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Wednesday, June 27, 2007

Aloha to all of our family, intercessors and supporters!

Well it's over...the trip anyway. The memories, relationships and impact will last forever. I was tearing up last night showing my wife the pictures from the trip. Words can't explain what all happened over there. I encourage you to spend time with your Maui Team Member(s) and not only listen, but "hear" what happened. Watch their face as they explain what happened. We might go on and on for awhile, but please bear with us as I believe you would too once you met the people we met and felt their love and hospitality.

Please join us this Sunday, July 1, 2007 at Living Way Church at 6:00 PM for a worship service followed by the Maui Team presentation. You will see photos and videos of our trip and hear first-hand what God did to and through the team.

We are forever grateful for all of your prayers, support, encouragement and love. You were a vital part of this trip. Please continue to pray for the team in the days and weeks to come as we begin to re-settle back into our schedules...this trip will not be forgotten...we pray for the time when we will see our new Ohana (family) again….

Aloha no malama pono,

Mark D./ Mark B and the 2007 Maui Team

Sunday, June 24, 2007

Wow!

It's almost over. Confusion is definitely kicking in...we can't wait to come home and we don't want to leave. To make matters more difficult, we heard that a contingency of our new friends and family will be at the airport to bid the team farewell.

LWC Poway stepped in and helped with the entire service this morning; we were the ushers, we were the worship band and praise team, we brought the Word and we ran the children's service as well. The team was spectacular...every one.

This morning's service was incredible… God's Word on restoration impacted the congregation and we saw the power of God's Word working by itself during the altar call. God was restoring marriages without words being said by any person, but God…. It was amazing.

We then went to Kanaha beach for a farewell potluck and Baptism. 11 people were baptized! Again, it was awesome to see the Holy Spirit in action!

We can't wait to see you all. Please pray for our safe journey and health. We can't express our gratitude enough for your love, prayers, encouragement and support.

Going after the ONE!

Mark D./ Mark B. and the Maui Team


Saturday, June 23, 2007

Aloha everyone!

What a great day! We began today's workshop conference with a continental breakfast and fellowship. We were greeted by many of the children and youth from the VBS and Camp... most came because we were still here... such a great thing is happening here between the children and our team.

We were told today during the conference that even though we might never come back (right!), we will never be forgotten.

We began by Mark D. speaking at the leadership meeting for LWC Maui. The message was well-received and fit well with the previous night's message about being a church with a "Vision."

Then Mark B. conducted a worship workshop that began with our worship team playing a couple of worship songs followed by Mark teaching on several aspects of praise and worship. He then had Kristin and Christy share on what they believe the five most important things in leading worship are.

Because of the "Hawaiian Time" factor the schedule was pushed back by an hour... no problem. We then broke into several breakout sessions that included: Personal evangelism. Children's Ministries, Youth Ministries, Presentations, Care Groups/Small Groups and Service ministries. What a great conference, the people thoroughly enjoyed each class and each class had many attendees.

After the workshop were over, we changed and many of us went to Greg's church for Hula practice for tomorrow. Our girls have been taught to Hula and can't wait show all of you.

Can you believe that tomorrow is our last ministry day? Wow, it was truly amazing to be apart of this!

Pray for us tomorrow as we essentially will be performing all of the tasks for tomorrow's service: We will be bringing the Word, ushering, greeting, worship as well as holding the children's ministries. How awesome is that?

Thank you, thank you, thank you for your prayers and encouragement!

Going after the One,

Mark D./Mark B. and the Maui Team


Friday, June 22, 2007


Alohaaaaaaaaaaaaa!

Emotions are high...relationships are building and the realization that we'll be leaving in 3 days is setting in. We began the workshop convention this weekend by having a special service this evening. Everything went terrific. Our Maui Team brought the Word on 'Vision' and we conducted the children's service as well so the LWC Maui ladies could hear the Word.

Tomorrow we begin the workshops at 8 AM with a leadership meeting, then a workshop for worship. Then breakout sessions on Children's Ministries, presentations, care groups, evangelism, service ministries and youth ministries.

Please pray for our continued health, going after the one, and our continued relationship building. We can't wait to come home and share with you all.

I'll update you tomorrow on the results of our workshops.

We love you and are grateful to you for your love and support,

Mark D./ Mark B. and the Maui Team


Thursday, June 21, 2007


Aloooooooha!

Today we spent most of the day recuperating from the grueling 3-day VBS/Camp. We are also still recovering from having to say goodbye to the kids. Pastor Greg said he ran into several of the camp kids today while he was working and said they asked about the team, when we were coming back and how much it meant to them that we came out.

After a half day of R&R, we split up into two groups; the ladies (headed by Anne and Liz) took the ladies to the women's meeting where they shared with them our style of women's ministries and they said the ladies ate it up. Everything from holding annual events like the Ladies' Tea to the meals ministry and the monthly R.U.T.H. letter!

The men gathered as well and discussed the camp and what could be done to improve it, as well as being asked to continue the impact we made by coming back in the future! We also discussed other church topics and had a great time of fellowship, food and learning about each other.

Tomorrow night is the kick-off for the workshop conference. Please pray for the speaker(s), the Word, and the service. We have several people with aching bodies, sore throats, pains, etc., so please pray for God's healing for the team.

Thank you for everything you've done for us...we can't wait to see you all and share with you God's moving in Maui.

We love you,

Mark D./ Mark B. and the Maui Team


Wednesday, June 20, 2007


Aloha all…

We can't believe VBS and camp is over… A lot of tears were shed… A lot of relationships were built with all of the kids and a lot of questions of when we were coming back were asked. Many kids and adults gave their lives to Jesus over the last four days… And the great thing is there were many Pastors there to see who made the step and to follow up with them and their families!

We heard many heartbreaking stories which I'm sure you will hear about in the weeks to come. Today was full of scripture, fun and even a massive water-balloon fight…fun!

We fell in love with not only the kids, but the community and the culture.

Tomorrow is our partial free day. After we're finished with a little R&R, our team will be splitting up to go to LWC Maui's Women's meeting and the Men's meeting.

Please pray for our healing (a lot of sore muscles, bug bites and basic aches and pains). Also pray that we can recuperate in time to begin our Workshop Conference on Friday.

We cherish your prayer and encouragement… If you'd like to send an email message to any of the team members, please hit reply and send it, we will make sure the message gets passed on.

We love you and can't wait to see you.

Going after the ONE!

Mark D./Mark B. and the Maui Team


Tuesday, June 19, 2007


Aloha all…

Well, we had another great day of ministry. These children (keiki) and youth (opio) are so wonderful. They have a great attitude and such a heart for restoration…. So many of the children ask for prayer for family issues, like parents fighting or parents on drugs. It tears your heart.

We began our morning with a breakfast of rice, scrambled eggs and hot dogs (same color as the other day). Just a little ketchup on the eggs and some soy sauce on the rice…. Ono! (great!)

After breakfast we had a terrific worship service, then Ted his job as an awesome MC, a skit by Lance and John and we were off for another day of VBS. The youth went with Greg for summer servants and went down to the local beach and picked up bags and bags of trash… Later one of the youth said that when they picked up the trash from the sand, they kicked away some sand and found more bags full of trash… He said it was like him, where he sin on top of his skin (outside) and now God was cleaning out the trash from under hi skin (the inside).

Before lunch we sang a couple of worship songs, then had an alter call after we spent the day putting Scripture into the minds and hearts. Over 8 children came forward and accepted Jesus into their heart for the first time!

We then went to Twin Falls and watched as everyone (almost everyone) jumped off the cliffs into the pond. There were ledges ranging from 10 feet to over 30 feet…. Amazing. All came back safe and sound… we even have pictures of Christy Bradley screaming as she plummeted off of the 30 foot cliff!

After we returned we had dinner, then went into worship and Mark B brought the Word again, this time he spoke about extreme faith in God. Greg followed up with an altar call in which at least 10-15 children, youth and adults responded!

We then hung around even longer and finally, since no one wanted to leave, we returned home to get ready for another day.

Please pray for our last day for VBS and camp. Also pray for our health, energy and ministry as we conclude the programs and get ready to begin our workshops.

We love you for your encouragement and prayers.

Going after the one!

Mark & Mark & the Maui Team


Monday, June 18, 2007


Aloha all...

Well, today was the first day for the VBS and Youth Camp, and it was AWESOME! We had thirty-some VBS kids and 25+ youth for the first day.

The team was extraordinary... I won't spoil our presentation night by sharing all the great things going on but God responded to all the prayers to prepare the hearts of the people for this trip.

Several mothers commented that they'd never seen these children connect with a group of strangers like they did with us.... We were all being called "Uncle" and Auntie" by the children almost immediately.

After lunch the VBS kids went home and we took the youth to Kamaole Beach for some fun in the sun.

We returned for dinner where the LWC Maui family had prepared a delicious meal of hamburgers, hot dogs (ask the team what color they were...) and Hawaiian Macaroni/potato/tuna salad.

We then had a terrific time of worship and Pastor Mark B brought the word. After the word, he asked anyone who had something in their life to get rid of to come up and nail it on the cross (we had a 6 foot wooden cross made). Over 30 people came up and for 25 minutes nailed their troubles and sin to the cross... there was weeping from young and old alike. Pastor Greg then asked anyone who wanted to receive Jesus for the first time and several kids and adults came forward and we prayed and rejoiced with the angels!

What a night! We are expecting more tomorrow and can't wait to see what the Lord has in store.

Please pray for us for continued strength, health and sensitive ears as we continue the camp and VBS tomorrow.

Thank you again for all of your support, encouragement and prayers. We love you all.

Going after the one,

Mark D./ Mark B. and the Maui Team


Sunday, June 17, 2007


Aloha all...

Happy Father's Day!

Today was church day. We showed up early to help setup and for worship practice. Christy B., Gerry B., Nathan and John R., and Mark D, sat in with the worship team for an awesome 45 minutes of worship.

Greg then introduced the team to the whole church. After that, Dave B., Kristin C., and Ted D. gave their testimonies...they were all awesome!

Mark B. brought the word and did an excellent job. He asked for an altar call for new believers and those wanting to be used of God to produce more good fruit. Mark had the team come up front and everybody prayed for those that came up. We prayed for about 15 minutes and the Holy Spirit was touching hearts and people were responding. We can't wait for more!

After lunch we met with Living Way Church Maui and helped them setup the park for the VBS/Youth Camp on Monday. As we were setting up, a boy with a green duffel bag marched up to Pastor Greg, stuck a check in his hand and declared, "I'm ready to camp!" Cool.

As I'm typing, Lance and Micha are running the rest of the team through skit practice...I can't wait.

Please pray for us tomorrow as the VBS and Camp starts. Pray that the community is receptive and responsive to God's Word.

Going after the ONE!

Mark D/ Mark B and the Maui Team


Saturday, June 16, 2007


Aloha Living Way Church Ohana!

What another great day in Maui! Today the Living Way Church Maui family threw us a get-to-know-you picnic in honor of us at Kamaole Beach in Kihei. They had LOOOOOTS of food for us and we spent the day with them fellowshipping. We even played a kickball game; Poway LWC vs Maui LWC..... they beat us so bad..... good thing it's all in the family. Yes, we got pictures and video..... we even have one of Pastor Greg sliding into third base on his stomach!!!!

After wards we went to the church to help setup for Sunday service, then held worship practice...... rather it was really a worship service, with about 40 people, raising hands and worshipping the Lord for over 30 minutes......

We're back now getting ready for church tomorrow.....Please pray for Pastor Mark B. who is bringing the Word... and our worship team...

Please continue to pray for health and God's direction is meeting the wonderful people of Maui.....

Thank you for your prayers, we love you all,

Mark D/ Mark B and the Maui Team


Friday, June 15, 2007


Aloha!

We're here! Thanks to all of your support and prayers, we are all here safe and sound. Our timing was perfect, by the time we checked in and made it through security, our plane was boarding. The flight was smooth and we made it 30 minutes early!

We were greeted by Greg, Bev and a few other LWC Maui leaders with the traditional Maile leaf leis.

After we unloaded our bags at our lodgings, we changed and went to lunch, then went to Kanaha Beach for prayer and worship. We met a few people on the beach and met one man who's son had committed suicide last Tuesday, We all prayed and laid hands on the man who afterwards, was led to the Lord and accepted Jesus Christ!

We met some of the leadership of the LWC Church and are looking forward to a church-wide meeting tomorrow. We are tired and will be getting a good night's rest.

Please pray for our health and our outreaches. We love you all and thank you for your prayers and support.

Going after the One!

Mark D/Mark B. and the Maui Team