# 8-13-23 - Good News Sunday: Enduring Aloha, Nuclear Fusion, and Freed Hostage in Haiti

An episode of [Pray News](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1697158801), 13 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/cf3248f6-a3d9-4e90-9b6f-b4d700213be3/audio.mp3?utm_source=Podcast&in_playlist=992944cf-642c-431f-a11e-b4d6010c32cd

This is PrayNews, your beacon of hope in the stormy seas of current events. Sign up to receive PrayNews in your inbox every weekday: https://www.praynews.com/ Today’s Good News at a Glance: • The fire in Maui doesn’t burn brighter than the Aloha spirit! • World-changing breakthroughs in nuclear fusion have us hopeful for the future of energy. • We revisit our favorite good news story of the week. Download the Pray.com app and make prayer a priority in your life. Watch and listen to inspiring sermons, dramatized Bible stories, and relaxing Bedtime Bible Stories at Pray.com, the digital destination for faith. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

## Transcript

[0:00] Speaker 1: Dear Lord, even in a world filled with turmoil, uncertainty,
[0:14] Speaker 1: and strife, these words resonate deeply with our souls. They
[0:18] Speaker 1: remind us that despite our challenges, you are our source
[0:22] Speaker 1: of peace, shelter, and victory. Thank you for the assurance
[0:26] Speaker 1: that though we will face difficulties, we do not face
[0:29] Speaker 1: them alone You have already overcome and through you, we
[0:33] Speaker 1: find strength and triumph. In you, we are not victims
[0:37] Speaker 1: to sin, shame, and the chaos of the world. We
[0:39] Speaker 1: stand victorious, triumphant in you. Fill our hearts with your
[0:43] Speaker 1: peace and anchor our souls in this truth. Guide us
[0:47] Speaker 1: through the ups and downs of life with confidence that
[0:50] Speaker 1: you are in control and you have victory. May we
[0:53] Speaker 1: face each day with courage, knowing that we are held
[0:56] Speaker 1: securely in your loving arms the one who has conquered
[1:00] Speaker 1: all is for us and not against us. In the
[1:03] Speaker 1: strong and victorious name of Jesus, we pray. Amen. Welcome
[1:08] Speaker 1: to Pray News, where hope is our only bias. Today's
[1:10] Speaker 1: good news at a glance, the fire in Maui doesn't
[1:13] Speaker 1: burn brighter than the Aloha spirit. World-changing breakthroughs in nuclear
[1:16] Speaker 1: fusion have us hopeful for the future of energy. And
[1:20] Speaker 1: we revisit our favorite good news story from last week.
[1:23] Speaker 1: Today is Good News Sunday. Each week brings struggles and
[1:26] Speaker 1: a barrage of bad news, so we want to begin hopeful, reflective,
[1:30] Speaker 1: and ready to optimistically charge to whatever life throws at us.
[1:35] Speaker 1: If you've been enjoying Prey News and what we do here,
[1:37] Speaker 1: it would mean the world to us if you rated
[1:39] Speaker 1: us and left a review. Doing so will help others
[1:42] Speaker 1: find this podcast. Before we begin with our first story,
[1:44] Speaker 1: let's hear a word from these sponsors. Our first story
[1:47] Speaker 1: of today is about the enduring spirit of Aloha. In
[1:51] Speaker 1: a time of profound devastation and loss on the beautiful
[1:53] Speaker 1: island of Maui, where fires have claimed lives and destroyed homes,
[1:57] Speaker 1: a heartwarming narrative emerges from the ashes, the relentless spirit
[2:01] Speaker 1: of Aloha coming together to lend a hand. Maalai'a Harbor
[2:05] Speaker 1: bustled with activity as locals gathered supplies, loaded them onto boats,
[2:09] Speaker 1: and sent them to those still in Lahaina, following the
[2:12] Speaker 1: wildfire ravaging the old Hawaiian fishing village. Fire crews continue
[2:16] Speaker 1: their valiant efforts as Lahaina Fire is 80% contained, and
[2:20] Speaker 1: they battled two more fires in Peleha and Kula. West
[2:24] Speaker 1: Maui has been without power, food, and water since Tuesday,
[2:28] Speaker 1: but that didn't deter other Maui residents from coming to
[2:30] Speaker 1: the rescue. Commercial boat captain Lane Nakagawa, joined by volunteers,
[2:35] Speaker 1: loaded his 30-foot commercial fishing vessel with everything from stoves
[2:39] Speaker 1: to blankets. We're putting as much as this boat can hold,
[2:43] Speaker 1: he stated with determination. Teachers from Makau arrived at the
[2:47] Speaker 1: harbor with a car full of donated items, including essential
[2:50] Speaker 1: supplies for families like diapers, wipes, and other supplies. Jamie Hovitt,
[2:55] Speaker 1: one of the teachers, reflected on her involvement, saying that
[2:58] Speaker 1: she felt helpless and she's just trying to do anything
[3:01] Speaker 1: that she can. And that's all we can do in
[3:03] Speaker 1: tragedy like this. We do our part, no matter how small.
[3:07] Speaker 1: We're reminded of the parable of loaves and fishes. how
[3:10] Speaker 1: this boy only had a few things to offer, but
[3:13] Speaker 1: in the hands of Jesus, it multiplied and impacted lives.
[3:17] Speaker 1: Even those personally affected by the tragedy, like Archie Kalapa,
[3:21] Speaker 1: joined in the effort. Grateful that his house was spared,
[3:25] Speaker 1: Kalapa helped Nakagawa's boat, symbolizing the essence of aloha, which
[3:29] Speaker 1: is love, peace, welcoming, and compassion. This aloha spirit that
[3:34] Speaker 1: is deeply rooted in Kama'aina has prevailed even in the
[3:38] Speaker 1: midst of tragedy. This is a story of faith and resilience.
[3:42] Speaker 1: The emotional toll is immeasurable, but the stories of heroism
[3:45] Speaker 1: and compassion showcase Hawaii's enduring spirit. The culture of Hawaii
[3:49] Speaker 1: is tied to the land, the aina, and so when
[3:52] Speaker 1: the land hurts, the people hurt. Yet, they also heal together.
[3:56] Speaker 1: Ho'ola is a word that signifies healing, restoration, and resilience.
[4:00] Speaker 1: And that's the word that we've been praying over this situation.
[4:04] Speaker 1: We want to pray that the people of Maui would heal,
[4:07] Speaker 1: that they'd be restored, even stronger, than what they were
[4:10] Speaker 1: before the fires. 2 Corinthians 4 says this, We are
[4:14] Speaker 1: pressed on every side, yet not crushed, perplexed, yet not
[4:18] Speaker 1: in despair, pursued, yet not forsaken, struck down, yet not destroyed.
[4:23] Speaker 1: As we reflect on these acts of kindness and community strength,
[4:26] Speaker 1: let's come together in prayer for the people of Lahaina
[4:29] Speaker 1: and those affected by this disaster. Let's remember also Romans 8.18,
[4:34] Speaker 1: I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing
[4:37] Speaker 1: to the glory that will be revealed in us. So
[4:40] Speaker 1: we're praying that the Lord Ho'ola Ka'aina, Ho'ola i Kama'aina,
[4:45] Speaker 1: heal the land, revive the children of the land. We
[4:48] Speaker 1: are praying desperately for Jesus to move. And so let's
[4:52] Speaker 1: lift this up in prayer. Lord, embrace the people of
[4:55] Speaker 1: Maui with your healing touch. May your spirit guide them
[4:58] Speaker 1: as they rebuild and restore what has been lost. Strengthen
[5:02] Speaker 1: their community bonds and let their compassion be a beacon
[5:05] Speaker 1: of hope for all. We pray for the first responders.
[5:08] Speaker 1: We pray for those who are still missing family members.
[5:11] Speaker 1: And we pray for the hearts of those families who
[5:13] Speaker 1: have lost their loved ones. We love you, Lord, and
[5:17] Speaker 1: we trust that even in the midst of tragedy, that
[5:20] Speaker 1: triumph can be experienced. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
[5:25] Speaker 1: Our next story is about a breakthrough that can change
[5:28] Speaker 1: the entire world. In an extraordinary feat of scientific advancement, U.S.
[5:32] Speaker 1: researchers have, for the second time, demonstrated a nuclear fusion
[5:36] Speaker 1: reaction that outputs more energy than it takes in. This accomplishment,
[5:40] Speaker 1: though small, signals a meaningful step towards creating a boundless
[5:44] Speaker 1: source of clean energy. The process that fuels the stars
[5:48] Speaker 1: might one day be harnessed to power human life here
[5:51] Speaker 1: on Earth. The core of a fusion reactor has now
[5:54] Speaker 1: twice given out more energy than it has consumed, although
[5:57] Speaker 1: significant challenges do remain. By using the world's most energetic
[6:01] Speaker 1: laser beam to briefly turn a pellet of hydrogen isotopes
[6:05] Speaker 1: into a fiery plasma, physicists achieved a higher net energy
[6:09] Speaker 1: gain than their first successful experiment that was last year.
[6:13] Speaker 1: The process was repeated at the National Ignition Facility in July.
[6:17] Speaker 1: Nuclear fission, the process that makes stars like our sun burn,
[6:21] Speaker 1: has been a target of scientific investigation since the 1940s.
[6:25] Speaker 1: Stars fuse hydrogen atoms to make helium under incredibly high
[6:29] Speaker 1: temperatures and pressures, converting matter into light and heat without
[6:33] Speaker 1: creating damaging byproducts like greenhouse gases or radioactive waste. Recreating
[6:39] Speaker 1: this on Earth, however, is a complex task. Hellish temperatures,
[6:43] Speaker 1: immense pressures, and vast amounts of energy are needed to
[6:47] Speaker 1: transform fuel into plasma, ignite it, and control it with
[6:50] Speaker 1: magnetic fields or laser beams. Two types of reactors are
[6:54] Speaker 1: being tested here, magnetic confinement and internal confinement reactors like
[6:59] Speaker 1: the ones at the NIF. NIF's successful experiment used lasers
[7:04] Speaker 1: to strike the inner walls of a gold capsule containing
[7:07] Speaker 1: tritium and deuterium, producing X-rays that heated the fuel pellet.
[7:12] Speaker 1: This sparked a reaction that generated more energy than the
[7:15] Speaker 1: laser puts in, though still not more than the entire
[7:19] Speaker 1: reactor consumed. Scientists have cautioned that extracting more energy from
[7:24] Speaker 1: the entire reactor than was put in could take decades.
[7:27] Speaker 1: But these experiments provide vital evidence that star-like power could
[7:31] Speaker 1: one day be harnessed for Earth's use. The reason this
[7:34] Speaker 1: story might not be getting a lot of buzz is
[7:36] Speaker 1: because it will take decades to continue with this advancement.
[7:40] Speaker 1: But what we're experiencing now could be the beginning of
[7:44] Speaker 1: Earth-shattering advancement, something that's going to propel humanity into a
[7:49] Speaker 1: era of sustainable energy. But there's a long road ahead.
[7:53] Speaker 1: Though it's an exciting breakthrough, commercial viability is a long
[7:56] Speaker 1: way off. The jump from theoretical success to engineering application
[8:00] Speaker 1: is substantial in scaling the technology. Wow, that's another feat
[8:04] Speaker 1: in and of itself. It prevents a significant challenge. Issues
[8:08] Speaker 1: such as cooling the lasers used in the reaction and
[8:11] Speaker 1: making the technology cost-effective and safe, those are the hurdles
[8:14] Speaker 1: that need to be overcome. The recent advancements in nuclear
[8:18] Speaker 1: fusion not only represent a milestone in human innovation, but
[8:22] Speaker 1: they're also a testament to the divine ingenuity embedded in
[8:26] Speaker 1: all of us human beings by our creator. As scientists
[8:29] Speaker 1: strive to emulate the energy process found in stars, we
[8:32] Speaker 1: can't help but be inspired at the realization that the
[8:35] Speaker 1: same God who created the sun's brilliance is guiding our
[8:39] Speaker 1: intellectual curiosity and ability. Moreover, this pursuit of clean and
[8:43] Speaker 1: limitless energy aligns with our principles of stewardship and care
[8:47] Speaker 1: over God's creation. It encourages responsibility towards the environment, offering
[8:51] Speaker 1: a hopeful vision of the future where energy needs are
[8:54] Speaker 1: met without harming this planet that God has commanded us
[8:57] Speaker 1: to be stewards of. While the road to fully utilizing
[9:01] Speaker 1: nuclear fusion may be long and fraught with challenges, the
[9:05] Speaker 1: journey itself serves as a testament to human perseverance and
[9:08] Speaker 1: divine providence. It's a pursuit that echoes the biblical call,
[9:12] Speaker 1: let there be light, and captures the awe-inspiring intersection between
[9:17] Speaker 1: faith and science. The thought of harnessing the same power
[9:21] Speaker 1: that fuels the stars reminds us of the incredible complexity
[9:24] Speaker 1: and beauty of God's creation, but also how he has
[9:27] Speaker 1: embedded in all of us the desire to push the
[9:30] Speaker 1: envelope and see what new discoveries are ahead of us.
[9:33] Speaker 1: With each scientific advancement, we become more in awe of
[9:37] Speaker 1: God's wonder, his creative power, the vastness of the universe
[9:41] Speaker 1: that he has created. It causes us to be humble.
[9:44] Speaker 1: It causes us to echo the words of the psalmist.
[9:48] Speaker 1: Who are we that God is even mindful of us?
[9:50] Speaker 1: with all of this in mind, let's lift up some
[9:50] Speaker 1: The creator of the stars. What a beautiful thing. The
[9:51] Speaker 1: prayers to our Lord. Heavenly Father, thank you for the
[9:54] Speaker 1: one who holds the power of the stars in the
[9:54] Speaker 1: wisdom and curiosity you have instilled in us to explore
[9:56] Speaker 1: span of his hand loves us as individuals. Created us. So,
[9:56] Speaker 1: the mysteries of your creation. Guide the scientists working on
[10:00] Speaker 1: nuclear fusion that their efforts may lead to sustainable and
[10:03] Speaker 1: clean energy for this world. reflecting our responsibility to care
[10:21] Speaker 1: for your earth. Inspire us all to be diligent stewards
[10:24] Speaker 1: of the world you have entrusted us with. We love you, Lord,
[10:28] Speaker 1: and we pray that we would always be approaching you
[10:30] Speaker 1: with humility and awe and majesty. In Jesus' name, amen.
[10:35] Speaker 1: We're going to end Good News Sunday with a story
[10:38] Speaker 1: of hope and determination that we covered earlier in the week.
[10:41] Speaker 1: In a world where headlines often bring tales of sorrow
[10:44] Speaker 1: and despair, today we celebrate a story of hope, faith,
[10:47] Speaker 1: and divine intervention. The power of prayer and the grace
[10:50] Speaker 1: of God have once again shown their might in the
[10:52] Speaker 1: heart of Haiti. Alex Dorsenville, a dedicated nurse from New Hampshire,
[10:56] Speaker 1: and her precious daughter were kidnapped near Port-au-Prince, Haiti, while
[11:00] Speaker 1: serving at a Christian education ministry, El Roy, Haiti. Their
[11:04] Speaker 1: sudden abduction sent shockwaves through the community and beyond. But today,
[11:08] Speaker 1: we rejoice in their safe return, a testament to God's
[11:11] Speaker 1: unwavering love and the strength of a community united in prayer.
[11:15] Speaker 1: Alex's journey to Haiti began in 2010. Driven by her
[11:19] Speaker 1: commitment to Christ and a desire to serve those in need,
[11:22] Speaker 1: she married Sandro Dorsenville, the founder of El Roy Haiti
[11:26] Speaker 1: and Liberty University graduate in 2021. Their shared faith and
[11:31] Speaker 1: dedication to the Haitian community have been a beacon of
[11:34] Speaker 1: hope for many. Even in the face of adversity, Alex's
[11:37] Speaker 1: life has been a testament to walking in the footsteps
[11:40] Speaker 1: of Jesus. The day of her abduction was like any other.
[11:43] Speaker 1: Alex was tending to patients in a small clinic when
[11:46] Speaker 1: armed men stormed in. Witnesses recall the fear and chaos
[11:50] Speaker 1: of that moment. Lormina Lumia, a patient present during the abduction,
[11:55] Speaker 1: recounted the harrowing experience. The kidnappers demanded a staggering $ 1
[11:59] Speaker 1: million in ransom, leaving the community and Dorsonville family in anguish.
[12:05] Speaker 1: But in the midst of this darkness, a light shone brightly.
[12:08] Speaker 1: The community rallied, prayers were lifted, and faith remained unshaken.
[12:12] Speaker 1: The U.S. Department of State Collaboration with Haitian Officials working
[12:16] Speaker 1: tirelessly to ensure the safe return of Alex and her daughter,
[12:20] Speaker 1: did their jobs. While the specifics of their release remain confidential,
[12:24] Speaker 1: one thing is clear. God was at work. Elroy Haiti,
[12:27] Speaker 1: an institution named after the Hebrew term, the God who sees,
[12:32] Speaker 1: expressed their profound gratitude in a heartfelt statement. Today, we
[12:36] Speaker 1: are praising God for answered prayer. And that's what we
[12:40] Speaker 1: believe here in Pray.com. We believe that God answers in
[12:43] Speaker 1: response to our prayers. They further reflected on the ordeal,
[12:47] Speaker 1: drawing strength from 1 Peter 5.10, emphasizing God's promise to restore, support,
[12:53] Speaker 1: and strengthen after times of suffering. The story of Alex
[12:57] Speaker 1: and her daughter's safe return is a powerful reminder of
[13:00] Speaker 1: the enduring love and protection of our Heavenly Father. In
[13:03] Speaker 1: the face of adversity, when the storms of life seem overwhelming,
[13:07] Speaker 1: it's easy to feel lost, adrift, and alone. But as Christians,
[13:11] Speaker 1: we are reminded that God is always with us. leaning
[13:14] Speaker 1: and bending down his ear to hear our prayers and
[13:17] Speaker 1: guiding us through even our darkest hours. Paul, in Philippians 4-7,
[13:21] Speaker 1: speaks of that peace, peace of God which surpasses all understanding.
[13:25] Speaker 1: This peace is not just the absence of trouble, the
[13:28] Speaker 1: presence of Christ in the midst of it all. Alex's
[13:31] Speaker 1: story is a testament to this peace, even in the
[13:33] Speaker 1: face of unimaginable difficulty. God's presence was felt, and his
[13:38] Speaker 1: peace prevailed. In our lives, we may face challenges that
[13:42] Speaker 1: test our faith and resolve. We see this with what's
[13:45] Speaker 1: happening in Lahaina right now. But let us remember the
[13:48] Speaker 1: story of Alex and her daughter and apply it to
[13:51] Speaker 1: all of these tragedies we see around us. There are
[13:53] Speaker 1: countless testimonies of God faithfully responding to people who cry
[13:58] Speaker 1: out to Him. Let us hold fast to the promise that,
[14:01] Speaker 1: even in our struggles, God is working it all together
[14:04] Speaker 1: for the good. In closing, let's offer a prayer of
[14:08] Speaker 1: thanksgiving for God's provision. Heavenly Father, we thank you for
[14:12] Speaker 1: safe return of Alex and her daughter. We praise you
[14:15] Speaker 1: for your faithfulness and the power of prayer. We lean
[14:19] Speaker 1: on your faithfulness. And as we face our own challenges
[14:22] Speaker 1: in life, the chaos that surrounds us in everyday life,
[14:26] Speaker 1: help us to remember your promise and to find peace
[14:29] Speaker 1: in your presence. Strengthen our faith. Make us firm in you.
[14:34] Speaker 1: and let us be a beacon of hope to those
[14:36] Speaker 1: around us who are struggling. We love you, Lord, and
[14:40] Speaker 1: we trust you, and we trust in your goodness even
[14:43] Speaker 1: when things seem dark. In Jesus' name we pray, amen.
[14:49] Speaker 1: Thank you for joining us today on Pray News. It
[14:51] Speaker 1: is our aim to be informed and transformed. We pray
[14:54] Speaker 1: today you would proceed with hope, love, and determination to
[14:57] Speaker 1: be a force for good. If you've enjoyed this take
[14:59] Speaker 1: on the news, consider writing us a review and share
[15:01] Speaker 1: your experience. You can sign up for our newsletter at
[15:04] Speaker 1: PrayNews.com where you'll find all the sources for our reporting.
[15:07] Speaker 1: And be sure to download the Pray.com app to make
[15:10] Speaker 1: prayer a priority in your life and experience the Bible
[15:13] Speaker 1: in new and exciting ways.

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