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Mission News Update October 2006

Dear Praying Friends and Faithful Partners,

"I am the Resurrection and the Life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die..." John 11:25,26 (NKJV)

Today, October 6, 2006, a dear friend and brother in the Lord, Victor H. Obermeier, left the land of the dead and to be in the land of the living. We rejoice that he is now with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ whom he loved and served faithfully. We also rejoice that he is now reunited with his beloved wife of 30 years, Clara. Victor and Clara were founding members of Pacific Missionary Aviation. He served as a board member and Vice-President of PMA, from 1975 until he retired in December 31, 1999. Upon retirement, the PMA Board awarded him with a status of Vice-President Emeritus. We will miss him very much, but we are comforted, knowing that he is finally home.

As I write this, lines from the hymn, "He Hideth My Soul" go through my mind and give me peace: "A wonderful Savior is Jesus my Lord. A wonderful Savior to me. He hideth my soul in the cleft of the rock... He hideth my life in the depths of His love. And covers me there with His hand." He indeed has wrapped me in His loving arms and given me strength and comfort during this painful time. I praise God for His grace.

GUAM
One of our members called me one day and shared about the death of her uncle. She said that since it was an accident, she was sure that he was going to heaven. I then shared with her how one can have the assurance of salvation and know for sure that one is going to heaven - only through the finished work of Jesus Christ on Calvary and placing our trust in Him alone. This really disturbed her and she asked me if I could provide her with the Bible verses to prove this so she could share this with her family. Because of this, we now have a Bible Study in her home with neighborhood ladies in attendance. During our first meeting, one lady prayed to receive the Lord and gave a testimony of her assurance of salvation. Another result was 7 of her neighbors’ children came to our Kids Klub for the first time and experienced hearing the word of God. Pray for the ladies (there are more that would like to join) that the Lord will open hearts and give understanding of the Word of God. Pray for me that God will enable me to teach simply and clearly, rightly dividing the Word. Pray for the children that they will continue to join us in Kids Klub - learn and grow in the Lord.

PHILIPPINES
Metro Manila was hit with a powerful typhoon "Milenyo" - the strongest to hit this area in 11 years. With winds at maximum 120 Km/hr with gusts up to 150 Km/hr - Metro Manila suffered substantial damage, which included destruction of power lines rendering more than 40 million people without electricity. We thank God that He protected our mission staff, and our Hangar and aircraft at the Domestic Airport. Our Airport neighbors were not as fortunate. As of this writing, our Office’s electricity has not been restored. Malcolm Cleope, PMA Philippines OIC - is working out of his home as their power was restored recently. Continue to pray for the reconstruction and rebuilding of those afflicted by this disaster. Also pray for families who lost their loved ones. Pray that our Mission staff and PMA Philippines may be able to assist them during this difficult time.

BAHAY KALINGA ORPHANAGE
Two children, a one year old and a one month old, were referred to us by the Social Welfare Office (SWO) in Naujan for temporary shelter. The parents are not married. The father is working for a construction company in another town, while the mother does not have a job. The mother has not been receiving financial support from the father for quite some time, hence the intervention from the SWO, and now the children are in our care. Please pray for them (both boys) that our Care givers can give them the love and care they need. Pray also for the parents that they will have the desire and the means to take care of their children and that they may be reunited as a family.

PALAU
Last September 17, 2006, PMA formally honored Anita Del Rosario for her 20 years of service to the Lord through PMA in Palau. The Ceremony was a complete surprise to her - done after Pastor Bambit Balayo shared the message "The Nobility of God’s Nobodies". A power point presentation about her life and ministry was presented while the PMF children’s choir sang. The ladies from the Koror Evangelical church (who she has been ministering to since she has been in Palau) came and also gave their testimony of how Annie’s life was a great blessing to them. The highlight was a presentation of PMA’s Plaque of Appreciation. It was a great celebration of God’s faithfulness and goodness in Annie’s life.

YAP, MICRONESIA
It was a great experience to be part of the Youth Leadership Conference, spearheaded by Asael Ruda and John Malimai. There were about 40 young people who attended from Yap Evangelical Church, Colonia and Rumu villages, the Palauan Church and PMF church. How good it is when the people of God learn, work and serve Him together. I was privileged to share about "Servant Leadership" and the group discussion and interaction after that showed that the young people understood what God desires for them. Please pray for the young people in Yap that they will have a desire to please the Lord in all their ways and that they will be examples for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.

POHNPEI, MICRONESIA
We thank God for good weather on Pohnpei as they poured out cement on the foundation for the radio station’s tower. The project is going slowly but surely and we are praying that soon the radio station (an FM and shortwave one) will be up and running. There still is much to be done, but we are relying on God’s perfect timing and provisions. We are excited that God’s word can soon go forth to the remote islands of Micronesia. Our dream will soon be realized, thanks to your prayers, your generous donations and most of all to our God who has made all these possible. To Him be glory and honor!

"May our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who loved us and by His grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word." 2 Thess. 2:16-17

Melinda R. Espinosa
PMA Headquarters