- About
The Three Knocks
- Pastor Brad & Esther McDaniel
The Three Knocks
THE FIRST KNOCK In 1995 Pastor Brad and Esther McDaniel were expecting their first child when Esther’s sister asked them to hanai her third child that fall. Their immediate answer was “yes” and thus began the McDaniels’ journey of hanai: caring for others’ children.
THE SECOND KNOCK One night in September 2003,
Pastor Brad and Esther received a knock at their door. A neighbor, Fina, needed help; her husband had recently been arrested and the Sheriff’s department was at her home with an eviction notice. Fina was unaware they were behind on their rent. The McDaniels welcomed Fina’s five children, aged 8 to 18, to their home that night to sleep while Fina stayed at her sister’s home. At that time the McDaniels’ had two children of their own, aged 5 and 8. They lived in a two-bedroom apartment and now had SEVEN children sleeping on the floor, on couches, chairs, wherever they could lay their heads. Not to mention, friends would often come over in the morning to join them. Some days there were as many as fifteen people, all getting ready for school together… with ONLY ONE BATHROOM! At times, they wanted to pull their hair out but most days their hearts were bursting with joy.
Second Knock
THE THIRD KNOCK After a couple of weeks of this beautiful chaos, Fina knocked on the door again after the kids left for school. Child Protective Services (CPS) was at the high school, middle school and elementary school to remove her children, throwing the McDaniels and Fina into a parent’s worst nightmare. Pastor Brad called a church member related to the Lieutenant Governor (LG) Duke Aiona, and told her he needed to speak with the LG as soon as possible. LG Aiona called within 30 minutes and explained the court process. The McDaniels contacted CPS to inquire about having Fina’s kids placed directly with them. However, they did not have legal space for all five. Instead, they were licensed to care for Mika, the only boy, 11 years old, and Shondell, the 18 year old daughter, chose to stay with them as well. The McDaniels were able to find a family in the church they pastored to bring Mariah, the 8 year old daughter, into their home.
But what broke their hearts was when the two middle sisters were forced to go into emergency shelter as there was no foster home available to take them in. This was when the seed of Harvest Family Life Ministries was planted: the passion that no child should ever be without Ohana – a place to call home and a family that cares for them.
The McDaniels walked with Fina at every step, bringing her to Jesus through prayer, words of encouragement and displaying His love. They were blessed to be with her when she surrendered her heart (and her children) to Jesus. Less than a year later, Fina’s children were reunited with her; to this day Fina’s family and the McDaniels are “God’s definition of Ohana – family forever.”
Third Knock
Three Knocks
The Three Knocks birthed Harvest Family Life Ministries Hawaii. Brad and Esther were moved by God’s heart for the orphan. They saw how God wants to use His church to be “the Father to the fatherless,” (Ps 68:5) and the “families that He sets the lonely in,” (Ps 68:6). They also realized that most churches and believers want to help, but are not equipped to serve traumatized children and the families that care for them. This process and hundreds like it have given them the experience to help churches and believers confidently navigate the foster care system, which can be confusing and even scary, and together, we can see more hurting families healed. Together, we can see destinies changed and entire family generations restored. All God desires is His church to be willing and surrendered.
Working in tandem with the “More Than Enough”
Campaign from Christian Alliance For Orphans, the McDaniels believe that Hawaii will be the first state to have More Than Enough homes for foster children in need. The people of Hawaii value Ohana and should lead the way to having More Than Enough for our vulnerable keiki. Harvest Family Life Hawaii is committed to serving children currently and formerly in foster care, former foster youth/young adults and their family members.
HFLHI cannot do this alone and is calling on you to help Hawaii have More Than Enough:
More Than Enough foster families
More Than Enough adoptive families
More Than Enough resources for foster, adoptive and biological families.
We hope you’ll join us in transforming the lives of children until every one of them has More Than Enough.
The Father to the Fatherles
More Than Enough is possible in your county and you play a vital role
Believe there can and should be
More Than Enough
Do your part to ensure that more than 10% of churches in your county are actively engaged in foster care by 2025
Do it together
