Good Morning

Courage is contagious. When a brave man takes a stand, the spines of others are stiffened.
-Billy Graham

Good Morning,

What an incredible weekend! We had 165 people at our annual Youth Councils where we taught our young people to fight. They were taught to stand and not back away; to be bold and not be afraid. Okay, calm down…the fight is not against each other, but against social injustice, poverty, addictions; they were taught to boldly stand for God and doing right.

It seems like every time I open a newspaper I read something bad about a young person. We read about rising high school drop out rates or frightening crime rates involving youth. This weekend ran totally contra to everything that we read today.
Saturday the delegates went to Aala Park and feed the “houseless;” they went to our Silvercrest (senor housing) in Wahiawa and pulled weeds and cleaned up the area; they picked trash along the road side and in the parks around Haleiwa. They proudly wore shirts that stated, I’LL FIGHT on the front. On the back were the words of General William Booth, founder of The Salvation Army:

While women weep, as they do now, I'll fight; while little children go hungry, as they do now, I'll fight; while men go to prison, in and out, in and out, as they do now, I'll fight; while there is a drunkard left, while there is a poor lost girl upon the streets, while there remains one dark soul without the light of God, I'll fight-I'll fight to the very end!

On Sunday I was moved to almost tears (okay, to tears) when I saw them stand up and boldly make commitments to God; determined to become all that God wants them to be.
My thanks go to everyone that contributed to make Youth Councils a success, especially to Captains Neil and Rubina Navarro. Each of you gives me hope, not only for tomorrow, but for today.

While many were at Youth Councils; stating their commitment to God for their future, there was a funeral service for our dear friend Brigadier Adela Acosta in Hilo. She, along with her husband, Bienvenido, served as Salvation Army officers for 29 years. She leaves a legacy of passionate service to God and others. She was happiest, according to her family, when she was serving other people. In The Salvation Army, we use the term Promoted to Glory; and rightfully so, as we believe she is now at the loving side of her Savior. Our prayers are with the Acosta family during this difficult time.

Blessings,
d