GO Week: Maui 2025

By Samantha DePriest/Christy Faircloth

What an unforgettable week our mission team experienced on the island of Maui last month. Our TCS GO Week mission team of students and staff packed their bags right after ringing in the new year and flew to the most western part of the United States. In August of 2023, a series of wind-driven wildfires broke out on the Hawaiian island of Maui causing evacuations and widespread damage. Over 100 people lost their lives in the fires in the iconic waterfront town of Lahaina located on Maui’s northwest coast. Reports state that over 2,200 structures were destroyed and $5.5 billion in damages were the result of the fires.

TCS High School AP Biology and Chemistry teacher Mrs. Christy Faircloth lived on Maui for several years. God placed the beautiful people and the island of Maui on her heart when she signed up to lead the GO Week mission team. She shares, “Our students spent three days serving at three locations in Maui. The first day they partnered with Habitat for Humanity in Wailuku. The organization prepared pallets of wood and strips of trim for the students to assemble “Free Little Pantries” (FLP’s). The students used drills and hammers to build four FLP’s that have been placed in Lahaina (the location of the fire devastation in 8/2023). While some students built and painted the FLP’s, others prepared digital presentations and posters that explained the need for these pantries. Habitat for Humanity used the presentations later in the week to explain the need for the FLP’s with another group of volunteers. Our students, 42 in number, were able to share what they had learned about food insecurity and the need for immediate access to free food. This is just one example of how God used our group to multiply his message of love.”

Mrs. Faircloth continues, “The second day, they served Maui Park and Recreation. This was a very unique experience because the students not only served Maui by removing invasive species on the beach and dunes, but also learned the spiritual beliefs of the Hawaiian people from a 4th generation Hawaiian/Somoan man named Koko and a 7th generation Hawaiian man named Kaniloa. The students realized how the Hawaiians value their land and worship their ancestors. The students were inspired to learn more about their land (Georgia), but also to talk to the Hawaiians about their beliefs in Jesus and how following Jesus is similar to living Pono (the Hawaiian way of life). Some students were caught off guard by the boldness of the Hawaiians' dedication to their belief in the ancestors, but were inspired to share their beliefs in Jesus.

The third day, the students served at Malama Kula in the town of Kula. Upon arrival, the locals explained the fire had ripped through the area like a dragon. The fire climbed the gorges and spread out from there. The area the students cleaned up was several acres in size. The students carried more than 20 burnt full-size trees to a central location, and removed thousands of invasive Wattle trees. Wattle trees grow quickly and die creating fuel for future fires. Not only did the students clean up fire debris, but they helped prevent future fires. When I say the students worked hard, this is an understatement. They trudged through ash, and dirt to remove trees while wore masks and gloves to protect themselves.

That night we experienced a bad storm and lost power at our condos. We woke up to news that our service project for that day was canceled due to the threat of flash flooding. We took the cancellation as an opportunity to visit Lahaina and see the fire devastation first hand. Many were moved by the loss, and surprised to see only churches standing.

The students also had a unique opportunity to meet up with a local church, Hope Chapel of Kihei, for their Youth Group night. The students were able to interact with local Maui youth; hanging out and talking about their similarities/differences. The students were able to talk, laugh, and make friends with other high school Christians.”

“Last, but not least, we explored!!! Not only did the students see unbelievable sights, but they could feel God's presence in it all too. There is a feeling about Maui that is palpable on your skin, in your lungs, it seeps into your heart and changes you! The students experienced Sunrise at the top of Haleakala Volcano (10,000 ft), enjoyed banana bread from Kaenae, swam at a black sand beach (Wainapanapa), walked through a bamboo forest to Waimoku Falls, survived the road to Hana, ate a $12 meal from CFA, snorkeled with Hawksbill Sea Turtles, played football on the beach, jumped off Black Rock into the ocean, roller skated in Kihei at their outdoor rink at sunset, drank Kona coffee, ate homemade pie from Leoda’s and much much more.

I cannot finish this recap without the grande finale! Every morning and every night we had student led devotions. The students were in tune with each other and the Lord. The messages they shared were on point and a direct arrow to the heart each and every time. Some messages seemed to repeat, and the students noticed. The messages about friendship were particularly impactful and the students responded. New and surprising relationships were formed and will hopefully continue now that we are home.

Mrs. Christy Faircloth shared, “I am so very proud of each student on this trip. Each of them was responsible for themselves, AND took care of each other: they shared supplies, they bought groceries while staying within a budget, they cleaned, they did laundry, they served, they had deep conversations, they allowed each other to grow, they encouraged one another, they worshiped, AND they prayed with joyful hearts, the whole time!”

This mission team took 200 pocket Jesus's with them and students Anderson Embry and Mary Kathryn White made cards to go with them explaining who they were and why the mission team was in Maui. The entire week they we were there students gave them out and placed them in their rooms where they stayed. After the mission team left the island, Mrs. Faircloth received this message and it touched their hearts to learn that one of the housekeeping staff took finding the little Jesus as a sign and the following week she took her family to church after they hadn’t been going for some time. How God using our students to reach hearts all over the world for His glory and honor is such a gift. What a blessing GO Week is for our students and for all they come in contact with,