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Mission News Update September 2006

Dear Praying Friends and Faithful Partners,

"For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God." Colossians 3:1

In Psalm 99:1 it says: "The LORD reigns, let the nations tremble..." Indeed our Lord God reigns, He is over-all and is mighty and powerful. And yet, so many times, in the kingdom of our hearts, He does not always reign - we continue to be in charge of our lives and our plans. We tend to forget that when we received Jesus as our Lord and Savior - we died and are now new creatures in Christ. We were raised to life with Christ - He lives within us! He is our Master and we are His servants, willing to do His will. Please pray for us that God would enable us to live each day denying ourselves, taking up our cross and following Him. With so much to do it is so easy to let flesh be in control and do things our way - not waiting for the Lord... not consulting Him first... not trusting Him... not being still and allowing Him full control of situations and people. Thank God for His grace and mercy!

PMA has a new website: www.pmapacific.org and PMA Guam has a new email address. Please check us out; it would be good to hear from you. We are so thankful for all the hard work that went into this. To God be the glory!

GUAM
Praise God for the safe return of Pastor Edmund and Elizabeth Kalau. Their trip to Europe was indeed very fruitful and time well spent with family as well as partners and supporters. We also want to thank God for using Mel Pelayo to serve in the pulpit ministry of PMF Guam throughout the summer months. We thank God for His anointing and the spiritual growth in Mel as he studied, prepared and lived the sermons that he shared. God is great!

PHILIPPINES
We thank God for Terry and Sheila Gort, missionary candidates who visited the Philippines in August. Terry is a Pilot/Mechanic, while Sheila is equipped to help in the Office. They were able to experience life in Metro Manila, as well as visit the islands of Jomalig and Mindoro. Pray for them as they prepare and raise their support. Their goal is to be able to go back to the Philippines and serve there by April 2007. Pray for God’s provision. Pray for Terry as he also needs to build up his flight hours in preparation for his service in the field.

BAHAY KALINGA ORPHANAGE
During our visit to the Orphanage last August, our Social Worker, Angie Dioquino, received documents informing us that Angelo (our baby who has Cerebral Palsy) is now fully surrendered to us. This means that we are now able to work on his status - either find adoptive parents or a facility that would take care of his special needs. Please pray for God’s provision for a good home for Angelo.

PALAU
We thank God for the opportunity Pastor Bambit Balayo had to speak at the Belau National Hospital to the Behavioral Health Department personnel. The topic was "Suicide and Religion". There was a good response to his talk during the question and answer portion. Pray that hearts will understand that religion will not solve behavioral issues, but realize that a new life in Christ and a personal relationship with Him can be a new beginning towards recovery.

YAP, MICRONESIA
We thank God for Simon Hammerling’s visit to Guam this August. He was here to be interviewed by FAA as he is preparing himself to acquire an FAA aircraft mechanic license. We thank God for a good interview and a clearance to take the examination this year. Please pray for a focused of mind and wisdom to understand and retain all he is studying. Between work, studying and serving in PMF Yap and the prison ministry, Simon is indeed kept busy. While on Guam, he was involved in helping with several mission projects and in the ongoing VBS. We appreciate Simon’s servant heart and positive attitude. What an encouragement to all of us!

POHNPEI, MICRONESIA
"We thank God for more than 140 children who attended VBS. It has been an incredible week. The children absolutely loved the singing time. They were standing on their chairs, lifting up their hands! Opening and closing times were so jam packed with people that it was hotter than a sauna in the room. The children did not care... they sang and sang!" This was Sylvia Kalau’s praise for the VBS that just ended - "Serengeti Trail - Where Kids are Wild about God". Pray that indeed the children will be wild about God, continue to walk obediently in the Word and influence their family and friends for Jesus.

It indeed has been quite a summer - among the highlights were: Vacation Bible School in each island of ministry (Micronesia and Philippines), the Sea Haven’s voyage to Chuuk outer-islands, service of short term volunteers, Marriage Seminar in Pohnpei, continuing training of our Philippine Island Pastors and their church leaders through Natural Church Development (NCD), opening of new school year for our Learning Centers and Dormitory ministry in the Philippines... through all these, God has been so gracious, providing needs and enabling each one of our mission staff to serve Him with strength, vigor and dedication. To God be the glory!

Thank you for your continued prayer and partnership. We are encouraged and empowered by your faithfulness. God bless you!

Serving Him together,

Melinda R. Espinosa
PMA Headquarters