Yesterday I didn’t do too much except drive around and take pictures of the beach. I did do a little shopping in a historic beach town – Haleiwa. Historic meaning its designed to look like its out of the ’50s. All the buildings are built out of wood with the same design – even the McDonald’s and Pizza Hut.

Today I might do some snorkeling. Rebecca and Brad have the snorkel gear so I won’t have to rent it! I’m not a very good swimmer – I can tread water but nothing going down to extreme depts. I’m being told that this doesn’t matter because you float in the salt water.

I don’t want to get home and be asked “Did you not do this…?” I’m here really to experience life and culture. Many tourist things don’t necessarily interest me. I’ve enjoyed taking photos and talking to everyday people about what life is like for the average Hawaiian.

The Pearl Harbor Church of Christ has intriged me. Membership is very temporary for the military folks. An average of 3 years. Just enough time to really get involved and be assigned duties like teaching or worship preparation – then be sent back to the lower 48 by Uncle Sam. Worship and classes are much more laid back, but in a good way. Their Malama Groups are small group meetings held on Sunday nights. From going to just one meeting I think I found out more about some of these people than I know about folks from my own congregation. Maybe the lack of closeness is my own fault, for not necessarily wanting to develop close friendships at my home congregation. Maybe that will change once I get home.

Small group meetings among churches of Christ have intrigued me. I think initually it was labeled as being “liberal” among the conservatives. But now you hear about conservative churches doing this. During the early church days, groups met in members homes, so why not now?
Then I realized that Mt. Juliet has been doing small groups for quite a while. Way back when I was in high school I participated in Bible studies at the Huddleston’s house. I still remember some of things that were taught and said at it. I grew closer to many of those people during those times. To my knowledge we’re still doing this with the teen bible studies, outreach teams, etc… Sunday night worship services was originally designed for those who might have been traveling on Sunday morning to participate in worship, especially the Lord’s Supper. You do loose something by not meeting on Sunday nights, but is it not a gain by growing closer to fellow Christians during a small group study on Sunday nights? Something to consider…