Mele Kalikmaka!

Light of the World sponsored a special Christmas Celebration by inviting approx. 40 veterans from Kalaeloa to our home church in Salt Lake.  Most of the veterans were in the VIP (Veterans in Progress) and a handful from the transitional shelter side.   In addition, we also wanted to host one homeless family, John and Keala and their four keiki.  Praise and worship were provided by the Prodigal PraiseBand, followed by the main message by Pastor Gary, and then afterwords a special catered lunch for our guests.

Each veteran including our homeless family were given a specially wrapped gift, including an exciting game of musical gifts, where one gift was rapidly passed around until the music stopped.  The last person holding the gift had to try their best to open the tightly wrapped gift until the music started up again.  It was a hilarious ice-breaker and sounds of laughter and excitement filled the air.  We then ate a sumptuous catered lunch which originally was supposed to be for fifty, but praise God, we had enough for over eighty in all!  God is good!

Afterward as the veterans were returning back to the campus in Kalaeloa they were filled with praise and joy and grateful for the Christmas Celebration.  As the bus driven by one of our members, Marcus Uyeno was about to depart, the veterans were smiling and the look of contentment on this fun filled excursion will be memories of which we will all cherish together for years to come!

May the joy of the Lord fill you with peace, and may he prosper each of you as we look forward to a brand New Year in 2009!

Pastor Gary & Risa
Light of the World C/F

Dear Friends & Supporters,

Happy Thanksgiving Day! 

Thanks to your support and financial donations, we’ve had a wonderful Thanksgiving Day Celebration at the U.S. Veteran’s Initiative at Kalaeloa.  Three sister churches, Light of the World Christian Fellowship, Safe Harbor Ministries, and Waipio Baptist Community Church including Gary & Risa’s gracious neighbors, (Rollie & Janet) and (Kimo & Carleen) provided food for this year’s outdoor event.  There were over 200+ men, women and keikis, as volunteers served delicious entrees with more than 17+ turkeys, 2-large smoked hams, 1-whole roasted pig, mash potatoes, stuffing, gravy, salads and various pumpkin desserts.  The Prodigal Praise Band (Randy, Paul, Richard, Kimo and Hank) provided live praise and worship music. 

The U.S. Veteran’s leadership, Darryl Vincent (Director), Dana Deans (New Clinical Supervisor), and Jackie Taylor (VIP Case Manager) were pleased with the success and organization of this year’s event.  We were also asked to see if we would be interested in continuing our outreach ministries on Tuesdays again, except it will be in the main compound where the VIP and main offices are located, instead of the distant building across the field.  Praise the Lord!

The feedback from many veterans and families from nearby transitional shelters all gave positive comments and words of appreciation with the quality of the food, meal preparation, fellowship, and live entertainment.  Even the volunteers, some which was their first experience in serving at an outreach were surprised at the unity and organization and plan to come back to help again.

Waipio Community Baptist did a wonderful job of recording/editing the event.   Here is a HD/DVD Presentation on the event – I’ll hope you’ll enjoy as much as we did!  Please click on the link:  

Thanksgiving Kalaeloa

“Because Of Your Love”

“To Every Generation”

“Your Grace Still Amazes Me”

“World On Fire”

Kalaeloa and Kapolei are sister communities located on West Oahu.  Kalaeloa is where the transitional shelters of the U.S. Veteran’s Initiative, Hale Ulu Pono, Onemalu and others are located.  It is close to the Hawai’i National Guard and the Youth Challenge facilities.  There are many families who have benefitted from the outreach ministry, whom we have developed personal relationships and as extended ohana. 

Hope you enjoy the photos!

“Everlasting God”

Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord
We will wait upon the Lord
We will wait upon the Lord
(Repeat)

You are the everlasting God
The everlasting God
You do not faint
You won’t grow weary
You’re the defender of the weak
You comfort those in need
You lift us up on wings like eagles

Our God You reign forever
Our hope our strong Deliv’rer

“Hallelujah – Your Love Is Amazing”
 
 

“Who Am I”

Who am I that the Lord of all the earth
Would care to know my name
Would care to feel my hurt
Who am I that the Bright and Morning Star
Would choose to light the way
For my ever wand’ring heart

Not because of who I am
But because of what You’ve done
Not because of what I’ve done
But because of who You are

 

“In Your Arms”

 

Through the storms of life
Lead me into your light
Give my heart a new song
When I`m weak make me strong
By your word lead me
Into pastures of peace
Hold me close
Safely rest in your arms

 

Your my redeemer
And amazing grace
My fortress and my hiding place
You’re my deliverer
And my solid rock
My souls desire is in you

Through all creation
Your ways are known
Cause you are the God
Who`s God alone
You`re a God alone
Let every let every nation
And let every tongue
Confess that you are Lord of all

 

The U.S. Veterans Initiative was started by citizens concerned about the welfare of men and women who had served their country, but fell on hard times and became homeless.  Although the reasons for recovery and homelessness vary, veterans from Vietnam, Desert Storm in Gulf War I/II and other areas around the globe found difficulty adjusting to civilian life.  Many have resorted to a lifestyle of drugs and alcohol and eventually became lost in society.  Legislation approved funds to provide transitional shelters and remedial treatment programs for addiction, but the overall goal was to provide a career path and vocational work for the clients. 

The U.S. Veteran’s Initiative opened in 2003 on West Oahu and is located in the former Barbers Point NAS.  Over 900+ men and women from all branches of the military benefitted from hot buffet meals, clothing, and personal hygience items. 

One of the greatest needs for those who had lost everything was simply finding friends who understood their plight, provided moral support, encouragement and understanding their hardships and struggles, since many were isolated from their own immediate families.  This is just a sampling of those whom our church have adopted as our extended family, and accepted them as brothers and sisters in Christ.  It has brought so much richness in our relationships and loving them as God in Jesus Christ, would have done. 

In the meantime as you’re viewing our photos, you can view some Youtube videos on select contemporary praise and worship music for your personal enjoyment.   

Aloha Pumehana,

Gary & Risa Crowell
Light of the World C/F

For access to more videos click on the READ MORE…

“Blessed”

Blessed are those who dwell in Your house
They are ever praising You
Blessed are those whose strength is in You
Whose hearts are set on our God

We will go from strength to strength
‘Til we see You face to face

Hear our prayer, O Lord God Almighty
Come bless our land
As we seek You, worship You

For You are holy
For You are holy
For You are holy Lord

“Light The Fire Again”

Don’t let my love grow cold
I’m calling out, light the fire again
Don’t let my vision die
I’m calling out, light the fire again

I am here to buy gold, refined in the fire
Naked and poor, wretched and blind I come
Clothe me in white, so I won’t be ashamed
Lord light the fire again

You know my heart my deeds
I’m calling out, light the fire again
I need Your discipline
I’m calling out, light the fire again

“All The Earth Will Sing Your Praises”

You lived You died
You said in three days You would rise
You did You’re alive
You rule You reign
You said You’re coming back again
I know that You will
And all the earth will sing Your praises
All the earth will sing Your praises

You took You take our sins away O God
You give You gave Your life away for us
You came down You saved us through the cross
Our hearts are changed
Because of Your great love

“Everlasting”

From everlasting to everlasting
You are God
From everlasting to everlasting
You are God

In holiness You stand secure
Through culture’s shifting sands
Unchanged by all the vanities of man
And as the nations rise and fall
Your sovereignty remains
You are You are
You are the one true God

In faithfulness Your love extends
Through times of turbulence
Adopting those who call upon Your name
And every generation joins in songs
Of grateful praise
You are You are
You are the one true God

Dear Friends & Supporters,

The Kalaeloa Outreach started in 2003, as a grassroots movement reaching out to homeless shelters at the once abandoned, former airbase of Barbers Point NAS.  For about 5-years, more than 900+ veterans including nearby shelters have benefitted from hot meals, clothing and personal hygiene items donated by volunteers and non-profit groups.  Overall, three churches have hosted the Tuesday night outreach: Light of the World Christian Fellowship, Waipio Baptist Community Church, and Safe Harbor Ministries, along with a number of adventurous and dedicated volunteers who were led to share the gospel of God’s grace at the transitional homeless shelters, which included men and women in recovery.

Although the U.S. Veteran’s Initiative was the primary focus of the outreach, nearby shelters Hale Ulu Pono (Steadfast) a transitional shelter for the mentally challenged, Onemalu and Onelau’ena transitional shelters for homeless families with keikis were openly received with acceptance, unconditional love and grace from churches who wanted to share God’s blessings.  Hot meals and fresh food became an instant hit since the primary source of food was far away in Kapolei Town, and the lack of adequate transportation became an obstable for many with fixed or no income.

It became apparent to our volunteers that fresh, wholesome, nutritious and well-balanced meals was an urgent need to supplement their diet.  As a result, volunteers made a commitment to provide at least 3-4 main entrees, starches (rice or potatos), fresh fruits and vegetable salads, desserts, coffee and fresh water were essential part of the ministry.  One corporate retailer, Starbucks Mililani, Dave Cruz and Amy Wright (former manager) contributed pastries every Tuesdays, plus coffee and mugs during the holidays.

Today, many veterans and families from the transitional shelters are grateful for the various church groups who have worked exceptionally hard to provide quality meals, fellowship, spiritual messages, contemporary praise and worship music who have found an incredible spirit of joy and close family relationships.  The three churches from differing denominations have found the true value of learning to work together as the body of Christ in a spirit of unity and harmony.  Praise God!

Pastor Gary Crowell

“The Father’s Heart”

“I Will Run To You”

“Refiner’s Fire”