Everything was breaking.

The car stripped three head bolts out of the engine block. The front axle on one of the trucks nearly fell off, leaving the tire sitting at a harsh angle. The hot water heater quit working. The other truck’s transfer case cracked, lost all its fluid, and shredded the gears. The chickens invaded the tomato garden just as I was trying to protect what little produce we had. And we had a mountain of work to finish before the mission team arrived to build the bunkhouse.

“Father Yahuah, please help.”

After a while, I just started laughing as more things broke. The surfboard leash snapped. The pig fence failed. Myna birds decided the perfect place to build a nest was underneath our solar panels. Then multiple people in our family, including me, got sick right in the middle of it all.

In the midst of the chaos, Father kept asking me one question:

“What work actually needs to be done?”

I kept striving in my own strength, trying to hold everything together. But Father was asking me to trust Him—to cast my anxieties on Him and believe that He was already working everything out for His glory.

Looking back, the truth was, the vehicles weren’t going to get fixed that week by my own effort. Yet Father had already provided everything we truly needed. The building materials were on site. The team was coming. His plans weren’t falling apart just because mine were.

While I was focused on everything that seemed to be unraveling, Father was quietly working behind the scenes, teaching me something far more important and refining my heart.

As I worked on the vehicles, I was reminded that both the car and the truck broke down close to home instead of leaving us stranded somewhere far away. The truck had been warning us for quite some time that something wasn’t right, and it finally failed where it was safe.

Most importantly, no one was hurt.

Praise Yahuah for His constant hand of protection.

He also answered our prayers as every dollar needed for the bunkhouse project came in through the mission team, just in time for us to purchase materials and begin construction.

A few weeks before the team arrived, I struck up a conversation with the man delivering our building materials. What should have been a quick delivery turned into a two-hour conversation. He needed encouragement, and by the time he left he had committed to returning to the foundational habits of walking with the Lord.

Had I been too focused on the work instead of the person standing in front of me, I would have completely missed what Father was doing.

Then, while picking up the mission team from the airport, the team leader handed us an envelope containing $600. Someone had asked the team why they were coming to Hawaii. After hearing about the ministry, that person simply said they wanted to be part of what God was doing and gave the team the money to bless the ministry.

During those ten days, our only working vehicle—a two-wheel-drive truck—somehow became an off-road champion, making it through the sand and lava rock to Green Sand Beach without missing a beat.

During their 10 days with us, the students served well. They learned. They grew. We watched Father work in their hearts all week long.

By the end of it all, I sat back with overwhelming gratitude.

Yahuah is good.

The broken things were fixable. The finances were provided. Every need was met. Father is faithful.

And perhaps most importantly, I was reminded that ministry isn’t found in buildings, vehicles, or even hot water heaters.

Ministry is found in people.

It’s in the conversations Father places in front of you. It’s in students offering prayer to anyone they pass. It’s in serving those around you. It’s in the grateful smile of someone whose weary heart has simply been seen. It’s in being the hands and feet of Yahuah, and giving Him all the glory in everything we do.

A few weeks before the mission team arrived, while I was working on my own vehicle, a brother of mine called completely exhausted.

He and his family had graciously taken in their nephews while the family walked through an incredibly difficult season. They regularly drove across the island so the boys could visit their mother, even though she often failed to communicate and sometimes didn’t show up at all.

On this particular trip, she didn’t show up.

Disappointed, they started the long drive home. Then their alternator mounting bracket sheared completely off. They still had over 60 miles to drive and were nearly out of gas.

That same day, despite feeling sick myself, I was making a 100-mile round trip to the only auto parts store on the island that carried the thread repair kit I needed for my van.

As I drove, my brother called.

“Hey man… pray for me. It’s been a rough day.”

As we talked, it suddenly hit me. The very store I was driving to was also the only place on the island that carried the part he needed. Even more amazing, he happened to be only a few miles from our house.

I told him, “Come to our place. Pull off the road. Get some rest. We’ll get your part and fix your car in the morning.”

What happened next still amazes me. Earlier that day Kelly had come home with nearly thirty extra bananas and a cart full of additional groceries. She laughed and said, “I don’t know why I bought all of this. We have never eaten 30 bananas and we certainly don’t need it right now, since I’m going shopping this next week for the mission team, but I just couldn’t stop putting things in the cart.” Those “extra” groceries became exactly what was needed to feed the unexpected guests around our table.

That night everyone ate well. The kids laughed and played together. The adults rested. The next morning we repaired the vehicle, prayed together, and sent them on their way. Everyone left knowing they were loved, cared for, and not alone in these seasons of challenges. 

Even when everything seems to break…

Even when life feels like it’s falling apart…

Yahuah is still good.

He provides. He restores. He gathers people into family. He creates places of refuge where weary hearts can rest while He begins putting the broken pieces back together.

So when everything around you is breaking—or when it feels like everything in your life is falling apart—will you keep striving to hold it all together? Or will you trust Him?

Sometimes the work can wait. Sometimes the vehicle can wait. Sometimes the project can wait. Because sometimes the person Father has placed in front of you is the work. 

The interruption is the ministry. The inconvenience is the opportunity. What first appears to be a curse may actually be a blessing in disguise. More often than not, it isn’t about us at all.

Looking back, none of the broken vehicles, failed parts, unexpected expenses, or interruptions caught Father by surprise. He used every one of them to slow me down, redirect my attention, and remind me that His Kingdom isn’t built by finishing a to-do list. It’s built one person at a time.

So maybe the better question isn’t, “How am I going to get all of this done?”

Maybe it’s the question Father had been asking me all along:

What work actually needs to be done?

Praise Him.

PLANTING HOPE MINISTRIES

We truly believe that the title non profit is a tool for us to be able to build the kingdom, so it can be hard to see where the ministry starts and stops. We believe that our lives should be a reflection of Christ and that ministry should be a natural extension of living a life that follows Jesus. If you are wanting details of why we are here in Hawaii and what God has called us to, I highly encourage you to check out our website for Planting Hope Ministries to learn more about what we are doing and why. We would love to have you partner with us!

Bulldozer

As we are building we continue to find that biggest needs to effectively continue with any major building projects, not just for current projects but future projects, is a large piece of equipment. Not having a larger piece of equipment has meant we are paused for much of our building until we can fully fund either renting a larger piece of equipment for each project or purchasing one. 

The tractor we have been borrowing is not able to handle the load of digging and flattening the land which means we keep having to put money in to repairing it. Although, The tractor has served us well and is a big asset when it comes to road work, and helping with some of the mowing; we have been pushing it beyond its capabilities. After some research we are hoping to raise $50,000 for a bulldozer or an excavator. We are praying for people who feel called to support this specific project. If you would like to donate to our bulldozer fund click the link below

Outreach and Event Updates

The Feed Mission team

This past month, we had the privilege of hosting The Feed from Side-By-Side Ministries (a program of Good in the ‘Hood) for an incredible 10 days!

This amazing team of 15 people—12 students and 3 leaders—spent months fundraising so they could travel to Hawaiʻi and serve alongside us. During their time here, they built a bunkhouse that will become part of our future Bible camp. This building will also provide housing for future mission teams as they partner with us to continue building what God is doing here.

Throughout the week, the students grew not only in construction knowledge and practical skills, but also in teamwork, perseverance, and servant-hearted leadership. Despite the wind, heat, and long days, they encouraged one another and worked faithfully every step of the way.

Their impact reached far beyond the construction site. They partnered with several local ministries, including Hope Dia-Mends TLC Food Outreach. Jonette and her incredible team welcomed everyone with open arms as the students baked fresh bread and cookies before joining the outreach to serve meals, pray with community members, and offer encouragement. They also had the opportunity to pray over the TLC team and their ministry vehicle. This ministry has become such an important and consistent source of hope within our community.

The team also participated in several community cleanups, collecting trash throughout the area while offering free lunches, prayer, and conversations with anyone who wanted to stop and talk.

Another meaningful highlight was visiting the LIV Pregnancy Center. Dr. Doede and the staff shared the vision behind the ministry and why Christ-centered, life-affirming pregnancy support is so desperately needed in communities like Kaʻū. Our team had the opportunity to pray with them for their ministry and for their vision of one day establishing a birthing center in the Kaʻū district.

Of course, ministry wasn’t the only part of the adventure! The students experienced the beauty of Hawaiʻi by witnessing an active volcanic eruption, visiting Green Sand Beach, Black Sand Beach, and White Sands Beach, swimming beneath waterfalls, hiking along the South Point coastline, and exploring some of the incredible landscapes that make these islands so unique.

They also visited the first missionary church in Hawaiʻi, where they learned about the history of the early missionaries and reflected on God’s enduring love and heart for the Hawaiian Islands.

The ten days seemed to fly by, yet somehow it also felt like we had known each other much longer because of all the experiences we shared together. We are incredibly grateful for this team. They were such a blessing to our family, our ministry, and our community, and we pray God continues to use what He began in each of their hearts during their time here.

If you’d like to see more from their week in Hawaiʻi, be sure to visit our Instagram page, Planting Hope Ministries, where we shared daily videos and stories throughout their stay.

Planting Hope Kitchen

The Planting Hope Kitchen continues to be a place where God is opening doors for relationships and ministry through something as simple as a loaf of bread.

This season, we began adding organic sourdough bagels to our weekly bake rotation after our large mixer unexpectedly broke down for a couple of weeks. What initially felt like a setback turned into an opportunity. The repair ended up costing us nothing—a gift from God—and during that time we experimented with something new. Today we offer three bagel flavors: plain, everything seasoning, and blueberry, alongside all of our regular sourdough breads. They have quickly become a favorite in our community!

Our bake days are full of mixing, shaping, baking, praying, and worshiping. While we’re making bread, we’re continually reminded that this ministry has never really been about the bread. Bread is simply a tool God uses to build relationships, create opportunities for intentional conversations, and ultimately point people to Jesus.

One story that especially encouraged us happened at the market. A woman came running toward me, excitedly shouting, “I can eat bread!”

She shared that she had avoided bread for years because of digestive issues. Whole grains caused her pain, and most white breads still contained parts of the grain that she couldn’t tolerate. She decided to cautiously try one slice of our white breads.

“I ate one slice the first day and waited,” she told me. “When I had no pain, I made myself a grilled cheese sandwich the next day. Still no pain. The next morning I had toast for breakfast… and I cried because I was so happy I could eat bread again.”

What an incredible reminder that God can use something as ordinary as bread to bring unexpected joy and encouragement into someone’s life.

Another moment at market that has stayed with me had nothing to do with bread at all.

A friend quietly pulled me aside at the market and said, “Last week you gave me a hug. I thought about that hug all week.”

She continued, “You were talking to someone, and you stopped the conversation to come around the table and hug me. Today you were counting money, and you stopped again just to hug me.”

As she shared, I could see how deeply that simple act of intentional love had impacted her. It was a beautiful reminder that people long to be seen. Sometimes the greatest ministry isn’t what we hand someone—it’s making them feel valued, known, and loved the way Jesus loves us.

Thank you for praying for this outreach. Please continue to pray that every loaf of bread, every conversation, every hug, and every interaction would point people to Christ. We don’t want any of the credit or recognition. Jesus alone deserves the glory. We are simply grateful that He allows us to partner with Him in these beautiful stories of hope, healing, and love.

Answered Prayers

One of our greatest joys is looking back and seeing the many ways God has faithfully answered prayer. Thank you for praying with us—your prayers truly matter, and we are so grateful to celebrate these answers together.

• Our commercial mixer was repaired at no cost. What could have been a significant expense became a beautiful reminder of God’s provision. During the time it was out of service, He even used the situation to open the door for us to begin making organic sourdough bagels, which have quickly become a favorite in our community.
• The Feed mission team completed the bunkhouse. We are incredibly thankful for this team and all they accomplished during their 10 days with us. This building will serve future mission teams and become an important part of our vision for a future Bible camp.
• God answered our prayer for a computer. In our last newsletter, we shared that our computer had unexpectedly broken down. We are so excited to share that God provided a gently used 2024 Mac computer! What an incredible and timely answer to prayer. It has already become an essential tool for the ministry as we’ve used it to create mission team schedules, write newsletters and social media posts, communicate with supporters, and respond to countless emails. Communication is a vital part of what we do as we raise support, coordinate teams, and share what God is doing. We are so thankful for this unexpected gift and for the person God used to bless us in such a practical way.
• Ministry opportunities continue to grow. Through the bakery, community outreach, and partnerships with local ministries, God continues to provide opportunities to build relationships, pray with people, and share the hope of Jesus in tangible ways.
• God continues to provide exactly what we need. Whether through volunteers, financial gifts, donated resources, or perfectly timed encouragement, we are continually reminded that this ministry belongs to Him. He has been so faithful to provide, often in ways we never could have imagined.

Thank you for continuing to pray for Planting Hope Ministries. Every answered prayer strengthens our faith and reminds us that God is at work. We are humbled that He allows us to join Him in what He is already doing, and we can’t wait to see how He continues to lead in the months ahead.

Prayer Requests

**We are looking for 100 people who will commit to pray with us and for us. We currently have 20 people who have committed to this role on our behalf. We firmly believe that everything we are doing here has to be rooted in Jesus and we want a team with us who will go to Him on our behalf and intentionally take time to pray with and for us. We send out separate emails and updates to that specific group.Thank you to those who have already said yes to partnering with us through prayer! If you are wanting to be apart of our prayer team please reach out to me via email: plantinghopeministries@gmail.com

-Pray that God would bring the right financial partners to join us. We threw out a big number asking for $10,000 a month in support($4000 to help support our family monthly and $6000 to go towards material purchases, tools, etc for ministry). We have received several large one item donations, and have $650 of on-going monthly support committed. We don’t always know how God is gonna provide financially, but we are 100% trusting that He will. We felt very confident that He was telling us to trust Him, so we are praying that our personal needs will be taken care, and all funding will be taken care of for our family, building materials, and land development moving forward. If you would like to financially support us click the button below! 

-Pray for a Bulldozer. We have been borrowing Gabes parents tractor, but the availability is limited as it often needs repairs, and the work that could be done, is a lot. We need bigger equipment to properly work the land.We have had to pay to rent various equipment so we can clear land, level the ground, and dig to prepare for foundations. This gets very expensive, vey quickly. We would love to have our own equipment.

-Please pray for our vehicles, Our truck was fixed and is once again having problems, our 4WD is no longer working and we are having to pull it apart and do some digging to see what else is wrong. We are looking at the very real possibility of needing to retire the truck and seek out a different option for an affordable truck. This is a big deal as this is the truck we use to carry water, haul building materials, pick up heavy gardening supplies etc, We are VERY dependent on this truck, Please pray that this truck is fixed, that we get a truck donated to us, or that financing would become available to purchase a truck.

-Pray for our Van, we have the parts, and have been putting it together, slowly but surely. Pray that these parts fix it, and there is no further damage. It has been down for three weeks. and we are praying that it will continue to drive for us, for any years to come.

-Pray for our outreach events: protection over volunteers, that the right connections and partnerships would be made and that the community would be blessed.

-Pray for our mission teams coming out this next year. Pray that we could raise the funds for the projects they are intending to build, Pray for their health, pray that as they are out here that their time on Hawaii Island would be fruitful and for them to be encouraged to grow in their faith. If you or your church would be interested in partnering with us and coming out to help serve and support the work we are doing here click the button below to learn more

-Pray for the people we get to meet, that every interaction would be one that points people to Jesus and that we could love our community the way God loves them.