As I reflect on this past Sunday's 40 Days of Community Celebration Sunday, I marvel at God's goodness and how God's people responded for this campaign. We asked our congregation to trust the Campaign Team who worked dilligently, planning, preparing and coordinating all of the various events. Most of all, I believe God blessed our prayers. We so wanted to experience His presence and power and He did not disappoint! I was so blessed when I heard the testimonies of the small groups, when I saw the transformation of the Veteran's Care Home, enjoyed seeing the many ministry booths of the Ministry Fair(did I count 18 or was it 19?) Arabel, your hospitality team in serving each week Cafe Kinoole was amazing! By the way, that soup you served was so delicious! Thank you for your hospitality! Denise, we are grateful for your incredible organization and planning of the service, potluck supper and the whole day (and I would agree with your statement that we offer the very best potluck meal on the Big Island!) And some of our regulars were either out of town or unable to attend and so we missed their participation and delightful offerings! A special thanks to our students who stayed to set up for the afternoon supper! We appreciate your participation, your enthusiasm, your support and your service! We learned many things over the past 40 days but especially that when we trust God and trust His people, amazing things happen! God bless Kinoole Baptist Church! Keep on praying, keep on participating, keep on serving and keep your eyes on Jesus!

Well, we got our home ready for the 40 Days of Community and began meeting this past Sunday afternoon; I even got to take a very short nap and decided to make Karen's world famous "Easy Banana Coffee Cake". But of course I should have not worried about serving some refreshments because one of our small group made a delicious pumpkin pie dessert, spam musubis and watabi salad---so of course, what did we do? We ate FIRST and visited a long while enjoying the treats before we had our DVD teaching with Pastor Rick Warren. Several of our group was off island but will be with us this Sunday. We were also encouraged to invite others to join us and so we are praying for God to show us who to invite. Will be expecting a greater blessing this week when we come together again! I have heard encouraging reports all week long about the other groups meeting. Praise be to God! Daniel

40 Days of Community

Jeremiah 29:11-13 "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." In Henry Blackaby's Experiencing God study, he reminds us that God knows the plans He has for each of us. So, if we want to know His plans, we are to pray and ask Him. After we pray, we should watch to see what God does next. Always connect what happens next to what God's plans are. I am sensing that God is wanting to do something great and He desires to use KInoole Baptist Church. I am praying that I will be faithful in leading His church to acomplish great things for His glory!