Elementary School. “Good News Clubs” have been held on over a dozen campuses throughout our state.  (https://www.cefhawaii.com/ “Our vision is that every child on every island can hear the Gospel by the age of twelve.”)


CEF came to our church and trained a dozen committed believers from our community to lead clubs. Enthusiasm and vision are building. Not surprisingly, the school authorities have been dragging their feet in resistance. We’d be grateful for your prayers for the 300+ children in our public school, their families, and their teachers.   


Another cause that has banded our area churches is life. Hawaii was the first state to legalize abortion, after the Roe v. Wade decision in early 1970. Now our state lawmakers are busy seeking to enshrine death in our constitution – suggesting that abortions be linked to sunny vacations! Last month I taught my second “4 Questions” training, using great material from PassionLife friends we met in Beijing. (Your heart will thrill to see how they’re promoting life around the world, https://www.passionlife.org/ ). We are in conversation with leaders of crisis pregnancy centers on our island about them helping us open an outpost in our town. Join us in praying for moms, dad, and families, to receive and cherish every life God gives.


We praise the Lord for the privilege of serving as IDEAS Community Life workers with a focus on Asia. We have the privilege of encouraging colleagues who leverage their professional skills to help communities and individuals flourish. We marvel to live in a world with fibre-optic connections all the way to our island!


After a thorough study of their work around the world, IDEAS has decided to focus especially on six nations that offer great opportunity for Kingdom advance. The good work they are doing in other places will carry on as well. But we are praying for stronger multi-focused teams in – China, Kazakhstan, Jordan, Tunisia, Argentina, and Guatemala - to deepen the experience of abundant life for people and communities there.


Here is a new IDEAS video to help explain our work:

IDEAS Mission, Vision, & Core Values

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bdij7KiNHKQ

 



We are thankful for the Lord’s care for our family this year. As we moved back to the USA from China, we suspected if we lived in Hawaii, we would get some visitors. We hoped so! We had no idea we’d be so blessed to live in a big parsonage, our biggest digs in 42 years of marriage. We have had the joy of hosting all three sons, our daughter-in-law, and all three grandchildren in the last year.




We are very grateful for your prayers, support, and friendship. May your joy and hope be renewed this season as we wait for Him who will come and make “all things new.”


Gratefully in His Grip, Mark and Dayna Blair

 

Email blairstan2@gmail.com   


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

 


August 15, 2023

Fires in Hawaii

Dear Friends and Family,


By God’s grace we are fine here in Kapa’au, Hawaii. Many thanks for your notes of concern and prayers for us. We understand that news of “fire in Hawaii” is hard to interpret, especially with so many grim pictures!  We did have fires on our island, some about half an hour away from our home, on Tuesday and Wednesday. Acres of grassland and a few structures burned. Winds from hurricane Dora reached 80 mph here. Thank God for our Hawaii County Firemen, including a young man in our congregation who is a Captain.



Tomorrow our “Prayer for the Nations” in Kalahikiola Church will be for the closest land. Twenty-six miles across the Alenuihaha Channel from us lies the island of Maui. You can see Haleakalā ‘house of the rising sun’ towering at 10,000 feet over the island of Maui.  Global newscasts have bulletined the horrible fire in Lahaina. I am sure you have been praying for them too. Some of us know that our possessions are just stuff, but to have them burned away in a moment is shocking. Even more devastating is the loss of loved ones! May the Lord grant them comfort and hope.



Yesterday we pastor’s in Kohala prayed especially for our colleagues on Maui. May the Lord help them convey His hope – in Word and deed – and give them the strength to extend comfort even when they desperately need it too!


Several churches burned in Lahaina. Waiola Church played a big role in Hawaiian history. As their website says, “Waiola is where Christianity began on the island of Maui. On Oahu, Queen Keōpūolani was impressed with the Missionaries and the message they brought to the kingdom. Keōpūolani was considered to be the highest ranking Ali’i (Royalty) in Hawaii, even higher than her husband, Kamehameha the Great. Keopuolani left Oahu in May of 1823 to reside in Lahaina. She asked that missionaries Reverend William Richards and Reverend Charles Stewart travel with her to speak “The Good Word” and pray to God with her. They arrived in Lahaina on May 31, 1823 and the first Christian worship service was held on the beach the following day. Unfortunately, Queen Keōpūolani fell ill and died on September 16, 1823. Her request to be baptized in the Christian faith was fulfilled just one hour before her death. She and other Hawaiian Ali’i are buried in the Royal Tomb, located in the Waiola Church graveyard.” Keōpūolani knew her public baptism would make strategic impact to advance the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the Kingdom of Hawaii. So, she wisely traveled to the Capital (at that time) of Lahaina. She was right! Thousands of Hawaiians throughout the islands followed her in repentance and faith in Christ. The stone church Waiola opened in 1832 seated 3000 worshippers!


This church kindly supported our mission work over the years, especially when Dayna’s cousin, Kekapa Lee, was their pastor. Today only the charred tombs remain. Let us pray that their members – who are The Church! – will rebuild and continue to make Christ known.


May His Name be praised all around the world tomorrow, from Lahaina to the ends of the earth!


Mark and Dayna Blair 





Phones Mark 808-218-4872 / Dayna 808-218-3698

 

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

 / dayna.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

 

 

 

 

July 20, 2023

Calvinists Persevere Calvin…by Grace!

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.


 Dayna and I have the privilege of holding the rope for our IDEAS colleagues serving in 13 nations. As they demonstrate transformational love by serving the holistic needs of vulnerable communities around the world with their professional skills we hold the ropes. Specifically, we are part of the Community Life team. Every week we zoom with CL colleagues to pray and serve our colleagues in practical ways. Dayna and I have been asked to especially encourage IDEAS workers in Asia. This will probably mean a visit to them in 2024. Now we connect with them virtually. We are looking forward to launching a global zoom study group of the book Extravagant Grace by Barbara Duguid (highly recommended!) this Fall.


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

 / dayna.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


 


April 17, 2023

Cross-Bearing in Kapa'au

Aloha in the Name of our Risen Lord,

We both got a small taste of what our Lord Jesus endured on that day we call Good Friday. For Him the cross was the apex of sleeplessness, betrayals, blood-draining prayer, gross injustice, and merciless beatings, and unfathomable sufferings.

 

We woke up to a beautiful Hawaii morning and drove to the parking lot of the Episcopal church, prayed with brothers and sisters from our little town, and joined them dragging a cross on wheels a couple miles, to a picnic lunch with even more friendly Christians!





 

Some passing cars honked - smiles and “shaka” waves – some scowled and turned their heads. Along the way we sang, read Scripture, prayed, cried, and reflected. Trudging those rough-hewn beams gave us a fresh appreciation of His mercy and grace. Hallelujah! What a Savior!



We recently had a great visit with ourson, Aaron, and  Kara…from Eugene, Oregon the Lord painted 
the sky for us to enjoy!

 

IDEAS' 26th Birthday! 🎉

In the last 26 years IDEAS has impacted more than 62,708 women, men, and children in 18 countries through agriculture, education, community development, business, and health & wellness programs. 21,710 adults and children in Asia with little or no access to healthcare were treated through local clinics. 7,500 bags of food were distributed to refugees in West Asia. 24,000 residents of 7 remote communities in China received clean, reliable water. 1,698 disadvantaged adults and youth in North Africa and the Middle East participated in vocation and life skills training. 5,300 in Bangladesh received nutrition education. 1,500+ farmers and their communities in Central Asia have been impacted by agricultural training, increasing income and quality of life. We are thankful the Lord has allowed us to serve with IDEAS for over one year now.


Sharing IDEAS at the Hawaiian Islands Ministries 40th Anniversary Conference

We recently represented IDEAS at the Hawaiian Islands Ministries conference at the Honolulu Convention Center. It was the 40th anniversary of the HIM conference. We enjoyed being with many



brothers and sisters from throughout our State. We shared with a number of people about the unique ways that IDEAS workers bring transforming hope to people all around the world. We hope to get the word about the great things God is doing through IDEAS more widely in our state as Hawaii Church Ambassadors.  

 WOMAN'S BOARD OF MISSIONS FOR THE PACIFIC ISLANDS

 Dayna has been appointed the representative from our island, Hawaii, on the Woman’s Board of Missions for the Pacific Islands. They were founded in 1871 to send women teachers to Micronesia. They have been ministering to missionaries in the field and neighbors at home ever since - including supporting our family for many years. So, Dayna is pleased for this opportunity to give back, and encourage missions vision in our islands and beyond.

 




Kahu at Kalahikiola

As we were leaving Beijing in 2021, we asked the Lord for our next assignment. God answered in two ways we never expected! We have been part of IDEAS since February 2022. We rejoice in getting to know our new colleagues around the world. Then we got invited to serve Kalahikiola Church, friends who prayed for and supported us for many years in mission. In January they voted for Mark to be their “Kahu” – pastor. We enjoy our new community here.




 

Maylee, our 19 year-old granddaughter, was with us in January! She is in her first year of university, back home in Almaty, Kazakhstan. It was so great to have her, along with Nathan and Heather and their sons, Kekoa and Makana. (We had a joint birthday party for our three grandkids – we don’t get them all together very often!) Maylee’s dad, Josiah, is doing great in Istanbul – thanks for praying for his life and work there.

 

“Lord, you alone are my portion and my cup; you make my lot secure. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance.”           Psalm 16.5,6 NIV


We are so thankful for God’s faithfulness, great friends, and the opportunity to walk with Jesus. Mahalalo a nui loa – really big thanks!

  


Gratefully in Him who destroyed death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, Mark and Dayna Blair


 

IDEAS, 7852 South Elati Street, Suite 202, Littleton, Colorado 80120  www.ideasworld.org

 

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

 

Phones Mark 808-218-4872 / Dayna 808-218-3698

 

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

 

Blog http://blairstan.blogspot.com

 

Web Site https://pastormarkblair.org/


 

 

One recent Sunday we had the privilege of hosting The Kaʻahumanu Society of Kohala, a civic club formed by Princess Victoria Kamāmalu in 1864 for the relief of the elderly and the ill. The club celebrates the life of Queen Kaʻahumanu and the preservation of Hawaiian culture.

 

 

 

January 4, 2023

Hau Oli Makahiki Hou! Happy New Year!

 Hau Oli Makahiki Hou! Happy New Year!     



We pray you and yours experienced the blessings of the Advent season – hope, peace, joy, love, from Jesus! We took advantage of the freedom we have to share Him with our new island neighbors. We hosted four dinners/Advent services in our Kalahikiola Church, considering Luke’s anticipation of Jesus’ coming through the lives of Zechariah, Elizabeth, John, and Mary. The local community center invited our church to have a children’s craft program for their Christmas Fair! We thought it good to hand out Gospel tracts, like we did at their Halloween Fair. This time I decided to write one, comparing the king born here with the King born in Bethlehem. Hope you enjoy it too! See it below.


IDEAS Micro-Communities Multiplying

We continue to meet with our IDEAS colleagues around the world via Zoom. We are leading two book studies with two groups of workers scattered around the world, “Crazy Busy” by Kevin DeYoung, and “Thoughtful Caregivers” by Rebecca Hecking. We are appreciating DeYoung’s honest, God-centered, reflections on living with balance and hope in His service. Kevin is a father (9 kids!), pastor, seminary professor, blogger, and author – so he knows busy! And our IDEAS group that zooms from Hawaii to Virginia to North Africa to the Middle East has lots of busy people. But we are finding our time of connection helpful as we encourage one another to balance practicality and spirituality as we labor for Him.


Our caregivers group carries the concerns of elderly parents – living on opposite sides of the globe. One colleague in North Africa had an opportunity to share some tips from the book we’re reading with a Muslim woman who has been housebound for several years caring for both her parents. She advised her new friend that her care for  parents would be even better if she also cared for herself. So, they made a coffee date where our colleague shared the love of Jesus in word and deed.


Grandchildren for the Holidays

We are very thankful to have our grandchildren here – along with their parents! Our eldest son, Nathan, wife Heather, and their sons Kekoa (7) and Makana (5) are with us for Christmas and will stay into January. And our granddaughter, Maylee (18) is coming for a couple weeks from Almaty, Kazakhstan soon. She has a winter break from her first year of University in Almaty. Her Dad, Josiah, is busy working for Tersane in Istanbul, Turkey. Aaron had a good Christmas in Eugene, Oregon and hopes to visit in 2023.  

 

________________________________________________________

 

A Kid from Kohala who became King  …and how he points to Jesus!

 


Thousands of people from around the world come to see the statue of Kamehameha I in Kapa’au. It is one of the most visited tour stops in our state. In a similar way, millions of global-citizens flock to the Holy Land to be where Jesus of Nazareth walked two-thousand years ago.



We might not know the exact spot, but we know for sure that a mighty King was born right here in Kohala. His mom and dad grappled with many of the struggles of life that we do. When I visited Bethlehem, I was surprised to learn there is some uncertainty exactly where the Virgin Mary labored for her Lord on that first Christmas night. Yet we know those boys made a deep impact on our world.


Like any King, there are legends about the exploits of Kamehameha I, some of them are true. Surely he grew to be a respected leader. Men followed him at the cost of their lives. Families invested their future on his decisions.


There is one story about the boyhood of Jesus in Scripture. Christians believe in the accuracy of the Bible that focuses on Jesus’ life and ministry. Every religion in the world has admiration for Jesus of Nazareth. Millions strive to follow Him today, sometimes at the cost of their lives.


After King Kalaniʻōpuʻu of Hawaii died in the spring of 1782, a group of chiefs endorsed his nephew, Kamehameha, to be the next king. Fights with a couple wanna-be successors lasted for most of the 1780’s. By 1791  Kamehameha I ruled the island of Hawaii and sought to extend his rule across the islands. He was victorious in the Battle of Kepaniwai, defeating Maui's army, led by the Chief Kahekili. King Kamehameha’s most decisive battle was in May 1795, fought along the cliffs of the


 Koʻolau Range at Nu‘uanu Pali. Kamehameha assembled the largest army these islands had seen, about 12,000 men and 1,200 war canoes. Thousands died in the battle for Oahu. His victory was so convincing that king Kaumualiʻi of Kauaʻi  submitted to Kamehameha without a fight, giving him control over all the Hawaiian Islands.


Jesus Christ fought the most decisive battle in human history all alone.  There was just one gruesome fatality. Jesus taught with authority never heard. Jesus healed the blind, deaf, lame, and afflicted. He even raised the dead. Jesus met every confrontation with kindness, absorbing every insult. Three shameful trials declared Him innocent and none of His enemies could find fault with Him. Nevertheless, He was sentenced to one of the most grotesque forms of torture – crucifixion. By the Sovereign decree of Almighty God, Jesus Christ, the Son of God and God the Son, suffered and died. His battle determined the eternal destiny of every human being – heaven or hell.


The Bible teaches that Jesus was the substitute for all who put their faith in Him. He died because we should die. Our sins deserve the punishment of death, so in mercy and grace He died for us. And He rose from death, and now lives forever.


Kamehameha I imposed his rule by force. If Hawaiians wanted to survive they obeyed. Jesus subjects bow to His rule by faith and follow Him who first loved them.


Kamehameha’s reign ended with his death. Our Risen Lord Jesus lives forever. One day He will return to this earth, in fact He reigns over it already!


Kamehameha’s rule was visible. If Hawaiians violated his kapu laws, punishment was swift and severe. Jesus’ kingdom is invisible. By faith we belong to Jesus who fills the heavens and inhabits our hearts.


Jesus’ followers come in every color, from every culture, and live in every country. It has been two thousand years since Jesus walked the earth, yet more than 60 million people join His tribe every year.


Everywhere we have traveled around the world when we say we are from Hawaii people smile. Kamehameha I forged a kingdom that is still envied around the world. Lucky you live Hawaii!


We have seen orphanages, hospitals, schools, Universities, libraries, farms, and factories founded and funded by followers of King Jesus. His Church serves with the joy of His presence and the freedom of His forgiveness.

Jesus offers you the best gift ever - eternal life, forgiveness of sins, peace with God and man, hope, perseverance, and purpose. You are invited into His eternal and invisible Kingdom by faith.


Check Him out in the pages of Scripture – start with the Gospels


Follow the King who came as a kid!


Mark Blair, Kalahikiola Church, 2022


www.kalahikiolacc.com

Sources: Kamehameha I – Wikipedia;   Jesus – The Bible

________________________________________________________

 

Thanks for joining us in prayer that people will read this Gospel message and the Holy Spirit will draw them, to Jesus! 


We are grateful for your years of friendship, prayer, and support. May the Lord help us all to reach out with the truth and grace of Jesus this new year! 


 In Him who holds 2023, Mark and Dayna Blair 


 IDEAS, 7852 South Elati Street, Suite 202, Littleton, Colorado 80120  www.ideasworld.org

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


Phones Mark 808-218-4872 / Dayna 808-218-3698


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


Blog http://blairstan.blogspot.com


Web Site https://pastormarkblair.org/