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Mission News Update October 2009

Dear Praying Friends and Faithful Partners,

"Set your affections on things above, not on things on earth." Colossians 1:2

Many of you have written and asked how the recent typhoon in the Philippines has affected the Mission. Thank you for your concern. Our Officer in Charge, Malcolm Cleope, reported that our Mission staff at all our mission stations is all safe, including the children in our Orphanage. Our Hangar and aircraft are secure. We thank God for His protection. However, this was not the case for so many people.

Tropical Storm Ketsana (also known as Ondoy), left on its wake, approximately 300 people killed, damaged homes of more than 3 million people and left hundreds of thousands homeless. Ketsana brought the equivalent of one year's amount of rainfall in just 12 hours, and with waters rising so rapidly, people in low lying areas sought refuge on their roofs to avoid being swept away. The devastation wrought by the deadly storm was amplified by Typhoon Parma (also known as Pepeng), killing at least 16 and affecting 70,000 others. This storm struck an area focused on agriculture resulting to nearly 120 million dollars loss in crops.

When Ketsana struck, I was in Yap, Micronesia. My first thoughts were for PMA Philippines, and my family. It was good to receive news from Malcolm. But it took days until I heard from my family. They had lost so much, but all were safe. Thank God! My sister and I encouraged each other with God's word - and focused on what was important - things that we can never lose: God's gift of salvation, our being part of His family and the riches we have in Jesus, too innumerable to count. Continue to pray for the people in the Philippines that during these challenging times, their hearts may turn to the One who can truly bring them Hope. Pray for all the rescue and relief efforts - that each one will outdo each other in serving, doing good works and in love.

GUAM
We thank God for working in the life of one man who we have known for many years. By God's grace he has been transformed and has faithfully been coming to church. What a praise we can give to God - from being a man who could not stand for us to share to him about Jesus - to someone who now loves to read God's word! Pray for him - he continues to deal with the consequences of his past life, that God will give him strength and grace every single day.

PHILIPPINES
We thank God for the medical ministry especially the outreach Dr. John Escote is doing in Lopez, Quezon. On a monthly basis this outreach serves an average of 325 patients, with an average of 30 cataract surgeries, and dispensing an average of 200 reading glasses. Dr. John will be surveying other areas where we can effectively serve (on top of services to our island stations and the Orphanage). Pray for provision to meet the medical needs of the island people. Every medical outreach to the island costs 65,000 Pesos or $1,300 (cost of flight, travel by boat, medicines and supplies). We desire to have an outreach every month, however funding is a challenge. Pray for sponsors for this important outreach.

BAHAY KALINGA (BK) ORPHANAGE
I was privileged to visit Bahay Kalinga once again in September. It took us 8 hours by land and ship to reach Naujan. As I opened the door of the orphanage - I was greeted with children rushing to hug me! All the tiredness I felt evaporated. The BIG surprise for me was JL who was now walking, running and laughing! He was malnourished and very sickly when he came to us. How the loving care of each one at BK transformed him! Thank You Lord!

PALAU
It was a great joy for me to visit the Youth Fellowship headed by Joy Balayo, our Pastor's wife. 85% of the youth were all Palauans from the Village of Meyuns. Initially, it was the ministry of music that attracted them to the PMF church - now, it is Jesus! Please pray as they prepare for a Concert at the Meyuns Community Center end of October. Pray for the villagers and all who were invited that they will see how Jesus has transformed the lives of these young people, and that they too may desire to know Christ as well.

YAP, MICRONESIA
Praise God for a good visit in Yap. It was good to meet our mission staff and have a time of encouragement, fellowship and prayer. Aside from aviation responsibilities, our staff has taken on responsibility in the PMF church: discipling the men, pulpit ministry, youth and children ministry as well as music. Pray for each one of them - for God's strength and wisdom as they serve Him with all their might.

POHNPEI, MICRONESIA
As Charlie Johnson winds up his volunteer work with us, we can say that we have been truly blessed by him. We thank God for his sweet spirit, for a servant heart, his encouraging attitude and heartening fellowship. Nob and Sylvia especially, will truly miss him. Pray for God's direction for his life.

As I contemplate on the many things that are happening now - typhoons, earthquakes, tsunamis... there is indeed an urgency to share the Gospel. Many are still lost and in need of Jesus. Revelations 16:20 says "Every island fled away" after God's wrath was poured during the end of days. Before that happens, let us reach them and be an instrument to bring the Good News of salvation to them. Thank you for praying and partnering with us. We ask you to please share the work of PMA with your friends and families so that every island may hear.

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

Melinda R. Espinosa
CFO/Administrator