Information Materials > Mission News Update Archive

Mission News Update June 2007

Dear Praying Friends and Faithful Partners,

"Whatever you do, whether in word or in deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God our Father through Him." Colossians 3: 17

During one of our devotion/prayer times together, Ruth and I were going through our plans for the week and month as the day for her departure from Guam approached. We talked about our ministry with the children and youth, and their parents - though the most challenging, it is the most rewarding and gives us great joy when we witness them experiencing salvation and spiritual growth in their lives. The preparation behind each ministry is tedious and sometimes mundane and routine (such as preparing for the lessons, seat work, craft, snacks for the children, songs for worship service, bulletins, cleaning etc.), however, the great encouragement to us is that these are all done with a perspective of eternity. Aside from these, we also experience many tugs and pulls on our time and energy, most of them good things, but sometimes take us away from what is important and priority. Pray for us that we may be disciplined and committed to have good priorities in our lives - that we remember through all the work and ministry we do, that our priority is to have a strong and deep relationship with our Lord Jesus for only then can we be effective in ministry. That in all things, we will give our Lord Jesus Christ honor and praise!

GUAM
During this summer, many of our Core Group members will be traveling off island and we pray for the Lord to give strength to those who will be left behind to continue the work. Pray also for our children and youth during the summer break as we end Kids and Youth Clubs on June 16 and begin the next school year’s ministry on August 16th. Pray that their parents will continue to bring them to church for Sunday school. Pray also for MaeMae Bonggoyan (daughter of PMF Katakian Pastor, Jorie Bonggoyan) as she prepares for her one year of internship here on Guam Pray for the Lord to provide her a visa to enter Guam. Pray that she may learn and grow here on Guam as she prepares for a ministry with PMA Philippines in the island of Katakian after her senior year in Bible school.

PHILIPPINES
"We are very much encouraged by the visit of Charles and Stephanie Wright from Iowa," shares Malcolm Cleope. "This is their third annual visit with us and despite heat, mud, and travel time on land, sea and air, their enthusiasm never faded. We thank God we were able to safely visit all the island stations and Charles was able to share God’s word with our island churches. They were also able to join a medical/dental outreach in Jomalig, where the team was able to screen and treat 179 patients." (More on Island Echoes June 2007 Issue).

BAHAY KALINGA ORPHANAGE
Please pray for three of our babies' paper work. Pray that the government entities that need to act on their papers will dialogue with us and assist us to complete all documentation so that they can be processed for adoption. Also please pray for John L. as he was once again taken to the Hospital for further examination. He may need to be transferred to a Facility that can adequately help him. Pray that we can find one.

PALAU
Joy Balayo shares: "Praise God for our Mother’s Day celebration. The men treated all the mothers to North Beach for Fun and Fellowship. There, the moms were ministered to by Anita Del Rosario (former PMA Missionary) who was on island for the graduation of one of her "grandchildren". She shared about Hannah, a woman of integrity, who was faithful and prayerful. The message was a great encouragement to all. The men brought lunch at noon and in the afternoon we had games and fun times. It was a great way to develop friendship with one another."

YAP, MICRONESIA
An Update from Simon Hämmerling: "I will be leaving Yap on the 1st of June and my first stop is Hawaii for the FAA A&P Mechanic practical examinations. My exams are scheduled on the 2nd and 3rd of June and have been informed by my examiner that there will be another FAA inspector with us to evaluate his performance as an examiner. Please pray for wisdom and peace as I take these exams. From Hawaii, I travel to the U.S. to visit friends and God-willing be in Germany in time for my father’s birthday." We are so thankful for Simon, for his faithfulness, initiative and servant heart After his first term (three years) of service; he goes back to Germany to visit family, friends and partners. He will also be traveling around Germany to raise prayer and financial support for a second term of service with us. Please pray for traveling mercies and for provision so that he can return to Yap where he is most needed.

POHNPEI, MICRONESIA
"Dr. Dave and Donalyn Currie from Family Life Canada came to Pohnpei to share with us about marriage. All day Saturday, couples from different islands were challenged by the Biblical call to healthy marriages. One husband said, 'Some of these things are hard to put into practice because we have so many cultural habits in marriage and family that are accepted in the islands. But, I want to follow what the Bible says even if it is different from culture and tradition. I want God’s blessing for my family. And now I understand that it has to start with my marriage first.' We were blessed indeed to discover that REAL marriage involves: REAL commitment, REAL communication, REAL closeness, REAL companionship, REAL challenge, and most importantly REAL change. That is the hard part, changing. But with the map for healthy families found in the Bible, PMF continues to challenge families to take this journey together with Christ as our Guide. PMA Board member, Jeff Jones and family, accompanied the Curries and stayed with us for the rest of the week... we sure enjoyed the time to be together as families" From: Sylvia Kalau.

For all that is happening in the islands, we give praise and honor to our God, for that is His will for us in Christ Jesus! So many times, when we do things in the Mission other than what people term as "ministry", we tend to question whether it contributes to the furtherance of His Gospel and Kingdom. Will it make a difference in the life of those we serve? Thank God for His Word that assures us that nothing we do for the Lord is in vain (1 Cor. 15:58). One way or another, it will all contribute toward eternity. So dear Ones, live with an eternal perspective - do all things for Him and in Him. Thank you for your partnership in our service to God!

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

Melinda R. Espinosa
PMA HEADQUARTERS