I have one and a half weeks left of this new journey. It has been an amazing time. I have met some wonderful brothers and sisters in the Lord and have held 7 multihousing training sessions. I have been able to secure 2 onsite apartments for use in activity and relationship building classes, as well as Bible study. I will be taking one group to a new place next week to do the Interest Survey so we can determine the best place to begin. Several other groups are interested in securing a place and being more consistent in the outreach. If God wills, I will be returning this Fall for 2 months to train specific persons to be the leaders for this Convention to carry on. This is crucial for the work to proceed. If the ministry in condos, apartments, high-rise, government properties etc. does not happen, this island will never be reached with the gospel. Pray for all those who care and want to move out. they are special people from all over the world. They love the Lord and want Him to use them. What a privilege it is to be a part of this journey with them.

It is hard to believe that it has been almost two weeks since I arrived in Oahu. God has been working in ways only He could since I came. I am now working and/or speaking to several churches here and training pastors and lay persons to reach out to the vast numbers here who live in different forms of multihousing (i.e.. Condos, low rise rental and bought units, high rise, duplex, townhouse properties. They are everywhere here and very little has been done to reach the people living there. I am in meetings almost every day and loving it. I have eaten Filipino, Chinese, Cuban, Italian foods, as well as good old McDonalds. It is my prayer that this is only the first of many trips here to assist these believers to reach out. These principles can also be used in any community around any church. God got one church group into one of the most affluent places on this Island. I never get tired of being a part of His heart as He moves people’s heart towards Him.

The meeting at the apartments was wonderful last night. I sat with the residents as they seem to set together at one table. They said they were glad I did not sit with the church people because that way they can get to know me. Most of the people do not sit with them (learning curve moment!). I am going to go back there on Sunday at 8:30am for their Sunday School. They are key to get to the other residents. I had already planned to go to church where I stay. Looking forward to meeting that pastor.

Last night after I explained how things have worked for me and asked for ideas from residents how we could get the others to come, they shouted BINGO. I then explained the different between gambling and this kind of the game. The leaders of the church asked some questions and then thanked me for clearing that up for them.

It was good that I went to the Bible study in a home on Tuesday night to meet some of the church members. They were much more receptive on Wednesday. IT IS ALL ABOUT RELATIONSHIPS! I will be meeting with Pastor C’s leadership as they begin to plan and develop their own survey for the residents. On Sunday there will be an Installation Service for a new Filipino Pastor. I will attend and Pastor C is going to have the Filipino pastors and me eat together so I can talk with them. I love it when a plan begins to come together.

Just got to Honolulu last night and will be on this island for a month. It is definitely a beautiful place but needs ministry like every other place. There are lots of high rise buildings here, 5 military places with nice apartment communities, plus many like on the mainland in Texas etc. I look forward to establishing relationships with pastors here to hear their heartbeat. Don’t want to just bring my bag of tricks but be helpful in their world to assist in helping them reach the lost. Will write more next week to let you know how it is going.

I went to Waxahachie on Monday of this week to speak to the Associational Staff regarding multihousing ministry. They have some wonderful ideas of beginning this work. I left materials and my ideas with them. It will be exciting what God does with interested believers in the future. As always, I told them I would be available to assist in any way they desire.

Have you accepted Jesus Christ as Savior? Do you want to share that faith with others on a consistent basis? Did you know that can happen right in your own neighborhood? Would you like to become a missionary to people living in apartment communities? If this sounds like something you might be interested in, please comment your desire on this blog to let me know I should contact you for more information. These people are not coming to our churches and we need to follow Christ in the GOING. Pray and let me know if you feel God’s nudging you in this direction.

Usually I put prayer requests under the tab for that information. Today I am placing this on my blog hoping more will see it and pray. Please pray for my kids (Steven and Teri and spouses Bob and Sara) and grandkids (Ben, Abby, Geoffrey and Kelsey) as their Dad and Grandaddy (Steve Oden) is in the hospital here awaiting triple or quadruple bypass surgery on Friday of this week. Teri took him to the emergency room at Baylor Grapevine on Sunday as he was having trouble breathing. His lungs were full of fluid and his blood pressure was at Stroke level. The Surgeon said today that he would be in the hospital 6 days after surgery, in a Rehabilitation Center for 3 weeks, and then probably with Teri and Bob for 2 months after that. This is a tough time for all of us. Pray that God will also give me the grace and peace to be supportive of my family. I will go to the hospital with them on Friday to be there as they wait. It is supposed to be a rather long surgery. Thanks for remembering all of us!

This is a busy time for our missionaries all over the area. It is one of the 2 times a year people will listen to the gospel, even if the rest of the year is “off limits” to them. Most apartment communities have some special event for Easter. We provide that for them where we can and often use the Resurrection Eggs to tell the true story to them. We want everyone to know that this is the day Jesus Christ arose from the dead after shedding His blood on the cross to save us from our sins. If anyone out there is doing something special for this season of the year in your ministry, please comment and tell us what that will be.

I went to Des Moines, Iowa last weekend and spent time with several pastors who really want to reach out to the ever increasing numbers living in Multihousing Settings. One place houses 1000 people and another 5000. More apartment communities are being built all the time. Some are larger, while others are smaller places. Most of the residents do not attend church anywhere and are lost. After we discussed the possibilities, I told them that I would come back and spend a month with them to help them secure places and get them grounded in the work. We will see what God determines is best. The place needs to be secured for me to stay and the best time of the year for the beginning of such an outreach. The willingness is there but also overwhelming feelings are too. The churches are small and the task is great. Hmmm – that seems to be a perfect situation for our God!