Mark & Dayna's Blog: May 2024

May 30, 2024

Circle the Globe! Gain a Day!!

Aloha! We are back home in Kapa’au!

Thanks so much for praying for us during our month-long trek around the world. We praise the Lord for His mercies and gracious care. Thanks to those who shared your kind hospitality!

We spent time in 4 countries, two where we once lived.

After 30 plus hours of travel, we stepped from Hawaii into dry and sunny Madaba, the 9th-biggest city in Jordan, population 122,008. It was a Moabite border city in the bronze age. Today large historic churches freely worship Jesus peacefully in this predominantly Muslim city. We stayed six days, enjoying fellowship with IDEAS colleagues. We both shared messages on leadership from the life of Moses.

The food was delicious, and people were warm and welcoming. We climbed down to the cell where John the Baptist was beheaded, stood where Elijah was taken by a whirlwind to heaven, saw where heaven’s dove landed on the baptized Jesus, and walked up Mt. Nebo where Moses took his final view of the Promised Land. We enjoyed friendly chats with Jordanians who proudly considered Jesus their own homeboy. None that we met doubted whether He existed!

From Jordan we flew north to Türkiye. We enjoyed three days in amazing Cappadocia. We climbed through ancient caverns which housed people during times of turmoil, even persecuted Christians. We met an IDEAS colleague who has served well there for a number of years.

Then we flew to the beautiful old city of Istanbul for a visit with our son, Josiah. It was great to see the Tersane project and meet his colleagues. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=50YUM1IjrMo) It was great for us proud parents to see the good work he is doing there.

Then we returned to a place we lived for 11 happy years Almaty, Kazakhstan. We were so thankful to be with friends, colleagues, and especially our granddaughter, Maylee. It was a special joy to celebrate Easter again, according to the Julian calendar followed by Orthodox Christians, with dear friends at Almagul Presbyterian Church. Four days in Almaty sped by!

Then we returned to where we spent the next 12 years of our lives, Beijing, China. We rejoiced to connect with dear friends and colleagues. We were encouraged by visits with IDEAS associates. It has been three years since we moved back to USA. The resilience of faithful Christians to worship and witness amidst the tightening grip of opposition magnified God’s power and purpose.

Our hearts were stolen by three new friends. They were abandoned as babies because they were not considered whole. But caring Christians rescued them. They are daily proving how loving care, healthy food, and prayerful concern bring life. Best of all, they now have a Father whose Son has made them complete. Sara, on my lap, cannot hear very well, but she has just learned to sing. We loved her first song, “耶稣爱我” - Jesus Loves Me!

After circling the globe we were surprised by the pilot’s announcement when we landed in Honolulu, “It is Thursday, May 16^th.” Again?! Opps! I forgot the International Dateline. Thank you, Southwest, for freely changing our inter-island flight with smiles! And for friends coming to the Kona airport 24 hours earlier than expected! So, one way or another, we made all our connections by the grace of sustaining mercies of God! Praise the Lord!

We are thankful to be back with our church family at Kalahikiola. The Chief Shepherd took good care of His flock here. Thanks for your prayers as we continue to serve this congregation and work as Church Ambassadors for IDEAS to the islands and for colleagues in Asia.

“We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ…you have already heard in the true message of the gospel that has come to you…the gospel is bearing fruit and growing throughout the whole world” Colossians 1.3-6 NIV

In Him who Saves to the Uttermost, Mark and Dayna Blair