”Aloha!” This word means alot of different things. It can be a greeting, or it can be a waving goodbye, and truth be told I don't remember all the different ways the word can be used. The one, most profound meaning that was told to me was Agape, or love. In Hawaii, I learned the true meaning of Agape: loving God, and loving His children.
The Hawaiian Mission is way more than just a service trip. It's a retreat, it's fellowship, it's vacation, it's hanging out with Father Anastasi, and finally, it's service.
It was a retreat and fellowship because we were always with other bright young Coptic youth who wanted to make a positive impact in Hawaiii, and back home in their local churches. We all got to hang out, play games, praise, and pray together just like we would at any other retreat back home.
It was vacation because... we were in Hawaii! And Father Anastasi always made a lot of time for us everyday to go and have fun. We went to all the major beaches and tourist sites while in Honolulu. It was a really good time.
My favorite part was hanging out with Father Anastasi! I've never met someone who was so much a reflection of Christ. I had the oppurtunity to chat with him anytime I wanted, to serve with him, to watch him, and to learn from him. I benefited so much from just being around Father Anastasi.
Ultimately, the Mission Trip is a service trip. We went out into the community and served the people of Honolulu. What I liked the most about the service aspect of the trip is that all the services we participated in could also be done in our local communities. We served the homeless and the poor by visiting them, and providing for their needs. We served children by visiting them in hospitals and entertaining them. We served the local church by helping set up their library. We served juvenile youth by simply eating a meal with them and playing a game of football. There is not one thing we did that we couldn't do back home. Everything was transferable.
Again, all the different aspects of this trip taught me one thing above all: to love. I can't describe in enough words how it feels to know you put a smile on the faces of so many of God's children. It was such a memorable and impactful experience that my future wife and I are planning to take a few days out of our honeymoon to return. I love this Mission and can't wait to come back!