Iao Valley (Pronounced EE-OW)

Some of the joys of Ministry in Hawaii is not having to plan amazing ministry happenings...you see, here in Maui, things just happen. The land itself presents amazing adventures. You don't have to be creative to plan events...just knowledgeble about your surroundings. While I am still partially ignorant to all the places Maui has to to offer, I'd like to think I'm becoming local enough to stop creating on my own and instead utilizing what God's given...
This past Saturday, our amazing Junior High Ministry headed off to Iao Valley. This place is seriously incredible. It's like a lush rainforest in the middle of the island. The kids have all been here before. You just hike up to these rivers with little waterfalls and play all day. There are so many paths to take and so many places to explore. Here are my gorgeous girls, who totally dominated in our Guava fight we had up the mountain. We pretty much played paintball with ripe guavas for three hours.
And now our manly men. Without their leadership throughout the hike, we would have been lost. Seriousl. So much love in one picture. These boys could throw guavas. I have huge welts on my back from their expert skills.

We have some insane local kids. This is Paulo jumping from a rock into the pools. The water was perfectly clear and chilly! Paulo is a total stud. He is one of our jr. high leaders.
Okay, seriously, the people here are so beautiful. This is one of my 8th graders named Marina. She is from Pa'ia, upcountry and hippie-like. The girl can surf. My favorite thing about this girl is her honesty and how blunt she is. For instance, during bible study, she told us the only thing she could think about at the moment was her up and coming pimple on her chin. That's why i work with these kids.
My favorite pic of the hike. Orry is a little more crazy than Paulo. This kid is so athletic and lives with total wreckless abandon. He hops from rock to rock. I love this pic, because he looks totally out of control, but so sick. I don't remember if it was a dive or a cannonball; either way, it was sick.
Here I am eating a guava from a tree because I am THAT native. I had like four guavas that day. They are soooooo sweet. I love it.

This is Paulo, who is kind of like Jesus. Let me explain: During the vicious hike, Paulo would be behind me. As I went through the branches, pulling them out of my way, i would accidently fling them back. One struck Paulo in the side...like Jesus. It bled, but he is recovering.
The valley...full of fun.