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Mission News Update February 2008

Dear Praying Friends and Faithful Partners,

"And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love."
1 Corinthians 13:13

The past week, we have been going through a series of Bible Studies on "The Greatest Chapters of the Bible", the venue being our PMF church. The program was sponsored by the Morning Star ministry with Pastor Barry Jones as the speaker. It was so good to meet and get to know other believers from the Ponapean church who faithfully attended the meetings. We had great fellowship after every session. One of the chapters chosen was 1 Corinthians 13. It was interesting to note that Paul "sandwiched" this chapter between two others that spoke of gifts and how members of the body have different gifts and can work together. The Holy Spirit moved Paul to write this knowing that one could become proud if one had greater gifts or talents compared to others. So, the Holy Spirit reminds us that even if we can speak eloquently, have all knowledge, have great faith, or do good works, but do not have love, we are just noisy cymbals (all noise and no depth), we are nothing, and will not accomplish anything in God's eyes. This was a good reminder for me as we serve in the islands. People do not really care what we know until they know that we care for them. I pray that through love manifested in our lives, not in words but in deeds - the people of the islands will know that we love them as we share with them our Lord Jesus Christ, who is Love personified.

GUAM
We started our Kids/Youth Klub program for the year toward the end of January and were blessed with the eagerness of all the children who come. We are especially encouraged by those whose parents are unable to take them to church, but want to be part of the activities. On Saturdays, they call so we can pick them up, and on Sundays they show up in church with their bikes and skate boards. What a joy it is to be with children with receptive hearts and desiring to know more about the Lord Jesus Christ! Please pray for Melinda, Ethel, Rina, Feminia, Leeman and Mel who teach and minister to the children. Pray that we may truly be a blessing to them.

PHILIPPINES
"We were able to help with a free Eye Clinic that PMA sponsored at Faith Academy where our children go to school," shares Terry and Sheila Gort (our new missionaries who have been in Manila for about 10 weeks now). "It was geared toward the Filipinos who work for the school and for their families, who probably would not be able to see an eye doctor. Others served were teachers and staff of the school. They only had to pay for the cost of eye glasses, which were affordable, at approximately $5.00 each. We had about 125 people who were screened and examined by our PMA doctor, Dr. John Escote, an ophthalmologist. Two patients needed cataract surgery. It was good to be part of this ministry outreach."

BAHAY KALINGA ORPHANAGE
Two of our children are in the last stages of their "abandonment" cases. This means that when a specified time has elapsed and no one has claimed them, the Department of Social Welfare and the courts declare them as "abandoned" and therefore available for adoption. Please pray for all the paper work to be completed, so that these children can be matched with good parents.

PALAU
"Edgar is one of the volunteers here in PMF Palau. He has been a great help, in many areas, especially in fixing appliances and the air conditioning in PMA's vehicle. He is a new comer, but has been faithful in coming to Wednesday night prayer meetings and Sunday worship services. His desire was to have a clean life, free from vices, and the Lord did more than that when he committed his life to the Lord. When he went home to the Philippines for vacation, he shared his new-found faith with his wife and she too, received Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. We are thankful to God for His grace!" From PMA Palau Team

YAP, MICRONESIA
We thank God for the faithful service of Grace Adgil as she serves in our mission station office. The Lord granted the desire of her and husband David's heart, in that they are expecting the birth of their first born. Her concern is for someone to take her place when the time comes for delivery and as she weans her child. Please pray for the Lord to provide the right person to help us during that time. Pray for Grace and her baby's health, and a safe delivery as well.

POHNPEI, MICRONESIA
Larissa Arnold, one of our German volunteer workers shares her praises: "The Girls Discipleship, Youth and Sunday school programs have been going well while Pia Kaufmann is away on furlough. We (Rahel Lutz, another volunteer from Germany), are very thankful for the growing friendships we have with our girls, and see that they are growing in their faith. Please pray that we may be good examples for the youth in our daily lives. Pray too for God's guidance as we prepare lessons and activities for the girls, youth and Sunday school children."

Thank you dear partners for your support for our missionaries and the work in the islands of Micronesia and the Philippines. Your love spread abroad is a sweet aroma to our Lord giving Him honor and praise! God bless you!

In Him we live and move and have our being,

Melinda R. Espinosa
PMA HEADQUARTERS