Sand between my toes before I’ve even hit the beach...

How can you describe what it feels like to be home? I do not know for sure, but I know that is exactly what I felt as I jogged through our neighborhood here in Wahiawa. Roosters crowing, friends laughing, Josh Garrels blaring, misty rain falling, neighbors calling out “STN” as you walk by all on a little street called Ohai. Aaaaah it is so good to be back! The past few weeks have been jam packed and are going by way too fast. I am going to have to blog way more than just once or twice a month. Too much goes on here to pick what to write about! So far I have done everything from cleaning out a newly acquired apartment building, to beach cleanup, to team bonding on the top of a mountain, to finding out what my staff apprenticeship position is – Intern Staff! Here at STN, the backbone of our programs in the community is the group of volunteer interns who come from all over the world, especially Sweden. These young people are amazing and I get the privilege to help plan their activities, work in administration, mentor them, and work alongside them during their 3 months here. In between, I’ve had some time for a few dawn patrol sessions and jogging. I miss family and friends, but life is so good! More to come soon…

Day 26 - Big Wednesday

Such a great day! Intern stuff in the am and then Waianae surf club in the afternoon! Had so much fun working with kids in helping them learn water skills and to surf. I can think of no other place I'd rather be than out in the water on a beautiful day surrounded by mountains and cheering for two 6 year olds to "keep paddling!" Most of the kids in our group were from the local homeless shelter and you can tell that they are craving love and attention. It was so cool to be a part of just loving on them and encouraging them out in the water. Surf's up!!!

Day 25 - Things I Learned Today...

* How to dance the Dougie thanks to Kaelen, Canada's white boy with swag - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJxYiIfr4WM&feature=related
* How to effectively clean up cigarette butts off of Ohai St. without wearing gloves or touching the cigarette butt with my hand. Yesssss!
* Praying for people who came to the food distribution today could be really awesome
* How to say that something is lame in Swedish - fjant (feee-yant)
* That fasting with prayer is a powerful way to get closer to God and be filled with His power to do bigger things than I could ever imagine
* To be grateful for air, food, family, friends, health, salvation, and on the list goes!
* My hair is now long enough to be pulled back into bobby pins
* Cindy Bauer is an awesome teacher and mentor
* Ending the day blogging about my day with the windows open and rain falling is a great way to end it :)

Day 24 - Silent Monday

Today is STN Sabbath which is so different from anything I have ever experienced. The entire STN organization - or Ohana (family) as we call it - gathers together throughout the day to fast and pray. I have found new purpose and meaning in both a day of rest to focus on God and the act of fasting from food. Each hour throughout the day is given a purpose and objective. Each Sabbath is different, but we pray for each other and specific causes, hear personal testimonies from the interns, gather for Bible study, and spend time with God on our own...Today was unique because we spent it in silence in honor of the Invisible Children of Uganda and the plight that they face on a daily basis. (For more about this tragedy please go to: http://www2.invisiblechildren.com/homepage ) Theirs is a heartwrenching story of survival against a brutal warlord that forces children to become soldiers who kill. I realized today how important it is to fight the tendency to ignore tragedies that are not necessarily "within my reach." There is always something that I can do on behalf of those who have no voice and cannot speak for themselves whether it is a prayer, increasing awareness, donating money or time, etc. I was definitely challenged today to have a heart for others and see that I have a long way to go...Laundry, Swedish lessons, and study session rounded out the day and we're off with another busy week ahead!

"The invitation to solitude and silence is just that. It is an invitation to enter more deeply into the intimacy of relationship with the One who waits just outside the noise and busyness of our lives for a space within which meaningful connection can occur. It is an invitation to communication and communion with the One who is always present even when our awareness has been dulled by distraction. It is an invitation to the adventure of spiritual transformation in the deepest places of our being, an adventure that will result in greater freedom, and authenticity and surrender to God than we have yet experienced." 

Ruth Haley Barton - "Invitation to Solitude and Silence: Experiencing God's Transforming Presence" 

Sleepy Eyes No More

After being at STN for one week my eyes are being opened to how good I have it in my little world and how great the needs are here. STN is located right in the heart of Wahiawa on Ohai Street, formerly known as "Blood Alley" for it's hardcore gang fights and heavy drug culture. Over the last two years, the area has been significantly improving. Just before I got here, STN was able to buy the porn shop next door, shut it down, and is now in the process of redeeming it to be used as the new food pantry and office space. Gun shots may no longer ring out in the night, but there is still much work to be done...Today we (interns) broke into teams and walked around Wahiawa to get to know the area and better understand the local needs. I saw shoes strung on power lines above our heads and learned that they signal where drugs are sold. Abandoned homes sit between cute, well-kept houses and prostitutes hang out in a beautiful park nearby where families also gather to enjoy the outdoors. Soldiers from the nearby base fill McDonald's at lunch time while a homeless man wearing rags sits across the street by the corner bus stop. Local women wait for the food pantry to open as tourists flood Maui Mike's restaurant across the street...I find myself in this scene and realize that it is so easy to focus on the good food available to me at any time, beautiful scenery a short walk away, amazing friends that I have here and at home, and the overall prosperity that I enjoy while people are hurting right around me. I am faced with the choice to close my eyes and "go back to sleep" or wake up and reach out. It is a daily choice to see, care, and act.

Wahiawa Is Awesome!

Aloha! What will a one-way ticket to Hawai'i get you? Well I am about to find out over the next few months and I look forward to sharing the experiences here! My name is Megan Phillips, and I am excited to be updating you on my adventures in Hawai'i and what life is like here on the Island of Oahu. I have recently left the mainland and everything that is familiar to me to move to this beautiful island in the Pacific. I am living in the little town of Wahiawa (wa-hee-wa) on the location of an organization called Surfing The Nations that exists to bring the hope and life of Jesus Christ to the locals here and people around the world. I decided to join the STN Internship Program to be challenged in all areas of life, but my big goal is to find God in a deeper way and to learn how to use my gifts and passions to reach out to those who are hurting and in need. My hope and prayer is that by sharing my experiences you will be inspired and encouraged to pursue God's plan for your life and to find more ways to share His love with those who so greatly need it. Mahalo (thank you) for stopping by!

"Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive."-- Howard Thurman