From Paradise Lost to Paradise Gained
From Abandonment to Hope
by
Book Cover & Preview Text
For many people, Hawaii is a picture of paradise with palm trees and beautiful beaches, a place to just lay in the sun and get a tan. My mom grew up in Hawaii but her life did not begin with those beautiful images. She was abandoned when she was a child only three years of age and it made a mark on her life with wounds that were hard to erase and many times not visible to those around her. My dad grew up in the Philippines and came to Hawaii with his dad. My dad was a teenager and he came to work in the sugar cane fields. They were hired on contract and they had to work for at least a year. My dad brought his only son, Bonifacio "Bonzo" to work with him in Hawaii and to earn some money so that they could go back to the Philippines.
When it was time to go back to the Philippines my dad refused so his dad said, "I disown you!" and his dad left never reconciled.
Formats
Book Details
About the Book
Sometime in our lives we are faced with difficulties that are beyond our control. This is a story of two individuals who were resilient in facing these challenges and who relied on God for their strength and hope. This memoir is about my mom and dad who lived in Hawaii. My mom was taken from her home and raised in an orphanage in Hilo, Hawaii. My dad was told by his dad, “I disown you”.
Brokenness and pain are part of the normal Christian life. Suffering and Joy can be friends! Jesus knew that the suffering he would go through on the cross was for our joy in living in freedom from the penalties of sin.
The stories of my mom and dad are part of the Big God Story. They have influenced the lives of future generations!
About the Author
Joyce was born in Ookala, Hawaii. She graduated from Pacific University in education and speech therapy. She is married to Doug Wachsmuth for over fifty years and has three married children and eight grandchildren. She has been on staff at Greater Portland Bible Church for over 30 years. She has served in children and women’s ministry. Presently, she is associate pastor over assimilation and the 55plus community. She is a retreat and conference speaker.