Men's Session starts at Haggai-Institution

The turn over from Ladies session to men's is quite quick and even some overlap. It was a nice farewell to a number of the ladies and many of them left little gifts to remember them by. We need to pray that God will help them in their home land to keep up with their God given goals and objectives that they developed here at Haggai.

Now the men have arrived and what a difference it is to see approx. 50 men come for advance training in leadership for evangelism and discipleship.

I was taken back and excited to hear from an Indonesian man that he was a captain of a cargo ship. He has many different men work on his ship from the far east countries. He is here to be trained and to plan a way to evangelise and disciple his crew while out to sea because there is a lot of down time work wise when they are at sea or even waiting at ports.

Here are some other men I had supper with last night. From India, pastors and city administers, and from Malaysia and Russia. There are several pastors here and I'm glad to hit it off with them so early. I'll be able to talk with them about their view of the church in their countries. They are full of questions for me about the church in Canada.

Being on night watch has given me an extra day for touring this beautiful island. so I've learn their bus system and for only 2 dollars you can get an all day pass and travel the bus as often as you wish. Last Saturday I went to Lahania the oldest and once the capital of Maui.

The town is filled with shops designed to trap tourist. The cruise ship was in the bay and over 2,000 people came ashore to shop. I really liked the numerous art galleries and the unique differences in art being displayed. I plan to return with Sandy because she will like it too.

I ate lunch on a balcony overlooking the marina. Most the boats are docked in the water some distance away from shore.

A very expensive lunch.
The food was good and it was ribs.
I'm sure that part of the price goes for the view

Every one talks about the beautiful and yet quick sunsets in Hawaii. They are telling us the truth.
The sunset only took 3 minutes. I timed it.

At Lahana the oldest and largest tree that exists on the island. Tourist can bring a picnic to eat under the tree. I'm sure a 1,000 people could fit under this one tree.

Hiking up the mountain take 2

This morning the volunteers went hiking up the mountain. It was very strenuous but we all made it and we were all very proud of our recent 70 year old lady who came along for the walk.

The hike was only 2.5 miles but the vertical height we climb was 1500 feet. It was hard on the back of the legs and we had to stop several times to enjoy the view and take pictures.

The view behind us was also breath taking. The Ocean is so vast and the boats seem so small and the game was to see if we could see any whales surfacing.

The trail was well marked and their were signs along the way not to get off the trail.

At the top we had a little lunch and a well deserved rest.

The view was majestic. I should of taken more pictures.

The hike back was considerable easier but you had to watch your step because it was slippery in spots.

At the bottom not far from our cars was a prayer healing spot the local people have made. It looks out over most of the valley and the ocean. It had a stone wall around the area with the most beautiful flowers I've seen in my life.

It was a very enjoyable day. We loaded up and headed down the mountain to "Crusty Tasty"  restaurant for a brunch. The locals and the returning volunteers sure know were the good food is.



Hiking up the mountain

Today the volinteers got into 2 vans and left early to hike up a mountain. The hike is only 2.5 miles but you climb over 1500 feet in that distance. It was difficult for all of us especially our birthday girl who turned 70 years old this past week. She made it and so did the rest of us.
After the first .5 of a mile we stopped for a rest.

Enjoying getting back into shape

There is no reason why I shouldn't get into better shape here at Haggai and on this beautiful island of Maui. The facilities come with a first class gym. I do like working out and each machine comes with very good instructions how to use it.



But it is hard to stay in shape when for a very good reason like celebrating a 70th. birthday of a volunteer by having a barbecue and birthday cake.

The couple above are from Germany as volunteers. He looks after the pool that you see in the background.

Another place that makes it hard to stay in shape is the nightly delicious dinners that are prepared for us.

I thought that a good bike ride might help me get in shape but the tour proved to be the easiest bike ride I ever took. 

I got up early this morning (2:00 a.m.) to be in Paia by 3:30 to join up with 3 other couples who would ride a 26 mile ride down the mountain. We are taken up the mountain in a 15 setter Van that carries our bikes on the roof. Once up there we watched the sun rise.

I got a few pictures of the crater that is suppose to be the size of Manhattan.

In amongst the rock there are some very different vegetation.

On the way down the mountain by bike I found an old church that was built in 1918 in memory of the riches man on the island. It was told to me that he owns most of the land on the island and that 90% of the hotels have to pay a royalty to his estate to have been able to operate on this island. The national park at the top of the mountain was taken from him with the agreement that all the beef that this rancher can raise will be bought for the U.S.A. military. That deal has been going on since Vet Nam.

Well, eating all that good food and riding bikes down a mountain instead of up. I don't think I'll be getting into shape very easy.