This year, River of Life marked a historic Thanksgiving. While our previous largest outreach served around 900 meals, this year, through the expansion of our HUB model, we were able to serve 1,980 meals over several days - nearly double our previous record! Here are some highlights from our HUB partners:
1. Hope Center: Executive Director Leo Rodas shared a powerful testimony from a new resident: “Just two weeks ago, I was eating out of a dumpster. Coming to Hope Center and being fed a hot Thanksgiving meal from River of Life is something I never could have imagined.” — Christopher
2. Sunset Beach Core HUB: Eight individuals responded to a salvation call, and the HUB is now ministering to them.
3. Calvary Kaneohe HUB: A young man accepted Christ, and the HUB is working on transitioning another individual off the streets.
4. Palama Settlement: Executive Director Sam Aiona said, “The partnership between River of Life and Metro Christian Church has been a tremendous blessing. We’ve seen an increase in food insecurity in our community, but thanks to River of Life, the burden has been eased. Our participants look forward to the meals, and some days entire families come to have dinner at Palama Settlement.”
5. Metro Christian Church: Founding Pastor Elwin Ahu shared, “River of Life has been a blessing to the children at Palama Settlement. Your meal donations allow us to not only feed them physically but also share God’s spiritual food through prayer.”
6. Grace Honolulu: Pastor Gregg Brenes and Youth Pastor Shaun Castro hosted a Thanksgiving lunch for 60 international college students. During the event, they heard a powerful testimony about how Jesus is transforming a student’s life. The response was very positive, and both pastors are excited to welcome many of these unchurched students into their church community.
These reports are just a glimpse of the impact the new River of Life HUB model is having. Thanks to partners like Hope Center, Palama Settlement, Metro Christian Church, local businesses, churches, senior facilities, and families, we’re reaching more people and changing more lives than ever before.
When River of Life launched its HUB model in April 2022, we started with just one HUB. Today, we have approximately 80 HUB events happening weekly across Oahu. This growth comes with increased costs, and we need your faithful prayers and financial support more than ever. Your generosity helps us continue to reach communities through HUB spot outreaches.
We invite you to visit River of Life for a behind-the-scenes tour, taste Chef Hilda’s delicious creations, and witness this sovereign move of God firsthand. Email Denise at denise@riveroflifemission.org to set up a tour or call us at (808) 524-7656 for more information. It is an honor to serve Jesus with you (Matthew 25:40).
Rann Watumull
Board Chair
"You crown the year with a bountiful harvest; even the hard pathways overflow with abundance."— Psalm 65:11 (NLT)
In early December, we sent a letter reflecting on the three kings and the tangible gifts they brought to Jesus—gifts that likely played a meaningful role in His life and ministry. We've received an overwhelming amount of positive feedback on that letter, which I believe resonates deeply with all of us. Sometimes, what we need most is help that is immediate and tangible.
This past year, we’ve seen remarkable growth in how we serve our friends on the streets. More people than ever are stepping up to help the homeless with simple, practical gestures, including a warm smile, a hot meal, a comforting hug, a hot shower, a fresh haircut and a loving message of hope in Jesus.
We've even seen medical professionals, tax advisors, legal experts, and tradespeople volunteer at our HUBs, offering their skills and services to meet the immediate needs of those struggling on the streets. What a blessed year it has been!
As we approach the end of one year and look forward to the new, we are reminded of the importance of finishing strong and starting well. At River of Life Mission, we are committed to both—ending this year well and entering our 40th year with a renewed focus on meeting the tangible needs of those we serve.
Would you consider partnering with us to bring tangible gifts to our friends in need by supporting: Hot meals that nourish our neighbors and can change lives, Hope closer to home by helping us establish 7 new Core HUBs, and A fresh start by supporting the development of our Transition Bank, where funds are set aside to help individuals move from homelessness to a new life
Thank you for being part of a miraculous year and for considering how you can help us do even more in our 40th year. God has been so good to us, and we praise Him for you—our faithful friend.
Happy New Year! With gratitude,
Pastor Paul Gates
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