Category Archives: Learning from our past

Nelson’s journal 2/22/22

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Ann Sophie and Nelson continue running the Kokua Crew ministry in Kona, Hawaii, staying busy around the clock with Youth With a Mission. The idea of becoming an electrician still has appeal, but the ministry still tugs firmly. Nelson is realizing that a traditional 40-hour job that is calm and predictable might not be the way to go.

The one thing he knows for sure is that as God guides, he’ll follow.

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February 22, 2022

The more I lead the Kokua Crew, the more I realize that these are my people. The BBC people came for their Mission Journey and the difference between the two groups is clear. I’m way more of a worker than a diplomat or office person. I’d rather be up in a tree than at a meeting… Anyway, we are glad to be doing what we’re doing.

Being an electrician doesn’t seem like a compatible life to this. Or it seems like a complete abandon of this life and all it has and demands. The demands and perks are different from those of a “normal” job.

Like Peter said, “We trusted God and look how it worked out for us.”

 Lord, when I was working at his (Tim’s) house, I thought about that and have seen you do that for me so many times. Every time I’ve “Made a Plan,” it’s turned out to be second-best. You have always done more than I can ask or imagine. Maybe we should just stick with that.

Also, the two we asked to step in as house parents declined. So we’re left with a space open for next quarter. I hold it all loosely and want the best for our family, even though having a baby still seems like a dream. But the due date is anytime.

I pray, Lord, that I would never fear man or the churches that send us, the leadership here, any disease, any deportment or exclusion. I pray that you would always be the boss and the one I look to for orders, value, and self-worth. I pray for wisdom about spending Saturday with this team or sticking with the new Sabbath transition we are trying to start.

Even last week, there were commitments that tried to get in there and did. Lunches with people and other work-oriented things. We are happy to work, Lord, but even happier to spend the Sabbath together without work.

I pray for the courage to defend Annso and our baby boy above everything and everyone else, and not to let business or work come in the way, or fear of man, or fear of not having enough money or whatever, to stand in the way. I’m grateful for today, for the work we have, for the meeting tonight, for new starts and for fresh appreciation of what we do and why we do it.

Thank you Lord for the team from BBC that’s here and for their kindness to us bringing the dresser and coming all this way to bless us for such a short time.

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“Think about the Lord in all your ways, and He will guide you on the right paths.” (Proverbs 3:6)

Nelson’s journal 2/18/22

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Trying to apply what he’s learning in his new book, Nelson is wondering how to honor the Sabbath day while still being a pastor. Sundays are work days for him in that regard, yet he hopes he can find a way to blend work and rest.

The baby’s due date in early March is fast approaching, so he’s also wondering what kind of “work” that will add to their overloaded schedules.

He admits he’s never been good at resting on Sundays (or any day, for that matter), but the new book is challenging him to consider its importance.

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February 18, 2022

Been still reading the book, Elimination of Hurry. He’s at the application part, talking about rest and the Sabbath. Doing nothing that’s not either Rest or Worship. Pretty good idea actually.

Apparently, the Bible mentions it longer than any other command and God even blessed it along with just a couple other things like being fruitful and multiplying. Nothing that’s not worship or rest. Last week we skipped Costco and it was a refreshing break.

It’s hard being a pastor doing the church thing, which, for me, is work, but I don’t know really how to solve that one. Sunday seems to be the day, and it’s not to catch up on paying bills or other stuff that I never got around to during the week. That’s what Saturday is for.

Interesting concept that almost no one I know follows. Well, at least I don’t follow it. Annso has been talking about it forever. He (the author) talks about a meal with friends, but at this point, nothing about that seems restful to me.

In the sermon last week, Jimmy asked the question, “What do you need a break from the most?” and without skipping a beat, I leaned over to Annso and said, “That’s easy. People.”

We are trying to pass off the Kokua Crew lead position. Seems to be one of those things that we have to dump with or without a replacement. If she wants to work in the ministry still, it will be up to her under someone else. It’s hard to let go, but it’s time for sure, baby or not. We can use that as the excuse, but, for me it’s time to get out from under this one.

Maybe running grounds or some other tactical ministry for a while, but nothing like staffing DTS or what we’re doing now.

Lord, we have been given this amazing life here, and the last thing I want to do is throw it away to work a normal job as an electrician, but maybe taper off a bit and still pastor the church, I don’t know. 40 hours a week isn’t really full time to me, so maybe there’s some extra time somewhere to serve and keep in the game of YWAM. You always lead us so well and we want to do and be the best, not just the good.

Sabbath: Rest or worship: no exercise, no shopping, no working on vehicles, no heavy duty cooking, not even going to church because that’s clearly work for me. Maybe it’s Saturday. Nothing but rest and worship. Walking with my family, taking a nap, drawing or painting, playing music either through speaker or a guitar, having coffee and tea, talking, reading… and of course, prayer, talking to God about life and love.

Being together as a family is probably the main way to worship God. Casting off the shackles of productivity. I finished the 5 days with Tim and managed to get cocked in the eye with a large cable which sent me home. Eventually went to the OB with Annso, and then to the hospital with her to make sure there was enough fluid in there with the baby, which there was.

He’s a little under weight, but not bad. I think it’s because she doesn’t really eat or drink all that much, but it will be fine in the long run, I’m sure. She does a great job with this whole thing and, to me, it’s like a dream to be able to live this with her. And to be welcoming a new baby boy into the world is more than I can even comprehend. I’m glad it’s taken until now. I hope I live long enough to see a lot of it, starting out so late, but it’s easy to give that up to God.

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“The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.” (Mark 2:27)

Nelson’s Journal, Entry #5

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On this day one year ago, Nelson already had lung cancer but didn’t know it. He was happy, living in Kona, Hawaii, while working hard with Youth With A Mission and tending to his pastoring responsibilities. After a past that had included some dark periods, he was counting his blessings.

We know, looking back, that his darkest days were just around the corner. But a year ago, he was facing forward, with joy.

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January 23, 2022

Sunday night.

Jimmy preached. Annso and I took a van with six passengers. Good service. I led the prayer time.

You can live somewhere thinking you’ll leave any time, for whatever reason, then 20 years go by. That’s what this place feels like. I can’t believe Annso is even here with me. The fact that she walked away from her career to come and be with me still seems like a dream, but it’s real.

I don’t journal much because journaling is about reflecting and writing thoughts down, and this season is more about blowing and going and, to be honest, I’d rather me do that than sit around reflecting on everything all the time. I’ve spent more than my share of time doing that, especially since sobriety started in 2006. Hard to believe it’s been almost 16 years since I’ve been a drinker. Just amazing.

Tanner and I talked about the rapture tonight, and I don’t really even like to talk about that stuff. It’s all speculation anyway, and I feel like dying and being raptured are the same. We should always be prepared for either/or.

I swam a mile today, as I do a few times a week. Nothing like a blowout where you really feel tired at the end of it. No energy to worry or stress about anything.

I came back and worked on my Dodge truck. I am happy for this season. I don’t know how it could get much better, and part of me doesn’t want it to change. But still, I want to be led by God.

Lord, I pray you would lead us and help us to be in the right place at the right time with our little guy. Thank you for the bond we have together and how well we get along.

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“He satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul he fills with good things.” (Psalm 107:9)