Another 3 Day Weekend

Last Monday was a holiday, Weno Constitution Day. Weno is the name of the island in the state of Chuuk in the country of the Federated States of Micronesia where I reside. I'm sure I could have posted then but I was totally engrossed in a book about the life of William Carey, father of modern missions and missionary to India. It was great and I finished it before we had to get back to school on Tuesday. Now I have a quote from W.C. for my screen saver, "Expect great things from God! Attempt great things for God!"

Tuesday and Wednesday my Junior and Senior Speech classes gave their first recitation in front of the class. I was fairly hard on them as a grader so I think they were a little disappointed with themselves. But considering everything, they did an outstanding job! Even the girls that I hadn't hardly heard (heehee, alliteration) a peep out of projected quite nicely. One of my juniors, Alvin, recited the lyrics to "Jesus, I My Cross Have Taken" and I almost lost it crying in the back of the class. I pretended I was grading but I was just trying to get control of my emotions! That's funny too, considering on a lot of their papers I told them that it was okay to show feeling and emotion in front of people! Then Peterson, a senior, who had recited a sort of narrative about Jesus and Peter walking on water did it for my New Testament class today! What a wonderful sport! I dressed him up and everything. I thought he would be even more intimidated by the sophomores but he did an excellent job. I had been praying for him all morning and that my sophomore class would pay attention - they did! It was so great. Praise the Lord! And thanks for those of you who prayed.

My sophomore and freshmen class are beginning to settle down a little bit but, please, don't stop praying! Most of my little freshmen seem to be overwhelmed by the work that I give them. Pray that I draw back and slow down and make sure everyone is with me before I go on. They're still getting their east and west mixed up - never eat salty watermelon (I had to change never eat shredded wheat as they don't know what shredded wheat is). You can also specifically pray for one little sophomore named Sinie (c-nee-ay) as her English is very poor and so things are very hard for her.

Overall, school is going well. On Monday we'll start our six week stretch without breaks and half-days all the way to midterms! Wow! Continue to pray that my students know that I love Jesus Christ more than anything and that it's worth it - a thousand times worth it - to give up everything else.

Tomorrow is Friday and we have no classes again, another three day weekend, the kids were so disappointed (hah! they're still teenagers over here). This time it's because it's the Pastors' Conference! I was soooooooooooo excited to see people that I knew from home - Pastor Jones, Mr. and Mrs. Trosak, and Mr. Brandon! It has done wonders for me and I didn't even see them at all yesterday. Just knowing they were on the island though made me smile. :o) But pray for the Pastors' Conference as many of you know the separation of churches here on the island and the unforgiveness and selfishness. Pray that the Word of God exhorts and encourages and that a new life of revival will take place. I'll be attending tomorrow.

As far as other news, the power was out for a looooooooooooong time today and I seriously thought my blood was going to boil. But, praise the Lord, because two packages came from home! Yipee! So now I have more books to read and CDs to listen to... my quiet retreat in my room is a gift from God (not forgetting my big bed, of course). Also with the packages came lots of yummy American food! Thank you, Mama!

So I'll close with this... (by the way, Rebecca, my students notice that I start a lot of my sentences with "so" and catch me on it all the time - I find it annoying, I find it hilarious, I find it helpful)
Anyway, my closing...
The other day I was thinking about being here as I've begun, by the diligent working of the Spirit, to get used to life here in Chuuk. My heart truly has such fond affection (could it be love?) for most (pray for the rest) of my students! I was thinking how I didn't even have a clue that I would do anything like this just a few months ago! I can't even believe I'm here, that I've been here for three weeks! I remember the day on the beach crying out to God, complaining, ranting and raving even that He had not shown me His plan for my life. His simple answer of "Trust me." was accepted by His grace alone. "Can I doubt His tender mercies, who through life has been my guide?" So I praise God for bringing me here to teach at Mizpah and I'm sooooooo glad He gave me the grace to trust Him.

Secure in the everlasting arms...
In the uttermost parts...
Katie