ONCE UPON A DREAM...

Anaya Hunter
May 23, 2023
5 min read

"I ALWAYS KNEW I WOULD END UP IN HAWAII BUT EVENTUALLY THAT DREAM FELT TOO FAR OUT, STARTED TO FADE, AND TURNED FROM A DREAM TO A LONGING.."

WHAT IF YOUR DREAM BECAME YOUR REALITY?

I have been in Hawaii for almost a week now and my life doesn't quite seem like my life. I am surrounded by people I have never met and I am in a completely foreign place. How did I end up here? These past days have been filled with information, a bunch of "hellos, I'm Anaya", and early mornings. I tried to practice what I would say to people, and who I would be here, and even wrote out goals for my time here. In all honesty, though, I'm quite scared. Through all the planning and praying and the excitement of getting out here, I forgot that most of the time once I'm in a place, I get really nervous. Fearful even. I'm fearful of saying the wrong things, of people not truly understanding me here like in my community at home, or even not fully doing what God wants me to do out here. So in the mix of everything good here and even though I have moved before, I still feel as nervous as I did the first time. Which isn't necessarily bad because I get to relearn and remind myself of the things God has told me in the past. I have to remind myself that even being here is a promise fulfilled by God. A dream I have dreamed of for as long as I can remember. It's finally here. What if your dream becomes your reality? how would you handle it? Could you process it? I am barely able to comprehend the things happening this week. It seems all to like my make-believe dreams. However, I am trying. and God is right next to me helping me. That I know is true and real.

God's Timing is always better

3 years ago, I had a dream where I was ministering to kids in Central America and when I woke up from that dream I knew I was meant to go on a mission trip. Throughout these last 3 years, I have signed up for, looked into, and even raised a bit of money for mission trips. However, God would eventually stop me from going on every single one. "Why God are you stopping me?" I would ask all the time. I was frustrated and began to doubt that I even heard God correctly. Maybe this was a dream I wanted but not something God has willed for me. I began to battle internally about what I should do: should I give this dream up or continue to pursue it? I eventually put it to the side because I wanted to focus on being where God had placed me (little did I know this was a lesson I needed to learn before I went on a mission for the Lord). Now, I am here. In about a month or more, I'll be heading to Nicaragua and El Salvador. Just typing those words out makes me want to cry because this entire season is a promise fulfilled by God in his timing. God knew those who would support me and God knew those who would be with me. God knew. Ultimately, I think I knew too. I always knew I would end up in Hawaii but eventually, that dream felt too far out, started to fade, and turned from a dream to a longing. To not only see but live a promised filled life is something I am so grateful for. God didn't have to send me here or put these dreams in my heart beforehand but he did anyways. That's the kind of God we have. A God, who is so loving, so giving, and so gracious that he even takes a look at our heart desires and gives us more than we can ask for.

What does life look like now?

As of right now, I am staying at our Surfing The Nations base in Hawaii. I live with 10 other girls in one apartment and I am a part of 13 member team of interns. We all live on campus with other STN Staff as well as have STN businesses right next door. This week has been a lot of exploring but as I enter this next week, I am so excited. We are about to really dive into why we are: to serve those around us. I have already been able to help out with our before-church dinner and have been in some biblical teachings. There is so much more to do though! In this next week (week 2), we will have a day of sabbath/fasting, multiple days of outreach programs (like working with kids, feeding the hungry, etc.), church days (where we get to visit different churches on the island), small group time (where we get to dive deeper together), biblical teachings, and etc. I cannot wait to share with you guys the things that God does for me, through me, and with me!

Highlight Story of the Week:

This week, I got to help with our before-church dinner for those who might not have a meal. During this time, I got to sit with some of our uncles on the island. One Uncle, in particular, stood out to me. We shared music and talked about different Hawaiian cultural elements. He said at first he thought I was Hawaiian and still thinks I could be. (haha) Sitting down with that Uncle was honestly such a sweet moment and I can't wait to see him again. It's these little moments with people around the island that are the most precious. I would never know this uncle if it weren't for God and I can't wait to share more stories of those God connects me with!

Thank You Note:

I just want to thank everyone who supported me going on this Mission Trip and all those who are still supporting me as I continue this journey! I am so expectant of what God wants to do and how he is going to move. Which makes me so excited to share with you guys! I will be posting blogs throughout my journey as well as youtube videos of my time here! I hope you feel as though you are with me on this journey because, without your support and willingness, I wouldn't be here!