One Month Down, One to Go!

It has been a month since I landed in Kona! Today I am saying goodbye to too many friends that have been true blessings to my life here for my first month in Kona. The adventures and experiences that we shared together will never leave my memory; they are some of the best times I have ever had in my 21 years of life!

Two of the beauties that I had to say goodbye to this morning were Frida and Johanna from Germany. I learned so much from these ladies about their culture which I was and still am so unfamiliar with. From their characters alone I learned that Germans are fabulous planners, caretakers and loyal friends.

Frida is the prettiest woman I have ever met. This smile never leaves her face and she has one of those personalities that literally make the room feel brighter. It is so contagious and a characteristic that I want to adopt more of! She and I bonded over our love for cooking and she told me about the lavish meals she would concoct for her roommates. This gal is a good friend to have! All of her roommates are very lucky to be living in her presence!

Frida and I at the Ohana Tent

Johanna is on the left. She graduated from college with a degree in communications and will be going back to Germany to start a new job with an advertising agency and see her husband! Johanna was just a blessing to get to know and such a talented but humble young woman. She will do great things!

Vendela will be heading back to Sweden tonight. This lady is as cool as her name. She loves Midsummer Nights in Sweden and wears floral crowns. Enough said. I will surely be visiting her!

As sad as it is to see these ladies go I am thrilled to see what God has planned for each them in the next chapters of their lives!

I am also losing two fellow west coast ladies, Briana and Lydia as they travel back home to Bellingham, WA. We plan to stay in touch and meet in Portland soon for a girls day! All is well!

Aloha and happy Wednesday!

Makaya

The Past Week’s Adventures and Weeks to Come

Me at Magic Sands Beach

This past week I have breathlessly swam with a giant sea turtle at Kua Bay, was blessed with the opportunity to sit in a week of DTS courses (no I am not doing or will be doing a DTS but it was wonderful), watched the sunset seated above the clouds at the top of the famous Mauna Kea, rode the trolly to Magic Sands beach for a relaxing day of snorkeling and tanning, found a giant mango on the ground under a tree on campus… (Finders keepers!), went on a late-night shopping excursion with 15 ladies and hiked down to a secluded white sand beach.

Briana and I riding up to Mauna Kea in the bed of the truck!

 All of the things I did this week would have not been the same without the beautiful friends I have the ability to share the moments with. Many of them will be leaving back to Germany, Sweden and the mainland this Wednesday and I plan on staying in touch with them, along with a place to stay when I travel to Europe 😉

Today I thank God for these new friends of mine. Each one of them has a unique kind of beauty both inside and outside and I mean this genuinely. Their kindness and friendship made this last month of hard work and adventure an unforgettable memory.

Seated above the clouds at the top of Mauna Kea summit

I cannot believe I have already been here a month. It’s half-time for me and I am so excited to see what God does in the second half of my stay here in Kona. Even though I have seen so much already and gained insightful wisdom, God is not done yet. He will rock this next month and I will enjoy every single second!

Aloha,

Makaya

 

 

Makaya>Makai>Kai

Photo Credit: @saltsandandsmoothies Instagram account

For the past couple of weeks here on the big island, I have been asked multiple times about the meaning of my name. Many people, even locals, have said that it has a sound of Hawaiian origin and I simply smile and tell them that my parents are not hawaiian and claim to have made up my name. This has been my response to the same name-question throughout the past 21 years.

But, ALAS! I have finally found a meaning (or partial meaning) to my name! The Hawaiian word for “Oceanside” is “Makai” which is pronounced the same as my name “Makay” without the last “a.”

Mama, Daddy… You got the spelling wrong.

I also, more commonly prefer to go by “kaya” or “Ky” which is pronounced the same as the Hawaiian word “Kai” meaning salt water.

Oceanside or salt water, my name suits my soul and spirit well.

Quick update on the past weekend: Guacamole, banana bread, snorkeling and jumping off the end of the earth.

This weekend was packed with good food and adventures. I always say how much I enjoy sharing a meal with people because food has a unique way of connecting cultures, sharing traditions, learning new skills and bonding lasting friendships.

On friday night, a large group of us girls made a guacamole feast BYOA&C style (bring your own avocado and chips). We danced and laughed the night away and the group of us devoured enough chips for the entire YWAM base.

I also made my favorite whole wheat banana-coconut-dark chocolate chip-banana bread to share. Many of the girls had never tasted banana bread before so I decided to take advantage of the local products and share a little part of my own personal culture with the group. And they loved it!

Saturday’s island tour was an adventure. Our first stop was snorkeling at Two-Steps Beach. The reef was absolutely beautiful and such a blessing to witness with my own two eyes!

Our next stop was South Point: the southern most part of the United States where I jumped off a 40-foot cliff beside a giant cave, beautifully sculpted by God himself. I jumped with goggles in-hand so that I could do a little snorkeling at the bottom of the cave. I do believe that was a little glimpse of heaven!

Aloha,

Makaya

Aloha Friday! New Job and Inspiration

So it is Friday, and here in Hawaii the phrase “Aloha Friday” is similar to our “causal Friday” or “TGIF” on the mainland. It’s about ending the work-week and celebrating the family, rest and free-time throughout the weekend. And here on the islands, free-time has limitless possiblilities.

Aloha Friday!… Amen!

I am currently reading a book called “The Little Book of Aloha” by Renata Provenzano. It explains the meaning and spirit of aloha. Aloha is not just “hello” or “goodbye,” but also a way of life. It is love, caring, sharing, goodwill to all and a breath of life. To greet someone with aloha, you are sharing your energy with another person.

“The Little Book of Aloha” was the first book I picked up as a past-time activity when I was chosen to take a break from grounds and work in the Campus Guard Shack aka the front security gate. I will be in this position for a week and since it’s not an active job, I need things to keep me occupied. With my bible, a couple good books, music, Ipad and Netflix, the time goes by fast and I actually enjoy it! It also allows me extra quiet time so that I have more energy to invest in relationships and participate in all the activities!

My new works space for the week

Yesterday, as I began the book, there was a quote that clung to my soul more than the others. And I want to share it with you. So here it goes:

He manu ke aloha, ‘a’ohe la la kau ‘ole.
What?
Love is like a bird, there is no branch it does not perch upon.
Awwh. Beautiful.

Allow your love to flow freely today and be willing to perch it upon all branches. Aloha Friday!

Mahalo,

Makaya

A Few Photo Updates!

Aww what a sight! The BEST farmers markets are here in Hawaii!

Climbing the largest banyan tree I have ever seen!

Girls night! Face masks from South Korea!

Kona Pier- downtown Kona. Very close to the apartment.

First day on grounds team! July 27, 2014

Volcanoes National Park

View from the top of Rainbow Falls

My new favorite tropical fruits: Papaya and Passion fruit. They grow abundantly here on the island and on campus!

Happy Sunday! Recap of My Hawaiian-Style Independence Day

It’s now Sunday, two days after the celebration of our beautiful USA. I had the fortunate opportunity to spend the day here in Kona among beautiful people of all nations celebrating not only the freedom here in this country, but more importantly the freedom we all share in Jesus Christ. This freedom unifies all believers regardless of place of origin, status of political freedom or cultural normalities.

The day started out perfectly. I chose to celebrate my freedom with the fish of the sea. Snorkeling has been my favorite thing to do here in Hawaii ever since the very first time I saw turtles in Maui. So when I found a luscious reef in close walking distance to the apartment, I was ecstatic! I had the entire day off so instead of having to rush anywhere, I was able to truly enjoy “hawaiian time” and relax on the beach while listening to Megan play the Ukulele, snorkel and lie in a hammock. Perfect.

After the beach adventures, we all got dolled-up (taking advantage of our limited chances to not be covered in sweat and dirt) and attended the University of the Nations’ Luau event welcoming the new students.

The event was mind-blowing awesome. Island Breeze, YWAM’s dance school, performed several dances dedicated to the many tribes and origins of Hawaii.

Once the dancing had concluded, the UofN staff announced that after 12 years, they had just completed the first Hawaiian Uniskript bible! This means that all tribal and indigenous people from the islands will now be able to access the biblical literature and good news of the gospel in their native tongue!

This is a true miracle in communications history.

I finished off the night celebrating in true hawaiian style. Watching the fireworks on the ocean and eating my first Hawaiian shaved ice was the perfect cap to the day of freedom.

Everything that I have witnessed here in Kona so far has been both miraculous and eye-opening. Surrounded by people from numerous cultures, I am learning more about how Jesus’ freedom unifies us all. Despite our differences, we all share His heart and can unite together to accomplish great things for Him on this earth.

Church in Kona, Beautiful Sunsets and Face Masks

On Sundays we get to choose where we want to go to church out of the multiple options in Kona. I decided to attend Solid Rock

Taking a garden stroll at Old Airport Beach

with a group of my fellow Kokua ohana. The worship was wonderful and the message was part of a series called “Uncommon Character.” Each week the pastor will discuss a specific characteristic that all Christians are called to share regardless of our differences and cultures. They are characteristics that are, however, usually uncommon in the world today.
Today’s characteristic: Submission.
The pastor discussed how we are to submit and serve one another and in all we do, giving the full glory to God instead of seeking recognition for ourselves.
My favorite part of the sermon was when he made the point that a life truly submitted to God will glorify God because when people look at the you and your life, they will see that nothing could have been accomplished without a stronger helper.
We finished the night at old airport beach, watching the breathtaking sunset that only can be witnessed in a place like this.

On Monday we went back to work. In a matter of six hours, I weeded, raked, sanded and greased tables and chairs. I have never been more thankful for overcast skies!

We finished off the night with face masks, nail painting and enjoyed the tropical rain showers. I have never thanked God for rain before today! It was a blessing!

Being in Kona has been an incredible experience so far but I would be lying if I said I don’t miss some things about Eugene already. My family, friends, my job at Flipside and my routine is not here in Kona and this is a great growing experience for me. I do also believe that my appreciation for my life and the people who have been in it is growing.

Appreciate where you were, are and going to be planted. It is ALL beautiful.

I need to remind myself of this daily instead of living for tomorrow, doing things to get to the next. I need to appreciate where I am, who I am with doing exactly what I am doing in the moment. God is everywhere and wants to reveal his greatness in every situation, state and even island!

Mahalo,

Makaya