I have never had strong feelings about Labor Day.

The extent of my affinity for the first Monday in September has been limited to my general appreciation for three-day weekends.

But my recent extended season of rest has changed my perspective.

This time last year, I was retired.

Or at least, that is how I referred to my state of self-determined unemployment.

If you have been following along, you know the story by now. I had walked away from my corporate career to take an extended sabbatical and do missions work overseas.

Before I flew to Hawaii for training (and ultimately to South Africa for the winter), I spent eight and a half weeks visiting friends and family. By the time my departure date arrived, I was ready, oh so ready to *do* something.

To be clear, the rest was wonderful — and a privilege. It was, by far, the longest break I had experienced since the summer of my 16th birthday.

But after two months of resting, the novelty had worn off.

A friend had predicted I would “get tired of wandering,” and he was right.

The next five months, split between Kona and Durban, were both exhausting and energizing, full and freeing.

Upon returning to Cincinnati, the spring paralleled the fall as a season of rest. I fully embraced my “retirement” during those 11 weeks. I played pickleball, completed jigsaw puzzles, visited friends and family, read books, and took naps.

(I am sure you see where this is going.)

Just like last fall, I grew tired of resting.

Though this may sound counter-intuitive and slightly ridiculous, it’s true. I now understand why many people who *could* simply stop working in retirement instead choose to pick up a part-time consulting gig, volunteer in some capacity, or care for their grandchildren.

Work is part of what it means to be human.

Humanity is God’s magnum opus, and He created us to be like Him.

Because He is a creator, so are we. We were designed to create beauty with our hands, with our minds, with our voices. Work is integral to our wellbeing.

And yet, I am not entitled to a job, much less one that I love.

During my time in South Africa, I personally spoke with numerous individuals who desperately wanted the chance to provide for themselves and to contribute to their community. The nation has the highest unemployment rate in the world — approximately one in every three people does not have a job.

I am the recipient of more privilege than I even realize, including the privilege of meaningful work. I do not take it lightly.

Today, I celebrate Labor Day 2023 with a humble and grateful heart. I am profoundly thankful for Cintas, my coworkers, and the opportunity to invest my days building bridges of trust.

This week, my boss hosted the annual summit for more than 200 partners in his Value Improvement Initiatives organization at Cintas.

Every year, people travel from all across North America to Cincy for a few days of connecting, learning, and realigning with our executive leaders’ strategic vision.

At some point (when I have caught up on sleep), I may share a few of my takeaways.

For now, I will just say this:

The VII summit always feels like a family reunion. And if that were literally true, the Rental SAP team would be my brothers and sisters. The years we spent together on that project were hectic, unpredictable, and incredibly rewarding.

It is no surprise to me that so many of us have gravitated toward the organization Casey has built. This photo is filled with men and women (missing a few) motivated by improving the partner experience through process improvement, and that is exactly what we get to do every day. What a dream!

See y’all again soon!

Just yesterday, I told a few coworkers during a meeting that my calling cards were shooting three-pointers and taking charges. For those less familiar with basketball, that combo probably won’t win many games.

My dad, like many dads, always said, “You can’t coach height.” Spoiler alert: I didn’t have that either. In fact, I was so small my teammate Colette (see photo) began calling me “Shorty” during my debut season in eighth grade, a nickname still used 20 years later by friends back home.

Like my dad, I remain convinced the intangibles make all the difference. Unlike height, however, many of them can be learned and practiced over time. They can be coached, but they can’t be forced.

Whenever I get the chance to share about the team I am building at Cintas, I talk about the secret sauce.

It’s a simple recipe, and it’s actually not a secret:

• Adaptability

• Clarity

• Empathy

• Humility

Helping people navigate change doesn’t require a particular background or technical skillset. It boils down to what you say and how you say it — truth and grace.

I don’t get it right every time, but even practice can be fun.

For Cintas partners coming to Cincy next week for the Value Improvement Initiatives summit, I can’t wait to see you and talk more about the sauce!

Famous last words.

Sometimes the best things are those we least expected.

Two weeks ago, I flew back to Cincinnati. I spent the first few days in Ohio playing catch-up — both with friends and on sleep. A personal highlight was reuniting with my church family that first Sunday. They are home to me.

Last week, I drove to Michigan to see my family and a few friends. It was wonderful! The Mitten State really pulled out all the stops with snowfall *and* blue skies.

And now, I am back in Ohio. Nearly everyone has asked, “How long are you here?” My reply seems vague, but it’s the best I can offer: “Indefinitely!”1 At this point, I don’t have plans to be anywhere else. So I’m in Cincinnati for now!

My body seems to know something my head and heart don’t yet realize. I have been sleeping so much that I’m convinced the transition back to “normal” life in the Midwest is more challenging than I know. In light of that, with the exception of my overeager return to pickleball, I am taking things slowly — lots of rest, journaling, reading, and reflecting on the past five months.

Summarizing everything is impossible, so I’m telling myself not to bother trying, especially in a single post. I actually appreciate my loss for words because it confirms God exceeded my expectations (and perhaps even my comprehension).

You may have noticed my communication was sparse during the home stretch in South Africa. These final weeks were full and rich! I am excited to share a few highlights — with many photos! — from February.

Local churches

Our team served at a different church nearly every weekend. Depending on what they requested, we prepared a combination of the following: a teaching, a personal story from someone’s life, music, a drama, and/or prayer. Two of my favorite opportunities came toward the end of our time in Durban: (1) leading worship with my friend Karla and (2) teaching at a community development center’s weekly church service.

Lesotho

Early in February, our team traveled to the small nation of Lesotho2 for three days. We partnered with a nonprofit organization who has supported pastors in the country's remote villages for decades. On Friday morning, we loaded into a fleet of rugged Land Rovers (admittedly quite cool) to traverse the Sani Pass. The pass and the mountainous landscape of Lesotho are stunning. My favorite moment of the weekend was my friend Maria sharing the story of God with an entire village on Saturday evening.3 The real heroes are the local pastors who faithfully invest in these communities and who translated everything we communicated into the language and culture of the Basotho people.

Rehab center

I can’t remember if I have said this, but Tuesdays were my favorite day of the week in Durban because I loved simply being with the residents at the rehab center. Our last visit was the sweetest for three reasons:

• We handed out the Bibles you bought! I didn’t know how many people would be interested, but it seemed like every resident was excited to receive one. Someone told me personally it was the first Bible she has ever owned. Thank you so much!

• As another parting gift, my friend Karla and I sang a song called “The Blessing” over the residents and our team. (You can watch/listen to us practicing here.)

• When goodbyes are hard, it is usually evidence that true friendship has developed. And the goodbyes that night were tough!

Team Joy

No surprise here: For me, the best part of South Africa was our team. From the day the five teams were revealed in Kona, we became known as Team Joy, and we fought to live up to our name. I am *so* proud of how we practiced vulnerability. We grew closer with every passing week because of our flat-out commitment to each other. Our team unity was the most beautiful thing I witnessed overseas.

We spent our last few days in South Africa debriefing and celebrating as a team of 13.4 For me, this included my first dip in the Indian Ocean! After saying our goodbyes to the beloved YWAM Durban staff, we flew to Florida5 for our school-wide debrief and graduation. There were no caps or gowns, but we did it!

I cannot adequately thank you for your support over the past five months! You have partnered with me in numerous ways — by praying, by checking in on me, by giving financially (both for my expenses and for Bibles), and more. I have felt *so* supported from day one. It means the world to me that each of you are on my team.

Over the coming months, I hope to continue posting occasionally. Maybe someday I will even have something definitive to share about what I am doing next. In the meantime, all my love to you!

The lyrics are based on how God directed spiritual leaders to bless His people, the Israelites. The words are documented in the Bible in the book of Numbers, and they have sentimental value for me. My earliest and most tender memories are my dad singing these words (different song) over me as a small child when I woke up in the middle of the night and struggled to fall back asleep.1

When I say “based on,” the chorus lyrics are pulled *directly* from the Bible. So cool!

I know many of y’all may think I am lucky for continuing to dodge winter, but the heat wave we experienced over the past two weeks was brutal! As trite as it may sound, the incessant heat really made everything feel more difficult. I felt validated by my South African friends saying it was rough. Everyone is thankful Durban’s fever finally broke!

Thank you!

Before writing anything else, I want to say thank you for your generosity! In one week, 38 individuals/families contributed $1,920 to bless Durban. Y’all never cease to amaze me. On Monday, I ordered 50 study Bibles, and I plan to pick them up this weekend for distribution during our next visit to the rehab center on Tuesday. What a gift!

Because of your generosity, we were also able to support one of the local staff families who had a critical financial need arise suddenly. During our prayer meeting last Thursday, I was in a group of three with the mother. She shared the story and asked the two of us to pray that God would provide the funds within 21 days to meet a deadline. I quickly crunched the numbers in my head while our other group member prayed,1 and I realized we had just enough to cover the expense. When we stopped praying, I told the mother, “I have the money for you. The Lord has already provided!” She was *totally* shocked and overjoyed.

Jesus said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive,” and I truly believe it. I feel so privileged to partner with God and with you to meet people’s needs with generosity!

Recap – Weeks 4–6

Ministry

I am very thankful for the YWAM Durban staff who have coordinated our schedule! We are operating at a sustainable pace and with all kinds of people, thanks to the strong relationships built by the local team. I am very motivated by connection, so I appreciate that we have served weekly alongside several organizations from the very beginning.

• YWAM Durban (Mon/Thu) — We spend the mornings worshipping and praying with the local staff before working on the prayer room renovation. I love blessing this team who has become so dear to us. I have also gained or honed several unexpected skills, such as painting (cutting edges) and concrete (mixing, compacting, and leveling). I feel so marketable!

• Rehab center (Tue) — Tuesday is typically my favorite day of the week. The residents are so open that meaningful conversation and friendship is almost inevitable. I am very excited to give them Bibles this week!

• Orphanage (Wed) — I wish I could share photos of these incredible kids. Wednesday afternoons are a chance for our team to channel our inner children with endless singing, dancing, games, Bible stories, and hugs.

In addition to our weekly ministries, we have also served in a number of other capacities:

• Ministering to the homeless in shelters and on the streets — passing out sandwiches, praying, sharing the good news of Jesus

• Serving diverse local churches — preaching, sharing testimonies, performing a drama,2 praying, spending time with teenagers, going door-to-door to pray and engage in spiritual conversations

• Painting at LIV Village

• Helping lead an English reading club for Zulu students

The variety has far exceeded my expectations. So grateful!

Below, I have included a handful of photos, though I wish I could include more! As an organization, we refrain from taking photos in most ministry settings. Our motivation is genuine care, and we do not want ourselves or others to be distracted. Likewise, for safety reasons, we never post photos where children could be identified.

Personal/Team

Here are a quick hits about the past few weeks:

• I love making a 6X batch of pancakes (from scratch!) for the team each week.

• Two of our school leaders, Ari and Marjo, traveled from Finland to spend a week with us. The sole purpose of their visit was to encourage us and provide support. Mission accomplished. It was so wonderful to have them in Durban!

• These weeks have been emotionally intense for our team, and I am so proud of how we have chosen the path of humility and vulnerability. During a lengthy dialogue, a friend told the team, “I need more love from you.” I have never heard someone communicate more vulnerably. We are functioning more like a family than ever because of this painful, beautiful process. Praise God for leading us!

• One of my closest teammates was granted only a 30-day visa because of her South Korean passport. She recently flew to Germany to join another team for the second half of our outreach phase. I am so sad she is gone, but I named her the Ambassador of Joy to that team and the Ukrainian refugees they are serving.

• If I have counted correctly, the local YWAM Durban team consists of 17 staffers, 10 of whom live with us at the base. The entire team has welcomed us with open arms since day one, and we have grown very close with many of them. Personally, I will be leaving behind one especially dear friend in Durban. Surprise friendships are the best, but it will also make saying goodbye that much harder. Still worth it!

Just for fun

Our team has made the most of our weekly off day (usually Saturday). Since the safari, we have attended a Durban Sharks rugby match and gone hiking twice. Unlike ministry, our team takes *tons* of pictures during our weekend adventures, which explains the photographic imbalance.

Last Saturday, half of our team plus a few of the YWAM Durban staff left the base at 4:30 a.m. to drive three hours to the Drakensberg, the largest mountain range in southern Africa. I nearly cried as the mountains came into view, overwhelmed by how God has led me to this point in life. I can hardly believe it. Our group spent the morning hiking the Sphinx Trail up to Monk’s Cowl. The views were breathtaking!

What’s next?

We just wrapped up week six of eight total weeks of ministry. Next weekend (February 3–5), we will drive to remote villages in the mountainous country of Lesotho to encourage and minister to rural churches. When we return to Durban, we will have one final week of ministry before our three-day team debrief. We fly out on Friday, Feb. 17 and will meet the other four teams from our school in Orlando. I have been looking forward to this family reunion since we split up in Kona. I can’t wait to hear what God is doing around the world!

You may be curious what I am doing after our school officially concludes. Well, so am I! Here’s what I know:

• When I fly to Cincinnati (Friday, Feb. 24)

• Who is picking me up

• Where I am staying that night

I currently have *NO* plans beyond that. Some of you might break out in hives just hearing that, but I truly love the freedom! I am continuing to practice trusting God, which is how this whole adventure started in the first place.

“If you decide for God, living a life of God-worship, it follows that you don’t fuss about what’s on the table at mealtimes or whether the clothes in your closet are in fashion. There is far more to your life than the food you put in your stomach, more to your outer appearance than the clothes you hang on your body. Look at the birds, free and unfettered, not tied down to a job description, careless in the care of God. And you count far more to him than birds.” —Matthew 6:25–26

I will certainly keep you posted as my plans develop. I am so grateful for your support and prayers. All my love to you!

I want to invite you to participate in what God is doing here in Durban! Every Tuesday, our team serves at a rehab center for recovering addicts. I would love to buy 35–50 Bibles (nice ones!) so each resident can read and study it for themselves. If you want to join in the fun, you can contribute via Venmo or PayPal. My username is @bethanygdavis on both platforms. (Or email me if you want to send a check to my parents’ house.)

Knowing how generous y’all are, there is a chance I will end up with extra funds. If so, we can bless the other ministries we serve — e.g., purchasing extra snacks or gifts for children at local orphanages. So many opportunities!

I am very grateful for you.

• We started the week with worship and prayer on Monday morning. That afternoon, we drove from Durban to an orphanage in a very rural area. At the children’s home, a beautiful woman named Aunty Eunice takes care of 60 kids almost singlehandedly. The afternoon was a very humbling experience.

• Every Tuesday, we spend the entire day at a rehab center with men and women have admitted themselves voluntarily to recover from addictions (primarily drugs and alcohol). Thanks to a few extra visits during our first full week in South Africa, we have already invested 30 hours developing friendships. Whenever we go, it feels like a family reunion! I deeply admire the residents’ vulnerability and courage. This week, I was honored to share my life story and the good news of Jesus with the whole group (pictured below). It was one of the highlights of my entire trip so far.

• On Wednesday, we headed to the beach to pass out sandwiches to men and women living on the streets. My group ended up in several meaningful conversations, including one with a man named Renni (pictured below). As I stood up to leave, he told me he had an “American t-shirt” in his duffel bag. Much to my surprise, he pulled out a Michigan State shirt! This fun surprise was God’s gift to me. I felt so seen, and I believe Renni did as well!

• Thursday mornings begin with an extended time of prayer. This Thursday, we rounded out the day with a few hours of manual labor in the afternoon. Working on-site at the base where we are staying is our opportunity to bless the local YWAM team very tangibly. I was in a group of six who worked on the conversion of an old chicken coop into a prayer room. We varnished wood beams and cleaned and primed the walls. Despite the rain and dirt involved, we had a blast!

• In preparation for our upcoming trip, we met with a local pastor named Dave on Friday morning. He founded and operates a nonprofit that is connected to pastors in remote parts of Lesotho. During the first week of February, Dave and his team will escort us to two or three villages to encourage the local churches and communities. I can’t wait for this trip! After meeting with Dave, we ate lunch and hit the road. Keep reading to hear about and see photos from our safari!

Camera roll – Saturday safari

Each member of our team had the chance to opt into a safari, and all 14 of us responded with a resounding yes. An African safari had never been on my bucket list (not that I have one), but I could hardly contain my excitement yesterday. My friends starting calling me a meerkat because of how I perched in the front row with my head on a swivel surveying the stunning landscape for wildlife. I had forgotten how much I love seeing animals in the wild!1 God’s creativity was on full display. Incredible!

Preview – Week four

Tomorrow marks the start of week four (of eight) in Durban. Time is flying! The YWAM base where we are staying officially reopens tomorrow, so all the staff who have been away for the holidays will return to a house full of strangers (that's us). The schedule changes frequently, but I believe this week will involve the rehab center, serving the homeless downtown, sharing about Jesus in a local neighborhood, and potentially more children’s ministry at a different orphanage. I am certain of two things: (1) the schedule will change, and (2) it will be a great week!

Our itinerary was… ambitious.

• Sunday night: Six-hour flight from Kona to Seattle (+2 hours)

• Monday: Nine-hour layover in Seattle

• Monday night: 14-hour flight from Seattle to Doha, Qatar (+11 hours)

• Tuesday night: 13-hour layover in Doha

• Wednesday: 11-hour flight from Doha to Durban (-1 hour)

Fortunately, I slept wonderfully during the flights — to the tune of probably 70% of the 31 hours. It was incredible.

We spent the first few days in Durban acclimating to the time change, being oriented by the local YWAM staff, and shopping for essentials. On Saturday and Sunday, we celebrated Christmas Eve and Christmas by feasting1, doing a $10 white elephant gift exchange2, and simply enjoying quality time together.

Today was our first day leaving the base for ministry. I am thankful for a few days of rest, and I am thrilled we are finally beginning to interact with the people of Durban! The local staff have created a schedule that exposes us to many of their partnering organizations. This week alone, we are serving at a drug/alcohol rehab center, working alongside a church who ministers to homeless people, passing out sandwiches and engaging in spiritual conversations at the public beach, and throwing a party for 75 kids at a children’s center (orphanage). I love the variety!

Spoiler alert: I was healed from my gluten intolerance during one of my last weeks in Kona — just in time to travel to South Africa. Praise God! I can now eat gluten without side effects. I hope to share the long version with you soon.

Don’t be alarmed if I go dark for a while because I have been warned the wifi is very spotty at our new home base. I hope to send at least one more update from an airport over the next few days. So much has happened since my last post on Thanksgiving.

Love you all!

Surprises

In my last update, I mentioned I am unexpectedly enjoying early mornings and a weekly latte.1 Here are a few more fun surprises:

• Oatmeal — I *never* liked oatmeal before Kona. Now I go to the cafeteria for breakfast only if they are serving it. I admit it may be less about my taste buds changing and more about my addition of brown sugar, apples, cinnamon, honey, salt, and almond milk.

• Hoops — The moment campus quiet hours end at 7 a.m., my first shot goes up. Those 45 minutes of movement nourish my soul, especially because the worship band rehearses in the background. It is well worth going to class sweaty.

• No vehicle — Not having a car in Kona is an (unavoidable) opportunity to practice interdependence. My classmates have been generous to offer rides to and from the grocery store, include me in off-campus outings, etc. It’s good to need people!

• Traditions — Beyond our weekly class schedule, my friends and I have created several traditions ourselves. They create a natural rhythm that makes me feel at home. Several favorites include Tuesday night laundry night, Friday evening worship sets in the prayer room, Sunday rest day, and a daily debrief over cards.

Camera Roll

More gratitude, but in photo form!

All my love to the mainland! Happy Thanksgiving!

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I am turning into my parents.

Like my dad, I am waking up around 5 a.m. without an alarm.1 I couldn’t be happier about this development. The highlight of my first month in Kona has been these hours spent hiding away to pray, read my Bible, and think. Every morning, I am eager to climb down from my top bunk and walk to my favorite spot on campus to just be with God. I feel like a kid on Christmas morning — it’s not hard to wake up when you know gifts await you!

Early mornings are uniquely special to me because they are a chance to practice living out of my true identity: “Loved by God.” I haven’t *done* anything by 5:15 a.m., so the only explanation for God’s nearness is His kindness. There is no earning involved.

Over the past month, our lecturers have taken direct aim at our hearts. The teaching hasn’t been complex or profound. Instead, I am discovering new depths of the simple truth about who God is and who I am. By sharing stories and learnings from their own lives, our speakers have created space for God to speak to us individually. Every week, I have discovered dusty corners of my inner life that I had left unattended.

For example, an offhand comment by our speaker caught my attention last Thursday. It sparked a two-minute conversation with a classmate during the next stretch break, and this brief interaction helped me identify a lie I have believed about myself for literal decades. I thanked God for pointing it out and asked Him to correct my thinking with truth from the Bible. And He did!

The only reason I was able to receive this moment of painful clarity as a gift, not a threat to my worth — was because I was secure in my “Loved by God” identity. When I believe my identity is “Loved by God on My Best Days,” I feel insecure and revert to old patterns of performance, people-pleasing, and control.

I am getting free from these all-too-familiar patterns by exercising the muscles of confession, vulnerability, and trust. Practically speaking, I am learning to tell the whole truth about what I think, believe, and feel — even the seemingly small things I notice each day: “I feel angry about XYZ.” “I am afraid of XYZ.” “I felt hurt by XYZ.”

I have long misconstrued self-reliance as a sign of strength, so it followed naturally that vulnerability is evidence of weakness. No spoiler here: My independence was actually my own pride blocking intimacy with God and with others. Because God is relational, the more self-reliant I am, the less I look like Him. That ain’t cute!

Interdependence is the way forward. By getting honest about my shortcomings and my needs, I see more clearly than ever my need for other people to operate in *their* strengths. This positions me to receive love and clarifies what is mine to own.

Humans were designed in the image of God, so maturing means both (1) growing in resemblance to Him and (2) becoming more and more of who He uniquely designed me to be — in my context, with my personality and gifts.

What would Jesus do if He were living my life? As I ask this question, I am paying attention to what my friends are affirming in me:

• Authority

• Clarity

• Teaching

• Encouragement

• Joy

I want to remain in an ongoing dialogue with God to discern what He is asking me to do in each situation. My responsibility is to listen for His voice and respond — nothing more and nothing less. I can trust every invitation from God is His best offer.

This feels like freedom.

And now I find myself doing my mom’s trademark move — running from place to place — just because I can. I am filled with so much joy and energy. I have never danced this much in my life.

The impetus for stepping away from my corporate career was sensing an invitation from God to cultivate deeper friendship with Him. And y’all, it is *happening.* I keep thinking, “I can’t believe this is my life,” and it only gets richer every week.

Dear Antioch —

I tuned into second service while I brushed my teeth at 5 a.m. on Sunday. It was wonderful to rejoin the family, even digitally from 4,400 miles away. I have so much affection for y’all!

Dear Cintas —

Any chance I get to reconnect is a joy. The past week has involved FaceTime, Instagram DMs, LinkedIn comments, and texting. Y’all are always on my heart.

Dear everyone —

Your generosity and encouragement continues to amaze me. I feel so supported. I would love to hear from you! Reply to this email, comment, text me, anything. <3

P.S. Many thanks to my friend Karen for incessantly documenting our lives. Half of these photos (the better ones) are from her.

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Q: Do you have a spare room?

A: If by “spare room” you mean “extra space on the floor,” absolutely! The housing situation for unmarried people is effectively a hostel. We sleep 10 to a room (with one shower), but I can’t complain because my roommates are wonderful! We range in age from 27 to 74 and flew in from six countries: USA, Canada, Switzerland, Thailand, Japan, and South Korea.

Q: Who are you hanging with?

A: I am participating in a program called Crossroads Discipleship Training School (DTS). Our class is comprised of 47 adults — some singles and some couples, some with kids (15 in total) and some without. I spend most of my time hanging out with these classmates, especially my nine roommates and our 10 suitemates.

Q: How did your classmates end up at YWAM Kona?

A: Most of them have a story similar to mine — i.e., they felt a calling from God and quit their jobs or took a sabbatical to pursue it. We have come from 15 countries, and each story has a unique flavor. For example, one couple has been waiting patiently for *28 years* for the right timing. I wish I could introduce you to each of my classmates. They are so special!

Q: Did you commit everyone’s name to memory after your first day?

A: It’s a gift. What can I say?

Q: Any “kindred spirits” as Anne Shirley said in Anne of Green Gables?

A: Yes! My classmates from around the world generally feel like “my people,” and one in particular is quickly becoming a dear friend.

Q: What time do you get up in the morning?

A: I have been waking up without an alarm between 5–5:30 a.m. every day. I am *loving* the quiet and solitude before the day starts.

Q: What do your days look like? How much free time do you get?

A: Fortunately, weekends are wide open. During weekdays, I have very little free time. It really *is* like going back to school! Here is my schedule for a typical weekday:

• 6:30–7 a.m.: Breakfast

• 8–9 a.m.: Worship and prayer as a class

• 9 a.m.–noon: Lecture with guest speaker(s)

• Noon–1 p.m.: Lunch

• 1–3 p.m.: Bible study as a class, breakouts/small groups for discussion, etc.

• 3–5 p.m.: Work duty

• 5–6 p.m.: Dinner

• Evenings: Campus-wide gatherings on Mondays and Thursdays

Q: What are you studying during your training?

A: The overall purpose of these three months of training is to grow our hearts for God and for people. Each week has a specific theme, though I have not seen a curriculum calendar. Week one teaching centered on hearing God’s voice. It was wonderful!

Q: How is your heart in the midst of much transition?

A: I feel *so* at home. Besides my disbelief at actually living in Hawaii, the transition has felt very natural. I am speechless with gratitude.

Q: What do you find the most surprising about Kona?

A: Regarding the town of Kailua-Kona itself, I am most surprised by the number of people living on the beach and the streets. As for the island of Kona, the biggest shock is probably how quickly I sweat through my clothing!

Q: When it rains, does it pour, or is it like Florida?

A: I am living in Kailua-Kona, which is on the west side of the island. The east side allegedly gets significant rainfall and is more of a lush rainforest climate. Our side is quite dry and covered in black lava rock. When it *has* rained a few times in the evening, it has felt like the gentle mist sprayed on broccoli in the produce section.

Q: Do you feel like you’re in the middle of an ocean, or if you're not near the shore is it like any other place?

A: Despite Kona being the big(gest) island, yes, I am still very aware of living in the middle of the ocean — especially when I get outside of town.

Q: Good and bad island food?

A: I eat most meals at our campus cafeteria.1 They are not particularly Hawaiian. However, I ate a delicious jackfruit taco salad today at Journey Cafe, a local vegan spot. I anticipate becoming a repeat customer.

Q: Do you enjoy coffee? Have you found a local source? How much does it cost?

A: I am not a coffee drinker. My energy is natural! Meanwhile, my caffeinated friends are enjoying all the locally grown and roasted coffee. As for cost, I ordered a seasonal cinnamon chai latte (16 oz.) from Kona Coffee & Tea this morning for $8.50 with tax.

Q: Will you learn some Pidgin?

A: I am picking up very small bits and pieces along the way. Aloha! Mahalo! E Komo Mai! I love that we occasionally sing in Hawaiian Pidgin while worshipping.

Q: How is the pickleball competition?

A: On my first Saturday in Kona, I walked 1.7 miles to the local courts I found on Google for open play. They invited me back the next day for small group play. I accepted the offer last Sunday and joined them again today. Everyone else in the group is a man between the ages of 50–69, but they have been very welcoming2 and provided great competition. I anticipate playing once or twice a weekend.

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