This Side of the World

Yesterday in Sunday School class, Dr. Tony Fox brought in a visiting speaker from China. Her English name was Eva, and she is a Christian lawyer. She is involved in the underground churches in China, and is using her legal training to defend the rights of the believers in their churches. It is an amazing story. First of all, her personal background is unbelievable. All of her family members seem to be from a different religion; everything from Confucious to Communism to Deism to Buddhism to Muslim. She got saved at the age of 18, and went to the States and got her law degree. It is so cool to see how God is using this fiery-spirited Chinese girl to do His work. She basically heads up a group of lawyers who are all working together for the cause of Christ, and they must remain low-key to avoid notice by the government as a whole. They do their battles on the local government fronts, and help Chinese Christian pastors know how to use their rights as well. It was very cool to hear of the work going on in China, which is closer to "home" for me than it's ever been before. Keep the Lord's work in your prayers! Pray for the safety of these believers and pray that the Gospel would keep going out and changing lives; whether it be in China, in Guam, or right at your home in the States. God bless! and I will see lots of you soon :) :) I come home in 3 days! :) I will miss this amazing island and the friends I have made, but I knew I would only be here for a semester and have been so blessed. I'm so thankful that God chose to bring me here for the last 3 months. <3

Mogethin!

Mogethin means hello in Yapese :) The island of Yap is absolutely amazing. I got to see the ministries of both Zimmer families, Paul and Sherry and Mark and Diane, and of Bob and Polly Whitmore. They are all absolutely wonderful, and seeing what God is doing on that little island was so amazing :) I can't even believe I got to go on this trip :) A pilot and his family (who attend Harvest) got Kelly (a teacher at Harvest) and I buddy pass tickets to go over Thanksgiving break. Kelly had to be back because of school responsibilities, but I got to stay from Wednesday to Wednesday. Yap makes Guam look like a booming metropolis. The ways of the people are fascinating, and it is just an entirely different way of life from what we Americans are used to. They really do live in huts, one for sleeping, one for cooking, one as maybe a living room; just think of a house with hallways in between the rooms, it's just that these hallways are outside :) The island is breathtaking. So beautiful. There are a couple small stores around, and I'll have to get pictures up of everything. The biggest gas station on the island was picture worthy for sure :) You pull up to a small shack and they fill your car's tank up. I got to go snorkeling, almost with sharks but we didn't see any (I was actually disappointed), and fishing. I caught a white snapper, and a barracuda! and some mackerel :) it was so much fun. Paul and Sherry Zimmer and the Whitmores have a church on one part of the island, while Mark and Diane have another church further away. They hold different Bible studies around the island on Sunday nights, and it is amazing to see people come to Christ that way and then join the churches. This island is about 10 miles I think, and there are 10 Catholic churches on the island. The culture of the people is strongly tied to a caste system, chewing betelnut (has similarities to chewing tobacco, and actually usually is injected with vodka and tobacco for added effects), and alcohol consumption. God's light still shines in this dark place, in the lives of changed believers who are growing and striving to be more like Christ. It is hard for new believers, as the pull to do these things are so ingrained culturally that it is unheard of to not participate. Please pray that the vices in this particular culture would not prevail in the hearts of these islanders, just as the vices in our culture do the same thing for our people. Pray for the Zimmers and the Whitmores, and the locals who are serving alongside them (some of them grads from Harvest Baptist Bible College), that they will continually be encouraged in the work on this island. Pray that believers would change the things in their lives that are not in accordance with God's Word, even if it completely goes against their culture. God really is a God of all nations; King of Kings, and Lord of Lords.
Thanksgiving was so wonderful there, as the missionary families all got together and we had a huge feast :) It was traditional with tons of turkey and everything :) I never thought I would be able to enjoy a full-blown American Thanksgiving mean while on a small island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. Amazing. I love the extra blessings God throws into our lives when we're far away from home :)
Please keep praying for me and the other GSA students; we're one week away from home, with tons of schoolwork and studying to be done for finals on the week of our return. Pray God gives us strength when we get back, and that jet lag will not take over our lives :) God has been faithful, and is so good to us. I am so thankful for His work in my heart, and for the amazing work He is doing here on the islands in the middle of the Pacific. Thanks for your prayers!!!!!!!!! :)

Tidings of Thanksgiving!

Hello! Thanksgiving is upon us. Usually this is deer hunting season back home, not so much on Guam :) My parents visited last week, and I was able to be a true tourist along with them :) With the help of the Des Bendo and her parents, I showed them many things on the island that I myself had not seen yet. Guam is so beautiful <3 My parents left, saying, "The trees are nice and the ocean is beautiful, but the people are amazing." It's true! The people here at Harvest and around the island are what make Guam so special. It's a paradise, but pair it up with believers who love the Lord and are serving Him and you have an amazing combination <3 :) I have been working so hard in the office and in after school care (along with my other duties, such as junior church several times), and it is so rewarding. I am going to miss the people here so much. The staff is amazing, I love the children who go to this school, and I'm finally learning some of the Micronesian college students' names :) They are so awesome, loving, and fun, I can't believe I only have a couple weeks left here. I have so much schoolwork left, but God is strong and I'm so thankful for His help. I'd been praying about an opportunity to visit another island, to see more ministries in the area, and a couple days ago something presented itself! (God works really fast and is amazing! :) ) I am leaving for Yap tonight, an island that I hear makes Guam look like a metropolis in comparison. I'm so excited to stay with the Whitmores, and see the ministry of Mark and Diane Zimmer. There are quite a few college students here at Harvest who are from Yap, and I'm excited to see where they came from and understand more of Harvest's ministry to them. Thanks so much for your prayers for me and the other students who are studying abroad; God is doing a great work in all of our lives. He is so worthy of any feeble praise we try to give Him <3 Give Him many thanks, not just on Thursday but every minute of every day!

Adventures

Hello! I know it's been awhile since I've blogged, so sorry but it's been SO busy! There was a power outtage on Wednesday night, and I'm pretty sure it covered the whole island. The church has a generator, so the service and the children's programs finished up just fine, but going home most people had no electricity. That means no AC.. Abi's and my apartment is only a few steps from the campus buildings, but the apartments aren't hooked up to the generator so we lived without for a couple hours. Don't worry, we lit candles and enjoyed ourselves and even cooked up a plan to sleep on the porch (out of the stifling indoor heat) but eventually opted just to sleep in the house :) The power came back on after a few hours, and all is well :)
On Saturday (Oct. 31), I got to go snorkeling for the first time! I went with some other staff to Gab Gab beach, which is on the naval base. They said the water was rougher than usual, and if snorkeling was that cool and it wasn't even in prime conditions, I can't wait to go when it is!! All the fish and the coral and everything is soo beautiful, what an awesome creation God made :)
This past Thursday I had the privilege of attending the Guahan Bible Study, which is a group made up mostly Micronesian college students who are starting a church further south on the island. It was so neat to be a part of the night and to worship God together. This small church is in its beginning stages, and all the participants are excited at the thought of being involved in a church at its conception. One of the deacons of Harvest is involved with the project, and they are planning on starting the church on an annex to his house. Pray for this young ministry, that those involved will be able to reach surrounding hearts in the neighborhoods for Christ.
On Saturday, I got to go on a hike to Pagat Cave, a cave that has fresh-water in it. The hike itself was beautiful, and the cave was really cool. I also got to jump off a nearby cliff into the ocean, which was 40 feet tall, give or take. That was exhilarating :) and I definitely was in a sitting position when I landed... but hey no bones are broken :) The view from on top of that cliff is breathtaking, as you can see most of the southern half of the island. It's so green, the ocean is so blue, and it is just beautiful.
Lastly, on this past Sunday Harvest celebrated it's 35th Anniversary. It was a big deal for all involved, and was an encouraging reminder of the blessings of God. It was neat to see how far this ministry has come, and that God's hand has been on its progress. Many lives have been touched as a result of the sacrifices and hard work of Harvest's staff.
Thanks for all your prayers, and please don't stop praying :) Please pray for the ministry here at Harvest, and for the spiritual growth and salvation of the children who go to school here and their families. Pray that the staff continues to serve in His strength, and that they will be encouraged on a daily basis in their work for the Lord. Thank you for praying for Dr. and Mrs. Watson; they have returned from the funeral and are working hard again. The Herrons are also back from their travels, and are jumping right back in, as busy as ever. My parents come tomorrow, and I'm excited to spend some time with them. Lastly, please pray that all of the study abroad students pass their classes. I know I'm struggling, and I know I'm not the only one. Please keep all of us before the Lord. We are being obedient where we are, and are thanking Him for these amazing opportunities to serve. Thanks so much!! :)

God is Faithful

God is faithful and God is working!! In my heart, and in the lives around me. We serve such a great God! There have been so many opportunities to be involved here, and God continually strengthens and gives the needed strength for every day. School is plugging along, and we have reached the midway point for the semester. Working in Extended Care with the little kids is such a blessing, I am so thankful for that job! Yesterday I got to have quite an extensive conversation with three 2nd and 3rd graders, all about God, heaven, hell, salvation, SO much and it was amazing. The wonderful thing about the Gospel is that it is simple enough for children to understand! I am getting such a burden for these kids, as like I have said before, this is more of a mission school as opposed to a Christian school. There are Bible classes and the kids are taught about God, but they come from all different types of backgrounds and walks of life. It is a great thing the teachers are doing here at Harvest. They love the kids so much, and really have a burden for the majority of them to receive Jesus. I'm thankful for the opportunity God gave me to share, and please pray for the kids and for the teachers, that more kids will be reached for Christ and that their families will come to Christ as well. :) I found out that Harvest has a guidance counselor on staff, who doubles as a homeroom teacher and who also teaches a couple other classes. I'm going to go shadow her tomorrow, or at least see how it works, as I am majoring in counseling. It's so cool that they have a biblical counselor in a custom-made staff position. I can't wait to find out more about that particular ministry. :)

I am so thankful that my God is the same yesterday, today, and forever, and am so thankful for the relationship I can have with Jesus. HE IS SO AMAZING and I am so privileged and humbled to be His child. <3

One Step at a Time

Things have been absolutely crazy, in mostly good ways :) I am learning so much, and I can only hope and pray that is reflected in my grades at midterms :/ Please pray for Dr. and Mrs. Watson, as her mother, whom she was very close to, passed away. She was around 80, and a believer but it is still hard on them, especially Mrs. Watson. They'll be gone for a couple weeks, for the funeral and things. The Herrons and some of the other staff left on Monday on a recruiting tour of the States, and will be gone for several weeks as well. My parents are coming!!!!!! on November 10-15th!!! UNbelievable. This is not typical, let me tell you. They've always wanted to come to Guam, (my dad actually joined the AirForce because he wanted to, but he ended up getting stationed in a south Georgia swamp) and they never did anything last year to celebrate their 25th anniversary. So, HAPPY anniversary!! wow :) talk about a crazy email! good thing the subject of the email was "R U Sitting Down??" :) It will be good to see them. There was a Ladies' Fellowship last night, with different workshops. After one, "Handling your Emotions", I was able to talk with a lady and share some of the things I had been learning in one of my counseling classes! She had so many questions, and was all excited after we talked to implement some of those things in her life. It was so gracious of her, as she was twice my age, but God really opened a door to help someone. I'm not a professional counselor by any means, but it felt like all that homework for Case Studies 1 paid off at that moment. :) God is so good to us! Even as I'm working on my 20 minute speaking project for Women Teaching Women, God is working on me as I have to search His Word for His Truth. I have so far to go (in my classes AND in my Christian walk), but God is leading me along, one step at a time.

Fall at Harvest

It's autumn I hear! but I do not see ... Sometimes I wish the palm trees would change color too :)
Yesterday was Columbus Day! There was no school, and HBBC had Dorm Wars instead. I was put on a team, the Sting Rays. Sooo much fun; the college students are absolutely hilarious! There were 3 teams, and our activities somewhat resembled Northland games; we ran the gauntlet in the gym, had a form of dodgeball, had scooter races, a funny time, and had really really good food :) It's been good to get to know more of the students! I'm absolutely terrible with names, but I think there is hope :) Work is picking up; I'm grading all sorts of things and helping in the nurse's office. It's been so much fun to hang out with some of the teachers here. God is so good; He's giving me really great friends, good times, and many opportunities to serve Him. Sometimes I feel bad that I'm not in a super dangerous mission field and risking my life for the Gospel; but I know that God has me here for a reason. It may be that I have much to learn; it may be that serving God in the little things is as challenging sometimes as the seemingly huge acts of faith; I do not know. Maybe it is all these things. I do know that the Lord is teaching me to be faithful and obedient in the littlest of things, down to doing my schoolwork and listening to my classes. He is my Provider, my Comforter, and my Father. I know I am His child because He corrects me, but still shows His love. The people here are so generous and loving; I only hope and pray that I can return half of what has been done for me. It is humbling. The Lord is so good, and I pray that I serve Him with everything I have. Thank you for your prayers; they are so needed and I am so thankful for everyone back home and cannot wait to see you again.

Moving Day!

Tonight (and tomorrowish) I'll be moving in with my friend Abi a couple of apartments down. Housing situations had to get moved around a little, so I'll spend the remainder of my months with her. We both love drinking tea, reading children's books aloud, and knitting (ok, I only know how to a little bit but she seems quite good) and we are going to have a blast I must say. It's Abi Thompson for anyone who remembers her from Northland! She graduated a couple years ago I think. On Saturday night there was some sort of fiesta for tourists, celebrating 40 years of something :) It was so much fun to go and try the different foods at the booths representing the different villages on the island. Coconut candy is amazing, but I think coconut juice might have to grow on me :) Some HBBC (Harvest Baptist Bible College) girls had a surprise birthday party last night for one of the girls named Story, and it was a blast. Abi, Heather (Heather is a 2nd grade teacher who lives in the apartments by me and Abi) and I joined in, and those Micronesian girls sure know how to have fun. They are absolutely a blast to be with, and it is so much fun and a blessing to get to know them better! They're amazing. You should hear the Micronesian group sing on Sunday mornings! They lift the roof and it is the coolest thing to hear them praise our Savior. I got to help out in the nursery in Sunday School, and then with the children on Sunday night (we're having Summit meetings with Harold Vaughan). This coming week of meetings will mean a very busy schedule but a lot of challenges from God's Word. The message tonight was on the lukewarm Laodicean church and was very convicting. I'm excited about the services we're going to have the rest of the week. God is doing a great work here, in my heart and in the hearts around me.

Settling In

Last night I killed two cockroaches in my apartment. They were so.... crunchy..... :/
Things are really picking up workwise. I'm helping enter grades and immunization records, and any other office work I can find and help out with. Schoolwork is keeping me on my toes, but that's what college is all about right? Something that doesn't have a whole lot of spiritual value but that was kindof a blessing on the side was getting invited to a "Tuesday Night" football game (Monday Night Football is on our Tuesday mornings, so some of the other faculty taped the Packer game and we all waited til Tuesday night to watch it). It was so fun (until the Packers lost) but it was a little piece of home :) There are quite a few on staff here who love the Packers, it's funny :) Sunday night I went with Heather and 2 teenage girls out to eat at a Mexican place, and it was good to get to know the girls some. One girl was from India and the other was Korean, and I was grilled on my nationality :) (Was I American or something else?) When they found out I was mostly German, I was asked constantly, "Is that the way they do it in Germany?" I had to clarify that being an American is living in a "melting pot" of nationalities, and that if I visited Germany I would definitely stick out as an American. They were such fun girls :) Earlier on Sunday, I taught the verse in Jr. Church. There are about 80-100 kids who come on Sunday mornings, mostly bus kids, and it was good to be able to share the truth of God's Word with them. There is a really big burden among the staff I was working with for these bus kids, as most of these kids only hear about God and the Gospel on Sundays when they come. Instead of having a Sunday School, they start Jr. Church right away in the morning, and have coloring, then game time, then the different age groups rotate through the various rooms (Bible Verse, Missionary Story, Craft Time...) So I taught the verse 3 times to different age groups. It's really a great set-up, and I'm so glad I got to be involved. Thanks for your prayers, keep them coming!! :)

Hafa Adai!

That means hello :) I've been helping in the nurses' office by entering immunization records and helping Pastor Joe enter grades for his classes in the afternoons.  I get to do my classwork in the mornings, and am going to be helping in extended care (after school) soon. I'll teach the verse in Jr. Church this coming Sunday morning! Tuesday night was a ladies' fellowship where Mrs. Herron spoke, and it was a really great night. God has been teaching me so much while I'm away from home; and I have loved meeting all these new people. The school at Harvest is more of a mission school as opposed to a Christian school; it's a really neat opportunity to minister to the kids (from all walks of life and religions), but at the same time it is a very great burden, for especially the teachers. Please pray for the 1,000 kids that go to school here, that the Lord will do a work and save many of them and their families. It's great that they get to hear the Truth; please pray for their hearts that they will receive it! There is a church workday on Saturday, and it will be fun to help with that. I'm so thankful for the great friends I already know and have, and that God did not just place me in a random place where I didn't know anyone. There are a lot of great people here who love God and are serving Him with their lives. I appreciate any prayers on my behalf, as I'm just a student trying to pass my classes and help in this ministry; but please also pray for the staff here at Harvest, that God will empower them with His love to reach all of these students who need Him.

One Week In :)

Today I went to the beach! It rained half the day, but it was beautiful the whole time :) Me and the 2 girls I was with were walking back to our car when an extended Chamorro family invited us to eat their food; it was a birthday party of one of the nephews! My first fiesta :) After eating and introductions, they invited us to 2 more fiestas in the neighborhood in the next couple weeks. We're praying for an opportunity to get to know them better and to witness! They were so generous, and it was great to meet them like that. The weekend was welcome; it's been such an interesting week (good though!) Thursday afternoon I helped enter grades for Pastor Joe in the grading program; Friday afternoon I helped in the nurses' office, where I'll also help with filing and such. That will be a good place to meet some of the kids who go to the school :) I'm also excited to help out in Jr. Church (they'll put me in the rotation) and I'm going to help out Sparks on Wednesday nights. Grocery shopping on Thursday night was an experience! Most things are double in price what they are in the States; when I come back I'm going to be the most frugal shopper who ever lived!! :) oh boy. This whole experience is teaching me so much; relying on God for even the simplest thing like getting my schoolwork done. Online classes are so challenging, but I know this is where God has me for the semester. Last night some of the girls in nearby apartments decided to have a themed party and decided on a Jewish theme; it was hilarious. It's fun to... have fun :) Thanks so much everyone for your prayers! I honestly can't thank you enough. It's hard getting adjusted to not only life on my own, but online classes and new ministry opportunities. So much to take in! I have to keep my eyes on God, who never changes <3 ~Heb. 13:8

I really am here!

I haven't been able to write another post because it's been blocked by the internet until now! Technical difficulties :) I'm here! I really did make it! Sometimes I feel a little foggy; I don't think I've quite conquered jet lag... It's Thursday morning for me, and Wednesday afternoon it seems for the rest of the world. The last few days I've been settling in, and have met Dr. Watson, who's been showing me around. We've almost developed a schedule, and I'll be helping Pastor Joe doing secretarial work on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons; while helping out in the nurses' station Monday and Friday afternoons. Last night, I helped Des Bendo (my roommate last year) with the K5 in Sparks! :) After helping, I ran to my amazing apartment (pictures of which I couldn't help plastering all over facebook) and wrote my 2 page paper that was due yesterday! (Possibly today for you) :) There is so much schoolwork involved in 12 credits, and its so difficult not having everything I need right at my fingertips. I'm learning so much about communication; emailing millions of people overseas, trying to cover my bases. (I might have exaggerated... a little but not much) :) God is teaching me so much though! About actually trusting Him; truly believing that He is in control and I am not. Even what I had to write my paper on was a challenge to me; it was about Anger. I had to read a packet of articles about it, and then wrote a response. Anger is seeing things that are really lies as truth, and reacting in a way that makes me the "God" in control instead of letting the Lord really be Master. I need to step back and let God reign! I am to love others more than myself, and help people in all of the ways God has provided. Right now, He has placed me in Guam to help out an amazing ministry that I can't wait to learn more about. I am to work as hard as I can on my schoolwork, and pray that God's will be done in passing my classes. I do not want to miss the lessons He has for me! I miss family and my friends and my boyfriend SO MUCH, but am so thankful for this opportunity to serve <3

Preparations!

Hello to all :)

In two days I will be embarking on the longest mission trip I've ever gone on: one full semester long :) I can't believe the Lord really is leading me to Guam for the semester! I knew I wanted to study abroad with my school, Northland International University, a year ago; I just didn't know where to go. I actually thought about going to Egypt, and then to somewhere in Europe; everywhere I looked things weren't exactly falling into place. From the very beginning, my dad thought I should go to Guam.. he knows some of the great people there and was familiar with Harvest (the amazing ministry on the island that I can't wait to get to know more about). God led, and here I go! Flying out September 11 will be an adventure, along with the rest of the trip. I'll be taking 12 credits online while I am overseas, hopefully finding a balance of serving in various venues with the teachers/missionaries there while still completing my schoolwork :) I would appreciate your prayers! Pray that I will be focused on what God has in mind, and that He will give me the opportunity to be a help to the ministry there. I will be truly dependent on Him; I know that my own power will get me nowhere. Alone, I could never make a trip like this happen or be able to even complete the few courses I will be taking. With God, I hope to serve others and continue to see His power evident in everyday life. God is so amazing, and I am so happy to be able to call Him my Master. God bless, and I don't think I could ask for a more exciting semester! <3