Spiritual Formation Center – Blaine Memorial United Methodist Church

Lahaina, Hawaii (Aug. 16, 2023) – Wildfire damage in Lahaina. Remains of the U.S. Seamen’s Hospital (U.S. Marine Hospital), 1024 Front Street, Lahaina, Hawaii, first built 1833, in Lahaina Historic District, National Register of Historic Places. Photo courtesy of the United States Department of Homeland Security, Dominick Del Vecchio

Our Bazaar: “Sowing Generously” for Maui

By Anne Arakaki-Lock

As I write, my heart aches for my fellow Hawaiians who have lost family, homes, jobs, and maybe even hope due to recent wildfires. I cry for their pain. Then I think about all the willing people, members as well as friends of Blaine – who with no second thoughts – want to help at our upcoming Bazaar coming up on October 7.

God will provide the resources we are to use for His work – the “seeds” that we will cultivate to produce the “crops” to send to Maui through UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief). Bringing Lahaina back is daunting, but we know that our Almighty God is big and does miracles.

On August 8, the island of Maui experienced a major wildfire disaster fueled by windy and dry conditions. As of the time of writing, much of the community of Lahaina was considered destroyed and 97 fatalities had been discovered. Photo courtesy of the U.S. Coast Guard Hawai’i Pacific District 14.

We are to just give of ourselves generously and give thanks to Him. God will bless and do the rest. The generosity of our community, the use of resources that God has given us to do his work are plentiful. We know that it must be put to good use. Lord, I pray that the generous spirit of our people will reap a harvest so bountiful for our brothers and sisters in Maui, so they can find new life. May we always serve you with a generous heart so others will see your light.

“Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God,” -2 Corinthians 10-11.