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!! :)