Hawaiian Adventures part 2: The Big Island

From Kauai's serene beauty, we moved to the bustling and contrasting landscape of the Big Island. The transition felt akin to switching from a tranquil South Carolina coastal town to the lively beaches of Miami. Upon arrival, the social challenges were glaringly apparent - we encountered many people experiencing homelessness, camped out by the beaches. One image that particularly struck us was of an older woman with long matted hair, seemingly struggling with mental illness, wandering aimlessly from one establishment to another. As a church stood nearby, we couldn't help but pray that they offered assistance to those in need right outside their walls and that we do our best to do the same.

Our first full day on the Big Island was packed with exploration - a 12-hour tour that encompassed everything from Volcanoes National Park and black sand beaches to the rain-soaked waterfalls of Hilo, one of America's rainiest cities. The island, with its striking range of climates - 11 out of the world's 13, we learned - showcased an array of diverse and contrasting landscapes.

We started our journey on the coast, visiting a Kona coffee farm to learn about the coffee-making process, followed by a black sand beach, home to giant turtles napping on the shore. The desert regions, with their unique, moon-like landscapes, were unlike anything we'd seen before.

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, with its fields of hardened lava and active volcanoes, was a raw and humbling reminder of nature's power. We narrowly missed witnessing the Kilauea volcano spewing lava, but the terrain already sculpted by previous eruptions was a sight to behold. As we headed back, the landscape changed again, with rolling fields and pastures housing cattle and horse ranches marking the way.

On our second day, we did Hanns' favorite activity - a submarine ride on the Atlantis, offering a glimpse into the rich marine life below. Our final planned adventure - a sunset view and stargazing session from the summit of Mauna Kea, a dormant volcano, and the tallest sea mountain worldwide - unfortunately fell through. An accident had damaged part of the road to the peak, and we could only make it to the 9,000 feet high visitor's center. Despite the disappointment, we remained appreciative of all the unique experiences the Big Island offered. With its snow-capped mountains, lush rainforests, desert regions, and stunning beaches, Hawaii is a haven for landscape lovers.

The wide-ranging travels of our sabbatical - from Telluride to Svalbard to Hawaii - have deepened my gratitude for our beautiful planet. Inspired by this journey, Hanns and I intend to explore more of nature's wonders in the months to come, with visits planned to places like Red 
River Gorge and Yew Dell botanical gardens.

I am very grateful to my congregation for supporting this invaluable time away alone and with my family and for the Lilly Sabbatical grant that made it all possible. 

Lessons from Kauai's Rainbows: A Promise of Hope

We continue to soak up the amazing island of Kauai, but there's one thing we keep coming back to: the rainbows. In Kauai, they aren't a rare occurrence. As Hanns joked, rainbows are a dime a dozen. Almost daily, after a brief tropical rain, the sky is lit up by full, often double-bowed rainbows that are simply too striking to ignore. 

Each time we spot one, it's an immediate pause on whatever we're doing. Everyone's grabbing their phones, trying to snap the perfect shot before the colors fade. And as we're standing there, watching the rainbows until they vanish, I can't help but think about the symbolism behind these natural wonders.

In the Bible, the rainbow is a sign of God's promise to humankind. After the flood, God put a rainbow in the sky as a covenant, a promise not to destroy the earth by flood again. It's a symbol of hope and peace, and in the breathtaking setting of Kauai, this symbolism becomes even more powerful. 

In Hawaii, rainbows hold significant cultural and symbolic importance. They are seen not just as beautiful phenomena, but also as a connection to the divine. Rainbows, or "ānuenue" in Hawaiian, are considered bridges between heaven and earth, and are associated with the presence of gods and demigods.

Some Hawaiian myths and legends involve the rainbow. The goddess of the moon, Hina, is sometimes described as traveling across the sky on a rainbow. Also, the rainbow is a part of the legend of the demigod Maui, who is said to have transformed into a rainbow to unite with his mother.

Each rainbow that stretches across the horizon here is more than just a beautiful sight. It's a tangible reminder of that promise made long ago. A reminder that after the rain, there's hope and peace to be found. 

The daily display of rainbows in Kauai has become a touchstone during our visit. They've prompted some important reflections about resilience, hope, and the enduring nature of God's promises. Here's to being a little more like the rainbows of Kauai - resilient, hopeful, and a reflection of a promise kept.

Hawaiian Adventures- Part 1: Embracing the Natural Wonders in Kauai

Aloha from Hawaii! We are currently in Kauai, Hawaii’s oldest island, truly the 'Garden Island' in every sense of the term. It’s so beautiful here. We kicked off our Hawaiian adventure with a self-guided tour through the majestic Waimea Canyon and a stunning view from above of the Napali Coast. It's no wonder they call the Waimea the "Grand Canyon of the Pacific," as the sight is nothing short of amazing. We found ourselves dwarfed its scale. It's a mosaic of rugged red and brown rocks, punctuated by green bursts of vegetation.

Our humorously enthusiastic audio “Shaka” guide, prompted by GPS, filled us in on the canyon's captivating stories as we made our way up the mountain. Occasionally, it would direct us to sites along the way like a pile of rocks and would say “Well, you might think this is simply a pile of rocks, but let me tell you what it once was!” We all got a few laughs from the guides exuberance, and learned to look ahead and pick and choose which of the many stops to take.

As the day progressed, the shifting sunlight and layer of mist made the canyon come alive, its shades changing by the hour. Standing at the canyon's edge, you can't help but feel an unspoken connection with Mother Earth.

Today's adventure led us on a boat and snorkeling tour the Napali Coast. It's truly a spectacle of nature with its impressive cliffs, lush vegetation, and untouched beaches. The sight of the cliffs soaring 4,000 feet above the Pacific Ocean is awe inspiring. We learned that pictures just can’t do it justice. Add to that, the cascading waterfalls, sea caves, and a rich variety of marine life, it's a landscape that stirs the soul. It seems as though a massive slab of layered earth has been carefully nestled in the sea by our Creator. 

One member of our family got a bit seasick by the rocking of the boat but the rest of us were well prepared with Dramamine. We snorkeled a bit and saw quite a few spinner dolphins swimming near our boat.

Kauai is indeed a slice of paradise and we can't wait to discover more of its natural wonders. Soon, we head to the Big Island.

Svalbard: Unveiling the Stark Reality of Climate Change in the Arctic Wilderness

There's something that I didn't touch upon in my Svalbard blog posts – the stark and heartbreaking reality of climate change. As we explored the stunning Arctic landscapes, there was an underlying sadness rooted in the understanding of what is happening to this fragile ecosystem.

Svalbard, despite its remote location, is feeling the sting of global warming at a rate six times the global average. While conservation efforts are valiant, they often feel like an uphill battle against an increasingly warming planet.

My brother Todd came across this article after we got back: https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2023/07/06/arctic-glacier-melt-methane-global-temperatures/. As we traversed the icy terrains, we could hear the unsettling sound of glaciers cracking. It was likely an audible manifestation of ancient methane gas being released into the atmosphere, a direct result of glaciers and permafrost melting. These natural ice barriers, also known as the 'cryospheric cap', once kept reservoirs of this potent greenhouse gas trapped beneath the surface.

What’s more, this remote region has been losing swathes of ice cover every year for the past four decades. The reality is stark – the accelerated ice decline directly impacts the wildlife that calls this place home.

Polar bears, iconic symbols of the Arctic, are losing their hunting grounds as sea ice retreats. Reindeer, resilient creatures that they are, find it increasingly hard to forage for food as the tundra warms. Seabirds, seals, and numerous other species are struggling to adapt to this shifting climate reality.

As much as we wished we could, we could not turn a blind eye to the changes happening in Svalbard. On this shared planet, we are all invite to better understand, respect and protect these creatures and beautiful landscapes. While combating global warming may seem like a monumental task, we must remember that with our Creator by our side, every small effort counts and together, we can make a difference in preserving God’s beautiful creation.  My brother already has ideas on how he can use his gifts and skills going forward with his career to make a difference, and we are all looking for ways to follow his lead. 

Svalbard Adventures: Part 3: A Walrus Encounter and a Wave of Adventure: Our Final Day in Isfjord Radio

On our last day at Isfjord Radio, we ate breakfast while watching an adorable arctic fox, fur on the way to turning brown from white, finding a duck egg, and taking it back to his home after calling out to his fellow foxes. Todd, Elizabeth, Grace, and I then decided to take a long hike across the tundra. With our guide, Ivar, and a retired sled dog leading the way, we headed toward a walrus colony. We were told it was an 8-kilometer trek, but it turned out to be 8 kilometers each way, totaling 10 miles. It's good we only figured it out after we were back.

Reindeer joined us along the way, some even followed us. As we got closer to the walrus colony, Ivar told us we'd smell them before we could see them. He was right. We found a group of walruses lounging on the beach, unfazed by our presence. We watched them for a while, saw some walruses swimming, and then took a break to eat our packed lunch.

Our journey back to Longyearbyen turned into an adventure itself. With a rookie at the helm of our open-air boat, things took a turn for the wet! A massive wave crashed over us, soaking us even past our so-called waterproof survival suits. It felt like we were standing in the splash zone of a log flume ride at an amusement park. Yes, we were cold, but we took it in stride, laughing it off as just another chapter in our unforgettable journey.

After another night at the Basecamp Hotel, we flew to London. The fast-paced city was a big change from the calm of Svalbard. We did some sightseeing on a double-decker bus and visited the London Eye, then returned to our hotel to prepare for our flight home the next day. 

        Even though our Arctic journey has come to an end, the distinct charm of Svalbard will remain etched in our memories. Sharing this extraordinary trip with members of our extended family made it even more special.

LONDON: