 Lutheran Church Charities President/CEO Rev. Chris Singer joined Pastor Eddie Hosch (pictured) and Emmanuel Lutheran Kahului, Hawaii, to lead a service of prayer and remembrance on August, 8, one year after the fires that burned Lahaina and parts of Maui and took 102 lives. Situated against the Hearts of Mercy & Compassion memorial site at Hokiokio Place in Lahaina, attendees found comfort in the reading of Scripture, singing of hymns, and observing 102 seconds of silence in honor of the victims. Attending the service were local residents, as well as Pastor Mitch Gowan, Our Savior Aiea, Hawaii; Pastor Christian Rasmussen, Our Redeemer Honolulu; and Pastor Milton Fricke, who had served Emmanuel Kahului for 40 years. “How is your heart today? Is it still broken? Numb?” Pastor Hosch asked during his sermon, which also was streamed via Facebook Live. “The promises of Christ outweigh every burden, every pain. As our Savior said in the Gospel of John, ‘Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in Me.’ “God mends broken hearts. God transforms hurting hearts.” In closing remarks, Rev. Singer invited attendees to take time to find ways to express words of comfort and peace to the community — and to themselves. “If ever there was a time that we need to look to Jesus to be reminded of our blessed hope, it is now,” Singer said. “He is our hope, especially in times of sorrow. These Hearts of Mercy and Compassion are a symbol of that hope.” As the service ended, attendees placed new leis on each heart and cross. Throughout the day, other guests paid their respects at the HMC memorial site, including personnel from the Department of Homeland Security, various fire chiefs, and a crew from Hawaiian Airlines.  The HMC memorial site will remain on Maui for residents and visitors to sign words of encouragement and hope.
A year after the tragedy, sadness remains. But amid the sorrow, Pastor Hosch sees hope amid suffering. During the service, Hosch read from two Old Testament passages of God’s care for His people in times of anguish. “‘God is our Refuge and Strength, a very present Help in trouble,’” he said, reading from Psalm 46. “‘Therefore, we will not fear though the earth gives way.’” Rev. Singer read from the prophet Isaiah: “He will swallow up death forever; and the LORD God will wipe away tears from all faces.” Attendees also sang stanzas from “Amazing Grace” and “It Is Well With My Soul.” After pausing 102 seconds in silence, service attendees spoke together the words of the Lord’s Prayer and lifted their voices to “Doxology” in native Hawaiian. Recovery and healing will continue for years, Hosch said after the service. Lahaina residents and the island-wide Maui community are slowly progressing through grit and resilience. Many are still displaced, and the rebuilding continues for many. It could take 3 to 5 years to recover, some estimate. LCC thanks you for your faithful prayers and support as the ministry continues to assist the Maui communities affected by the wildfires in their long recovery process. Comments are closed.
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