Homeward Bound & Back: Why This Late Spring Post Still Matters
- Yucatan Helping Hands
- Aug 21
- 11 min read
Updated: 7 days ago
Dear Friends & Family,
It truly brings us joy to finally return to our blog and greet each of you.
After months of travel across the U.S. since January to visit family, friends and supporting churches, we returned to Yucatán in May and wrapped up three summer teams in July. More to come in our next post on how these groups wholeheartedly served alongside churches here.
Why this overdue post on our home visit still matters: Because Christ's light shown by your care continues to sustain and inspire us to serve for the long haul. Because everyday experiences during our travels reflect His work. And because returning home is vital to our ministry abroad.
We are so thankful and appreciate your understanding as we work to bring our blog current.
Now that we've returned to our normal routine, it's great to be back in Yucatán. For us, home is a two-way road. We can't wait to get back to the U.S., and we also long for our re-entry here.
Throughout our furlough, God repeatedly showed us His kindness through so many of your thoughtful and tangible acts of care. In gratitude, we'd like to thank you and acknowledge some of them here:
Loaning your car to us in Hawaii
Gifting Byron supportive sandals
Providing lodging and helpful connections
Arranging and covering Inez’s dental emergency
Meeting us at the airport with our car
Replacing our damaged luggage
Gifting travel aids like a mini-hand cart and thermal food bags
Assisting with car repairs and storage
Covering a hotel stay for a 5-hour rest before an early flight
I will recount your wonderful deeds --Psalm 9:1
Beyond the practical, your listening ears and open hearts anchored us -- especially when we heard from our son Kawika that he won’t be returning to college next year. Your prayers and wisdom have brought us peace and hope.
Prayer Requests For:
Our health as Byron suffers with knee and heel pain, Inez monitors lingering nerve pain, and Kawika deals with a reoccurring ear infection.
God's guidance as our son seeks employment as a bilingual speaker and transitions back in Yucatán.
For the church ministries in Chuburná and Muna where our work teams served this summer.
Rest and recovery after an intense season of our furlough, ministry planning and teams.
Thank you to our supporting churches and friends for having allowed us to share about how Jesus is working in Yucatán, Mitchell Road for inviting us to participate in your wonderful mission conference, and to each of you for your interest in our ministry, your faithful prayers and ongoing support.
Blessings & Aloha in Christ,
Byron & Inez
A Journey Reflection: Asking What Matters
The tall waiter greeted us with an easy smile and asked, “Where are you from?” When we replied, “Hawaii,” he raised his eyebrows in pleasant surprise. “Really? Man, what brings you here?”
During one of our road trips, we had stopped at one of our favorite restaurants, known for its cozy, country-store charm. Instead of just taking our order, the young southerner’s curiosity turned into a meaningful exchange with us.
After we shared about our ministry, he told us how a serious illness had landed him in the hospital for months. The care he received from the nurses had such a profound impact on him that he changed his college major and is now studying nursing. He hopes to make the same difference in others’ lives.
Encounters like this make us realize that meaningful conversations often begin with questions.
During our travels, we were asked: “How can we pray for you?” “What’s been the hardest part of your journey?” "What was the most difficult struggle for you in ministry this past year?" These thoughtful prompts opened the door for us to share deeper than we normally would.
Questions that lead to self-examination
Jesus himself often used questions to draw people into greater faith and self-awareness: “Who touched my clothes?” “What do you want me to do for you?” “Who do you say I am?”
At one point, Inez shared her concern about our son Kawika leaving college. A friend gently asked, “Is it possible this is about what you wanted for his life?” That simple question led to deep soul-searching and a timely reminder that it's God who ultimately determines the outcomes of our children's lives.
Questions that start ministries
In Oregon, we visited FPC Lebanon. Church members once asked, “What can we do to serve the community?” That question sparked a ministry. A group of women transformed unused church space into a clothing store where people facing hardship can "shop" at no cost yet with dignity. Volunteers like Dayla (in photo with Inez) make it a place of hope based on Christ’s love and identity with those in need.
In Orlando, we had the most delightful experience helping our friends move their elderly parents into their new retirement apartment. Dave's father, Larry, a retired pastor, signed and gave us his book Inside the Lord’s Prayer. In it, he wrote about a church that had struggled without a vision on how to deal with drugs and gang violence in the community.
Questions that transform
After coming to Larry for help, the church leaders organized a 24/7 prayer vigil held in the church sanctuary. Gang members began getting curious as they observed the movements and activities at the church, including food being brought for those praying.
As some of the hood approached the church to see what was going on, they were offered food. They, in turn, asked if the church could bring food to families they knew were in need. This developed into a full-fledged food ministry that involved not just the church but restaurants in the community. Hearts and perspectives changed, both in and outside of the church, and people came to Christ. The church grew because they asked God, “What should we do?”
Our travels reminded us that when we're willing to ask and truly listen, God often uses simple questions to help redirect attitudes and steps for His purpose.
There’s a saying, “Good questions inform, great questions transform.” Afterall, Jesus once asked, “What seek ye?” -- and the world was changed forever.
Highlights from Our Visits
Hawaii: All In The Ohana
Great time with the Ahina siblings and a special stay at a beach camp on the North Shore. Mahalo Lionel & Yuko!
More family time and ono local food at Chantal's.
Chinese New Year's with Inez's ohana, reuniting with Byron's high school classmates and celebrating his 71st.
It's always tough to say goodbye to the people, culture and land that we love. Thank you to Lionel and Yuko for hosting us and Chantal for allowing us to gather in your beautiful hale.
Aloha 'oe Hawai'i!
South Carolina: Mitchell Road Presbyterian Missional Living Conference
Mitchell Road Presbyterian Global Mission Partners during conference in Greenville in late February
Inez participating in a Q&A panel during the conference; Being prayed over before presenting to the youth; Reuniting with Pastor Scott and the Fellows team who served with us in 2024 and eager to dance the hula with Byron again.
Incredibly honored to meet MR global partners, hear their faithful stories, and celebrate communion with them and the MR staff in an outdoor service – all united in following God's call. Thank you, Doris, our wonderful host, and to Pastor Scott and your incredible team.
Down South to Alabama
Altadena Valley Presbyterian Church (AVPC)
At AVPC, we shared our update, joined the missions committee for lunch, and Inez attended the women’s retreat. It was a special time for her to connect with women and spend quiet time with the Lord. We were also able to hear the struggles of another missionary who had overcome burnout. A reminder to pray for missionaries and the burdens they carry to share the gospel to a hurting world. Grateful for healing conversations, encouragement, and prayerful support.
Multiple Stops in Florida
Ormond Beach
Driving to our next destination, we were pulled over by Georgia police officers, questioned separately, and our car thoroughly searched for 40 minutes -- our first such experience which pushed our arrival time further into the night. This made our hosts' warm welcome especially comforting and joyful. Nothing like reuniting with our dear friends after a difficult road trip.
FPC North Palm Beach
It was our first visit to FPC, a church we're connected to by a retired pastor from our home church and one of our local pastor advisors as well. We presented to the youth and adult classes, met with awesome youth leaders, Ben and Annabelle, and some of the members of the group that came this past June. We also reconnected with last year's Yucatan team and leader, Kim, who extended us generous hospitality. It was great to share this time with her and her husband.
Orlando Area
Reconnecting UPC Orlando friends, Dave, Melissa, Cathy, and Vic, is always a sweet joy. We're always lifted up by their long lasting friendship which started in Yucatan. We also reunited with former fellow Washingtonians, Julia and Warren, who recently relocated to the area. So grateful to be with longtime friends during life's transitions: moving elderly parents, surgery recovery, and new beginnings.
Westward Bound
Eerie, Colorado
We stopped in Colorado to visit Bill and Chris, long-time supporters and dear friends, who were members of our home church's ministry action team. Our time together felt effortless, like picking up right where we left off. Added blessing: Spending time with their growing family.
Pacific NW
Portland, Oregon
Once we arrived in the Pacific NW, we were glad to be on familiar terrain. Our good friends, Dennis and Corinne, were so gracious to drive a couple of hours up to the Portland airport to drop off our car and have a meal with us as we waited for the traffic to die down.
We spent a magnificent overnight stay at a farm just outside of Portland and were graciously hosted by a Elisabeth and her husband, a precious Christian couple we really enjoyed getting to know and sharing our ministry with.
With our host Elisabeth on her beautiful farm.
Washington State
FPC Everett
Our first stop in Washington was at FPC Everett, a special connection that began unexpectedly during a 2005 hurricane in Yucatán. At the time, Darcie learned about our ministry and boldly reached out, launching a lasting partnership through home-building teams. Such a privilege to experience God's love through lasting relationships here and being royally treated by our hosts, Darcie and Jack.
Visiting Family in Washington
Between church visits, we treasured our family time in WA—meeting up with Kawika, watching grandkids play sports, our grandson’s school musical, and celebrating our granddaughter’s birthday. Thanks, Malia and Adam, for your hospitality and helping us out big time with the car!
A special moment: our grandson's farewell hug and departing words:
"One day I would like to go to Mexico to do what you do -- I could help you."
Our daughter Malia with Dad, our grandkids, & a meal out with family, including Byron's sisters Sharon & Michele.
To The Island in Puget Sound
Rolling Bay Presbyterian Church (RBPC), WA
Over the years, RBPC has been very active working with us in providing access to affordable clean water in Yucatan. We met with RBPC partners to plan a new water project in Muna, where construction has since begun. We also gathered with past team participants, shared our ministry update during service, and Byron delivered the sermon message. While in the Seattle area, we were also able to connect with friends, Stu and Wendy, formerly from RBPC.
A shout out to our wonderful friends, Laura and Brian, for hosting us longer than planned due to the dental work Inez received on the island.
Thank you to Pastor Scott from Mitchell Road, RBPC and to Calvin Presbyterian for helping us through Inez's ordeal and covering her unexpected costs.
Returning to Our Home Church on Palm Sunday
Words can’t fully capture the joy we feel each time we return and are embraced by a group of special people who have believed in us, supported us, and guided us from the very beginning of our ministry—our faithful Calvin Action Team.
Grateful to Pastor Neil and the Calvin outreach team for supporting action teams like ours who invest deeply in global ministry. It was a joy to reconnect with longtime Calvin friends, including Barb and Dave, over meals and share our ministry update in the Fireside Room with both familiar and new faces, some known for nearly 30 years.
Leaving Washington state, south bound
Saying goodbye to our loved ones in Washington is difficult, knowing that it will be years before we see them again. But prior to leaving, we were able to visit our friends, Mimma and Chuck, retired teachers we've known for more than two decades.
Back in Portland, Oregon
As we made our way down south toward our last destination, we stopped in Portland to visit with our dear friend Vale and connected with a group of Byron’s college Sigma Nu fraternity brothers, buddies he hasn’t seen since the late 1970s. It was great fun meeting their spouses and catching up on their lives. "Toga, toga, toga....."
Bend, Oregon
Along the way to Lebanon, we also reunited with longtime friends in Bend, Oregon, whom we originally knew through our home church. Left invigorated and refreshed as we realized that despite life changes, our connection will always remain through a shared history and faith journey.
FPC Lebanon
Meeting FPC friends at a food truck pod; Inez with some amazing ladies at FPC dedicated to outreach ministry
We reached our final stop in Lebanon, Oregon, where we shared our updates at FPC, connected with friends, and where Byron delivered the sermon. You realize the history you have in ministry when you see someone who has served with you on the missions field as a young girl, then a college student, and now has become a doctor! Congratulations Dr. Kayla!
With past vision care team participants to Yucátán and a special birthday tea for Inez with Corinne and Jan.
While in Lebanon, we had the blessing of being hosted by a wonderful couple, Dennis and Corinne, who have led vision care teams to Yucatán in the past and have been an incredible support to us. We had a blast reconnecting with former vision care team members, celebrating Inez’s 60th, and inviting our hosts to a 50th anniversary luau at the University of Oregon (Byron's alma mater and where he was co-president of the Hawaii club) — such a blessed and wonderful close to our journey!
Silly Boomers
This is the awning of the cage of asparagus, cage of asparagus ahh, asparaGUSS, ASPARAGUSS!
Okay, we know the original song had a “non-orthodox” message. But this veggie take on it made Byron laugh so hard, he wanted to pass on the humor.
Thank You for Reading Amigos
And accompanying us in the journey!
Thank you for your support in prayer and financial giving
For contributions toward our ministry & personal expenses:
Tax-Deductible Donations:
Go to MissionDispatch.org
→ Find our missionary page or click “Giving”
→ “Donate” (yellow tab)
Or mail a check (payable only to Mission Dispatch, not to us) to:
Mission Dispatch
PO Box 641
Edmonds, WA 98020
Include “Inez Ahina” in the memo line.
You may also set up automatic bill pay through your bank.
Non-Tax-Deductible Donations:
Mail a check (payable to Byron Ahina) to our U.S. address:
1918 214th Ct SE
Sammamish, WA 98075
To support food relief or construction projects:
Follow the same steps above depending on whether your gift is tax-deductible.
All gifts we receive from Mission Dispatch are considered as income to us.
Therefore, we will set aside a portion of that gift to cover for IRS taxes.
For non-deductible gifts (up to $15,000), please send to our U.S. address above and include a note:
“These funds are to reimburse Byron and Inez Ahina for [specific purpose]. Byron and/or Inez did not have any financial gain from this gift.”
For Personal Gifts (non-tax-deductible):
All personal gifts are non-tax deductible and must be sent to our U.S. address:
Byron or Inez Ahina
1918 214th Ct SE
Sammamish, WA 98075
Or via Zelle through our email address: ahinabk@gmail.com
Questions? Please contact us at:
Email: ahinabk@gmail.com
Call or WhatsApp Message: +52 999 129 6227
We can also call you (unlimited U.S. calling). Just leave us your number please.
Thank you again for your support!
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