19. Another Saturday and Sunday in Lahaina

On Saturday at the airport, John replaced the larger Dodge van for a “smart” car (a Nissan sedan, NOT the small European car by the same name). It was a push-button-start vehicle, and it was so smart, I could not figure out how to lock the car when I stopped for some groceries near the airport. I quickly realized that, with no ignition key, I would not be able to open the door if I locked and closed it. So I returned to the airport Avis rental facility to admit that the car was smarter than I was. The agent found the remote that had been hidden in the console, so all was well at that point. I returned to Lahaina, and we settled into our shared room with Lorita, since our Maui Westin condo was not available till Sunday. It was a convenient arrangement, since her condo had to be vacated on Friday at the end of the week, and we had not planned to leave Maui until Saturday. So we will work out a trade-off that meets both our need. Later that night, we stayed at the resort and shared a dinner at the poolside restaurant. On Sunday morning, John wanted to visit another island church worship service. Since the Methodist Church was a bit closer, another very meaningful service of worship was observed. A most interesting feature was the closing “Fellowship Circle.” After the Benediction, the Pastor invited everyone to form a circle around the sanctuary. Then he and two other musicians stood in the center of the room with ukuleles while another worship leader stood at the pulpit with her ukulele. The congregation proceeded to sing a Hawaiian hymn, in the Hawaiian language. The words were printed in the bulletin, along with the English translation, but it was obvious that the local people knew the words and sang them with great feeling, with no bulletins evident in their hands. The lilting melody was consistent with many of the traditional Hawaiian songs that we have grown to love over the years. But the message of the hymn was a most meaningful way to conclude the service. Then, at the last phrase, everyone lifted their hands into the air, lifting even the hands of the visitors as well. It was a very memorable experience. The bulletin is already packed away, but I am looking forward to recalling the words (in English) of that closing hymn.