aloha!

Aloha.

Well I have now officially been in Kona for a week, and I can't believe that is all. This has been one of the longest, hardest, and craziest weeks, but allow me to start at the beginning.

So I flew into Kona last Tuesday night, and was picked up by my dear friend Stephen who I met on my dts in New Zealand, and lives here in Kona. He had a couple friends with him from the base and it was awesome to meet them right away. I connected with them quickly and they are still the girls I am closest with so far. 

The next day a bunch of us went on a hike on the north of the island. We hiked down into this valley where there was a black sand beach on one side and a river and rainforest on the other. The scenery here is really unique, you will be driving along and it will be very tropical and then the next there is just black rock like desert everywhere. Then you drive a little bit more and there is rainforest. It is all very pretty, just very diverse. 

My first day on base was Thursday and it was mainly getting settled into my room, of 8 girls, and unpacking. My room is nice and there is a kitchen and common room with the room beside me, it is just a little squishy having 8 girls in one room, and not enough bathroom space.

Orientation on Friday was really cool as the Hawaiians welcomed us in with a traditional dance followed by a haka. A haka for those who don't know is a dance that originates from the Maori people of New Zealand. We had a bit of a good Friday service after and got to listen to Loren Cunningham (the founder of YWAM) speak. Friday and Saturday were pretty laid back just trying to meet people and get settled. My closest friends, who aren't on my school, actually have an apartment about 2 min walk from the base, so we spend a lot of time there. Base is very large compared to Oxford, but its really pretty. We got to see our classroom, which has a wonderful ocean view and great breeze. There are 12 people in my program. 1 guy and 11 girls. and we are all very international, Canadian, American, Samoan, Australian, Korean, Kiwi, and African. 

On Monday morning we got to meet the preschoolers and were welcomed in with song and were each given a lei. These kids are so special. Tomorrow morning we get to do worship with them and get to know them more. We wont actually be doing any work with them this quarter, but will get to know them a bit. We also got our course outline today, and I got very excited as one of my projects includes Play-dough! My course load will keep me pretty busy, but I think it will be excellent.

Now all of this was the good stuff of my week, but there has been some really not good stuff as well. On Saturday night I found out that one of my best friends from my dts died in a climbing accident in Colorado. This news hit me really hard and it has been tough trying to grieve and process all of this being away from home and with new people. Ryan was one of the greatest guys I've ever know. He had a contagious joy and overflowing passion for the Lord. He was one of the worship leaders in my school and was so fun to be around. He challenged and encouraged me in my walk and always wanted more of the Lord. Losing him is a really hard thing to deal with and all of the students on my DTS are hurting. Please be in prayer for me and my friends and especially his family during this time. 

Next, is my sweet friend Jessica. She was admitted to the hospital almost a week ago with pneumonia in both of her lungs. It continued getting worse to the point where they were forced to put her into an induced coma and put her on ventilators and life support. The anti-biotics haven't been working and now they decided to give her constant paralytic dosage. This means she won't be able to fight the respirator which will spend less of her precious energy, but is also sad as her families touch on her arm or hand is definitely not felt; her body is totally numb. So my heart is breaking for that family. Please be in prayer for them and for Jessica to be healed.

Another one of my friends had appendicitis the other day as well. So needless to say my heart has been breaking for all my dear friends at home making it really hard for me to be here. But I have been so blessed by the people around me and my school praying for me and encouraging me and walking with me through it all. I know that things aren't going to be easy, but the Lord is so faithful to provide and help me through.

Please continue to pray for me to further connect with the girls in my program and to really begin to feel like Kona is home. 

here is a few photos I have taken so far.

 

much love.
ps. many of you have asked me for my address here, because I love getting mail. it is:
Becky Klassen
Foundations in Education
University of the Nations
75-5851 Kuakini Hway. #251
Kailua-Kona, HI 96740