Hawaii: Melting pot of cultures

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Hilo, Hawaii, is a melting pot of cultures. Through working here with the Baptist Student Ministry, God has opened my eyes to the world. I’ve served overseas in several areas of the world—Central America, South America and East Asia—and in various locations across the United States.

However, at least outside the United States, I had ministered primarily to one main people group. Here, I have been blessed with the opportunity to minister to students from all over the globe—some from countries I had never even heard of until I came here. 

As I talk with these students and listen to their stories, my eyes are opened to the world around me—the wars, freedom, struggles and beauty. 

It was so easy to live, as I grew up, in my quiet little town, pretending there was nothing outside Texas. After hearing these students’ stories, after going through this bit of life with them, I can no longer sit idly knowing that every day, people around me are leaving this earth, and most do not know the hope that I have to share—that we have to share. 

I remember as I was growing up in the Bible Belt, I just assumed every person I ran into was a believer. That’s the mindset I’ve had to battle every day I’ve been on this island. The truth is, that’s far from the truth. Please pray with me as God prepares those whom he has called to take the gospel to the ends of the earth. 

The author was a graduate student at Wayland Baptist University, serving thorugh Go Now Missions as campus ministry intern with the Baptist Student Ministry at the University of Hawaii at Hilo. He now ministers in an area where his identification would put fellow Christians at risk. So, his name has been removed from this post.


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