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Mission News Update December 2008

Christmas Letter 2008 by Nob Kalau

Dear Friends and Partners,

As the year draws to an end, Christmas offers its wonderful message: Emmanuel: God with us. The God who created the universe and knows all the hidden secrets, willingly descended into our world and is continually with us. So that we would not only marvel at His awesomeness, but know His very presence and activity in our lives.

"They will say of me, 'In the Lord alone are righteousness (salvation and victory) and strength [to achieve].'" Isaiah 45:24

In the Lord is salvation and victory! In the Lord is the strength to achieve the miraculous power of God's love working throughout all we do throughout the year and during this most precious season!

It is very tempting in missions, as it is in your part of the world, to rely on your own strength and thoughts, going ahead of the Emmanuel, God with us. Yet, God spoke very clearly through Isaiah that it is only as we are in the Lord that we can experience victory and the ability to achieve the tasks before us. It may be a simple thought, but it helps me to see how much I must depend on Emmanuel each day. Imagine what can take place as we remove our own efforts, energies, and ideas and then replace them by first centering all that we do and who we are in the Lord!

On behalf of our entire mission family from Micronesia to the Philippines, I want to express my personal appreciation for your faithful prayer and financial support in the Lord. Although you can not be here, on the field, you are doing the much needed job of praying that the work is done in the Lord and not in the mere efforts of man. Every time we medivac a patient from the islands, deliver books and medical supplies with the Sea Haven, bathe a baby in our orphanage, hold a church service, teach children to love God’s Word, preach the Word from an island pulpit, broadcast Christian music and teaching over our radio station, perform a successful cataract operation, fit an islander with a reading glass, baptize a new believer... it is because you are praying with us to remain in the Lord.

Start your day in the Lord. End your day in the Lord. Do everything throughout your day in the Lord. As you do, you will experience the Power of God's rest, peace, victory, blessing, and grace this Christmas!

Celebrating "God with us", that all the islands may hear,

Norbert J. Kalau
President / CEO

Mission News Update December 2008 by Melinda Espinosa

GUAM
Praise God the Sea Haven dry dock was completed on December 4! We have been counting the many blessings God has poured us with. Many people, organizations and companies provided food, medicines, medical supplies, equipment, books, magazines and educational supplies, clothing, shoes, canoes, and many more items to be distributed to the islands we visit. A great blessing is Pacific Island Movers who picked up all the donations, stored them in their warehouse and delivered them to Sea Haven for loading. Ayuda Foundation continues to be a great partner in spreading the word and providing a network of partners, media and people who could help us. Most of all we thank God for Guam Ship Yard who allowed us to have our dry dock at their facilities, at a much lesser cost and performing an excellent job of repairing our ship. The Ship is scheduled to leave on the 12th of December - passing through the 5 Namonuito islands and Weno Chuuk, dropping off needed food supplies. Pray for safety, good weather, and good health for the crew and a safe return to home port Pohnpei.

PHILIPPINES
Praise God that our island Pastors and PMF church leaders will be graduating from their SEATS (South East Asian Theological Seminary) training this coming December 12. This on-island training (wherein the teachers go to the islands to train leaders every quarter) has been ongoing for three years now. Pray that all that our Pastors and church leaders have learned will be applied as they reach the islands for Christ. Pray too that they can disciple others so that the work continues and many can be equipped to share God's Word.

BAHAY KALINGA ORPHANAGE
Praise God, Aileen's paperwork is done! Legal custody is now with the Department of Social Welfare for endorsement to us. We can now process her adoption papers. Pray for a good family for her.

PALAU
The men who have been preaching during Pastor Bambit's furlough have been a real blessing to all of us at PMA/PMF. We continue to have Tuesday meetings for the pulpit ministry where we share insights on God’s word, encourage and learn from one another to be more effective in God’s work. Pray for these men that God will continue to grow them in love, unity, wisdom and grace of the Lord.

YAP, MICRONESIA
Pray for Vince Davis as he assists John Malimai in teaching and discipling the men at our PMF church. Pray for each of the men that they will continue to have the desire to grow and mature in their spiritual walk. Pastor John shares: "We thank God for Amos and Heidi Collins for their work among the young people and their desire to be involved in the lives of our church people. In spite of the language barrier - their love is very evident and that is a great witness to my people."

POHNPEI, MICRONESIA
Talked to Sylvia Kalau this morning - she joyfully shared with me what happened just yesterday. One of the ladies in her Bible study groups, brought in a lady who needed encouragement. Her husband left her and her two children and she had a hard time dealing with the situation. Sylvia shared with her the good news of salvation and that she need not be alone anymore - because "Emmanuel" - God with us - will never leave her nor forsake her. She received the Lord that day and welcomed Him into her life and heart! Pray for her spiritual growth.

Yes, dear Ones - in all that we do here in the islands, we are able because God is with us! Apart from Him, we cannot accomplish anything. Thank you all for your faithfulness through the years. God bless you this Christmas as we remember His visitation and looking forward to His coming again!

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

Melinda R. Espinosa
CFO/Administrator