Aloha, Loved
ones,
As winter’s
preview taunts many of you, we send our warmth and sunshine from Hawaii. If it
is any consolation, we have been sleeping under a blanket too – but our windows
are still open. Oh well.
We greet you
in the Name of our great God and Savior who is forever kind and faithful
through all our seasons of life. We are especially reflecting on God’s great
faithfulness as our first book came out this week.
“The View
from Under the Bus – Uganda”! We hope this will be the first of four small
books about our life in mission – Uganda, Hawaii, Kazakhstan, and China.
I, Mark, am
writing in the ‘we.’ Not the royal we! But the grateful we that God has given
me such a wonderful life partner in Dayna. My story exists because of her
patience and love. And our story is because of you all – praying, giving,
encouraging, hosting, connecting, and cheering us on in missions since 1982.
We pray these
books, and our lives, will exalt Christ and encourage Christians – calling for greater
dedication to completing the task of reaching all peoples with the Good News of
salvation.
We are still
busy in global mission with RECLAIM (formerly IDEAS). Our mission, vision, and core values remain
unchanged, but our name now reflects our commitment to reclaim dignity, hope,
and life!
As the year
ends RECLAIM is focusing on their work in Kazakhstan. https://www.reclaimwithus.org/thrive25
“For over 25
years, Reclaim has trained orchard farmers, helping them to produce higher
quality fruit. Our Light on a Hill education program provides English training.
Sports programs offer opportunities for organized activities, including
cycling.”
It was our
joy to walk alongside these friends in Kazakhstan as Mark pastored
International Christian Fellowship in Almaty for a decade. Several of the
orchard team were fellow leaders and worshippers in our church there. We
rejoice to see how God has answered prayer, established the work of their
hands.
We continue
to serve in pastoral ministry here in Kalahikiola Church in Kapa’au. Last
Sunday we had the joy of receiving four new members. Two of them bring their
four little sons who eagerly attend Sunday school, led by Dayna and a great
team of teachers.
One of our
new members is our son, Josiah! We are very thankful that he has come from
Istanbul back home to Hawaii for a season. He has worked hard to pass the exams
and become a licensed relator in Hawaii. Wanna buy a house in Hawaii?? Let him
know!
Like most
churches, we are gearing up for the holiday season.
We have a
traditional church thanksgiving dinner the Sunday before Thanksgiving. They call it the "Ho’omaika’i" dinner
- a Hawaiian term that translates to "bless" or "give
thanks" especially when we share the blessings with others.
Our little
town is looking forward to the Christmas celebration. Seven churches get
together for a dinner, carols, skits, and sharing. It is special to share this
celebration of His Advent with brothers and sisters from different Christian
traditions.
We also look
forward to is ringing the Salvation Army bell this Advent. We appreciate our local
Envoy and his focus on Jesus. All the funds that folks put in the red bucket at
our local grocery store stay in our community to meet real needs.
So, like you
we are eager for His Advent. May the Lord encourage you to rejoice in Him who
has come, is come, and will come again! And may He draw many of our loved to
come too and receive the fullness of His joy in Jesus!
With love
and gratitude in Him, Mark and Dayna Blair
PS Our youngest grandson, Kukini nu’oli o ke Akua ( runner that brings good news from God), they call him Kini, had his first birthday recently. Dayna was there for the celebration. Here he is in Papa Nathan's arms with Funcle Aaron too!
Mark 808-218-4872
Dayna 808-218-3698
https://www.amazon.com/author/markfblair
https://blairstan.blogspot.com/
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