# 8-11-23 - BREAKING: Maui Fire, Hollywood Tumoil, & Kidnapped Nurse Free

An episode of [Pray News](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1697158801), 11 Aug 2023, 15 min.

Audio: https://podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/traffic.omny.fm/d/clips/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/ce9a673d-e313-4c0a-9df4-b4d6010c32c6/9e02e10b-aeb5-4be0-b81b-b4d700213af9/audio.mp3?utm_source=Podcast&in_playlist=992944cf-642c-431f-a11e-b4d6010c32cd

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## Transcript

[0:00] Speaker 1: God is our refuge and strength, and ever-present help in trouble. Therefore,
[0:05] Speaker 1: we will not fear, though the earth gives away and
[0:08] Speaker 1: the mountains fall into the heart of the sea. Psalm 46,
[0:12] Speaker 1: 1-2 Dear Lord, in a world filled with uncertainties, chaos,
[0:17] Speaker 1: and destruction, you remain our steadfast anchor. When chaos surrounds us,
[0:23] Speaker 1: you are our peace. When challenges arise, you are our
[0:27] Speaker 1: shield and protector. In moments of doubt or fear, remind
[0:31] Speaker 1: us of your unwavering presence. Strengthen our faith and help
[0:35] Speaker 1: us to lean into you, trusting that even in the
[0:38] Speaker 1: midst of turmoil, you are with us, guiding and protecting us.
[0:43] Speaker 1: Thank you for being our refuge, our fortress, and our
[0:45] Speaker 1: source of unending strength. We lean on you in these times.
[0:49] Speaker 1: May we find solace and courage in your promise, always
[0:52] Speaker 1: turning to you in every season of life, whether it
[0:55] Speaker 1: be the peaks or the valleys. In the comforting and
[0:59] Speaker 1: mighty name of Jesus, we lift up these prayers. Amen.
[1:06] Speaker 1: Welcome to Pre-News, where hope is our only bias. Today's
[1:10] Speaker 1: news at a glance, a fire in Lahaina is devastating
[1:13] Speaker 1: the island of Maui, killing at least 36 people and counting.
[1:16] Speaker 1: The strikes in Hollywood are beginning to take a toll
[1:19] Speaker 1: on middle-class workers, and a missionary nurse and her daughter
[1:22] Speaker 1: were kidnapped in Haiti but have been set free. Our
[1:26] Speaker 1: news today begins with a tragic report in Hawaii and
[1:29] Speaker 1: ends with hope out of Haiti. As we grow in
[1:31] Speaker 1: our faith and maturity in Christ, we learn to praise
[1:35] Speaker 1: Him in the highest peaks and the lowest valleys. Wherever
[1:38] Speaker 1: you find yourself today, we pray this take on the
[1:41] Speaker 1: news blesses you. If you've been impacted by what we
[1:44] Speaker 1: do here at Pray News, it would mean the world
[1:46] Speaker 1: to us if you rated us and left us a review.
[1:48] Speaker 1: Doing so will help others find this podcast. Before we
[1:52] Speaker 1: visit our first story, let's hear a word from these sponsors.
[1:56] Speaker 1: Our first story of today has to do with the
[1:58] Speaker 1: fires happening in Maui. Wildfires intensified by the winds from
[2:02] Speaker 1: Hurricane Dora have laid waste to the city of Lahaina
[2:05] Speaker 1: in Maui, claiming at least 36 lives and leaving a
[2:08] Speaker 1: trail of devastation. The flames, fanned by winds from distant hurricanes,
[2:13] Speaker 1: have left the western side of the island nearly isolated,
[2:16] Speaker 1: with thousands forced to evacuate. The once thriving city of Lahaina,
[2:21] Speaker 1: with its harbor and iconic banyan tree, now stands devastated.
[2:25] Speaker 1: The impact is not just material, the fire has taken
[2:28] Speaker 1: 36 lives, and there are still many people missing or
[2:32] Speaker 1: separated from their families. An anomalous weather pattern caused by
[2:35] Speaker 1: the hurricane left the island unusually dry. A combination of
[2:39] Speaker 1: dry wind, fallen trees, and power lines caused unbelievable damage.
[2:44] Speaker 1: Even worse, the land of Hawaii is not adapted for
[2:47] Speaker 1: fires like other cities on the mainland. When fires hit California,
[2:51] Speaker 1: the trees are adapted to burn, release new seeds, and
[2:54] Speaker 1: then produce even more trees. But this is not the
[2:57] Speaker 1: case for much of the vegetation in Hawaii. Fires were
[3:01] Speaker 1: very rare before modern cities were built on the island,
[3:04] Speaker 1: and so it is going to take a very long
[3:06] Speaker 1: time for ecological recovery. The emotional and cultural toll of
[3:10] Speaker 1: this destruction is immeasurable. Lahaina, a city that has long
[3:15] Speaker 1: been a beacon of Hawaiian culture, history, and tradition, now
[3:18] Speaker 1: stands scarred and smoldering. The fires have consumed homes, businesses,
[3:23] Speaker 1: and natural beauty, painting a grim picture of what was
[3:26] Speaker 1: once a bustling tourist destination. Residents describe the scene as apocalyptic,
[3:31] Speaker 1: with many fleeing into the ocean to escape the encroaching flames. Now,
[3:35] Speaker 1: this story hits a bit home for me, the one
[3:37] Speaker 1: speaking to you now, because I am Hawaiian. And the
[3:40] Speaker 1: culture of Hawaii is tied greatly to the land, the aina.
[3:44] Speaker 1: When the land hurts, the people hurt. The fire has
[3:47] Speaker 1: not just threatened lives, it's threatened heritage in a community
[3:51] Speaker 1: that is in Lahaina. Yet the spirit of aloha, which
[3:54] Speaker 1: is peace, love, welcoming, and compassion, prevails even amidst this tragedy.
[4:00] Speaker 1: Stories of heroism and everyday citizens rising up to help
[4:03] Speaker 1: one another continues to flood in. Kama'aina, which is the locals,
[4:07] Speaker 1: the children of the land, are helping each other. Strangers
[4:10] Speaker 1: are offering aid. And the collective effort to combat the
[4:13] Speaker 1: disaster showcases the enduring spirit of Hawaii. In times of
[4:18] Speaker 1: profound loss and devastation, it's essential to turn to our
[4:21] Speaker 1: faith and solace and guidance. The Bible reminds us in
[4:25] Speaker 1: Psalm 46, 1-2, God is our refuge and strength and
[4:29] Speaker 1: ever-present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear. though
[4:33] Speaker 1: the earth gives away and the mountains fall into the
[4:35] Speaker 1: heart of the sea. As we mourn the loss of
[4:38] Speaker 1: life and cultural heritage, we must also remember the resilience
[4:41] Speaker 1: of the human spirit and the power of the community.
[4:44] Speaker 1: Hawaii's history may have suffered a blow, but its spirit
[4:48] Speaker 1: remains unbroken. The community will rebuild, and in doing so,
[4:52] Speaker 1: they will create new stories and memories, adding to the
[4:55] Speaker 1: rich tapestry of the island's strength and beauty. In these
[4:59] Speaker 1: trying times, we're going to pray for the Kama'aina, the locals,
[5:02] Speaker 1: those who are losing their homes, their livelihoods, their businesses.
[5:06] Speaker 1: We're going to pray for all the tourists that are
[5:08] Speaker 1: now stuck in Maui and unable to get back to
[5:11] Speaker 1: their families. And we're going to pray for strength, resilience,
[5:14] Speaker 1: and hope for those first responders that are coming to
[5:17] Speaker 1: their aid. And as we do this, we're going to
[5:19] Speaker 1: remember Romans 8, 18. I consider that our present sufferings
[5:24] Speaker 1: are not worth comparing with the glory that will be
[5:26] Speaker 1: revealed to us. In this time, we're going to pray
[5:29] Speaker 1: for ho'ola ka'aina, healing of the land, and ho'ola ka'kama'aina,
[5:34] Speaker 1: which is healing of the children of the land. We
[5:37] Speaker 1: are going to pray that the Lord would restore what
[5:39] Speaker 1: has been broken and build back up even stronger than before.
[5:44] Speaker 1: So let's pray. Lord, amidst the flames and the loss,
[5:47] Speaker 1: stand with the people of Lahaina, and all throughout Maui
[5:51] Speaker 1: that are facing this nature's wrath. Strengthen their hearts, renew
[5:55] Speaker 1: their spirits, and guide their path to healing and rebuilding.
[5:58] Speaker 1: May the spirit of Aloha guide us all, reminding us
[6:02] Speaker 1: of the boundless power of community and faith. We pray, Lord,
[6:08] Speaker 1: that you would heal, that you would restore, and that
[6:10] Speaker 1: you would bless. In Jesus' name, amen. Our second story
[6:15] Speaker 1: of today is checking in with the writer and actor
[6:17] Speaker 1: strike that's happening in Hollywood. The Writers Guild of America,
[6:20] Speaker 1: the WGA, and the Screen Actors Guild, SAG-AFTRA, have been
[6:25] Speaker 1: on strike for months now, and the usual hustle and
[6:27] Speaker 1: bustle of Hollywood has been replaced with an angry, frustrated,
[6:31] Speaker 1: and frenetic energy. Imagine this, a writer who last year
[6:35] Speaker 1: penned an award-winning show is now walking dogs for extra money.
[6:39] Speaker 1: An actor once playing a prominent role in an Emmy-nominated series,
[6:43] Speaker 1: now helping his cousin clean carpets. A dancer who once
[6:47] Speaker 1: dazzled audiences on her on-screen performances is on the waitlist
[6:50] Speaker 1: for a gig with Uber Eats. This story sounds almost
[6:54] Speaker 1: like a Hollywood movie, but this is the reality for
[6:57] Speaker 1: many that are in the industry. The strikes, which began
[7:00] Speaker 1: early in May, have left many writers and actors in
[7:03] Speaker 1: precarious financial situations. While the richer and more prominent people
[7:07] Speaker 1: in the industry are sitting comfortably during the strike, many
[7:11] Speaker 1: of the other workers have found their savings slowly draining
[7:14] Speaker 1: away with each passing day. Negotiations between the unions and
[7:18] Speaker 1: the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers are at
[7:21] Speaker 1: a standstill. The SAG-AFTRA Foundation, recognizing the challenges faced by
[7:26] Speaker 1: its members, have stepped up, processing a record number of
[7:30] Speaker 1: applications for emergency aid. Thanks to generous donations from A-list
[7:34] Speaker 1: stars like George Clooney, Meryl Streep, and Oprah Winfrey, the
[7:38] Speaker 1: foundation raised over $ 15 million in July alone. It's heartwarming
[7:42] Speaker 1: to see that the Hollywood community is coming together and
[7:45] Speaker 1: supporting one another in times of need. But one must
[7:48] Speaker 1: wonder if this is a sustainable path forward. Studios have
[7:52] Speaker 1: found a way to stay afloat without talent, recycling old
[7:55] Speaker 1: content and relying on reality TV, even syndicating things that
[7:59] Speaker 1: they put on the backburner. The big studios claim to
[8:02] Speaker 1: have offered more than a fair deal, but it hasn't
[8:05] Speaker 1: seemed to move the unions forward. As previously reported, this
[8:09] Speaker 1: strike affects more than just the actors and writers. Camera operators, vendors, caterers, editors, designers,
[8:15] Speaker 1: and thousands of other non-actors and writers have been out
[8:19] Speaker 1: of work. They don't get any of that money from
[8:22] Speaker 1: Clooney or Streep either. If the studios and unions don't
[8:25] Speaker 1: reach an agreement quickly, more and more people are going
[8:28] Speaker 1: to be affected. In the midst of this challenging chapter
[8:31] Speaker 1: for Hollywood, there's a lesson to be learned for us
[8:34] Speaker 1: all that resonates with Jesus' words in Matthew 5. He
[8:38] Speaker 1: said this, This is how I want you to conduct
[8:40] Speaker 1: yourself in these matters. If you enter your place of
[8:43] Speaker 1: worship and, about to make an offering, you suddenly remember
[8:46] Speaker 1: a grudge a friend has against you, abandon your offering,
[8:49] Speaker 1: leaving it immediately, and go to that friend and make
[8:52] Speaker 1: things right. Then and only then come back and work
[8:55] Speaker 1: things out with God. Jesus encourages us to resolve conflict swiftly,
[9:00] Speaker 1: so much so that if you're even going to worship
[9:03] Speaker 1: or you're going to church, you're going to make an
[9:05] Speaker 1: offering to God, you should stop that and settle things
[9:08] Speaker 1: before returning. This is because unresolved conflict, if left to fester,
[9:13] Speaker 1: could become toxic. Let's consider grudges and unresolved conflicts in
[9:17] Speaker 1: our own lives that need to be addressed. Have you
[9:20] Speaker 1: gone about your business, even gone to worship, with harbored
[9:23] Speaker 1: bitterness and resentment towards somebody else? Jesus encourages us in
[9:27] Speaker 1: Matthew 18.15, If your brother has sinned against you, go.
[9:30] Speaker 1: Show him his fault between you and him alone. If
[9:32] Speaker 1: he listens to you, you have gained back your brother.
[9:35] Speaker 1: Life is short, and we often waste too much time
[9:38] Speaker 1: stewing in bitterness. It is good to resolve conflict swiftly
[9:42] Speaker 1: and seek reconciliation as much as it depends on us.
[9:46] Speaker 1: So we're going to be praying for the people striking
[9:48] Speaker 1: in Hollywood as well as the production companies. We're also
[9:51] Speaker 1: going to pray for everybody under the Hollywood sphere of influence.
[9:55] Speaker 1: So let's lift this all up in prayer. Lord, guide
[9:58] Speaker 1: the hearts and minds of those who are in this
[10:00] Speaker 1: conflict in Hollywood. May they find a resolution that honors
[10:04] Speaker 1: each person's contributions and fosters unity. May we in our
[10:08] Speaker 1: own personal lives and relationships seek understanding, compassion, and resolution. God,
[10:14] Speaker 1: may bitterness not take hold of our hearts, but in
[10:17] Speaker 1: all things, may we seek the unity of the Spirit
[10:20] Speaker 1: and the bond of peace. We pray these things in Jesus' name. Amen.
[10:24] Speaker 1: Our last story of today is some good news out
[10:26] Speaker 1: of Haiti. In a world where headlines often bring tales
[10:29] Speaker 1: of sorrow and despair, today we celebrate a story of hope, faith,
[10:33] Speaker 1: and divine intervention. The power of prayer and the grace
[10:36] Speaker 1: of God have once again shown their might in the
[10:38] Speaker 1: heart of Haiti. Alex Dorsonville, a dedicated nurse from New Hampshire,
[10:42] Speaker 1: and her precious daughter were kidnapped near Port-au-Prince, Haiti, while
[10:46] Speaker 1: serving at a Christian education ministry, El Roy, Haiti. Their
[10:50] Speaker 1: sudden abduction sent shockwaves through the community and beyond, but
[10:54] Speaker 1: today we rejoice in their safe return, a testament to
[10:57] Speaker 1: God's unwavering love and the strength of a community united
[11:00] Speaker 1: in prayer. Alex's journey to Haiti began in 2010, driven
[11:05] Speaker 1: by her commitment to Christ and a desire to serve
[11:07] Speaker 1: those in need. She married Sandro Dorsenville, the founder of
[11:11] Speaker 1: El Roy Haiti and Liberty University graduate in 2021. Their
[11:16] Speaker 1: shared faith and dedication to the Haitian community have been
[11:19] Speaker 1: a beacon of hope for many. Even in the face
[11:22] Speaker 1: of adversity, Alex's life has been a testament to walking
[11:25] Speaker 1: in the footsteps of Jesus. The day of her abduction
[11:28] Speaker 1: was like any other. Alex was tending to patients in
[11:31] Speaker 1: a small clinic when armed men stormed in. Witnesses recall
[11:34] Speaker 1: the fear and chaos of that moment. A patient present
[11:40] Speaker 1: during the abduction recounted the harrowing experience. The kidnappers demanded
[11:44] Speaker 1: a staggering $ 1 million in ransom, leaving the community and
[11:48] Speaker 1: Dorsonville family in anguish. But in the midst of this darkness,
[11:52] Speaker 1: a light shone brightly. The community rallied, prayers were lifted,
[11:56] Speaker 1: and faith remained unshaken. The U.S. Department of State collaboration
[12:00] Speaker 1: with Haitian officials, working tirelessly to ensure the safe return
[12:04] Speaker 1: of Alex and her daughter, did their jobs. While the
[12:08] Speaker 1: specifics of their release remain confidential, one thing is clear.
[12:11] Speaker 1: God was at work. Elroy Haiti, an institution named after
[12:15] Speaker 1: the Hebrew term, the God who sees, expressed their profound
[12:19] Speaker 1: gratitude in a heartfelt statement. Today, we are praising God
[12:23] Speaker 1: for answered prayer. And that's what we believe here in Pray.com.
[12:27] Speaker 1: We believe that God answers and responds to our prayers.
[12:31] Speaker 1: They further reflected on the ordeal, drawing strength from 1
[12:34] Speaker 1: Peter 5.10. emphasizing God's promise to restore, support, and strengthen
[12:40] Speaker 1: after times of suffering. The story of Alex and her
[12:43] Speaker 1: daughter's safe return is a powerful reminder of the enduring
[12:46] Speaker 1: love and protection of our Heavenly Father. In the face
[12:49] Speaker 1: of adversity, when the storms of life seem overwhelming, it's
[12:53] Speaker 1: easy to feel lost, adrift, and alone. But as Christians,
[12:57] Speaker 1: we are reminded that God is always with us, leaning
[13:00] Speaker 1: and bending down His ear to hear our prayers and
[13:03] Speaker 1: guiding us through even our darkest hours. Paul, in Philippians 4-7,
[13:07] Speaker 1: speaks of that peace, peace of God which surpasses all understanding.
[13:11] Speaker 1: This peace is not just the absence of trouble, the
[13:14] Speaker 1: presence of Christ in the midst of it all. Alex's
[13:17] Speaker 1: story is a testament to this peace, even in the
[13:19] Speaker 1: face of unimaginable difficulty. God's presence was felt, and his
[13:24] Speaker 1: peace prevailed. In our lives, we may face challenges that
[13:28] Speaker 1: test our faith and resolve. We see this with what's
[13:31] Speaker 1: happening in Lahaina right now. But let us remember the
[13:34] Speaker 1: story of Alex and her daughter and apply it to
[13:36] Speaker 1: all of these tragedies we see around us. There are
[13:39] Speaker 1: countless testimonies of God faithfully responding to people who cry
[13:44] Speaker 1: out to him. Let us hold fast to the promise that,
[13:47] Speaker 1: even in our struggles, God is working it all together
[13:50] Speaker 1: for the good. In closing, let's offer a prayer of
[13:54] Speaker 1: thanksgiving for God's provision. Heavenly Father, we thank you for
[13:58] Speaker 1: safe return of Alex and her daughter. We praise you
[14:01] Speaker 1: for your faithfulness and the power of prayer. We lean
[14:05] Speaker 1: on your faithfulness. And as we face our own challenges
[14:08] Speaker 1: in life, the chaos that surrounds us in everyday life,
[14:12] Speaker 1: help us to remember your promise and to find peace
[14:15] Speaker 1: in your presence. Strengthen our faith. Make us firm in you.
[14:20] Speaker 1: And let us be a beacon of hope to those
[14:22] Speaker 1: around us who are struggling. We love you, Lord. And
[14:26] Speaker 1: we trust you and we trust in your goodness even
[14:28] Speaker 1: when things seem dark. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
[14:35] Speaker 1: Thank you for joining us today on Pray News. It
[14:37] Speaker 1: is our aim to be informed and transformed. We pray
[14:40] Speaker 1: today you would proceed with hope, love, and determination to
[14:43] Speaker 1: be a force for good. If you've enjoyed this take
[14:45] Speaker 1: on the news, consider writing us a review and share
[14:47] Speaker 1: your experience. You can sign up for our newsletter at PrayNews.com,
[14:51] Speaker 1: where you'll find all the sources for our reporting. And
[14:53] Speaker 1: be sure to download the Pray.com app to make prayer
[14:56] Speaker 1: a priority in your life and experience the Bible in
[14:59] Speaker 1: new and exciting ways.

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