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Mission News Update January 2009

Dear Praying Friends and Faithful Partners,

"My victory and honor come from God alone. He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me." Psalm 62:7

It has been a tradition at the PMF church here on Guam, to end the old year and begin the New Year with a Worship Service. Everyone has the opportunity to share praises to God for what He has done in each one's life. We have a great time of remembering God's faithfulness throughout the year as we count our blessings. As we listen to each one's testimony, we are reassured of a God who does not change and will continue to be faithful in the coming year. A highlight of the service is the picking of a promise verse we can claim for the year. I find it amazing that every year - the verse I pick is the one that ministers and meets my need and throughout the year God uses the verse to encourage and give me hope. This year the verse I picked is the verse above. What a great encouragement as I face 2009 with its uncertainties and challenges - a great reminder as well that victory and honor is in Him alone - the enemy cannot reach me because God is my Refuge and my Rock. As my Rock - He is a Firm Foundation in these uncertain times. As my Refuge, I can run to Him any time and He will always be there to take care of me and provide all my needs. What a wonderful promise! What a wonderful God!

GUAM
We are thankful to God for sending Corinne Gyger from Switzerland to serve on Guam with the PMF church. We thank God for her servant spirit and availability to help in many areas including in the PMA Haus and Office. An added bonus is her ability to transfer slides to CDs. This is an answered prayer for us and especially to Pastor Edmund Kalau who has accumulated slides for over 50 years in Micronesia. This is a great help in archiving PMA's and Pastor Kalau's history in the islands. Pray for wisdom and strength for Corinne to accomplish all the assigned responsibilities given to her. Pray too that we may be a blessing to her - that her time in Guam will be one of learning and growing. That she will have special memories of the people she meets here on Guam.

PHILIPPINES
We praise God that Pastor Jorie from our PMF church in Katakian graduated from Master of Divinity with an MA in Christian studies. Her daughter Mae wrote me an email: "I am so happy that my Dad graduated from his Master's degree. I thank God because I know that though it was hard for him - being a home school curriculum done in a remote island with no teachers, no facilities, no computer, no internet, with only a few books and tapes that helped him to accomplish his studies - he pressed on! I am so inspired by him and it showed me that with God anything is possible. Praise God for giving wisdom and knowledge when we ask Him. To God be the glory!"

BAHAY KALINGA ORPHANAGE
Continue to pray for Jamby (not her real name) her surgery for cleft pallet was postponed as she became ill of asthma, an illness she was suffering when she was given to us for care. Pray for her health and strength to improve so that the operation can be performed by January 22. Pray for provision as well.

PALAU
As the year ended, Pastor Bambit and Joy Balayo give thanks to God for bringing them to Palau and for answering prayers concerning their future. "He opened our eyes to see His work in our lives even through trials and testing. God is truly changing us each day, though changes sometimes are painful, we always count it all joy. God has shown to us through the improvement of Bambit's dad health that His will for us is to continue to serve the Lord through PMA. We thank God for PMA for being part of God's working in our lives. For the grace we have felt and experienced from our PMA leadership."

YAP, MICRONESIA
Amos and Heidi Collins continue to be challenged with the new assignment given to them (aside from Amos' being Pilot and Director for Maintenance) - that of ministering to PMF's youth group of about 24 - 30. They have weekly Bible studies with the fourth week designated as fun night - where the youth also recite their memory verses learned during their Bible studies. Praise God, a majority of them is able to recite the verses flawlessly. We truly pray that these verses will transform their minds and hearts. For activities, the youth performed a Christmas play, conducted a fund raiser by collecting and delivering firewood and visited the sick and elderly of the congregation, singing and praying for them during the visits. Please pray for Amos and Heidi that they may continue to build strong relationships with the youth and be a good influence to them in their personal walk with the Lord. Pray for the Youth that they may have a strong desire to know the Lord and grow in their spiritual walk.

POHNPEI, MICRONESIA
Praise God, M/V Sea Haven and crew arrived safely in Pohnpei on December 21 - in time for Christmas celebrations. The ship left Guam the day after Tropical Depression 27 W moved away from the island. The ship and crew experienced a very rough voyage, but this did not dampen the Crew's spirit and the sturdy ship repair (thanks to Guam Shipyard) enabled the ship to traverse the ocean safely and securely. Namonuito islands (5 of them) were recipients of much needed food supplies (sea levels rose and covered the atolls). They were so thankful to the people of Guam for their concern and love - a timely Christmas present to all the islanders - bringing them hope and joy.

As we read the newspapers, listen and watch the news, we know that challenging times are ahead. And yet, we are truly encouraged by you dear Partners - you faithfully stand with us, support us in prayer and are generous in your financial giving enabling PMA missionaries to continue to serve in the islands, so that the work of reaching the lost, bringing hope and changing lives can be carried on. Thank you so very much. May the Lord continue to shower you with blessings!

Praise God Almighty for He is our Refuge and Rock - the One who is in control of the future and able to carry us through another year!

In Him we live and move and have our being,

Melinda R. Espinosa
CFO/Administrator
PMA Headquarters