Wednesday May 19
Bill finally decided to take me around the island on Wednesday to show me some beaches. I prepared my camera equipment while Bill prepared his Jeep for the journey (IMG_6452). According to Bill, these Jeeps have great engines but are notorios for their poor cooling systems. So, he made sure it had plenty of water. We started off on Kam highway to take the long way around the island in order to avoid rush-hour traffic. I rolled down the passenger window so I could take some pictures of the scenery as it passed by (IMG_6464-6535).
Our first destination was to visit a couple of Wycliffe missionaries who were working on a Hawaiian Pidgin Old Testament(IMG_6539-IMG_6553). Joe Grimes had asked me if I would like to be a part of his Hebrew session at Zippy's in Mililani with his partner Earl Morihara. Joe had already led a project to complete the New Testament and now was in process of working through the Old Testament. This morning they were in 1 Kings. Bill and I tried not to interrupt them as they talked through a rough draft of a passage, but I wanted to know more about Pidgin, so I asked Joe to tell me about its origins. We also talked about Pidgin and its community's cultural identity, since to perhaps most english speaking ears, the language sounds like some kind of gangster slang. He told me about its origins in a mix of cultures from Japanese to Portugese involved in plantations in Hawaii in the mid 1800's. Within a generation, Hawaiian English Creole ("Pidgin") became the language of heart and thought for many people in the Hawaiian Islands. I wondered about the relationship between language and cultural identity. Brittish culture probably thinks Americans have degenerated their language in a similar way that Americans look down upon "slang" cultures. And those who are looked down upon despise those who dismiss their value. I'm thankful that Wycliffe Bible Translators are taking the road to become all things to all people. I have every confidence that God's word alone can tear down cultural pride in a way that unites diverse cultures through love in Christ, rather than a superficial Nazi-like concept of pure-race, Westernization, or ivory-tower tribalism.
After departing, Bill had realized that his keys were locked in his Jeep. Although it was not his custom to lock it, I had asked to do so, since I had all my computer and camera equipment in it, and I had heard that burglary was very high in this area. Bill was not dismayed, however, since he had experience in breaking into his Jeep. (hmm...how did he get this Jeep anyway?) I found a local laundry shop and the lady at the counter was gracious enough to allow us to take a hanger so we could break into our car (IMG_6554-IMG_6556). We were gone in 60 seconds.
We stopped at Pastor Pete's for a little bit, and he took us to lunch to write a list of things that Bill and I could help him while he prepared for his trip to Uganda. We ate at a Long John Silver's with an A&W Root Beer shop. By the end of the lunch, Pete had written a list of things for us on a napkin. After entry 7 there was an ellipsis (...) followed by entry number 1000 which read "have fun". Today, Bill and I decided to skip to entry number 1000.
North Shore Beach (IMG_6557-IMG_6578) was pretty but the waves were not impressive. The first thing that Bill wanted us to do at North Shore was jump off a cliff (IMG_6564). 25 feet (give or take a leg). Not too intimidating from the bottom, but I knew that things would look different from the top. Bill prompted me to follow him, but I pretended to stay behind simply to film his jump. Of course, when he finished, he wanted to return the favor. My first defense was that I didn't enjoy the feeling of falling and so it didn't sound like fun. But Bill quickly trumped me with a triple-dog-dare: "Are you a man or not?" So, I accepted my fate and climbed the cliff. Once I got up there, I waved to Bill and decided that philosophically pondering the jump for any duration would not prove my manhood, so I found a spot to jump and went feet first. Fear tried to grip me half-way down, but was quickly drowned by the water below. Salt water thrusted its way into my cavities, nose and all. (If you ever have an urge for an enima, try this.)
The Hawaiian beach is no welcome for single Christian guys. The distant ocean falls from the blue sky and meets us at the shore laughing, "Where is your romance? See all the beauties here? Look long, but do not touch! Only long." Bill reminisced of his lost love (IMG_6573). This was the beach where he read her last letter. I tried my best not to wonder why the quiet girl next to us was sitting alone (IMG_6575). The waves would retreat from the shore only to gather again for a repeat attack.
We left North Shore in search of better waves. I spotted some waves at Sunset beach and found a good spot for some pictures (IMG_6581-IMG_6629). Before too long the local surfers were riding there (IMG_6600). Then, after picking up some snow-cones, we stopped at Turtle Bay to see some more rocks (IMG_6631-IMG_6661). There we asked some righteous sea turtles if they could help us find Nemo (IMG_6638).
Then we made our trek back "home" to Kaneohe (IMG_6662-IMG_6692) in time for evening Bible study. A light from heaven showed us the way (IMG_6696- IMG_6702).
May 17th & 18th (Monday & Tuesday)
Both Monday and Tuesday were quite similar in character. Bill began his ritual early morning attack around 5 or 6am, which led me to initiate a pillow fight (one of my favorite forms of martial arts). He landed a few shots on me, but I felt that my reflexes were quicker and my blows were more strategically placed. I had the advantage of having the high-ground (standing on the bed) while he stood on the floor. Pillow fighting is much like other forms of martial arts. If you can get the right combination to the head, you can throw someone quite off balance. Of course, getting hit in the head is also quite aggravating. Sometimes your pillow can be snatched from your hand, but with a good block, you can obtain it back. Both of us were able to maintain our composure, smiling like we were unflinchingly under control. Eventually, we decided to cease fighting and lay back down to catch our breath.
But I wasn't about to believe that the fight was truly over. Bill is like the scorpion who stung the turtle who agreed to let him ride on his back to cross a river. If he can't win decisively, Bill would rather go down with a splash. That's his nature. So, as soon as Bill laid down at the foot of the bed, I decided to slip off the side of the bed just to be safe. Fortunately, the covers on the bed were left bundled up, giving the impression that I was still resting naively beneath them. But I had my eye on him.
Bill soon twisted himself into a low-crouch--an excellent position for stealth attack upon the bed. With a shout, Bill sprung upon the bed, striking a fatal blow to the empty comforter. Before Bill could assess the futility of his damage, I flanked him from the side of the bed with a super-combo to the head. Bill retreated from the room after a few meager return strikes, and I laid back down upon the bed, watching the door. Then, to my amazement, I noticed a 1.25 gal jug of Wesson Canola Oil hurled towards me. Thankfully, it landed on the bed next to my knee, barely scratching me. Somewhat crazed with unbelief, I sprung from the bed with the Canola oil and advanced towards Bill, who seemed a little worried about what I might do. But I kept my cool and ran past him calling him crazy and placed the Canola back in the kitchen.
Early Tuesday morning Bill issued a pillow attack while I lay in bed. But within a few seconds we were engaged in a wrestling match. Now, you must understand that in my day, I was a wrestler of rank. Bill knew this, but perhaps felt it was of little significance with his height and weight advantage. In no time, Bill was on his back, with his head dangling over the side of the bed in a half-nelson that led to a craddle. I let up a bit, in order to push Bill off the bed, but he regained footing, so I let him go. Stubbornly, he advanced again, so I posted myself in a ball, maintaining hand control, so that he would have to expend more energy than I. Realizing he wasn't getting anywhere, Bill gave up, saying, "I win!"
The rest of the day on Monday and Tuesday, I spent doing email, writing these stories, and uploading photos. It was somewhat overcast on Monday, so I didn't feel like getting out. Tuesday was a brighter day, but I still felt like there was much I could do inside. On both days Bill left me at home while he went out for a few job interviews. But Harlan's love bird Tweaty kept me company (IMG_6422). I'm not sure how much he really likes me, though, since he bites me when I try to pet him.
Tuesday evening we visited Gerald at his house, since he was taking off to be with family for his mother's final hours who was dying of cancer. Gerald recounted for me some of his memories growing up, when I asked where he grew up. Being a military kid, he had memories from several places. We prayed for each other, and especially that God might be glorified in her dying as He was in her living (she is a believer). Even though I just met Gerald a few days ago, I feel that I already know him. He reminds me so much of my friend Andy in his speech, humor, & personality (as well as looking a lot like another elder I know (Alan) from Abilene, TX). When I told Gerald that he reminds me of Andy, he said in good humor, "Well there's an interesting individual I must meet!"
Day 2 - Saturday, May 15. (Cloudy. 75 degrees. 75% chance of rain)
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Saturday we got up early (IMG_6314) to prepare to attend Harlan's seminary graduation ceremony at the International College and Graduate School. It had begun raining early in the morning, and I lamented my choice to leave my rain-jacket behind on the mainland. Bill had told me it hardly ever rains for sustained periods. But it continued to rain the entire day (IMG_6316, IMG_6317), washing out hopes of seeing mountains and the beach.
The rain continued through the commencement ceremony (IMG_6322-IMG_6324). But it did not dampen the spirits of those attending and rejoicing in the Lord over those who were graduating. Harlan received an MDiv from President Jon Rawlings (IMG_6326). The president's personable daughter gave each a hug and indigenous crown (lay).
The reception time was a good opportunity to meet pastors and church leaders in the area. Perhaps a church in this area would like to hear about computer technology in the ministry of Wycliffe Bible Translators? I had the honor of speaking with Dr. Youngblood who himself is an OT translator for International Bible Society (NIV). Jon Rawlings showed me the seminary's library, small, but the largest in Hawaii, comparable to the campus library at Westminster in Dallas. He also helped me connect with Joe & Barbara Grimes, Wycliffe missionaries in Hawaii who are translating the Bible into Pidgin. I also had a nice talk with Mr. Rawlings's college-aged daughter who seemed friendly and interested in photography. Bill and I helped to clean up after the reception.
We hung out at Harlan's house until dinner time and decided to go out for Tai food at Chao Phya Thai. We wanted to share our entrees so we had to order foods without nuts (Bill is allergic to nuts, even coconut milk). I ordered one of my favorite curry dishes: panang chicken. We ate while a local Hawaiian sung Hawaiian love songs on his ukulele.
Day 3 - Sunday, May 16. (Partly Cloudy. 75 degrees. 25% chance of rain)
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On the third day, we arose again, early around 5 am (which is about 10am in Oklahoma). Bill began his morning antics, including trying to get me out of bed by poking me in the side. (He makes me a little jumpy in the morning.) He then proceeded to turn off the bathroom lights while I was trying to take a shower. I locked the door, but there happens to be another side door to the bathroom that I couldn't lock. I resolved to take my shower in the darkness. Now where did that bar of soap go?
His pattern of attack, spontaneous as it is, is somewhat predictable. While I was getting dressed, I heard him trying to sneak around to me through the side door to the bathroom. I quickly whipped around to the door and attacked him with an eagle claw maneuver, which eventuated into a 5-step exploding heart technique that I learned from Beatrice Kiddo on the movie Kill Bill (appropriately named) . Bill fell to the ground after five-steps.
We drove around the Island to Mililani and I saw the Hawaiian sunrise for the first time since my visit. We stopped briefly at the pastor's house to get a key to the school building where Trinity Central Oahu PCA church is meeting temporarily until they finish building their own. Bill and I helped set up for worship. Setup was no insignificant task. We had to fold up all the cafeteria tables, set up several rows of chairs, an entire sound system for the praise band, and a children's room. A woman offered me a Jumbo Jack for my labors (which I discovered is a Jack-in-the-Box hamburger. Yes, we have those on the mainland, but I never eat there.)
The worship service was edifying though it didn't follow the traditional order of worship that I've grown accustomed to (e.g. there was no call to worship or closing benediction. Is that okay in an Presbyterian church?). Harlan later told me that Hawaiian culture in general is not into following tradition. We sang contemporary praise songs and Pastor Pete delivered a five-point sermon on discipleship. It raised in my own mind the interesting paradox that salvation is both entirely free and yet costs you everything (while legalism is somewhere in between).
There were several Sunday School classes following the service, so I chose the survey of the poetry/wisdom books taught by Gerald. They were using Bruce Wilkinson's book on Talking Through the Bible. Gerald apologized for not making it through all the wisdom books. I personally felt like it would be more beneficial to slow down more! Of course if your goal is simply to give a brief overview and introduction to each of the books, that's all you need to do. But I don't feel like I learn much from Bible blitzkrieg.
Harlan, Dana, and I went to Zippy's for lunch with Harlan's niece Carissa (IMG_6327-IMG_6332). Zippy's is a Denny's or Chili's style restaurant with a variety of kinds of food to select. Their table-booths were sectioned off like cubicals, open to allow you to talk to the people in the booth next to you. I chose chili & frank over their exotic Pupu Platter.
On our way back home in the van, I got my first decent glimpses of the steep and rugged mountain sides in Hawaii (IMG_6334-IMG_6335).
Bill met me at the house to take me to Hickam AFB beach for the afternoon where we met Gerald (IMG_6336), his boys, and others from church. I finally had the opportunity to try out my underwater enclosure for my Canon Powershot A20 digital camera. Now, the enclosure had arrived in the mail by UPS the morning we were leaving for Hawaii; it was a miracle it arrived when it did! At the beach, the water was too dark for underwater visibility, but it was a brighter blue than I've ever seen.
Most of the boys dug trenches in the sand to channel water from a fountain. The youngest helped Gerald build a sand castle (IMG_6344, IMG_6376-IMG_6382). The guys played frisby (IMG_6393) and some kind of nerf torpedo/bomb thing (IMG_6360). Before we left, Bill helped Gerald's boys wash up (IMG_6402-IMG_6404) and gave them high & low fives (IMG_6405-IMG_6407).
Bill and I then rushed off for evening service to Honolulu Bible Church (Reformed Baptist) (IMG_6410). We made it in time for the pastor's sermon over Christ's critique of hypocritical teachers in Matthew 23. In conclusion Pastor Mather exhorted the congregation to pray for their pastors and the pulpits in Hawaii that they might not fall under the same criticism.
Afterwards, we went out for some decent Greek food in Honolulu. I told Bill that I have to constantly remind myself that I'm on a small rock in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, rather than in Seattle or some college town on the mainland.
Day 1 - Friday, May 14th.
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Friday morning was somewhat hectic. I had only just arrived from a week long software developer conference at Wycliffe's International Headquarters the night prior. We needed to be at the airport around 1pm and Bill and I weren't sure how we were going to get there. Bill calls me to tell me to wake up his sister Evie and ask her if she can take us. So, I quietly knocked on her door a few times, to no avail. But eventually she arose and agreed to take us.
After stopping by the ATM, we dropped my car off at my mother's place (an emergency car shelter), and then drove through McDonalds to take advantage of their new 34 second policy. Bill tried to throw them off by breaking a hundred dollar bill.
When we reached the airport, Bill & Evie's father Rogers (an FAA employee) was there to help us avoid any further delays (IMG_6232). Evie was seriously dying to go with us. (I informed Evie of my plan to kill Bill and take her with me instead, but I didn't follow through with it.)
The plane trip to Las Vegas (our layover) was relatively uneventful. I tried to study the Psalms while Bill tried to tell me not to play like I'm all spiritual or something. "Don't you get tired of reading the Bible?" Within a few minutes, I had Bill reading it also.
The Nevada terrain was very beautiful from a bird's eye view (IMG_6234 - IMG_6242). Upon landing, Bill exercised his muscles (IMG_6240) to help a young lady next to us with her bag from the overhead compartment.
Our layover was a couple of hours, so Bill and I decided to take a taxi down the strip (IMG_6243-IMG_6248). We soon realized by the traffic (and consequently our ever increasing taxi fare) that we'd only have time for a meal. So, the taxi driver dropped us off at a "hole in the wall" Italian restaurant named Battista's (IMG_6250-IMG_6257). He advised us to expect a 30 minute drive back to the airport due to traffic. Bill paid the cab driver the exact fare, but I made him tip for his services. (The cab driver seemed to wait a little bit, as if giving us a chance to redeem ourselves before calling someone to break our legs.)
Now I noticed that Battista's actually had "Hole in the wall" in their subtitle. To me, that's almost like telling me that you ate at a "great restaurant", only to find out that the restaurant is literally called "Great Restaurant". So, how can a restaurant with "hole in the wall" in the title, actually be a hole in the wall? In advertising it, don't you cease thereby to be it?
Well, curiously, we weren't disappointed. The atmosphere was romantically lit. The tables were elagantly set, and the walls (and ceiling) were filled with interesting antiques and autographed pictures of famous people with the owner. We tried our best not to let our imaginations think that the owner had mafia connections (an Italian in Las Vegas owning a restaurant that's been around for over 20 years.) Bill seemed a little uncomfortable that we were eating together in the romantic environment, so I tried to make a scene about us needing to "come out the closet". He was embarrassed. We imagined a time when we might bring our own wives here in the future.
The dinner plates were at least $20 each, but they came with house-wine & cappuccino for dessert. My manicotti was among the best I've had anywhere, including the side of spinnach. My mocha/cappuccino with whipped cream was the best I've ever had (although, I must admit I haven't ever really had it, and mistook it for hot-cocoa).
After finishing the meal, we found another taxi and found our way back to the airport in under 10 minutes. Even a police man was impressed by his driving (IMG_6260).
Our airplane was a charter flight, probably contracted by casinos in Las Vegas. We found plenty of slot machines at the terminals (IMG_6265-IMG_6268). I noticed that one of the machines would sound a bell every 15 or 30 minutes, apparently to give the impression that people were actually winning something.
We waited an hour or so to board the plane around 7:45pm (IMG_6274-IMG_6301). It was dark by the time we took off, so we were captured by the lights from the city below (IMG_6307-IMG_6309).
The trip seemed to take forever. We watched Master & Commander, followed by some comedy with Gene Hackman (I was more interested in snoozing). We were probably over half-way through with Cheaper by the Dozen when we landed around 11:30pm in Honolulu (around 4:30am central time).
Gerald, a friend and elder of Bill's, picked us up at the airport. He took us to his house where we spent at least a half-hour putting water back into the radiator of Bill's old Jeep. Then Bill drove me to Kaneohe to stay the night with his Hawaiin friends Harlan & Dana.
Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.
Thanks to your prayers, creating software tools for Bible translators has never seemed closer. In addition to receiving encouragement and new commitments to prayer every month, I believe I now only need about $700 per month (of $2100) in financial commitment from churches and/or individuals. So by the end of the summer, Lord willing, I will be on a team to support the technical needs of those who are translating the Bible into languages that need it.
This week I am excited to attend the SIL Developer Conference in Dallas. This conference will allow me to get to know my Language Software team better (and vice-versa). It will also help me see what projects everyone is working on and the importance of their new technologies for Bible Translation.
Continue to pray that I will have more opportunities to share with churches. Everyone needs to know the importance of computer technology for bringing the Bible to people who need it in their own language. Pray my safety in travels and growth in His grace in areas where God can use me to serve others.
Look for my next newsletter in June.
Blessings in Christ alone,
Eric Pyle
Webpage: www.opcNorman.org/Wycliffe/EricPyle
Personal Address: 6001 W Cedar Hills Dr, Noble, OK 73068 (469-222-2865)
Wycliffe Bible Translators: P.O. Box 628200, Orlando, Florida 32862-8200
I stood there listening to the silence of several hundred people. I couldn't even hear a baby crying in the crowd. Amazing! The only thing I heard was the sound of my own thoughts saying, "Wow, it is unusually quiet."
Several hundred people sat there listening to my silence. God must have struck my tongue with a mute spirit. It gripped me long enough for my fellow salutatorian Steven Kennedy to knudge me in the side wispering, "Look at the paper." At first, I thought, "No, it will come to me." I was halfway through! I didn't panic. Nor did I feel embarrassed...
Now, traditionally, the salutatory of our graduation ceremony included a prayer in the opening address. My teacher, however, said I was permitted to say something else. I'm sure many people were disappointed, even offended that I did not pray, but I was agnostic at the time. I composed something more appropriate for my conscience and more politically correct for the secular occassion.
One or two short paragraphs, that's all. People had warned me about trying to do it from memory, but I was confident I could do it. I had memorized and recited the whole thing several times in my head before our march into the stadium. I don't remember being particularly nervous either. Short, sweet, simple! But it never came to me.
"Look at the paper". The persistent incantation of my friend Steven was finally effective. I looked down to my paper to finish the salutation.
