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Mission News Update September 2009

Dear Praying Friends and Faithful Partners,

"When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them on the road through Philistine country, though that was shorter. So God led the people around by the desert road toward the Red Sea." Exodus 13:17-18

These verses in Exodus 13 struck me the morning I was reading them. God did not lead the Israelites through a shorter route to the Promised Land because they would face war with the Philistines. This would discourage them and make them want to go back to Egypt. The Red Sea route, though a circuitous path allowed them to see and experience the greatness and protection of God through the parting of the Red Sea. Many times we wonder why the Lord allows us to go through situations we think we should not go through. Or we may be praying for something and God does not seem to answer immediately. Waiting on the Lord is difficult. It goes against our nature. We live in an instant world that always wants the short cut and instant results. However, when we allow the Lord to lead us, we will experience Him and His greatness. As we wait, we learn to trust the Lord, become stronger in our faith and grow in steadfastness and perseverance in our walk with the Lord.

GUAM
We are experiencing a Swiss invasion in a good way. Simon Weibel arrived after Selina Landauer who has been here since July. Simon will be assisting in general maintenance work for the PMA Haus together with Michael Furlin. He will then proceed to Yap and maybe Palau to assist us with various projects. Tamara Haller and Christine Walser will be serving in Guam with PMF ministries and special projects for two months and then go to Pohnpei. We are thankful for these young people for availing themselves, their time and resources to serve with PMA in areas that we need help. Pray that their time will be productive and that this will be a learning and growing experience for all of them.

PHILIPPINES
Maemae, daughter of Pastor Jorie recently wrote to me: "The young people from the PMF Katakian church joined a basketball competition and named their team PMAF team. Their manager and coach was my dad. There were other young people who joined the team, and my dad was given the opportunity to share God's word with them. This was the first time for the team, and they were up against more experienced teams in the island. Each practice and game began with a Bible study and prayer. However, at times, the team did not have time to do these and they would lose a game, and if they did - they would win! The result? The Team won the championship! More important three of the members of the team who received the Lord have made a decision to follow the Lord in water baptism! Praise God!"

BAHAY KALINGA ORPHANAGE
We are so very thankful to our partners in Germany for the donation to purchase new foam beds for our children. It was a happy event when the Cleopes brought them to BK. Thank you! Pray for the good health of our children and Caregivers - with the flu season upon us once again.

PALAU
Many of you have been praying for Pastor Bambit who was confined in the Hospital for sometime as the doctors waited for his tests to arrive. He was in isolation together with those under observation for the H1N1 Virus. While Pastor Bambit was confined, the PMF men who were trained to preach took over the pulpit. They said that it was not easy for them to do this, but with God's wisdom and grace, as well as their availability to serve, the Lord blessed the messages from God's word. While in the hospital, Pastor Bambit had an opportunity to share the word of God to the doctor and encourage hospital personnel, and those who visited him. We thank God that His Word was proclaimed even during illness. Pastor Bambit is now out of the Hospital. He has been cleared and we thank God for this. Pray for restoration of his health and continued perseverance in the work in Palau.

YAP, MICRONESIA
"It was back to school for us here in Yap for the month of August," shared Pastor John Malimai. "That meant farewell parties for our youth who have to go off island for school, so sad to see them go. And of course our children are back to school as well. We pray for protection for all of them from ungodly peer pressure and temptation. Meanwhile, we continue with our weekly activities of home Bible studies, Prayer meeting and Worship services, Bible translation and youth fellowship. We are excited and full of joy as we see the Lord working in the many lives that we touch and minister. Thank you all for praying for us."

POHNPEI, MICRONESIA
It was great to follow the Sea Haven as they visited 18 outer-islands of Chuuk to deliver their precious cargo. Everyday I would hear of God's faithfulness as He protected the crew and ship from harm and danger. We are thankful that all the islands they visited are now equipped with solar water stills and that books are available to elementary and high school students. The last islands to be visited also received sacks of rice and cartons of food supplies provided by families from other islands. The Sea Haven arrived back in Pohnpei on September 4 after sailing 21 days and 1,645 nautical miles.

For all of us in the field - waiting for the Lord is part of our lives: waiting for people to understand and actively respond to the Word of God, waiting for relationships to develop and mature so that we would earn the right to be heard, waiting for much needed supplies from off-island to arrive, waiting for needed manpower, waiting for provisions to complete projects - waiting for answers to prayers. Through all these, the Lord has taught us patience and perseverance - given us strength not to give up, knowing that our labor is not in vain in the Lord. Thank you for praying for us. Knowing that you do, gives us encouragement and strength. God bless you richly!

In Him we live and move and have our being,

Melinda R. Espinosa
CFO/Administrator
PMA Headquarters