In the mid 70's Charlie and Betty Brewster had an idea. Charlie owed a business in Alaska that was doing pretty well and they would vacation in Maui. There was something about the setting, the peace of it, that rejuvenated and fed them.
Despite his wealth, there was a humility to Mr. Brewster. There was an intuitive awareness that not everyone had been as blessed financially as he had been. And there was a keen understanding that people who work in vocational ministry were probably near the bottom of that financial ladder.
Charlie and Betty understood that the refreshment that island gave them would be illusive to the majority of pastors and missionaries. So they began to dream and they reached the conclusion, "We can't preach and we can't sing, but we can do this."
So they bought 65 acres of dry undeveloped scrub brush, a mile or so from the beach, up Mt. Haleakala above the town of Kihei, overlooking the ocean. They built a four wing guesthouse and a caretaker's cottage.
That's when they found out Betty had cancer. She died two years later. Then a wildfire came so close to the guesthouse it melted the light fixtures on the lanai. Then Charlie's father died. Then his brother. Then while he was driving down the mountain in Alaska, he hit a moose, fracturing his neck and putting him on bed-rest.
Requiring full-time care during his recovery, Charlie began to wonder, "Were we wrong? Should we even continue?" His nurse encouraged him not too decided to quickly. So he waited, healed and then began again.
Finally, after 10 years of loss and struggle, they began to develop the property. Irrigation, fruit trees, macadamia nut trees and all kinds of flowers and plants. Birds began to nest there, wildlife began to pass through. And weary servants began to pass through.
Nancy and I have had the good fortune to stay twice at Brewster Rest Haven. Each time allowed a two week stay of healing and restoration. We've explored, snorkeled, sometimes spent days doing nothing and have watched sunset after sunset over the ocean.
Hundreds of God's workers have experienced healing. All provided by a couple who couldn't preach or sing. I think too often we look in the mirror and only see our limitations, our faults and our weaknesses. We see all of the things we can't do and so, decide to do nothing.
I am so thankful for a man who asked, "What can I do?" I believe he paid a price for that question, a price many in ministry would understand. His willingness to ask and his determination to follow, even through adversity, has breathed life into many. It's humbled me. And it's caused me to ask, "What can I do?"
Despite his wealth, there was a humility to Mr. Brewster. There was an intuitive awareness that not everyone had been as blessed financially as he had been. And there was a keen understanding that people who work in vocational ministry were probably near the bottom of that financial ladder.
Charlie and Betty understood that the refreshment that island gave them would be illusive to the majority of pastors and missionaries. So they began to dream and they reached the conclusion, "We can't preach and we can't sing, but we can do this."
So they bought 65 acres of dry undeveloped scrub brush, a mile or so from the beach, up Mt. Haleakala above the town of Kihei, overlooking the ocean. They built a four wing guesthouse and a caretaker's cottage.
That's when they found out Betty had cancer. She died two years later. Then a wildfire came so close to the guesthouse it melted the light fixtures on the lanai. Then Charlie's father died. Then his brother. Then while he was driving down the mountain in Alaska, he hit a moose, fracturing his neck and putting him on bed-rest.
Requiring full-time care during his recovery, Charlie began to wonder, "Were we wrong? Should we even continue?" His nurse encouraged him not too decided to quickly. So he waited, healed and then began again.
Finally, after 10 years of loss and struggle, they began to develop the property. Irrigation, fruit trees, macadamia nut trees and all kinds of flowers and plants. Birds began to nest there, wildlife began to pass through. And weary servants began to pass through.
Nancy and I have had the good fortune to stay twice at Brewster Rest Haven. Each time allowed a two week stay of healing and restoration. We've explored, snorkeled, sometimes spent days doing nothing and have watched sunset after sunset over the ocean.
Hundreds of God's workers have experienced healing. All provided by a couple who couldn't preach or sing. I think too often we look in the mirror and only see our limitations, our faults and our weaknesses. We see all of the things we can't do and so, decide to do nothing.
I am so thankful for a man who asked, "What can I do?" I believe he paid a price for that question, a price many in ministry would understand. His willingness to ask and his determination to follow, even through adversity, has breathed life into many. It's humbled me. And it's caused me to ask, "What can I do?"
Indeed, Jeff, well said ... and let's all tip our hat to this lovely couple whose gifts outlive them ... now ... "What can I do today?" And ... "What can God do that will outlive me?"
ReplyDeleteYep. So much. Yep.
Delete