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Mission News Update December 2007

Dear Friends,

It didn't matter to them that their church building was made of 6 mangrove posts, no walls, dirt floor and a thatched nipa roof. It was simple, it worked and it was packed full. They sat on crowded wooden beams and sang to the strum of a one-man guitar. But they sang simply from the heart, filled with emotion and praise. What struck me was the simple church, the simple worship, the simple message that was so powerful that my own heart was stirred with praise and awe of what only God can do: bring His people together... in their village, on their island, to worship the King who was born in a simple manger. It was simple back then, and it can still be simple today.

I witnessed simplicity again when I visited our orphanage. A modest building yet filled with immense love for children who at one time, were not wanted. Our staff takes care of each one as if they were their own. The day always comes when it is difficult to say goodbye, but the reward of placing the child in the arms of a new mom and dad, eager to love and want the child, is simply worth it all.

Twice a year I take a trip to visit all of our mission stations in the Philippines and Micronesia. I am so encouraged to see the work of our missionaries in the islands, who like the pastor and his church above, and the care-givers in our orphanage, know how to take what they have and simply give it back to the Lord. And God blesses!

On behalf of our entire mission family, thank you for simply and faithfully standing with us in your prayers and gifts. You may think it a small and simple act of love, but these are the gifts that sustain and keep us going throughout the year. May you and your family enjoy Christmas, simply focusing on the incredible gift that God gave and continues to give to each one of us throughout the year.

The Word became human and lived among us...
The Word was in the world and the world was made by Him,
but the world did not know Him...
But to all who did accept Him and believe in Him He gave the right
to become children of God...
Because He was full of grace and truth,
from Him we all received one gift after another.
John 1:14, 10, 12, 16

Celebrating the simple joy of the Savior come to earth,
Norbert J. Kalau
President/CEO

FROM PMA GUAM HEADQUARTERS
By: Melinda Espinosa

As we end this year, we at PMA can truly say, "The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy." (Psalm 126:3). In 2007, we celebrated 25 years of His faithfulness in the Philippines and 33 years in Micronesia. He has truly carried us through another challenging year and we have experienced and tasted His goodness.

Toward the end of the year, Nob Kalau, our CEO, Roland Weibel (Multimedia IT) and I traveled to the Philippines, Palau and Yap, accompanied by our PMA U.S.A. board members: Rick Johnson, John Creasman and Harry Cawood. The trip was fast-paced, and fully packed with experiences, flying to remote islands, crossing the rough Pacific Ocean on a two outrigger canoe, walking through villages, and to be rewarded with great smiles and warm hospitality from people who do not have much in this world, but give their all to make us all feel loved and special. The highlight of the trip was of course meeting with our mission staff and the people we serve, and worshiping and fellowshipping with our different PMF churches in the islands. You cannot imagine the joy in my heart as I sat and listened to God’s people praising Him in songs and prayer. And as each one shared how God has blessed them through PMA.

I was privileged to interview some of our staff and some of the people who wanted to share how PMA had impacted their lives. Each interview brought me tears of joy and thanksgiving to God because it is because of Him we are able to make our Lord Jesus Christ known in the islands - bringing hope and helping change lives as we reach the total person: body, soul and spirit.

One Chief from an outer-island in Yap shared: "Words are not enough to let you know how PMA has helped my people. I cannot thank you enough for your selflessness, love and care shown by the medical evacuations you fly, assisting us during typhoons, and transporting people and cargo." A principal in the Yap outer-island High school shared, how as a young boy of 9, he witnessed the first airplane landing in Ulithi, flown by Rev. Edmund Kalau. Classes were in session, but as soon as everyone heard the drone of the airplane - all the students rushed out to the airstrip to see what was happening. That was the beginning of PMA’s service to the islands. He said that PMA is the "blood-line" to the outer-islands. I am sure he meant that PMA is the life-line - connecting the outer-islands to the big island for food supplies, medical help, education and other needed services not available in the outer-islands.

In the Philippines, one of our mission staff shared how the ministry of Pacific Mission Fellowship (PMF) turned his life around. In the past, he was a fisherman who had to resort to cyanide fishing just to augment the meager family income in order to survive. But when the Lord brought conviction in his heart, he decided to trust the Lord for his family’s provision. The Lord provided another source of livelihood through the PMF church, and under the discipleship of Pastor Jorie, the Lord called him to full time ministry. Now the fisherman is a fisher of men. A young lady from Katakian, showed us scars on her arms and the lower part of her legs - she had survived three degree burns all over her body from a cooking accident. PMA responded immediately to our Pastor’s call for help, flew her to Manila and took her to the nearest Hospital. The doctor informed our staff that had we not brought her in immediately, she would not have survived.

I listened to story, after story on how God had used PMA and our mission staff to meet the needs of the people. And you know what? I knew that this would not be possible without YOU, our faithful partners - as you gave sacrificially year after year, prayed for us and stood behind us. Thank you so very much and may the Lord richly bless you with joy unspeakable! TO GOD BE THE GLORY!