"Sometimes we are too busy for Jesus," declared one of the Kaneohe church Ohana (small group) members, who participated in a recent "Freedom in Jesus" weekend retreat at the Kaneohe church. "We just weren't sure we could work out a way to attend. Sometimes there are so many reasons and obstacles for us to not take the time for a closer walk with God."

A number of the participants expressed similar frustrations. Issues of child care, poor health, prior commitments and family problems made attending the retreat seem almost impossible. "Now that I look back on it, I know that what really was happening was a spiritual battle that was at its peak for almost all of us," said Claire Akau.

However, all 13 attendees of one of the small Ohana groups in the church arrived on Friday evening at Shrader's Inn, which provided reasonable accommodations only a short distance from the church. They were more than ready for a spiritual blessing, even though they came with all sorts of emotional baggage. Some had been hurt by broken relationships, childhood traumas, and wounds that were tucked away within the deep crevices of their hearts. Many of them also had held on to vices and habits that some did not even realize were harmful to their spiritual walk.

As their spiritual leader and pastor, Eddie General wanted them to have total Freedom in Jesus. "I could sense that what they needed was to heal their hearts and lift their burdens during this weekend," he said. "Therefore, it was necessary to help them to see how various areas affect our spiritual walks. If we want freedom, then we must give it all to Jesus." After learning about some of the steps that must be taken, the group broke into pairs, retreated to private areas, and confessed their sins with tears and prayers for one another.

At the end of the retreat, the group gathered around a "bonfire" they made with a gas grill along a beach. With their ministry partners, they wrote on notecards what had held them back from surrendering everything to God, and threw the cards into the fire to symbolize how their eyes had been opened to what Satan had done to control them.

"When we watched our cards disintegrate, it gave us such a peaceful feeling," said Akau. "A transformation of character occurred that weekend, and we will never be the same. Even though it has been several weeks since we experienced this encounter with God, it has improved our marriage, and our children now describe their father as a ‘mighty man of God.' We still stumble and must continually surrender every day to God, but we will never be the same. We know what it means to have the true freedom that comes only from Jesus."