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Mission News Update June 2006

Dear Praying Friends and Faithful Partners,

"Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crops fail and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior." Habakkuk 3:17, 18

The Lord gave these verses on the morning before our Board meeting, where I would be presenting the next fiscal year’s Plans and Budgets. This was a hard reading for me. I asked God, "Does this mean that even if none of our plans and goals will become a reality, you want me to rejoice?" Looking at our plans, goals and budgets for the year, I knew more than ever that we needed God’s provision, strength, wisdom and guidance. We have needs for committed personnel in all areas of our ministry, financial needs to complete projects, and continue operations in the midst of ever-increasing costs. I know that each one of us in PMA by God’s grace will work hard so that these may all come to fruition. We do believe that God desires for us to plan, but to understand that the Lord’s will prevails. The important lesson I learned that morning - is not to rejoice because the plans, goals and budgets are realized, but to rejoice "in God my Savior". To rejoice, not because things are going my way, but to have the faith to believe that God desires our good and His glory in all that we do. I am confident of this, that God is able to do exceedingly, abundantly all I can ask or imagine. Praise God!

GUAM
Three of our core group members in PMF have gone for the summer: Ethel Laco, Pastor Edmund and Elizabeth Kalau. Pray for them that they may have a restful time with family and friends. Pray for open doors and hearts for Pastor Edmund as he shares God’s word and PMA’s work and ministry in Europe. Pray for us: Mel Pelayo, Ruth Fulguerinas and myself who will be left behind ~ for God to give us strength, wisdom and encouragement as we carry on the work of the ministry on Guam. We are so thankful to God for the families that we are able to care and minister - for the spiritual growth that we see in their lives. Pray that we may not grow weary in loving, building up and discipling them.

PHILIPPINES
Last May, a group of volunteer doctors and dentists with Dr. John Escote visited our Patnanungan station to do a one and a half day of outreach. We were so very thankful for uneventful flights to and from Jomalig Island and the calm Pacific Ocean as we traveled via motorized bangca (two outrigger canoe) to and from Patnanungan. The Lord allowed the medical/dental team to treat 82 medical patients, 30 dental patients, 15 eye cases and 3 minor surgeries. Most of all we are thankful because the team’s visit was on time to meet the need of our mission staff Mercy Burata, who greatly needed a doctor and medication. As of this writing she is healed. Praise God!
Meanwhile, Malcolm and Mary Cleope, with children: Will, Lauren, Chris and Mark are on a two month furlough. Pray for them that their time in the U.S. may be fruitful. Malcolm and Mary will be meeting with family, friends and partners - pray for a blessed time together of reunion, encouragement and challenge. Pray for Joel Legaspi as he administers the Mission while the Cleopes are gone.

BAHAY KALINGA ORPHANAGE
On our trip to the Philippines last May, we found that the last of our babies was picked up for adoption; leaving only Jess and Eloy with us. Although Eloy who has cerebral palsy is now cared for by another institution, we still have responsibility over him. This would mean that we have served 127 children since the time we began our ministry. We are thankful that the Lord enabled us to be instrumental in touching the lives of these children and for enabling us to facilitate their having their own families who love and care for them. As of this writing, we have now two new babies and 2 more are being processed for transfer to our facility. Pray for all the documentation and paper work as well as for Angelina Dioquino, our social worker who does all the advocacy and follow up of paper work with the Department of Social Welfare ~ for wisdom and guidance in all she does.

PALAU
"We thank God for 10 PMF members who followed the Lord in water baptism on Easter Sunday. We praise God for their faithfulness and desire to grow in Him. Please pray for their continued growth and service to our Lord through the PMF body." Pastor Bambit Balayo

YAP, MICRONESIA
Our PMF Yap also experienced God’s grace as six new believers followed the Lord in water baptism. This was a Giant step of faith for everyone involved. Pastor John Malimai shares: "These are the first converts of the newly established PMF church here on Yap. We praise God who works miracles in the lives of these new Christians." Please pray for their growth and perseverance in their faith.

POHNPEI, MICRONESIA
We are so thankful to God for working in the heart of Roland Weibel, our "volunteer" missionary, who has "over-stayed" his initial 10 weeks with us - and on his way to serving two years serving. He has been a great help in Pohnpei, as he works in construction, Good News Press, and in various computer work (which is his forte and what he studied and trained). Now, he is assisting our Guam Office by preparing a new and updated Donation Tracking program, and at the same time, preparing a program for our Yap mission station to track our Flight operations. Pray for Roland, for wisdom and strength in all he does and for him to be a man after God’s own heart.

The words of Habakkuk are pretty hard to swallow; however, it is a good reminder for all of us that we must desire our Lord over our own desires, plans or prayer requests. That our faith does not need miracles to sustain it, that we can say with conviction, "if not, I will rejoice in God my Savior!"

God bless you real good!
In Him we move and have our being,

Melinda R. Espinosa
Business Manager/CFO