The past few months have been a lot.
I feel like we say that often, don’t we? It seems that every time we sit down to write an update, there’s another challenge, another unexpected turn, another reason we could say we’re exhausted.
And truthfully, we are.
Over the past month, we’ve had to slow down a little. We’ve had to pivot some of our efforts, reevaluate priorities, and remind ourselves that the work will always be there. There will always be another need to meet, another project to finish, another person to help. And while our hearts want to do it all, we’re learning that sometimes slowing down is just as important as showing up.
But something beautiful keeps happening in the middle of it all.
Every time we begin to feel discouraged, we turn our eyes back to Jesus and find our strength renewed. Every time we share a need, we watch Him faithfully provide. Sometimes in ways we never expected, and sometimes through people who have no idea just how perfectly timed their kindness really is.
I’ve been thinking lately about what it means to truly walk in relationship with the Father.
There’s this beautiful dance that happens when you learn to trust the One who’s leading.
Think about dancing with someone who really knows what they’re doing. You don’t have to know every step or anticipate every turn. You simply have to trust their lead. And when they dip you backward, there’s that brief moment when your heart does a little flip. You don’t know how far back you’re going, and for a split second, it might even feel a little scary.
But you trust the hands holding you.
You trust that the one leading the dance isn’t going to let you fall.
I think walking with God is a lot like that.
We don’t always know what He’s doing. We don’t know how far the dip will go, how long we’ll be asked to wait, or what the next step is going to look like. Sometimes all we can see is how far backward we’re leaning, and everything in us wants to grab hold of something familiar.
But He’s still leading.
And He’s never lost His grip.
And lately, we’ve had plenty of opportunities to practice trusting that.
Last month, our primary van broke down. And when I say broke down, I mean REALLY broke down. It is likely not going to drive again.
The kids and I were stranded on the side of the road on our way home from Kona. Gabe and Jacob came to our rescue, picked us up, drove us over an hour home, grabbed some tools, and then turned around and drove all the way back to tow the van home.
Now, here’s the thing. That van was our only working vehicle. Both of our trucks were already down, and we had no backup. So losing the van wasn’t exactly a minor inconvenience.
We weren’t quite sure what we were going to do.
But the very next day, we were talking with a friend, Gabe had asked this friend to pray for our vehicle situation and this friend said God had already spoken to him and he had a vehicle he’d been fixing up with the intention of giving to us next week, but that we could come down and get it.
Wait, what?!
No, it doesn’t have AC. Not all the windows work. It’s certainly not fancy.
But it drives!
And in this moment, that was exactly what we needed.
What an answer to prayer.
But the story doesn’t end there.
About a week later, we were in Kona picking up some parts to fix the AC in our newly gifted vehicle. We had $315 set aside for the repairs.
Gabe was chatting and joking around with the guy behind the counter, as he tends to do. The guy went to grab a couple of things, and somewhere in the conversation Gabe made a comment about how expensive car parts had gotten and asked if there was any discount available.
The guy said “sure!” called over his manager used a discount card for our purchase.
Thirty percent off.
Our new total?
$314.
We had $315.
One dollar to spare.
A happy accident? Maybe.
But I prefer to thank God, because He knew!
He knew when that van was going to break down. He knew we would need another vehicle. He knew about the friend who was already working on one. And He knew exactly how much money we had set aside for those parts.
It’s easy to look at moments like these and call them coincidences. But the more we walk with the Lord, the more we recognize His faithfulness in the little details.
And I don’t share this because I think following Jesus means everything will always work out neatly. Goodness, if you’ve followed our journey for any length of time, you know that hasn’t been our experience!
We still have broken vehicles, unfinished projects, and plenty of things we don’t have answers for.
But we’re learning that we don’t have to know how everything is going to work out to trust the One who’s leading us.
Sometimes all we can do is take the next step.
And sometimes, He gives us a little reminder that He’s already been making a way before we even knew we needed one.
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
Hurricane Lala
When Hurricane Lala swept through Kaʻū in August, it left behind devastation that is hard to put into words. I know we shared a lot of updates on our Instagram in our email newsletter. With over 20 inches of rain, homes were flooded, roads washed away, and families were left without power, water, or access to basic necessities. Some homes were filled with feet of mud and debris, and others suffered damage that will take months, if not years, to recover from.
While our own home was spared from major damage, we quickly realized how great the needs were around us. And so, we got to work.
Through Planting Hope Ministries, we began collecting donations and purchasing much-needed supplies. We made countless trips to Kona to bring back gas, propane, drinking water, ice, food, hygiene products, diapers, and other essentials. We partnered with local relief hubs in Ocean View and Naʻālehu, helped distribute supplies, and delivered necessities directly to families and kūpuna who couldn’t get out to receive help.
As the immediate needs began to shift, so did our efforts. We moved from distributing emergency supplies to helping families dig out from the mud, clear debris, haul trash, repair fences, and begin the overwhelming process of rebuilding. We helped coordinate volunteers, connect families with resources, and bring willing hands to places where the work seemed endless.
And let me tell you, some days it really did feel endless.
But one of the most beautiful things to come out of such a difficult season has been watching our community come together. Churches, nonprofits, local organizations, neighbors, and complete strangers showed up. Some gave financially, some donated supplies, some brought equipment, and others simply showed up ready to work.
We were incredibly blessed by the generosity of so many people, including our friends at Waikiki Beach Gathering, the Big Island Baptist Association, Hawaiʻi Pacific Baptist Convention, Good in the ‘Hood and the many individuals and organizations who helped make this work possible.
We couldn’t have done any of this alone, and that’s part of what made it so beautiful.
There were moments of incredible heartbreak, exhaustion, and uncertainty. But there were also moments of laughter, prayer, encouragement, and hope.
We saw the Church being the Church.
And while the storm has passed, the work is far from over. Families are still recovering, homes still need repairs, and there is much rebuilding ahead. We’re continuing to walk alongside our neighbors as we move from emergency relief into long-term recovery.
Looking back, I can’t help but think about how often we ask God to bring blessings, only to find ourselves standing in the middle of a storm. We don’t always understand what He’s doing while the rain is falling. But sometimes, as the waters recede, we begin to see the beautiful ways He’s been working through the people He places around us.
Waikiki Beach Gathering Mission Team
In August, we had the privilege of welcoming a team from Waikiki Beach Gathering on Oʻahu. This trip had been planned for months, with the intention of helping us tackle projects on our property. But Hurricane Lala had other plans for our schedule!
With our community still reeling from the storm, this team didn’t hesitate to pivot. They rolled up their sleeves and jumped into some seriously demanding work. From moving heavy loads of water and ice, loading vehicles at relief hubs, and helping distribute supplies, to cutting down fallen trees and clearing debris, they served wherever hands were needed.
It wasn’t glamorous work, and it certainly wasn’t easy. But they showed up with willing hearts, worked incredibly hard, and brought much-needed encouragement to an exhausted community.
They came to serve, and they served well.
We are so thankful for our friends at Waikiki Beach Gathering, not only for the work they accomplished, but for the beautiful example they gave of what it looks like to be the hands and feet of Jesus.
Planting Hope Kitchen
Planting Hope Kitchen had also taken a bit of a break from our normal routine over the past couple of months. After Hurricane Lala, our local markets were closed as the grounds were being used for relief efforts. But while the markets were closed, our ovens certainly weren’t!
During the hurricane and the weeks that followed, we continued baking, choosing to donate everything we made to help feed our community. In total, we baked and gave away over 1000 loaves of bread! It was one small way we could use what God had already placed in our hands to meet a need.
This month, the markets have finally reopened, and we’re slowly beginning to find our rhythm again. Vendors and customers are trickling back. After everything our community has walked through, seeing those familiar faces and watching people gather again feels like something worth celebrating.
There is still a lot of fear and uncertainty. Every time the rain starts falling, you can almost feel the anxiety rise. For so many families, the storm isn’t just a memory. They’re still living with the damage, the financial strain, and the uncertainty of what comes next.
And I think that’s part of why these little moments of normalcy matter so much.
Being back at market has reminded me just how important community really is. It’s not just about selling bread or supporting local vendors. It’s about the conversations, checking in on one another, sharing a laugh, and sometimes simply being a listening ear.
I’ve been trying to be especially intentional about praying for people and, even more importantly, praying with people.
Because the truth is, I don’t always have the answers. I can’t fix every situation or take away the hardships someone is walking through.
But I can pray.
At a recent market, I had the opportunity to pray with a friend who was struggling with his breathing. Later that day, he came back and shared that his breathing was feeling better!
What an encouragement!
It’s moments like these that remind me why I want to be more intentional about stopping and praying with people, rather than simply saying, “I’ll be praying for you.”
I don’t have the ability to heal someone. I don’t always have the answers or know how to help with what they’re walking through. But I know the One who does.
And what a privilege it is that we can bring one another before Him in prayer, right there in the middle of an ordinary Wednesday market.
Prayer doesn’t require us to have the perfect words or a solution to every problem. It’s simply an opportunity to bring someone before the One who does have the answers. The One who knows their needs, sees their hurt, and loves them more deeply than I ever could.
Sometimes ministry looks like organizing relief supplies or rebuilding homes. And sometimes it looks like standing behind a table of fresh bread, taking a few minutes to listen to someone’s story, and praying together.
I’m thankful we’re finding our way back to a little bit of normal, but I’m even more thankful for the reminder that the bread has always been just one part of why we’re there.
Answered Prayers
With all the challenges these past few months have brought, I don’t want to overlook the many ways we’ve watched God answer prayers and provide for us!
As I mentioned earlier, we have a working vehicle again! It still needs a few things fixed, but it gets us where we need to go, and we are SO thankful!
We also recently faced the possibility of another hurricane heading toward the islands. After everything our community had already been through, the thought of another storm was incredibly unsettling. But we watched as that hurricane stalled for over 12 hours before eventually moving away from the islands. We had been praying, and what a relief it was to see the storm turn away! Thank you, Jesus!
We’ve also been so encouraged by the response to our calls for help. People have been stepping forward, offering their time, skills, financial support, and resources to help us continue serving our community.
We’re currently putting together a team of skilled laborers to come in January to help tackle some much-needed construction and rebuilding projects. There are still so many families trying to recover, and we’re excited to see how God will use this team to bring practical help and encouragement. On top of bringing their skills, this team is fundraising to buy building materials to bless the community. If you feel led to donate to this cause please reach out to me.
One of the sweetest blessings throughout this season has been the relationships and connections that continue to grow. We’ve met so many wonderful people who share a heart for serving others. Some have become ministry partners, others have offered resources or encouragement, and many have simply reminded us that we’re not doing this alone.
And another exciting answer to prayer? We were donated a 15-passenger van!
It needs some repairs before it’s ready to use, but once we get it running, it will be such a tremendous blessing to our ministry. As we continue welcoming mission teams and volunteers to Hawaiʻi, having a vehicle that can transport larger groups will make a huge difference!
And on a fun note… WE GOT T-SHIRTS!!
Gabe’s parents arrived this weekend and blessed us with some awesome Planting Hope Ministries shirts! On the back, they say:
“Love God. Love People. Period.”
I love the simplicity of that statement because it really does capture the heart of what we’re trying to do here. Love God, love the people He places in front of us, and let that love move us to action. It doesn’t have to be complicated.
What a sweet gift and a fun way to represent the ministry as we continue serving our community!
As I look back over these past few months, I’m reminded that God’s provision comes in so many different forms. Sometimes it’s a vehicle when ours breaks down. Sometimes it’s a financial gift that arrives at just the right time, a volunteer willing to lend a hand, a new friendship, or even a thoughtful gift from family.
Not every prayer has been answered the way we expected, and there are still plenty of needs we’re trusting Him with. We have projects waiting to be completed, repairs to make, and families we’re continuing to walk alongside.
But when we take the time to look back and recognize all the ways He’s already provided, it gives us renewed confidence to trust Him with whatever comes next.
He has been faithful. He is faithful. And we trust that He will continue to be faithful.
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 $750 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 is no longer drivable. The transfer case has failed and requires about $2500 to fix. 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, thankfully it has rained a lot recently but please pray for the funds to get it fixed, that we get a truck donated to us, or that financing would become available to purchase a truck. As well pray for finances to fix up the vehicles we have been given.
-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. We have a team from Kauai HLR program coming in December, an adult team of skilled laborers coming in January, and The Feed is preparing for their trip summer 2027. 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.
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