Another beautiful day in Hawaii. So what does an Ohana group do? Head out to Bayview and golf. Well, actually, we miniature golf, but it is still a sport… I wish I knew who won, but somehow, that scorecard just seemed to have disappeared. It doesn’t matter though, I mean it doesn’t really matter who wins or lose, but how much fun you had, or so I have heard.
My name is Neda Carvalho and I am a child of God.
Richard and I first met in September of 2002, at a 12-step meeting. 35 days later we were married. Our 1st year was so wonderful! We did everything from camping to bicycle riding together. We loved each other so much. We decided to extend that love to my family. My mother, daughter and granddaughter moved in with us. 6 months later Richard and I were divorced. Looking back, it makes me sad to think that it was an easier choice to dissolve the marriage rather than repair it.
So Richard and I went our separate ways and I moved to the mainland.
2 years later I found myself in a place I didn’t want to be, doing things I didn’t want to do. I was empty and scared on the inside. Hopeless. I sank to my knees crying, shouting “God – whoever, whatever you are, I want to find you and I don’t know how. It’s me Neda, and I’m a little hard headed, so you may have to hit me over the head with one of your signs. Please, please find me, I’m not on the path I belong on. I’m lost.”
2 days later I had a grand maul seizure. In the hours preceding the seizure, I called a friend of Richard’s and left a message for him. Richard called me a few days later. We talked on the phone and were knit heart to heart again. Richard asked me to marry him – again. I said yes!
Richard flew to Reno and we remarried on Nov 13, 2005 and flew back to Hawaii. Not only did Richard marry me, again, he also introduced me to Jesus.
I started visiting KCC with Richard. I was still weak from multiple seizures and Richard offered to carry me into the worship center. I was so nervous, but it didn’t take long for me to relax. Everyone made me feel so welcome.
On January 15, with the help of Pastor Chris and my husband at my side, I asked Jesus to be my Lord and Savior. A month later I was baptized.
My marriage and my life is truly better than ever! I was hopeless, and Jesus caused me to Live Again.
I first found God in 2001 when I went into treatment for drug addiction.
I met my wife in September of 2002, and after 35 days we were happily married. I knew she was the woman I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. We were married and both recovering when we decided to let her mother, daughter and granddaughter move in with us. Needless to say, it only lasted about 6 more months, and we were separated.
That’s when I found KCC. I thought church attendance would somehow reunite Neda and I. Months passed. I became frustrated and left KCC. For the next year and a half I prayed for my ex wife to at least call me. And then that day came. My friend called me and told me there was a message for me on his voice mail, and when I called it, it was her. I swore I wouldn’t call her, but did anyway. That’s when I returned to KCC. I felt that God had put her into my life again and I wanted to keep her.
In November of 2005, we were remarried and became regulars at KCC. We both attended 1st Base. 1st Base changed our lives.
I work with a scaffolding company with a bunch of men. It’s physical, “macho” work. My habit would be swearing up a storm with the rest of the guys. God removed that from me. He also gave me self-control in traffic. I had a bad case of road rage. I used to tailgate drivers trying to incite an altercation when they cut me off or irritated me. Now I just smile.
I now feel happier than I’ve ever been. With God’s help I learned that “punching my time card” for church attendance doesn’t bring hope and life-change. It’s Jesus that makes me live again.
Richard Carvalho
I first wanted to learn how to create web pages. So, in order to do this right, I am using css, and to have fun with this project, I am creating this for a group of people who I love dearly, my Ohana group. So, here are my attempts. It really isn’t finished yet, but I am learning that as I grow, this site will grow with me.
Basically we are an Ohana group in Kaimuki Christian Church here in Honolulu. Because I created some of the content, all opinions expressed here do not necessarily reflect the views of Kaimuki Christian Church, though I hope they aren’t disappointed from these same opinions either.