Off and Running

Spring Semester 2011 is off and running and is already in it's fourth week. Pictured here are some of our girls meeting for dorm devotions on the basketball court. Devotional times are a huge part of life on the PIU campus and it provides our students with opportunities to learn and help each other grow in their relationships with the Lord. Some of these times are student lead others are staff led. Often after devotions there is chatter on Facebook by the students on what they learned that night.

As soon as we helped get the students through registration, we took off on an adventure of our own. On Jan. 18th we boarded a plane headed for Seattle, Washington. Our daughter, Amy was graduating from Simpson University in Redding, Ca. on Jan. 22 and we were headed to help her celebrate God's faithfulness in her life.Nine and one half years after beginning college, 2 schools, serious health problems that sidelined her for a few years, marriage, helping her husband in youth pastor, an intense semester of distance ed and 2 semesters separated from her husband, Matt, in order to finish, she graduated Summa Cum Laude. To God be the glory. The speaker spoke on perseverance - how appropriate!
After all the travel Stateside and then down to California and back the first week, we have just been hanging out with Amy and Matt and getting some much needed rest. One of the few clear days (yes it is true, winter in Seattle is cold and wet) we headed into the Cascade Mountains to a Bavarian style town called Leavenworth. Every building including McDonald's and Safeway looks like it was taken right out of the Bavarian Alps of Germany and plopped down in the middle of Washington. The mountains all around were gorgeously snow covered. How can one not see the hand of our Creator in them!
Another surprise, as we enjoyed meandering through the shops and around the town, was coming upon the name of the very small Bavarian town Anne lived in as a child on the side of the one of the buildings.
But the rest time comes to an end on Feb. 10th and we will be off and running again - this time back to Guam and all the Lord has for us there through the ministry at PIU.

Christmas Break 2010-2011

During the semester break we have had the privilege of having several of the PIU girls stay with us for a few days or the whole break. We've had lots of adventures together. Here's a quick recap of some of our times together.
Every year Guam's hotels deck the halls. One of our traditions is to check out the years decorations. Here are Beulah, Glendallyne, Jule and Steve in front of one of this year's trees.
A light display of many an odd assortment of characters and lights was set up on Hotel Row. Steve and the girls pose with an English soldier in front of a light display of a church.
Another night we visited several other hotels. This time Glendallyne, Alicia, Beulah and Meyou were with us.
We also visited Skinner Plaza which was decorated beautifully.
Then on Christmas Eve we joined one of the local churches who held a living Nativity in some of the tunnel systems on Guam left from WWII. It was a moving service that ended by entering the caves to see...
"Mary", "Joseph", "Jesus" and the animals (on Guam -chickens and a carabao - water buffalo). Scott and Doug two other PIU students were with us too.
Christmas morning we joined one of our adjunct professors, Marjorie and her housemate Laura for brunch.
Another day we took a road trip around the island. Here are Javrin, Glendallyne, Beulah and Steve in front of Bear Rock in Inarajan.
Javrin and Steve check out a black sand beach - Guam has several.
Beulah and Glendallyne check out Talafofo Bay from the overlook.
Another night we headed to Paseo (in Hagatna) to watch the sunset from the levy by the Boat Basin . Alicia with Anne, Glendallyne, Meyou, and Beulah in the background.
Did you know that that Guam has a replica of the Statue of Liberty. We do. Here Meyou, Beulah, Alicia, and Glendallyne pose with Lady Liberty.

One bright morning we headed to Agat Marina and Jan Z's for their famous HUGE pancakes. The six of us could barely finish 3 pancakes.
But we did it! Jayleen has now joined us for this adventure.
Since this summer we keep having students ask us when we are going to have another water blasting party. So we decided the break was a great time to do this. We invited those students who were on island and free to come on over. They took turns climbing on the roof and taking turns with the blaster and hanging out in the cool below in the house. Taking the algae and mold that develops on our flat roofs is a chore that needs to be done about every six months to keep the house cooler inside.
Some of the crowd inside. Glendallyne, Leeman, and Daisy (our Dean of Women)
New Year's Eve we joined in the service and fellowship and food with one of the local Chamorro congregations. Celia (in yellow) is PIU's business manager and campus "mom".

Then we headed to the beach to await the fireworks.
Another evening Anne and the girls decided to have a picnic and swim in the dark. We had a wonderful time! Happy New Year to you all.

We will be starting Spring Semester with registration this coming week and classes will start on the 18th. Please be praying that each student will continue to grow in the grace and admonition of the Lord.

Fall 2010 Picture Review

Steve's arrival in Indonesia

Steve meets with Bible College and Seminary leaders as well as the leadership of the National Indonesia Evangelical Church to see how our alumni can help meet their needs.
Worshiping service at which Steve shared.
The mountains of Papua where there are still over 200 unreached tribes. Pray that the Lord of the Harvest will send Micronesians here.
Fall Retreat - Koinonia 2 (Fellowship with God and Man) speaker Kenny Clark sharing on the Cost of Discipleship.

Group activities included hiking Mt. Lam Lam - the tallest mountain in the world (from the bottom of the sea).
At the top of the world. This mountain receives a new cross each year on Good Friday when many of the island's residents make a pilgrimage to its summit.
Soram's climb was an example to all of us of not giving up no matter how hard it is. He arrived at the summit long after the rest, but he kept at it one step at a time until he was greeted with many cheers.Day 2's outing was to Guam's famous Inarajan Pools. Lots of fun diving and swimming was had as well as a couple of painful belly flops from 10ft. up.

In Chuuk, Steve met with Gardina, the director of the Chuuk State Department of Education, to see how PIU can partner with Chuuk DOE to upgrade their education system.
Steve and Dave Owen (PIU President) also met with the board of Mizpah Christian High School to discover ways to work together. Several of our alumni teach here.
One day these 5 students decided to come bless and encourage the PIU office staff with songs and scripture. They did exactly that!
PIU's Fall 2010 Basketball Team has done very well - playoff's will be after Christmas.
So much of what we do depends of donations to the school. Here our librarian, Lisa Collins, is opening a donation of books from Switzerland that were mailed to us in a gunny sack. As you can see they actually came in better shape than some things that arrive in boxes.
Charity, Beulah, and Glendallyne - three of the 5 girls in Anne's discipleship group. We were on an outing to Two Lover's Point and a beach walk below the cliff.
Pacific Islands Evangelical Seminary Preaching Conference held at Top of the Reef Hotel in Tumon drew over 70 participants.
The Women's Ministry Class prepared all aspects of a mini-retreat. Here women faculty and staff were asked about dating and marriage. A great Titus 2:3-5 time.
Thanksgiving Day is celebrated at PIU each year with a huge meal in the middle of the day as well as worship, thanksgivings, a message and a bit of a history lesson for the benefit of those who do not know about American traditions.
Here Stephanie Wise (left) poses with the team from Bryan College in Tennessee that came to see how we can expand our partnership at PIU and what assistance they can offer in Chuuk. Pictured are Danielle Rebman, Ray Legg, Ben Williams, and Matt Benson. Stephanie, prior to coming to Guam worked with these fine folk at Bryan.
The semester ended with a boating trip to dolphin watch, dive and snorkel that was sponsored by PIU's new dive program. It was a great day out in God's creation

What Happened to the Semester?

It flew by - filled daily with blessings, adventures, and challenges.

Steve traveled to Papua, Indonesia, Chuuk (twice), Yap, Palau, and the US. The results of these trips are that we have so many opportunities available that we are asking the Lord which ones and for what times. We also had visitors from one of our partner schools, Bryan College in
Tennessee and South Pacific Campus Crusade for Christ as we explored together how we can advance the kingdom our our Lord in this part of the world. Steve also kept the Advancement Office advancing and oversaw what God is doing in the Human Resources Department. He has also been working on the development of our mission program called SURGG which will place our students and alumni on the mission field for various lengths of time. More details coming.

Anne continued in the front office and so enjoys greeting all that come through the door and helping the faculty, staff, students and guests as needed. Many a day this leads to those "divine appointments" and she stands amazed that she gets to see the Lord's hand at work in so many, many ways. She has also had the privilege of teaching the Word to 2 ladies groups (Ephesians with one group & Jonah with the other). She also meets with 5 students in a discipleship group for a little physical exercise and then time in the Word. Another privilege has been meeting with another woman one-on-one for discipleship. She also was asked to speak at a women's retreat sponsored by one of Guam's local churches. Thanks to all who have prayed so diligently for this to come about in God's timing.

The highlight of the semester was our annual Fall Retreat at which Kenny Clark of Grace Evangelical Free Church in So. Cal. was the the main speaker. His 4 talks were on the Cost of Discipleship. Outings, service projects, a car wash, basketball games, a mini women's retreat
planned by the Women's Ministry class, a children's outreach by the Principles of Teaching class, ministry by students to other students at the University of Guam (UOG), and through Big Brothers, Big Sisters at a local middle school made up some of the many other happenings.

PIES - Pacific Islands Evangelical Seminary, part of PIU, held its first Preaching Conference for island pastors and church workers. This was very well attended with over 70 participants. Mark Mitchell of Central Peninsula Church of Foster City, Ca. (near San Fran) was the speaker.

This semester has also seen much student initiated spiritual activity which is bearing fruit. A few students began committing themselves to rising early for prayer and devotions together. The basketball team told their coach they wanted to do more than just play ball - they wanted to be an example to others of walking with the Lord off the court as well as on the court. At nightly dorm devotion times students are sharing their stories with other students and as a result at least 6 students trusted Christ as Savior this semester after realizing they didn't truly know Christ. Others have been able to release old bitternesses and unforgiveness and have found new joy in their relationships with the Lord. At the same time, this has been a very hard semester as our Enemy has not given up the ground he held easily. But we can say, "we are more than conquerors through Christ Jesus our Lord!"

As we end this semester, a student organized team of 36 PIU and UOG students is in Saipan doing youth and children's outreaches, door to door evangelism, and service projects. Steve will join them Christmas night and preach the Sunday services at the Palaun Church.

Thank you for your faithful prayers on our behalf! Pictures of some of these activities will follow this posting.

Fall 2010 Semester Begins

We are off and running! Here a few of our students are waiting to finish up their registration process. This year we have students from Palau, Yap, Chuuk, Pohnpei, the Marshalls, and Guam, as well as, Korea, Taiwan, China, and Bangladesh. We also have Kevin from Iowa (in blue shirt above) and Josh from North Carolina (in red shirt above), Daisy from Texas, Doug from Virginia, and Scott from California. Quite the international student body - but so exciting to see the oneness that Christ brings to the PIU family. Below are Lindsey (from Palau) and Scott.

After a long day in registration lines the PIU worship team put together a night of worship, fellowship and games. It was a great way to start getting to know the newest arrivals on campus and to renew old friendships. Not everyone had arrived yet, but those of us there greatly enjoyed the time. They even turned the drum sticks over to Steve for a couple of songs!

Making joyful melodies to the Lord is something we all love to do at PIU.

There are many ways PIU students interact with the community during the school year and the first weekend back Grace, Teisy, and Jayleen and several others helped at PIU's booth at the Island Girl Power Carnival. Our PIU ladies have the opportunity to mentor young girls through this organization, which is similar to Big Brothers Big Sisters. Here they are modeling PIU's new logo representing the school's name: The Tide.

Pray that the Lord will continue working deeply in each student's life this year and that more and more each student will desire to allow God's Spirit complete control in their lives. Pray for the faculty and staff to carefully model Christ-likeness in their teaching and daily lives also. Every year students come to PIU who do not yet truly know Christ. Pray that the Holy Spirit would speak to these and that they will surrender their lives to HIM and that they will find the joy and freedom of walking with HIM.