Lahaina, HI – Oct. 5-9, 2026

The week started out with a lot of energy. A new head cook, assistant cook and crew leader were in place, and we joined together to work hard and play hard. The weather was good early in the week, but Thursday brought wind and rain, and Friday started out wet and steamy. Quick hard showers seem to be the norm. 

By week’s end, the Madrigal house is fully drywalled. Some of the rooms in the back of the house have been primed and are ready for paint. The front part is still in the process of being mudded. It may not sound like a very interesting week, but the satisfaction is in progress, not variety! 

The Hashimura house is shingled and sheeted. It looks amazing! Some time was also devoted to general cleanup around the lot. Again, perhaps not a lot of variety, but so much visible progress! 

Work has begun on a third house, for the Walker family. Framing is more technical, but we were blessed with a volunteer who does framing for a living. The outside walls are up! A quick story about Mrs. Walker—she joined us for dinner one evening, and was complimented for the hat she was wearing. Turns out, she grabbed her keys and that hat as she fled the approaching flames, and that’s the sum total of her belongings remaining post-fire. 

A local custom in which we have been invited to participate in the land blessing. MDS representatives have attended three this fall, each one different. A variety of local traditions make up each ceremony. We experienced Uncle Miles Kawabata’s to be a meaningful and seamless blend of traditional Hawaiian and Christian prayers. The officiant requested that we dismiss any anxiety or antagonistic thoughts, in order to bathe the land with peace, and prayed that the home would be a place of peace and blessing in the neighborhood. He then walked the perimeter of the lot, sprinkling salt water with ti leaves as he prayed. 

Once again, the weekend offered opportunities for a variety of excursions, not to mention naps and of course, laundry. We said our farewells to the cooks and a crew leader, and welcomed those who came to replace them. We are grateful for each person who comes to Lahaina to serve. Earlier a volunteer had shared during his morning devotional that service is a form of worship. To which the people all say, “Amen.”