FKelder - 1/21/2008 4:23:00 PM
2007A Day of Refuge in Sanctuary 9/12 By Sarah Hsieh and Rev. Ja
Morning awoke to a grinding sound outside. Oh, guess what? The lifeboats were gone. For all of us who paid for the view upgrade, at last we saw the blue ocean and sky instead of the orange mass! Not a bad way to start the day.
We are on Kona today. I guess the port was meant for the pride of the fishing boats, not our Pride of America. So we had to get on with what had been hanging outside our windows, the tender (a server, as in bar-tender, the name for lifeboat when it’s not used to save lives) in order to reach the pier. It was kind of fun riding in this smaller craft, only wishing to be tugged behind with an inner tube or a pair of skis =).
Our first stop today was Pu’uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park, a religious site where a temple once stood, for people who broke the law to find refuge and forgiveness. Legend has it that violators had to swim tens of miles to this place, while praying to the gods to consider their innocence, rather than sharks' hunger. Upon arrival, they would explain their case to the priest, who would decide whether or not to give them the pardon. Then they may go back with the protection or stay on this sanctuary.
Reflecting on our faith, our scripture is really a book about forgiveness. God spared Cain of people's vengeance. In the promised land, God expressed His mercy by commanding cities of refuge to be built:
Numbers 35:9 Then the LORD said to Moses: 10 "Speak to the Israelites and say to them: `When you cross the Jordan into Canaan, 11 select some towns to be your cities of refuge, to which a person who has killed someone accidentally may flee. 12 They will be places of refuge from the avenger, so that a person accused of murder may not die before he stands trial before the assembly. 13 These six towns you give will be your cities of refuge. 14 Give three on this side of the Jordan and three in Canaan as cities of refuge. 15 These six towns will be a place of refuge for Israelites, aliens and any other people living among them, so that anyone who has killed another accidentally can flee there.
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We thank God that He had also inspired all people to reflect on his own heart, even in this land of Hawaii, which perhaps was not prominent in the biblical history.
In this cove, the water was deep blue, outlined by rocks and a small sandy beach. Farther down, sea turtles found shelter near the old lava. As we walked out, we discovered crabs, tiny fish, and sea urchins thriving between the cracks. As we stood on this ground, we felt God's embracing arms through the sea, the sand, the rocks, and the trees—truly a sanctuary of divine presence.
Next we made a quick stop to see Captain Cook’s Monument. The white pillar was erected at the site where his life was taken in a battle. We viewed it from a little coffee/souvenir shop on the mountainside. For icing on the cake, we had the authentic sample tasting of freshly brewed Kona coffee with all sorts of exotic flavors: coconut, hazelnut, mango, . . . you name it, plus slice(s) of rum cake—yummy! We all walked away with smiles on our faces, for some, glad we had such a free treat; for others, glad to have credit cards to take the bliss home.
To wrap up the day’s tour, we visited the Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park. It was the location of some ancient fish ponds. In Hawaii, everywhere is either sacred or royal, or both. Here, kings used to send runners for miles to bring back the fresh fish.
Hawaiians used to dig ponds with little holes in the walls. Fish would swim in, and the natives would kindly feed them. Eventually the fish grew and would not fit through the holes—Catch!—Pretty ingenious.
<!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]-->The brave ones hiked down a trail to see the old fish pond. Various types of vegetation surrounded the paths, and native birds greeted us here and there. Twenty minutes later we arrived at a gorgeous beach. The main fish pond was located just a few miles into the ocean. After admiring the pond, people started dipping in. Water was warm and the air was right, who could resist? Others found shade and relaxed—as you were supposed to do in Hawaii, right?
A beautiful day drew close to its fine. We just had to take a group picture, then off to the last ride on those tenders—almost stranded on the island to become another one of those paradise stories. Aloha, Shaka, Mahalo.