The Uttermost Parts of the Sea

new blog

2009-10-17T02:00:00.001+10:00

www.isaiahchapter43.blogspot.com

2008-02-19T03:17:00.002+10:00

La Nina De Tus Ojos Tijuana Ministries

2008-02-17T11:05:00.001+10:00

new job opportunities on the horizon, but my heart needs a revival

www.flickr.com/photosbye

2008-01-12T08:08:00.000+10:00

i am uploading quite a few (hundreds) chuuk pictures here

2007-11-27T14:55:00.001+10:00

Mexico November 24-25, 2007

2007-11-27T13:48:00.000+10:00

Thanksgiving Weekend

2007-11-27T13:34:00.000+10:00

2007-10-14T15:56:00.000+10:00

Please, pray for former Mizpah student, Franky Fango. Pray for perseverence & academic success as well as spiritual growth at Pensacola Christian College in Florida. Please, also pray for former Mizaph student & Pacific Island Bible College graduate, Dayson Marar, at The Master's College in Santa Clarita, CA. Dayson still needs funds to pay his tuition for this semester. Also, there have been some hard times in his family & other uncertainties as well. The ministry continues...Thank You!

2007-10-14T15:49:00.000+10:00

Check it out!

2007-09-13T09:03:00.000+10:00

http://www.studioemily.com

Me & my Brothers at Balboa Park

2007-09-05T04:03:00.000+10:00

Franky in Oceanside

2007-09-05T03:53:00.000+10:00

Franky at Sea World

2007-09-05T03:32:00.000+10:00

Franky, Annie Colop, Becca Boone, Me, Mom, Dayson

2007-09-05T03:22:00.000+10:00

Hmm...

2007-08-23T07:51:00.001+10:00

I had a dream that I was returning to Chuuk this semester. Pat says, "Buy your tickets!"

My Song of the South

2007-08-21T01:40:00.000+10:00

Visit Katie's new blog http://www.mysongofthesouth.blogspot.com

2007-07-14T03:29:00.000+10:00

i got a call from Gospel for Asia today asking for my resume & a portfolio of my photography. :) please, pray. photography + jesus + travel = very exciting possibility :)

2007-07-05T17:35:00.001+10:00

I'm picking Dayson up from LAX tomorrow, er, today (it's late).

PRs

2007-05-27T08:29:00.000+10:00

1. God glorifying farewells
2. Safe & fun travel to and in Korea
3. Thanksgiving for our Korean hosts (Manuel, Mihamm & family)
4. Safe travel home from Korea next week
5. For Maverick who wrote in our yearbooks "If you love us, come back."
6. For Benricko who still is not the same
7. For Miss Irene who is staying & praying & hoping for her husband & children to be with her
8. For State-side college-bound students & all the financial & travel arrangements
9. For Katie to take care of financial aid business before we are cut off from communication!
10. For wisdom to know what I should do this summer & fall...

Thank you & Farewell! (For now...)

emily

Picnic & Reef Island

2007-05-27T08:25:00.000+10:00

Graduation & the Logan Tree

2007-05-26T16:21:00.000+10:00

A Day with Dayson (ironically I'm not posting any pictures of him...)

2007-05-26T16:01:00.000+10:00

Who knew I would care so much...

2007-05-22T10:50:00.000+10:00

Please, keep praying for Benricko (Becko) and Spencer...for a falling out that Becko had with me and a falling out they have had with each other.

I read this devotion today (from a book from Bill & Joanne Brandon) & it hit the spot for this situation: It is not so much adverse events that make you anxious as it is your thoughts about those events. Your mind engages in trying to take control of a situation, to bring about the result you desire. Your thoughts close in on the problem like ravenous wolves. Determined to make things go your way, you forget that I am in charge of your life. The only remedy is to switch your focus from the problem to My Presence. Stop all your striving, and watch to see what I will do. I am the Lord! (from Jesus Calling by Sarah Young, p148)

Thanks,
ee

Monday (Yesterday)

2007-05-22T08:11:00.000+10:00

Nick, Ana, and Nico left yesterday. Emily and I were uncontrollably bawling at the airport.

Please, earnestly and constantly be in prayer for...

...Dayson Marar and his plans for the summer as well as his financial status with Master's.

...the Logan Church group coming to the US and the most important details to be worked out before I leave on Monday.

...for trust, love, trust, joy, trust, peace, trust, patience, trust, trust, trust, trust, trust.

May the Lord bless you richly!

Updates

2007-05-20T23:34:00.000+10:00

1. I’ve been officially accepted into the Master’s TEFL/Intercultural Studies program at Columbia International University! And the guest speaker for baccalaureate, a professor at Pacific Island Bible College on Tol, taught at CIU for 14 years (or something like that).
2. Although we’ve gone days at a time without electricity lately, it just makes us more thankful when it is on.
3. We’ve been to the airport three times in the past week. We’ll be going tomorrow morning to see Nick, Ana, and Nico off. One more week and then we’ll be gone. …I’m trying not to think about it.
4. Had dinner with six of the senior girls tonight. Was very amusing. …Some of the senior boys (and a few others) crashed the event at Lei Side Café. It was hilarious when Franky and my recorded song came over the speakers and I hear KI say, being overly loud on purpose, “Wow. That girl’s voice is the most beautiful voice I’ve ever heard.” It was even more hilarious when DS came up behind the booth with his napkin and asked for my autograph.
5. Graduation is on Friday and so we have the next four days with not a whole lot to do. Pray that we have wonderful visits from our students, that we get to “climb the mountain,” and that we get another dive in.
6. I went to the “Mission to the U.S.” meeting at Logan tonight. It was very interesting. Some of the group was very understanding and knew that they were still loved and prayed for by people at CCC. Others were very skeptical. But I asked them to come to California. I’ve been praying morning and night that they would. They had completed wiped California off their schedule because of rejection but they will rethink through their plans and maybe come.
7. Thank you to all of the phone calls, e-mails, comments, and especially prayers for all the happenings here lately. It has been quite emotionally and spiritually draining and I covet your prayers and interaction with me.

PRAYER REQUESTS
Please, keep them coming…
1. For God to do a miracle so Dayson (second highest graduate at PIBC and awarded student of the year at his graduation) can attend The Master’s College in the fall. He was accepted but is still waiting to here from financial aid. Pray also that God leads him to a place to live for the summer (preferably someplace in CA) and for a way to earn money.
2. For Becko and Emily to be reconciled (long story).
3. Director for next year.
4. Teachers for next year.
5. Custodial staff for next year.
6. For all the plans for Korea to work out perfectly and our time there to be one of wonderful fellowship with our missionary hosts and lots of rest and relaxation.

…

I’ve been reading a wonderful book. Here’s a quote:
“A hungry man can be a fast learner. When you come to a table with nothing but need, you are grateful for things you might have pushed aside before. And when you kneel, hungry and broken at His table, you receive a grace from Him you might, at some other time, have completely missed. You’ll know this grace when you take it. It goes deeper, quicker, and it burns all the way down.”

Also, I’ve been reading THE MOST Wonderful Book. I’ve been encouraged by the book of Nehemiah in particular, especially chapter 9. It’s pretty much just a summary of God’s work in the nation of Israel – God’s grace and love, Israel’s sin and need for repentance, God’s grace and love, Israel’s sin and need for repentance, God’s grace and love, Israel’s sin and need for repentance, God’s grace and love – the story of my life. But the really cool thing about it is that God used His love for the many times faithless nation of Israel to enlighten the heart of a little girl 2,500 years later out here in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. If God can use the nation of Israel to reveal more about Himself to me, then there is a glimmer of hope that He can use me also to reveal to others more about Himself. I pray with all of my heart that He did.

Junior Retreat

2007-05-19T12:14:00.000+10:00

Patsy, Vanity, & Miss Katie

Sinie, Betty, Miss Katie, & Immacu

Augustina & Miss Junotte

Miss Emily & Peter

Betty, Augustina, Aileen, Roselima, Beulah, & Vanity

Junior

Mickenzy & Teison

Senior Banquet

2007-05-18T07:26:00.000+10:00

Freshmen Myron and Benricko

Junior Disc Jockey DS

Isaiah

KI, Alvin, Franky

Ermy, Evangeline, Doralyn, Gina, Immacu

School Farewell Party

2007-05-17T06:59:00.000+10:00

party food... magenta rice, kimche flavored rice noodles, potatoe salad, and the best chicken in the world... yummy

Charity and Darian

Miss Irene, Emily and Nico

Doralyn and Miss Katie

DS on the keyboard

Vanity, Em, Betty, & Katie

Junior, Em, and Frank

And I know this is bragging but I do have to admit that it's sort of cool. Director was eating at a little cafe the other night and he said that as the music played all of the sudden... Franky and Katie started singing. Haha! That's right. I am officially recorded onto the new BIC album singing "Your Grace Still Amazes Me" - wow!

Mother's Day at Logan

2007-05-13T22:01:00.000+10:00

We Pray to One Who ACTS

2007-05-13T21:16:00.000+10:00

Praise the Lord for rain! Thank you for your intercession. Please, continue to pray for rain. And also the electricity is out again. Please, pray for constant power over the next two weeks. God hears and acts.

In my last blog entry, I did not mean to tell my faithful prayer warriors that they did not love me or my precious people I'm ministering with and to. Those that pray have been the most crucial part of this ministry all along. Right now, much healing and wisdom are needed. Please, please, please, continue to pray.

My pain, hurt, and tears have not subsided by any means but I am beginning to feel a sense of letting go and freedom. That God no longer needs me to be a part of this ministry and that, no matter the circumstances that everything is in right now, I have the freedom to go and participate in the next stage of my life and not be burdened. Of course, I will always, always love and pray.

"...grief is upon me..." Jeremiah 8:18

2007-05-12T22:33:00.000+10:00

1. Director has been called home. I don’t know all the details, only that my Beloved and Trusted Director, Boss, Father-figure, Pastor, Mentor, Friend was seen as a hindrance. And his and his family’s hearts are broken, and the students hearts are broken (especially my precious junior APs), and my heart is broken.
2. The group from Logan Church will probably NOT come to California this summer as originally planned. They feel no one is interested in them. No one will help host them or is eager to hear their songs of praise and their testimonies of what God has done and is doing.
3. Mizpah may not survive. Many of my students are planning on leaving or doing something else for schooling. As said before, probably 7 of Mizpah’s 10 teachers will be leaving.
4. I feel rejected. It would be hard leaving here this time around anyway because I knew I wasn’t coming back next year. It’s ten millions times worse leaving with everything so completely messed up. I cry and cry and cry and cry and cry and cry and cry. This has been the hardest year of my life for reasons that most of you will never ever know anything about. But if I have learned two things it is that God is far more gracious than we will ever know and that by that grace… I LOVE THESE PEOPLE. Yes, sometimes I wanted to ring some sophomore necks and other times I was completely disgusted at my junior boys' disrespect and disgusting jokes and sometimes I wanted to walk out of my senior classes and say, “Forget you. You don’t care anyway.” But what kept me here was God’s grace towards me and how I wish and long and pray for my students to know my gracious God and to realize their potential through Him and for Him and because of Him, the truly abundant life they can have – not necessarily of physical things but of everything that matters – using the gifts that God has given them to their full capacity, working hard for Him, praying and reading His Word because it’s how they can know Him more.

…I was listening to a song earlier. Here are the lyrics:

I will praise you, Lord my God/Even in my brokenness, I will praise You, Lord/I will praise you, Lord my God/Even in my desperation, I will praise You, Lord/I can’t understand all that you’ve allowed/Just can’t see the reason/But my life is in your hands/Though I cannot see, I choose to trust You//Even when my heart is torn, I will praise You, Lord/Even when I feel deserted, I will praise You, Lord/Even in the darkest valley, I will praise You, Lord/And when my world is shattered and it seems all hope is gone,Yet I will praise You, Lord

…

“Though the fig tree should not blossom,
Nor fruit be on the vines,
The produce of the olive fail
And the fields yield no food,
The flock be cut off from the fold
And there be no herd in the stalls,
Yet I will rejoice in the Lord;
I will take joy in the God of my salvation.
God, the Lord, is my strength;
He makes my feet like the deer’s;
He makes me tread on my high places.”
Habakkuk 3:17-19

WATER DESPERATION

2007-05-12T08:10:00.000+10:00

We only have a few gallons left... after that, no shower, no washing hair, no washing hands, no brushing teeth, no flushing toilet.

PLEASE, PRAY FOR RAIN!

Right now there's not a cloud in the sky but I'm looking to the horizon waiting for that one little puff - just like Elijah.

Requests for God

2007-05-09T23:37:00.000+10:00

I think God is reminding me how gracious He has been over the past months. We have had very little time without power and no time without water. Today, we have neither.

Tomorrow is the last day of school. Emily and I (and other teachers) have been reflecting on this year and these students and this school.

Next year, Mizpah will be losing 7 of their 10 teachers. This does not mean that God cannot provide; however, it does mean that He may not.

So I ask myself, was it worth it? Was worth it to spend a year and a half of my life attempting to teach apathetic students who want to sit around and do nothing anyway after high school?

And I think of the few… and all I can do is plead to God that He continues His work in their lives …and that He makes it worth it.

PRAISES and Prayer Requests

2007-05-08T17:04:00.000+10:00

PRAISE THE LORD for a DONATED toner for our copy machine!!!
PRAISE THE LORD for continued electricity.
PRAISE THE LORD for finishing one of my classes.

Please, keep praying…
…for RAIN!
…for end of classes and finals (especially DS to get his 3 speeches finished!)
…for final packing and moving preparations.
…for teachers for next year.
…for all of the extra activities for the end of the school year including junior high graduation and a MUSIC RECITAL!
…for Dayson’s financial status with Master’s – God does miracles!
…for everything with Columbia to be finalized.
…for all of the meetings and plans that are being set for when we get home.

EMERGENCY!

2007-05-07T17:58:00.000+10:00

We need a copy machine to work and be inexpensive for our finals!!!

By the way, PRAISE THE LORD for all the rain - our once-empty tank is already half full! Keep it coming!

Chuukese Coming to California!

2007-05-06T07:00:00.000+10:00

A small group (I think about 10, mostly male leadership from church and some will have their wives) from Logan Memorial Church will be in the Carlsbad area for ministry the week of July 21st-28th. They need places to stay and ministries that want to spend time with them. They are WONDERFUL!

THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR GREAT BLESSING YOU DO NOT WANT TO MISS OUT ON!

Katie’s Continued Prayer Requests…

2007-05-05T21:47:00.000+10:00

- PRAISE THE LORD for a full two days of electricity! Keep it coming!
- PRAISE THE LORD for time to respond to most of the e-mails in my Inbox!
- PRAISE THE LORD for time and creativity for my New Testament Review and Final!
- PRAISE THE LORD that contact was finally made with Columbia!
- PRAISE THE LORD for strength for each day!

Please, continue to be in prayer for…
- Final packing and moving preparations for me and Em, Miss Junotte, and ESPECIALLY Pat and Linda and the boys.
- TEACHERS FOR NEXT YEAR!
- The end of classes – students to finish, students to study for their finals, students to pass.
- All of the extra activities that come with the end of the year (end of year party, senior banquet, junior retreat, baccalaureate, staff party, graduation, etc.)
- The Lord to do His miracle of provision in providing financially for Dayson to attend The Master’s College.
- For everything to be finalized with Columbia and plans to go into motion.
- Continued strength to get through these last few weeks with energy and love.
- ***ALL OF OUR WATER IS GONE!*** This is not because it hasn’t been raining – it has been very much – but this morning we found that our pipe (which is screwed in tight) was somehow disconnected from our tank and our once full tank is now COMPLETELY EMPTY! God does miracles though. Pray for it to be completely filled again.
- And pray for patience and trust as He answers perfectly all of our requests.

Katie's Prayer Requests

2007-05-02T11:30:00.001+10:00

- ELECTRICITY
- the Lord to do a miracle and provide financially for dayson to attend the master's college
- time to respond to the bazillion e-mails in my inbox
- time, wisdom, and creativity to write my finals
- to hear either way from columbia
- strength to get through this month with energy and love (i’m really, really, really ready to be back in the states)

2007-05-01T08:47:00.000+10:00

PRs:

Junior Retreat, which was supposed to be this weekend.
Chiles – as they prepare for whatever is next…
ENERGY & the fruits of the Spirit to finish the school year
Motivation & discipline for the students to study & NOT CHEAT
Creative ways to help the students study for finals & learn the last of the material
Continued discussion & sharing about the topic of purity
Continued prayer for growth of those at the Women’s Conference
Prayer for God’s leading and direction upon returning to the States in June

2007-04-29T08:31:00.000+10:00

Our Notes

2007-04-28T18:55:00.000+10:00

Katie's Notes

CHUUK WOMEN’S CONFERENCE
SESSION FIVE

I. Definition of Purity
A. What it IS
1. the will of God (1 Thes. 4:3-8)
a. to be sanctified, made holy, like Christ
b. to have self-control (Fruit of the Spirit)
2. God’s perfect design for His creation (Gen 2:24)
a. 1 man
b. 1 woman
c. 1 marriage
3. staying away from sexual immorality
B. What it is NOT
1. sexual immorality (Gal. 5:19; Eph. 5:5; Col. 3:5, Heb. 13:4)
a. immoral – any form of wrong sexual behavior
(1) fornication – sex before you’re married
(2) adultery – sex with someone other than your spouse
(3) homosexuality – sex with someone of the same gender
b. anything that will lead to such behavior (1 Cor. 6:18)
2. lustful thoughts (Mat. 5:27-30, 15:19)
a. even thoughts are serious
b. Jesus tells us to take drastic measures to
prevent this
3. lasting joy and peace
a. moment of physical pleasure
b. guilt and shame
(1) for you
(2) for your future spouse (or current
spouse)

II. Biblical Examples
A. Joseph – GOOD (Gen. 39)
1. Recognizes sin – before you get in a situation know what is okay and what is not okay
2. Stays away from tempting situations.
3. Flees – runs away as fast as he can.
** Remember, Kim said that no one is perfect and that even Christians sin.
B. King David – BAD (2 Sam. 11:1-4, 27)
1. David wasn’t where God wanted him to be.
2. David took baby steps into sin.
C. King David – GOOD (2 Sam. 12:13-14, Psalm 51:1-4)
1. Confess.
2. Repent.
3. God forgives us. (1 John 1:9)

Emily to answer specific questions.

Emily's Notes:

1. Is dating a good thing for teenagers?

If “dating” is building friendships with guys in group settings, yes, “dating” is a good way to practice communication skills and relating to guys.

If dating is spending time alone with a guy, it is NOT a good idea. It will likely lead to an emotionally or physically intimate relationship that would be wrong outside of marriage. Also, it is not good for young people who are not spiritually, emotionally, academically and financially read to consider marriage to be pursuing this kind of relationship.

2. What if my future husband is not pure?

If your future husband is not pure, that will be a difficulty in your relationship, but you can forgive him, just as God forgives him.

3. Is it good for two people to be together if they stay pure?

It might be good. Be careful! Serious relationships are usually not a good idea at a young age because they are likely to end in heartbreak. You and he may change a lot in the next few years, especially with big changes like going to college. The most important thing is to grow in your maturity with the Lord and trust Him to bring the right person AT THE RIGHT TIME!

4. If I’ve been kissed, am I still pure?

That is a personal question. Did kissing cause you to think impure thoughts? Did it develop emotions that are too strong for someone who isn’t ready to get married? That is a boundary you need to set for yourself, but my advice is to save your kisses for your spouse-this is a way to FLEE temptation. Instead of asking, “How far can I go?” We should ask, “How pure can I be?”

5. What can I say if my boyfriend asks me to have sex with him?

NO! He should not by your boyfriend if he asks you to have sex with him. He is not looking out for your best interest if he wants you to have sex with him. He is being selfish. If you think it is okay to have a boyfriend, you should have one that cares about following God and helping to keep you both pure.

6. Is it true that having sex will make love between two people grow strong and last forever?

God designed sex to unite two people in a VERY strong and SPECIAL relationship, but sex outside of marriage is NOT God’s design, and will NOT lead to strong and lasting love. Instead, it will likely lead to shame and sadness. It could also lead to sexually transmitted diseases, HIV and AIDS, or unwanted pregnancy.

7. Is it okay to date more than one guy?

Again this depends on what you mean by “date.” I don’t think you should spend time alone with any guys! It is important to be honest. Do NOT let one guy think he is having a special friendship with you if you are secretly having the same type of relationship with someone else.

8. Is it good to date a non-Christian?

NEVER! It is NEVER good to date a non-Christian. People who date fall in love and people who fall in love usually want to get married! You do not want to date (or think about dating) a non-Christian because you do NOT want to marry a non-Christian. You want to marry someone who has the same beliefs and ideas about living life that you do. If Christ is the most important person in your life, it is VERY important that Christ is the most important person in his life, too. If you are dating a non-Christian, you are showing that you love yourself more than you love the Lord. Also, you cannot have a REAL relationship with someone if you are trying to change them. Only God can change a person’s heart to love Him. Not only should you wait for a Christian, but a guy who is running after the Lord as fast and strong as you are! I heard before that you should run with all your heart to the Lord, and one day, you may look over and see a guy who is running as fast and hard as you are.

9. Is my boyfriend going to hate me if I don’t kiss him?

He might! But that just means he doesn’t respect you and you don’t want him to be your boyfriend anyway! If you’re going to have a boyfriend, choose someone that respects your standards and your desire to be pure and follow God.

10. What if my boyfriend wants to marry me?

You still need to STAY pure! Protect yourself from the temptation to have sex before you are actually married. Also, be sure you are right with the Lord, pray, seek counsel from your family and maybe a pastor who knows your boyfriend. Is he someone that you think you could honor and respect for the rest of your life? Does he demonstrate a love for God and you? Is he a person that shows responsibility-would you trust him to take care of you and your family? If not, you two need to go your separate ways.

11. What is the purpose of dating?

A wrong purpose for dating is to enjoy the feelings of being in love when you are not ready for lasting commitment or marriage. The problem is not enjoying romance, but taking it outside of God’s design. God wants romantic love to be between one man and one woman who get married because those feelings are supposed to lead to a physical relationship. If you are seriously ready to consider marriage, a better purpose for dating would be to find and get to know someone that you might marry.

12. Is it okay to date someone who is married?

NEVER. And why would you want to date him anyway? He is obviously a selfish person because he wants to have a wife and a girlfriend. Think about how you would be hurting his marriage and family. You would be dishonoring God’s design.

13. What do I do if I know my boyfriend has another girlfriend?

Be honest. If you thought it was a special relationship with only you, tell him. If you tell him that he hurt you, and he doesn’t apologize or change, move on! You deserve someone better!

14. How can I know a guy loves me?

To truly love you the best way, he first needs to know the true love of God the Father. If he is a Christian and he is showing that he loves you, he will be protecting your purity and looking out for your best interest. He will show that he loves you with action. Do not be fooled by someone who SAYS he loves you, but consistently speaks mean words or does mean things to you.

15. When should I come home from a date?

BEFORE you are tempted! Remember, it is not a good idea to spend time alone with a guy, especially in the dark. Also, you should come home when your parents tell you to!

16. Do men stay pure too?

Yes, some men, who are following God’s plan for their lives, stay pure. Other men may not stay pure. ALL men and women are commanded by God to stay pure.

17. Is daydreaming bad?

If it is making you think lustful thoughts, yes. It may also be bad if you are daydreaming about a certain guy and your feelings for him are growing too strong. Remember, your first love should be Christ. You should spend the MOST time with the Lord.

18. Is holding hands okay?

This is a personal decision according to what it means to you and what it makes you feel. If it makes you want to touch him more and more, maybe it is better not to touch at all. Also, is it culturally acceptable and if your mother knew you were doing it, would she think it was okay? Remember, the Bible says honor your father and mother!

19. What can we do on a date that won’t cause temptation?

Probably anything in a group. Also, try to pick things that help you get to know the other person. (Watching a movie together does not help you to know his personality and values.) Try to DO things-maybe a service project, a youth group event, a picnic with friends, or sports.

20. Is it sinful for married women to lose their purity?

Yes, we should stay pure even after we are married. But having sex with your husband is NOT impure. God designed and wants sex to be a wonderful experience, which draws you and your husband together. Remember, impurity is having (or thinking about having) sex before marriage, sex with someone who is not your spouse or sex with someone of the same gender.

21. Why do we have to keep our purity if the guys we’re going to marry fool around?

Because God said so! He did NOT say, “You only have to stay pure if he does.” God is not trying to keep you from having FUN – he wants you to have the MOST fun and pleasure. You will have the BEST experience if you follow God’s design.

Women's Conference

2007-04-27T20:03:00.000+10:00

Ack! Katie and I are speaking at the Women's Conf at LMC tomorrow. Pray for us - our topic is purity!

Decisions, Decisions, Decisions

2007-04-23T17:01:00.000+10:00

I was having a discussion with Director today about some different decisions that I’ve been thinking about. At the end, I added how much I missed Mexican food and especially cheese.

I have decided that I will not be coming back to teach at Mizpah next year. As stated before, I have applied to graduate school. I have not yet heard back from them but there are other ministries and places that I’ve been looking into as well. Please, continue to pray for God’s clear guidance and a willingness to do what He asks.

After my conversation with Director, I went to town to run some errands. I haven’t been able to find any butter/margarine lately and was met with a very empty refrigerator aisle when I got to the store. So I was walking down with a mopey look on my face… when what to my wondering eyes should appear but cheddar and jack cheese! I was acting fairly goofy, especially being all by myself, but didn’t care because I was so thrilled that there was finally cheese! I had not expected it, I had not even asked for it, but God provided a wonderful blessing. So I didn’t get butter, but I did get something way better.

And it reminded me that if God is SO COOL in the little things, He’ll do just marvelously with the big stuff too!

PRAISE THE LORD!

Love,
Katie

In the same way, the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. He himself intercedes for us!

2007-04-20T07:05:00.001+10:00

PRs

1Parent-Teacher Conferences Today
2Timely & God-glorifying completion of the yearbook, which is now mostly in Miss Pearl’s hands (in Guam)
3Sumantha – we took her and Arlene to dinner on Wednesday night. After we dropped Arlene off at home, Sumantha asked us to pray for her dad b’c he left the family and now doesn’t seem to care about his own children.
4Women’s Conference NEXT weekend. Pray for me & Katie as we prepare a segment on physical purity.
5Track & Field Day – that Mizpah students will be a light
6Junior Retreat coming up in a couple weeks
7Nick & Ana as they make decisions about the future
8Emily & Katie as they make decisions about the future
9And, of course, continued prayer for teachers and students

In the same way, the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. He himself intercedes for us!

2007-04-20T07:05:00.000+10:00

PRs

Parent-Teacher Conferences Today
Timely & God-glorifying completion of the yearbook, which is now mostly in Miss Pearl’s hands (in Guam)
Sumantha – we took her and Arlene to dinner on Wednesday night. After we dropped Arlene off at home, Sumantha asked us to pray for her dad b’c he left the family and now doesn’t seem to care about his own children.
Women’s Conference NEXT weekend. Pray for me & Katie as we prepare a segment on physical purity.
Track & Field Day – that Mizpah students will be a light
Junior Retreat coming up in a couple weeks
Nick & Ana as they make decisions about the future
Emily & Katie as they make decisions about the future
And, of course, continued prayer for teachers and students

The Best Wreck Diving in the World!

2007-04-16T15:29:00.000+10:00

And to think I almost didn't go (because my ear hurt). It was sooo AWESOME! We went to two shallow wrecks today, both Japanese ships sunk in WWII. At the first site, we went 60 ft for about 40 minutes. AND WE SAW A SHARK!!!!!!!!!!!! At the second site, we went 60 ft for about 35 minutes. The plants and fish were AMAZING! Wow! Sorry, couldn't get any pics for you! But here is one of Katie having some "surface time" between dives at another island.

PTL for a successful Spring Break (if the goal was fun and relaxation..:) )

Oh, the interesting people diving with us: A graduate student from the Netherlands finishing a three month study on what kids want to be when the grow up (she was also a newbie diver - certified at Truk Stop), 2 chefs (from Germany & New Zealand) who came on a ship that has been cruising in many adventurous places - like Antarctica (apparently, most of their passengers are bird watchers! and the crew is Russian), and also an Australian diver (He listed places all over the world that he has been diving, and said Chuuk is the only place where he made it a point to come back.) Our instructor is an interesting fellow, too. From Waco, TX (but more recently from Mexico). He said he owned a photolab and studio for 17 years before he got into diving. It is really interesting to hear his perceptions of the Chuukese culture. :) All in all, we had a blast under the water and meeting new people. (Hahaha! PADI propoganda.)

Alright, you kids, back to work!!!

Ok, ok, ok...and here's me on the dive boat...just to prove I was there! (BTW, we're really excited about getting diver t-shirts, now!)

Diving, School, Korea

2007-04-15T18:21:00.000+10:00

4/13/07 Open Water Dive #1 35 feet, 24 minutes
4/15/07 Open Water Dive #2 40 feet, 20 minutes (we were going to do some more swimming around after some training exercizes, but my ear started to hurt pretty bad. :( )
Tomorrow Open Water Dives #3-4 (Lord willing) at 2 shallow wrecks!!!

Pray for safety, endurance, comfort & that we'll have a blast! :) Pray for my ear not to hurt, and Katie to feel well! Thanks! We are having a good time, and so glad we 'braved' the waters.

School was supposed to start again on Tuesday, but it looks like classes will be cancelled for the burial of the former president of Micronesia, which will be taking place here in Mwan village (Apparently, he is the grandfather of a former student?)

Oh! PTL for Korea tickets by Grace (no, really, that was the gal's name)! Katie and I will go to Korea May 28-June 4 to visit with our missionary friends, Manuel and MiHamm. We are so grateful and thankful to our Lord for this exciting opportunity, and also to our friends' invitation.

2007-04-14T13:51:00.000+10:00

Pray for:

The infection on my foot to heal
Us to be able to finish up our diving courses with school starting up again
Us to be ready for school to start again on Tuesday
To finish the semester strong – and with our students learning a lot!
For wise decisions about what we will do this summer and next fall
For teachers for next year (like Mr. Wenzle to come to Chuuk and teach English!)
For us (as well as Linda Chiles & Kim Gardell) to prepare for the Women’s Conference
FOR ME TO FINISH UP THE YEAR BOOK ASAP!

Thank Him for:

The opportunity we had to enjoy the “great creatures of the sea and every living and moving thing with which the water teems” that God created on the 5th day.
Also, the safety and BRAVERY we had while diving. *smile*

The BIG bug:

Becko came to our door and said he had something for me. I said, “Is it for me and Miss Katie, should we wait for her?” He said that it was for his, “best friend *pause* favorite teacher.” [The day before when he came to the house and Katie was in her room, he said “Where’s my FUTURE teacher?” –Katie doesn’t have the pleasure of teaching the freshmen.] Anyway, I could tell he was holding something behind his back and asked, “Becko, is that a gecko?” “No.” “Are you going to splash water on me?” “No, come outside so I can give it to you.” I timidly went outside. Then, he produced it. He assured me that his dad had taken the stingers out, so it was no longer poisonous. Haha! It still took BRAVERY for me to hold it! Katie wouldn’t even get close to it.

ONE MORE THING:

I FOUND MY SOCIAL SECURITY CARD. Wanna know where it was??? MY WALLET!!!!!!!!!!!!! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA. And to think God could use ME. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA. What a privilege to be even a foolish servant in the house of my Lord. *smile*

Fear Factor Comes to Chuuk

2007-04-13T17:47:00.000+10:00

2007-04-10T21:06:00.000+10:00

2007-04-08T19:34:00.000+10:00

I have the opportunity to share my testimony with my students in so many ways. Last week, for example, Way-One started a discussion about love and marriage (which it seems to me he thinks is the most important thing in life.) However, I asked, “Way-One, what is your goal in life?” He said, “To be happy.” “Ok. There is only one thing that will make you happy.” “I know. God. And then having a wife, and a house, and a car…” “No! No!,” I shouted. “Only God, trust me.” Later that day (or week), he was up at the staff house and I was asking him whether he would go on his mission (Mormon) after high school because I haven’t heard him talk about college as much lately (he used to always talk about BYU). He said he was trying to be worthy. I wasn’t sure whether he meant worthy to go on the mission or worthy by going on the mission. Again, I said, “Nothing you do can make you worthy. There’s only ONE-WAY (his name!) that you can be worthy. Jesus Christ.” He says he knows, but he demonstrates that he believes Jesus Christ plus, plus. Also, he seems kind of…I don’t know, depressed? Searching?

Today, we had Cruz (Katie’s former student that got expelled) to the house. He was waiting for us when we came home from Logan’s 10 AM service, which we attended after Berea’s Sunrise service, egg hunt, and breakfast. I didn’t see the Betel Nut (at first), but he had that lime-powered stuff they use with it tied in a baggy around his finger. He came into the house and looked at some pictures from Mizpah’s Spring Banquet etc. He told us how he “loved” one of the senior girls and wanted to “marry her.” He said he would stop chewing, smoking etc. if He could be with her. We got into a discussion about betel nut, cigarettes, and marijuana. He said he was 12 when he started smoking and 13 when he started chewing. His older cousins and friends had told him to try it. I asked him whether he tended to do those things when he was bored or lonely. He shrugged and said no. Though, I think if he really thought about it, it would be true…afterall, he doesn’t do anything, but work and sit around chewing and smoking! Anyway, I shared with him that the reason I asked is because I used to do some of those things, but mostly it started because I was bored and lonely. I told him I had wanted to live the way that I wanted to, rather than the way that God wanted me to. Now, I know living His way is infinitely better!!! He smiled and laughed. He said girls always wanted boys to stop smoking and chewing. After a little while, we decided to watch a movie, but he really wanted to chew betel nut (at this time he produced a specimen from his hat). We told him he couldn’t chew betel nut inside or immediately outside of our house. He was so antsy and could hardly concentrate. He never did finish the movie. Man! I don’t want anything to control my life that much even if it isn’t a carcinogen!

So…continue to pray for Way-One and for Cruz.

2007-04-07T14:10:00.000+10:00

Spring Break –

Well, we are now off of school for a week. Thursday we went to the store with Maverick, and then picked up a pizza from Truk Stop. Yesterday, Good Friday, we slept in, and then Lillian & Peterson came up to the house and cleaned for us (Wow! What a blessing! Thoughtful servants.) At 3:00 we went to church at Logan. There was a guest from the Gideon Bible Society (or whatever it’s called) that spoke at the end. He was from China (I think). He was difficult for Katie and me to understand, but poor Jaffe (LMC church president) had to translate into Chuukese. Then, Katie and I went to dinner at Blue Lagoon. Last night at about 10 (I was already in bed), Spencer and Becko knocked on the door. Katie said when she opened it, they were on all fours pretending to eat from our dogs’ dishes. They are so hilarious. They also have this pantomime routine they do where they pretend to splash water on one another. We hope to get it on video for you to enjoy. Our students are so creative in their humor. This morning we needed to go pay for cash power. The system has changed, so now we have to pay in advance. My student, Same-Me, came with us. While Katie went into pay for power, Same-Me and I went into the store next door, a woman approached us (whom I recognized from Berea) to invite us to tomorrow’s sunrise service. I asked her to show me where, so she took me on a short walk out behind the store. When Katie found us, she took the three of us upstairs into her home and gave us crackers and drinks. Her husband is now retired, but was a doctor at the hospital. I thought she was Filipino, but Nic later said that she is Chinese. Anyway, I guess Manuel and MiHamm have been staying with her b’c his parents are staying in the guest apartment at Berea. Manuel’s parents were missionaries here for many years, and have returned for a bi-centenial celebration. Manuel’s dad will be preaching at Berea’s sunrise service tomorrow. While we (Katie, Same-Me, and I) were having punch with Helen (the Chinese/Filipino/Chuukese store-owner), a Chuukese woman came into the house and said that someone was looking for us. When we went back into the store, it was Nic and he had locked his keys in the car. For once, we got to rescue the Olandes!!! (Of course, usually Nic is rescuing us.) After that we went to another store, and Katie got to see her former student, Cruz, (he is working now – and had a big bulge of betel nut in his cheek!) We keep inviting him to stop by our house. Maybe he will over Spring Break. Our other Spring Break plan is SCUBA diving w/ Truk Stop! We are so excited, and kind of nervous! Haha! I showed Katie a picture of a shark this morning in National Geographic. She wasn’t very happy with me. Anyway, we are supposed to pick up the initial reading materials and a DVD tomorrow. Then, take a test on Monday. When the SCUBA instructor said we could pick up the materials on Sunday, I said “Easter?” He told me that on Easter he gets up early to see where everyone hides the eggs, and then while they go to church, he gets them and eats the candy! I didn’t laugh. I wonder what he read from the expression on my face!?!? Anyway, he seems like a nice guy. He recently moved here from west Texas. Back to today, we had cheeseburgers with Same-Me at Café 257, and now we’re back home. So…a pretty good start for the break, I’d say. PTL.

Pray for...

2007-04-04T22:05:00.000+10:00

My frosh-they have their first test of quarter 4 tomorrow on Rome- esp. pray for Spencer and Becko.

Me-I'm tryin' to get back in shape for the muumuu-less states, but I eat sooo much when school stresses me out. :)

Way-One *sigh* and all my students who haven't truly been changed by His saving grace.
KI and Augustina didn't know what they would say to God if He asked, "Why should I let you into my heaven?" KI is a smart boy and a "good" person, maybe so "good" he doesn't understand his need. Augustina is from a Catholic background. I also talked to Headley after detention on Tuesday. He said he didn't think he was a Christian, he kind of wanted to be one, but he didn't really know what that meant. It's really so amazing that they don't know "The Answer" because they hear the Gospel day after day. I guess that's why we must pray for the Spirit to do His work.

The other student particularly on my heart is Russel because he is so EXTRA rebellious.

Also, pray for Frank, who I think became a Christian on the senior retreat, to grow and mature in his faith.

Foley - he attends Logan and sings his heart out, but has been seen off-campus with betel nut. We are pretty sure he was high at school earlier this week.

Pray for a good Easter Sunday for me and Katie, a time of closeness with the Lord and rejoicing over Christ's sacrifice and LIFE.

PTL
Mesowin's been having a Bible Study on Thursday nights for his neighbors. One of them responded to the altar call at church this last Sunday, and received the Lord during couseling at the end of the service. Also, three ladies went to Linda's Women's Bible Study with Mesowin's wife on Sunday afternoon.

Miss Ana is sick, but feeling better.

Lots of rain lately.

A good run today.

My Senior AP's ACTUALLY doing their work today! Actually, all my classes were RELATIVELY on-task today.

Laughter. Katie was bellowing so loud during class today we could hear her from next door.

Chuukese Mexican food? Yes, we had tacos at a new restaurant with Chiles, Miss Junotte, Dayson, Justin and Franky on Saturday night.

Friendship with Manual and Mihamm and a visit to Berea Church last Sunday.

The opportunities to talk to my students about Christ, and the experiences that I have had in my life that have brought me to know Him-and that He alone satisfies.

Em's Answers to the Missionary Q's

2007-03-31T22:40:00.001+10:00

Q: Where did you go and what did you do?A: I went to a small island in the big Pacific Ocean to teach at a small Christian school.
Q: What did you learn about God?A: To keep my eyes on Him instead of my problems. I think I am learning that he is more willing and wanting to bring me to Him than I used to imagine. I thought he was quite judgmental and I was barely scraping my way into heaven by His grace. Q: What did you learn about the people you were serving?A: I learned that they won’t necessarily love me, but my commitment is to them b’c I love God. I learned they will not say thank you and value me and my things the way I want them to, so I’ve thought about how I don’t value God and His gifts the way I ought.Q: What did you learn about yourself?A: I am not brave. I needed my little sister every step of the way. J Also, that I am not gentle (but I think I already knew that). Maybe that I love art and photography more than I already thought!Q: What part of the project was easy for you?A: Um…was there an easy part? Sometimes it is easy to just “hang out” with my students and laugh-especially with the ones that know Jesus.
Q: What part of the project was difficult for you?A: How to motivate my students! How to teach creatively. Teaching ESL is tough!Q: Would you do it again?A: Mmmm…If God wants me to!Q: How did you look at life before?A: I was more self-sufficient. Q: How do you look at life now?
A: I am more grateful for things I took for granted before. Water. Electricity. It has helped me know I need to be more God-dependent for needs like water as well as for the fruits of the Spirit (esp. peace, patience, gentleness) for the school day and living with the roommate!

2007-03-31T07:36:00.000+10:00

There are many people who have special need for tenderness. We cannot know what secret burdens many of those about us are carrying, what hidden griefs burn like fires in the hearts of those with whom we mingle in our common life. Not all grief wears the outward garb of mourning; sunny faces ofttimes veil heavy hearts. Many people make no audible appeal for sympathy yet crave tenderness – they certainly need it, though they ask it not – as they bow beneath their burden. There is no weakness in such a yearning. We remember how our Master himself longed for expressions of love when He was passing through His deepest experiences of suffering, and how bitterly He was disappointed when His friends failed Him. – J. R. Miller

Student Art

2007-03-31T06:46:00.000+10:00

Yearbook

2007-03-28T21:48:00.001+10:00

I have been working diligently to document this year with pictures.
Would you like to be a sponsor for Mizpah Christian High School's
Yearbook? Let the 24 seniors of the class of 2007 know you support
them and are proud of them! There is no photolab on island (that I
know of), so students LOVE the opportunity to have/see pictures.
Help us make this yearbook extra special!

You can e-mail me an attachment with your 1/4 ($10), 1/2 ($15) or
full page ($30) Black & White Advertisement or message ASAP. Please, send your donation to Mizpah Christian High School PO Box #571 Chuuk, FSM 96942. E-mail if you have an questions.

Thank you!
Emily

2007-03-28T18:38:00.000+10:00

1. Pray for Peter. He has been absent this week (which is unusual). Other students say he is sick.

2. Pray for the Junior and Senior boys. They are going on a retreat this weekend with their Spiritual Life class.

Sumantha and some other updates

2007-03-28T06:57:00.000+10:00

Water pump is not fixed. We have to plug it in when we want to use it, and then go unplug it, so that it doesn’t overheat.

The school hired two new men to replace Ben. A young guy and an older guy to be a driver.

We received an SAT practice book from Mom, and I’m putting it to use in my AP English class. I figured that even if the vocabulary is very hard, it is helping them with their reasoning skills. Making predictions. Eliminating impossible answer choices.

The girl that wrote the note on her test is Sumantha. I wrote her back:

Dear Sumantha,

Thank you for your note. I wondered what was taking you so long to finish the test. J I am glad that you know that only Jesus Christ can give you true happiness. It took me many, many years to really understand that. I thought to be happy I needed Jesus AND a perfect life! Now, I know I can be happy with Jesus even if my life is hard.

You’re right that with Christ we don’t need to worry, but this doesn’t mean that our life will always be easy. It means we can trust God to take care of us even when we feel lonely, sad or like our problems are too big.

I am so happy that you are trying to read the Bible. I have the same problem as you! Sometimes when I read the Bible it is very hard to understand, and I get bored. Even though I was a Christian for a long time, I never read the Bible all the way through until last year!!!! Last year my whole church in the U.S.A. read the entire Bible together. It took three months for us to read the whole thing. It was so exciting though! It took a lot of prayer for God to help me keep going. Sometimes it was very hard, but I felt so happy to read all of God’s word to me!

Now I find it helpful to read a devotional book like “Daily Bread.” It shows me a Bible verse or a part of the Bible to read, and then tells me something to think about. It’s very good. Maybe you could try something like that? Miss Katie is always more excited about reading the Bible than I am. She told me that she just knows that it is the way to know God better. Also, whenever she reads the Bible she asks herself, “What will I do differently now that I’ve read this?” I just keep praying that God will make me more and more excited about reading His word. The Bible is like God’s own special letter to me.

Sumantha, I want you to know that I have been praying for you, especially the last few days. I have been praying that you will come to school every day. I think you are a very smart girl. If you came to school every day, I think you would have very good grades in my classes. Also, I want to encourage you about college. Where are you thinking about going? Will you apply to any colleges in the Unites States? I think you have a lot of potential. Trust God to use you and to provide everything you need. Just ask Him! I will be praying for you, and if you want to write any more notes that is fine and I will answer you. Also, if you want to come up to the house and hang out with me and Miss Katie that is good!t

She was absent for about a week after that, and just returned this Monday. She is a very, very quiet girl and I don’t see the other students talking to her much. Before this year, Sumantha had been in the running for valedictorian. She had also gone to Phonpei as a representative for the school, we don’t know what’s happening in her life now. We know that her father left the family. Also, she had a cousin at Mizpah last year who quit high school and got married, but her husband divorced her very quickly. This cousin had also been pregnant. There are lots of things going on in Sumantha’s home I’m sure, and, of course, her heart. Continue to pray for her.

Pray for me as I continue to consider whether I will come back next year or what else I will do (though honestly I don’t think about it much).

Mom, there are no swings in Chuuk! (Not that I know of…) Though I told Katie yesterday, “If I come back, I’m definitely bringing my hammock.”

Thank the Lord

2007-03-26T12:22:00.000+10:00

that rain keeps fallin' on our tin roof. :)

2007-03-25T18:59:00.000+10:00

Pray for Way-One. He is a Mormon. He needs you to intercede for him.

Mizpah Day

2007-03-24T06:43:00.000+10:00

Ermy, Miss Katie, Paula, Ketty

Evangeline, Sina, Augustina, I-Lillian, Jazzlyn, Vanity

Becko on the Green Team
Junior and Myron

Arlene, Robin, Rick, Alvin

Peter and Maverick

Kieko

Peter

Spectator

Alvin, Peter, Serky, McKay

Updates

2007-03-23T07:31:00.000+10:00

The copy machine is back and in working order! PTL!

Our water pump is still broken at the staff house. It's a nuisance, but we survive.

I have seen Job twice since he was expelled. Once I saw him on the road, and he came to the school and gave his word of apology in chapel one day. I haven't seen him since then, but I think he goes to the field to run with some of the students in the morning.

I haven't seen EasyBoy. Maverick told me that he told EasyBoy to come back next year. I don't know whether that's a possibility. I think it depends on why they were expelled??

Ketty is our cook's daughter. She is a freshmen and very naughty! She has not grown up in her parents' home, but with a cousin. The cousin wants to transfer her to Berea (another Christian school) because she thinks Ketty is learning her bad behaviors at Mizpah (like chewing betel nut). I told Senenta (her mom), "Well, maybe she could go to a more strict place where she couldn't do bad things, but what really matters is her heart." Anyway, she is still at Mizpah for now, but please pray for her...I even caught her chewing betel nut in our house once!

the Sophomores

2007-03-22T15:26:00.001+10:00

Today in my second period sophomore New Testament class, we reviewed for a short quiz that they would take at the end of class on the books of 1st and 2nd Thessalonians. When the time came to take the quiz and after all the pencils were sharpened, people were sitting at their desks with a piece of blank paper, and everything else was put away, I began to read each question slowly out loud to the class. Three of my students refused to even take the quiz, which isn’t surprising because they refuse to do the class work too. One of those students, however, proceeded to say out loud the answer to each question. He wasn’t even taking the quiz for himself, but it was out of complete disrespect and spite towards me. I was sooooooooooooo angry. I could physically feel my blood boiling and in as calm a voice as I could muster I said, “The Bible tells us that when we are tempted to sin we need to flee from that sin. You need to leave my class right now. Leave. Now. So that I will not sin.” He did eventually leave. The Holy Spirit almost instantaneously took away my anger and gave me calm and I was allowed to continue. Unfortunately, he did come back to class but at least he was quiet and my anger removed.

Please, pray for both of us. Pray for wisdom for me. His name is Mori-M.

Cheating happens ALL THE TIME in my class and it is SO FRUSTRATING. How can they learn if they cheat? How can they pass the class if they cheat? If I give zeros to people every time they cheat probably one third of my class would not be able to pass. Even now, I’m failing six of my sophomores. They refuse to do their class work. They refuse to listen. They can’t get points for doing nothing. They can’t pass quizzes and tests they’ve never done any work or studied for. I just don’t know what to do.

Missionary Questionnaire

2007-03-21T18:34:00.000+10:00

A friend of mine sent me an AWANA assignment he had to interview a missionary. I thought I would share my answers with all of you as well.

Q: Where did you go and what did you do?
A: I followed God’s leading to Mizpah Christian High School in Mwan Village on Weno Island in the state of Chuuk in the country of Federated States of Micronesia. I teach English Communications and New Testament to high school students. As a teacher, I look for ways to build relationships with my students and share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with them and encourage them in their walks with God.

Q: What did you learn about God?
A: God always knows best. Even if God asks us to do something that is scary or hard, He always knows best. God is faithful and we can depend on Him for everything. He gives us everything we need – and so much more! God is always with me – even when I am away from my family and friends and church family, He is here right beside me, taking care of me, and guiding me. The thing I’m learning most about God right now is that He uses me in His way in His perfect timing even though I am still a sinner! Yes, I am a Christian and desire to please God, but I am still a sinner and sometimes choose to do things that do not please God. But God is so gracious with me and even though He knew I would sin and mess up sometimes, He still wanted me to come and serve here. God chose me to be here and God will work through me to accomplish His good purposes and will.

Q: What did you learn about the people you were serving?
A: Deep inside the human heart, we are all the same. People are sinners no matter where you go, no matter what country you’re in, no matter who your parents are, or who your friends are. And the biggest sin that people struggle with is pride – admitting that they freely choose to do wrong. …But I’ve also learned that no matter what your background is, if you both love Jesus Christ as your Savior and King, then you can have a relationship with each other that is wonderful! Knowing Jesus ties us together with a bond that cannot be broken. It is one of the most wonderful blessings in the world!

Q: What did you learn about yourself?
A: I guess I sort of answered this question in the answer to what I was learning about God. The biggest thing that I am learning is that no matter where I go or what I do (even if I’m a missionary!), I’m still a really big sinner. I am learning that I cannot depend on any of my efforts but only on the grace of God and Him graciously choosing me to serve through Him and for Him.

Q: What part of the project was easy for you?
A: Wow… this is a hard question. I think the only thing I can say is loving the students who love me in return. Of course that’s easy though.

Q: What part of the project was difficult for you?
A: Everything else. Almost every day I feel spiritually, emotionally, mentally, and physically exhausted. Being a teacher is the hardest thing I’ve ever done. Continually trusting the Lord and being in His Word and praying and loving unconditionally and always knowing what to say to the students and always representing Christ and having wisdom in discipline and not knowing the language and having people stare at me just because of the color of my skin and hair and driving on a road with billions of huge potholes… it’s difficult. BUT I have to say that I’m still very thankful for the things that God has provided and I still have so much more than I need or could even ask or think. Our Heavenly Father certainly loves to give good gifts – His precious Word, morning devotions with Christian staff, a few students who really do work hard, students who make me laugh so hard I start to cry, packages from Mom or friends, a toothbrush and toothpaste, a running vehicle, money to buy gas and groceries, 24-hour electricity, rain, and so much more!

Q: Would you do it again?
A: ABSOLUTELY!

Q: How did you look at life before?
A: Well, God taught me a lot before I even arrived on the mission field; He had to or else I wouldn’t have come. So maybe this isn’t the answer you were expecting but I looked at this life here on earth as only temporary and that it’s really all about heaven with my Savior. The reason I said yes to God’s calling me here was because I knew that I wanted to live my life here on earth in service to God, sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and giving glory to the Creator of the Universe.

Q: How do you look at life now?
A: That it’s worth it. No matter how hard things may be or no matter what God asks you to give up or no matter what you have to leave behind, it’s worth it to follow God where ever He takes you. Serving Jesus Christ with every fiber of your being is the most wonderful, satisfying, valuable thing in the whole world!

College Applications

2007-03-21T11:33:00.001+10:00

Please be in prayer for…

Dayson – He’s finishing up his third year at Pacific Island Bible College and is the head of student leadership. He has an amazing love for the Lord and His Word and wants to be a missionary. His application has been sent in to The Master’s College and during spring break he will be taking the SATs. Pray for the Lord’s guidance for Dayson’s future, clarity of mind as he takes the SATs, and lots of financial aid. Pray for patience as he waits.

Franky – He’s fickle. And he’s tired of high school right now and so he doesn’t like the sound of challenging college courses. He has always wanted to go to a Christian college in the States but has been back-and-forth about which one and how and who and what and when. I told him that he needs to pray about it and wait for peace and guidance from the Lord. Please be in prayer for him too.

KI – He is very intelligent and creative. He would like to go to a small Christian college in the States, preferably where there are not a lot of Chuukese, but right now he just seems so lost. He’s really concerned about finances and doesn’t want to get his hopes up if his family can’t afford it. He definitely has the drive to make it at the collegiate level. Pray for guidance and peace.

Peterson – He’s been accepted at Pensacola Christian College but doesn’t know if he will be able to afford it (and it’s relatively inexpensive compared to other private schools). He also told me yesterday that he doesn’t want to regret going there if there’s someplace better for him to go. He graduated from Mizpah last year as salutatorian and is extremely hard working.

The Senior Girls – Pray that they would know their God-given abilities and potential and that they would seek the Lord for guidance for their futures.

…

FYI: This summer (early July) a group from Logan Memorial Church will be coming to California and doing different ministries as well as being a part of the 4C’s conference. I don’t know all the details yet but I say this mainly for the youth. While they are around Carlsbad they will need homes to stay in. Would you like to open your home to some of the most wonderful people in the whole world that I love so much? Even after the LMC team leaves, some of these youth (i.e. the one’s mentioned above) may need somewhere to spend the end of July and beginning of August before they can move onto their college campuses. Would you be willing to take them in and love them? Emily and I have also talked about the possibilities of maybe even taking one of these students in for an entire year so that they would be able to attend community college and have a job for awhile. Comments? Questions?

For Mom

2007-03-18T15:28:00.000+10:00

Spring Banquet

2007-03-17T07:38:00.000+10:00

If you're happy and you know it...

2007-03-15T16:13:00.000+10:00

Praise the Lord! Midterms and 3rd Quarter are over! Thank you for your prayers. I had some surprisingly good grades and some surprisingly not-so-good grades. Overall, it was a fairly good semester. Praise the Lord!

The End of the 3rd Quarter

2007-03-14T06:53:00.000+10:00

Here are some different things that have been going on. We could always use your prayers.

RE: Copy Machine
Are copy machine is broken and hopefully parts will be coming soon so that it can be fixed. I honestly have no idea how teachers did it in the olden days. Midterms are ready so Emily and I will take them down to the copy center. It’s not Kinko’s. We’ll probably write a check in the fifty dollar range.

RE: Midterms & Test Taking
Test days used to be my favorite school days when I was a student. I went in prepared (most of the time) and could put my answers down and leave. I hate test days as a teacher – kids complaining that they didn’t study (even though we worked on study guides in class the two days prior), kids complaining that they didn’t know (even though I’ve told them and wrote it at the top of the board every class day for the past two weeks), what to do with the students who were absent (whether it’s a legitimate absence or they were on suspension), and cheating, cheating, cheating. Some of the students think that I’m mean and ungracious when I do not let them take tests whenever they want, never getting penalized for being late, using notes, asking friends, and even if they still get a D that my grade book should have an A because I prayed that they would all get As – WHAT DO I DO?

RE: Make-Up Work
I get very frustrated with this too. Why should the student who has chosen to be absent for absolutely no good reason be allowed to do or re-do work that they missed not being there? I mean, okay, it’s one thing doing it a few days after your return but not the last two days of the quarter! Also, why should I give them make-up work when the work that they have done has not been up to par because of their choice not to do the work or not to study. The even worse part about this quarter is that I’m focusing on speech and not writing so how am I supposed to have one student make-up oral exercises that were done in groups and then in front of the class?

DON’T GET ME WRONG – These students are intelligent and they have GREAT potential. But I don’t even begin to comprehend their lack of TRYING – some simply refuse to do anything but think that I should pass them if they’ve done 20% of the work.

(Okay, well I just read Emily’s new post that I hadn’t seen but I think I will go ahead and post mine as well.)

RE: The Master’s College
Yes, I am SUPER excited about the possibility of a few students attending TMC next year! Dayson graduated 3 years ago and has been attending Pacific Island Bible College Chuuk campus on the island of Tol. He has prayed and prayed about this and sees the Lord guiding him there. Pray that God will provide financially! Also Franky, a senior this year, is excited about TMC. At first he had his hopes set on a different college and had been thinking that there’s no way he could afford TMC but I told him to apply anyway and see what God does. His dad, who just recently has come back into his life after leaving the family when Franky was very young, told Franky that he looked at the TMC website and liked what he saw and said that Franky should apply. So that was very encouraging! …Pray for both of them too as they take the SATs in a few weeks.

RE: Columbia International University
Well, I guess Emily broke the news that I’m looking into Grad. School – particularly a Master’s in Teaching English as a Foreign Language/Intercultural Studies. I think it applies. :o) Pray for peace and patience. Pray that God guides me for what He wants me to do next year with so much assurance, just like when I first came to Chuuk.

*sigh* I think there are other things to say but I can’t remember them at the moment.

God’s love endures forever!

Note from a Student

2007-03-13T16:23:00.001+10:00

God’s help can make us succeed or graduate and we a happy life. I hope people know that there is noone that can help us except Jesus Christ or God. The thing that interrupts my mind is how is it going to be on the day God comes back. I really need someone to help me to know and understand God better. I know that if someone helps me I think I’ll feel good because I know and understand God I don’t have any more worries to think about, but now I’m still worried about my life because till now I don’t know yet about God. Everyday when I begin to read the Bible I get a little bored so I stop so till now I’m still on Genesis 1. That’s the one thing I wish for, for someone to help me with my life. I hope the one that sees this is the one that’s going to help me understand our God. Sorry Miss emily for writing on the back of this paper but I just want to know what my feelings are I’m really really sorry. I hope you forgive me.

More PRs

2007-03-13T09:10:00.001+10:00

1. Pray for Director and Vice as they find a replacement for Mizpah Maintenance staff, Benjamim. Of course, pray for Benjamin as he adjusts to his new life in Spokane, WA - and snow! He is studying for his Driver's License test.

2. Pray that the copier parts, which are in the mail, get here quickly and the copy machine can be repaired. Much time, money and energy is being spent running around getting copies at the two local copy shops.

3. Pray for Mesowin (Mizpah teacher, and Mande's brother) as he and his wife reach out to their neighbors. They are having fellowship nights at their home on Thursdays.

4. This Friday is Mizpah's Spring Banquet at Truk Stop (local hotel). Pray for good student behavior.

5. Praise God for Vice's grandma's recent salvation and pray for healing for her body as she is in bed with pain.

6. Pray for junior high student, Alexis, as he has had many absences for being sick, and upon returning to school hurt his knee in P.E.!

7. Pray for Katie as she makes decisions about going to grad school at Columbia International University to study to be an ESL teacher.

8. Pray for The Master's College Admissions and Financial Aid staff as they evaluate Mizpah students' applications! Pray for the Mizpah students that are applying to schools in the States for wisdom, guidance, and God's financial provision.

9. Pray for Matt Chiles' ongoing tonsil infections to be healed.

10. Pray for Mizpah freshmen w/ excessive absences, Teddy.

11. Pray for Mizpah junior, Ivory Ann. She is moving to Oregon.

12. Pray for Mizpah senior, Job, who was expelled for in appropriate behavior. Pray for him to be truly repentant and changed by God's grace. I think he is a Christian, but he is struggling with some very big habitual sins. He is only 15 years old. There is no father in his house. Pray for him, his mother, and other family members to help him deal with his sin appropriately.

13. Pray for students and staff to persevere this week as the 3rd quarter closes.

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah! My heart is heavy. Help me to lay it all at His feet. Because what could I possibly change or do about any of these problems anyway! Thank you.emily

Water, water in our tank, but not a drop to use.

2007-03-12T07:06:00.000+10:00

Our water pump is broken. Boo! So inconvenient. How will I take a shower or even get water to take a shower? I tried to boil some water from our smaller "rain barrel", but it still looked kinda grimy. Well, I read something that said nickname your inconveniences, so you can approach them with familiarity instead of fear and dread. What should we call this one?

Note from Katie

2007-03-08T15:43:00.000+10:00

Also pray for me and Em as we seek the Lord for our futures - that we would be confident in His leading. Pray also that He gives us strength and energy and patience for the last 8 weeks of the school year. Pray that He gives our students strength, energy, and patience too.

Kinisou chapur! Thank you very much!

Thanks, Mom, for another thoughtful, helpful package.

2007-03-08T08:56:00.000+10:00

Pray for:

Teachers Nic and Ana as they make plans for this summer and decide what they will do next year.

Logan Memorial Church as the have an emphasis on Prayer and Fasting leading to Easter.

Mizpah students that have recently received the Lord.

Mizpah students that have been expelled: Joshua (Jr. High), EasyBoy, Juan (Jr. High)

Mizpah students and alumni that are applying to colleges (Pensacola, Master's & more...).

Continued wisdom and strength for us inside and outside of the classroom as we increasingly have visitors to the house.

My freshmen history class because most of them (at this rate) are going to fail the quarter which ends next week.

Many Mizpah students that have had many, many absences this quarter.

Kinisou! Thank You!

Praise God for:

Rain, staff devotion time, restored health, little victories inside and outside of the classroom, the use of Director's car, almost always 24-hour power, grace and power through His Holy Spirit!

Spencer, Spencer, Spencer! (That's what I sound like in class) Franky, A little girl

2007-03-05T07:08:00.000+10:00

Peterson, Spencer, Charleen, Spencer, Onolyn, Justin

2007-03-05T06:52:00.000+10:00

2007-02-28T18:09:00.000+10:00

Thank You, Katie, for washing the dishes and fixing dinner!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tearful Testimonies

2007-02-28T12:15:00.000+10:00

Today the seniors organized chapel as a response to their retreat. It lasted well into third period. They did a few group songs, and there were several Bible readings and sharing. Two students seemed to give their testimony (it was in Chuukese). There were tears at the pulpit and in the audience as F-Cina and then Isaiah spoke. After Isaiah's testimony, he and Frank (pot-smoking, betel-nut-chewing, continually misbehaving Frank) sang a duet. Again, it was in Chuukese, but "Wow!" Wow their voices, and wow God's change in Frank - to see him sing in chapel! Alvin spoke last and gave an invitation to which many students responded (including many of the girls from my freshmen class). Chapel closed with a prayer offered by Ricken. Pray for those who accepted the invitation to receive Christ for the first time as well as those seniors and underclassmen who re-dedicated their lives to Him. Praise God for the harvest among Mizpah Christian High School students.

Also, praise God for the rain. Our tank is half full!

Last but not least, pray for the copier to get fixed. Yes, our copy machine broke, which is a headache for teachers and students alike, so it'd be great if it could be fixed or replaced pronto.

Katie shared in staff devos how God cares for us. If we can trust Him with the most important thing: salvation, can't we trust him with all the small things? And if he cares for all the small things, like the birds and the flowers, will he not care for the more important things, His people created in His image?

Ricken's Retreat Remarks

2007-02-27T17:29:00.000+10:00

Katie and I just got back from the store. On our way there, Ricken hitched a ride from us. He was on his way to the volleyball game, though when he gestured to show where he was going I thought it looked more like fighting than spiking. Anyway, Ricken is an interesting fellow. He is an average student, a nice looking young man, a "good" guy, but every now and then this mischievousness just spreads across his face. He gets this "I'm being naughty" grin and twinkle in his eye, then he erupts with impish laughter. At these moments, you're never sure of what he's thinking or what he just said in Chuukese to his buddies that made them laugh. Once he was cornered in the car, I asked him about the retreat. He said it was "fun." When I asked why, he said, "Because I confessed my sins." Interesting... Whether that's true or he's playing, I don't know, but pray for Ricken and his rascally grin. :)

Prayer Requests

2007-02-27T09:05:00.000+10:00

Various staff members reported on the positive feedback they received from seniors in regards to the retreat, so praise God for that and continue praying that the commitments that were made this past weekend will hold true.

Pray for rain!

Pray for Benjamin, mantainence staff, he leaves (moves) tomorrow to Spokane, WA to work for one of Pat's friends. Pray for him as he's reasonably quite nervous about the flight, the USA, not having a jacket etc. ! Pray for continued spiritual growth, an opportunity to further his education, and ease of transition into a new culture (if that's possible!).

Also, pray for our seniors because they will be taking the entrance exam to College of Micronesia this Thursday.

Pray for Rain!

2007-02-26T17:21:00.000+10:00

Yes, we need rain.

The Senior Retreat seems to have been a success. Director said "Well, it was awesome." The seniors sang in chapel this morning. They had a casual day, so they didn't have to wear their uniforms. Instead, they all dressed up for their special numbers in chapel - the girls all wore their brightly colored muumuus and the guys all had collared island-style shirts. Frank and Isaiah read scripture. I asked the seniors later what Frank had said. Apparently, before he read, he apologized to anyone who had disliked his attitude in the past (Remember, that he is the student that threatened me). Isaiah and Franky also sang a duet. It is a popular tune by a band in the states, but Franky had changed the words to make it a praise song. Afleen, Linda's new helper in the jr. high, also shared about the weekend. I guess she works with the LMC youth group and went on the retreat. Unfortunately, in class they were as unproductive as usual. So...praise God and keep praying for these young adults.

Twenty-Four Hour Power

2007-02-23T20:29:00.000+10:00

Rumor has it that the island got new generators. We have had 24-power for the last week. Yay! Too bad we have been too sick to enjoy it. Also, we decided to stay on-island, rather than going to the retreat on Toll because of being sick. :( Boo. As to the theft, I am now more inclined to believe that it was an outsider, which of course makes us more thankful that we are okay and that's all they took - my purse was even out on the couch untouched! Please, pray for us to get 100% better and for the seniors to have a good, God-glorifying retreat. Perhaps, some students will even come to Christ...

I left the door unlocked last night...

2007-02-22T06:50:00.000+10:00

...and I woke up at 12:30 and the door was open and the dogs were barking, barking, barking. At first I was scared and turned on all the lights and looked around if someone was hiding inside. Later I realized that they probably stole something - and they had - two big cases of all my CDs and most of my DVDs. Emily and I figure, unfortunately, that it must have been someone that comes up here regularly and knew exactly what they wanted. We have a couple of top suspects and if we find out who took them they are going to be in BIG trouble, even if they do fess up. Pray for wisdom and for whoever did it to feel horribly guilty and return the music and movies. And pray for me. I am SO ANGRY - yes, because of what was stolen, but even more because it was most likely someone we trusted that stole it. Until the things are returned, no one will be allowed to hang out at our house.

Prayer Requests

2007-02-20T14:49:00.000+10:00

Today was the second time that I've missed teaching my classes. I've had a sore throat for the past three days and so during break I went to the Health Clinic. The doctor's eyes bulged when she looked inside my throat. I have a nasty infection. She gave me some antibiotics and pain reliever and I'm supposed to go back on Friday morning for her to check again. When I arrived back at school I asked Director if I could go home after lunch and have someone else take my fifth and sixth period classes. He graciously obliged. Please, pray for quick healing. It hurts soooo badly.

The senior retreat is this weekend and we'll be going to the island of Tol where Pacific Island Bible College is located. Pray for the logistics. But mostly, pray for God to open up the hearts and minds of these seniors. Pray that they are honest with themselves and God and that they make lasting commitments for Him. And pray that I will be well to go.

We need your prayers.

2007-02-16T18:57:00.000+10:00

Pray for Easyboy and his mom. Easyboy was finally expelled from Mizpah. His mom was seen throwing rocks at the building and making threats. My heart breaks knowing now why he had such a temper. Please, pray for them both to know Christ.

Happy Valentine's Day

2007-02-14T11:37:00.000+10:00

This morning was my turn to lead staff devotions and it wasn’t hard to choose a topic.

L-O-V-E
Defined: 1 Cor. 13:4-8a
God’s Displayed: Eph. 1:3-10
We can now love because He first loved us.
Story of Elizabeth Payson Prentiss: “Frequently an invalid and almost never without pain… Heard a sermon on Christ’s ability to save unto the uttermost… Gave [her]self up to admire, to love and to praise Him, to wonder why [she] had never done so before, and to hope that all the great congregation around [her] were joining with [her] in acknowledging Him to be chief among ten thousand and the One altogether lovely… Married… Her son died… Her third child died… She cried… ‘Our home is broken up, our lives wrecked, our hopes shattered, our dreams dissolved…’ Husband’s counsel… ‘But it is in times like these that God loves us all the more, just as we love our children more when they are sick or troubled in distress…’ Wrote the hymn ‘More Love to Thee’… at her funeral… Revelation 14:13 and Hebrews 6:10 were read.”

Hymn “More Love to Thee”:

More love to thee, O Christ, More love to thee!
Hear thou the prayer I make On bended knee;
This is my earnest plea:
More love, O Christ, to thee, More love to thee, More love to thee!

Once earthly joy I craved, Sought peace and rest;
Now thee alone I seek, Give what is best;
This all my prayer shall be:
More love, O Christ, to thee, More love to thee, More love to thee!

Then shall my latest breath Whisper they praise;
This be the parting cry My heart shall raise;
This still its prayer shall be:
More love, O Christ, to thee, More love to thee, More love to thee!

…

After I shared, Director asked if I would speak in chapel. By the grace of God, I did. Pray that the students, the staff, even I would know the love of God and Christ and that we would excitedly love Him and others in return.

…

Classes are going…

Pray for my Junior APs and my Senior Regulars as they have to recite a Scripture passage from memory next Thursday. Pray that they practice, practice, practice. And that God’s truth would be emblazoned on their hearts.

Pray for my Sophomores as we continue to study Paul’s letters. They have their test on 1st and 2nd Corinthians tomorrow. Pray that they come, that they don’t ditch, that they don’t cheat, that they study. And, again, that God’s Truth would be written forever on their hearts and minds.

Pray for my Senior APs as they have a lot of work to do and a lot of information to learn before they can graduate in May. Pray that God gives them a new sense of drive and determination to finish off their high school years to the best of their abilities.

Pray for my Junior Regulars. They are doing fairly well in class and, I believe, are learning a lot. They will have their first recitation in front of the class next week though. Pray for fears to subside and enjoyment to transpire.

And pray “More love, O Christ, to thee! More love to thee! More love to thee!”

And the beat goes on...

2007-02-13T16:41:00.000+10:00

Today (partially due to lack of preparation because of being sick-I am feeling better now, btw- and partially because we wanted more entries), I let my Art classes create year book covers. The theme is, “Our Mizpah Home.” Honestly, I was surprised that more students weren’t interested in submitting, *shrug* so I made one! It’s nothing better than some of my students could do, but they all ooohed and aaahed over it. Everyone worked pretty quietly during these classes.
In Reading I let the regulars take their Sign of the Beaver test using the books and notes, which may have actually hurt some of them because they spent too much time looking for answers instead of just using their BRAINS!
In the AP class, I am reviewing some grammar lessons with them. They did these lessons last year and complain that they are too easy. When I grade their papers, however, I find that their complaints are unjustified! Aaah! The frustration! I think that AP class is my laziest, most off-task class! Yesterday, they were making some “Love Book.” I said that if I saw it again I would take it away and burn it. And I will!
The Freshmen History class is another difficult class as far as behavior. It’s the last class of the day, so I think that contributes to the problem. Also, there are just a lot of loud mouths! This afternoon I had to YELL at one of the girls. I told her I was sick of her disrespecting me and the school, and asked her to leave my class. You can pray for me and her. Her name is Sina. She is a transfer student this semester from Hawaii, and she and I have butted heads since day one! Another new student this semester is Spencer. He is Peterson’s (office aid and salutatorian from last year) little brother, but the two couldn’t be more different! Peterson is quiet and hardworking. Spencer is NOT, but he’s friendly! He and two of his freshmen buddies were up to the house a few weeks ago. He was so impressed he said, “Miss, if you ever have free time, you have three friends!” He pointed to himself and his buddies and counted out loud, “One, two, three!” Unfortunately, yesterday I caught him smoking a cigarette behind the classroom and he was suspended today. Pray for him and all the frosh to stay out of trouble and understand that NOW is the time to start developing good habits. I “scolded” Spencer’s friends who were not with him at lunch yesterday. I said, “You guys need to stick together and keep each other out of trouble.” Also, pray for the freshmen because they are taking a history test tomorrow!
Well, that’s today…I’m beat. I need more of Him and just about every good gift he gives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control. Thank you for the continued prayers.

Godly Sorrow

2007-02-12T19:40:00.000+10:00

Last night Isaiah came up to the house to apologize for his recently bad behavior. Then, he asked for Miss Katie and while talking to her he began sobbing. Later, Franky was up here saying that Isaiah was mostly just worried about expulsion (I was in the bedroom doped up on Benadryl, but caught pieces of the conversation during bits of consciousness.) Well, no matter the truth, Vice Principal’s sermon for chapel this morning couldn’t have been more apropos. His message was from 2 Corinthians 7: 8-10:

“Even if I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it. Though I did regret it—I see that my letter hurt you, but only for a little while—yet now I am happy, not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you became sorrowful as God intended and so were not harmed in any way by us. Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.”

Isaiah was sitting in the front row as Vice expounded on these two types of sorrow—one that brings repentance, and one that brings death. He equated Paul’s letter to the disciplinary action letters that he had sent home to parents. To me it seemed one of the most easily applicable sermons I have heard in chapel, but it is the Word and the Spirit that works in hearts, and hearts can certainly be deceitful!

Keep praying!

Oh! Also, I finally finished Sign of the Beaver with the Senior Regulars-I think it was too hard for them. Ugh! I am not a very good English teacher.

In Words

2007-02-11T11:21:00.000+10:00

The talent show consisted mostly of singing, dancing (Hula and Hip Hop), and bizarre, comedic skits (the bizarre, I’m sure, accentuated by not understanding the Chuukese language or culture – or these teenagers!) There was a big turnout – I think mostly neighborhood kids or younger sibling/cousins. All in all, I was quite pleased and felt the glory appropriately went to the Lord as the Giver of talents. I’m also really proud of KI and Way-One who had the largest student-hand in organizing it. Actually, it was almost exclusively student run. How exciting that these young men and more like them are Chuuk’s future leaders – what talent, vision and capabilities God has given them!

I am sick this weekend – sinuses. Yuck!

Pray for Isaiah. He is a pretty good student with a heart to learn though he really struggles with his English. His bigger struggle, however, is his behavior. The other students say, “He didn’t use to be like this.” *sigh* He leaves class without permission. Recently, he’s been hiding my supplies and once he spit on the classroom floor out of spite. Also, this past week he told our office help (former Mizpah student, Peterson) that if his name was on detention he would hurt Ms. Ana. Also, I know he flirts with more than one of his female classmates. Anyway, Franky was up here yesterday and said, “Isaiah really wants to change.” I just nodded. He needs more than desire, and I haven’t seen that desire truly evidenced yet.

Franky is always such an advocate for the change of his fellow students. Isaiah is one of his best friends. He is also dating a classmate with the hopes that she “can become a better person.” *sigh* He needs to take on good look at himself. I believe he is a Christian, but I do not sense that he is walking closely with the Lord these last few months. He’s disruptive in class, moody, and even using foul language. Now, if there was ever a person with a right to some bitterness, perhaps Franky is it. My heart has ached for him due to the desertion of his father (like so many other students). Sometimes I think that’s why he’s out there trying to “save” people – some kind of compensation for his loss. Maybe if he can help them, they will never leave him.

One of my freshmen, Marvin, has been out sick, but I heard director say that he won’t be coming back even when he gets better because of tuition problems. His older sister, Saileen, was one of Katie’s students that graduated last year. Pray for Marvin to be able to come back. Also, another freshmen, Melorin, who has not been in class all semester. I saw her about a week ago, and she said she really missed us and hoped to be back soon.

So…pray for my health, KI, Way-One, Isaiah, Franky, Marvin and Melorin. And praise God, the giver of so many talents!

2007-02-11T08:04:00.000+10:00

Laid on Thine Altar, oh my Lord Divine,
Accept my gift this day for Jesu’s sake.
I have no jewels to adorn Thy shrine,
Nor any world-famed sacrifice to make.
Yet here I bring within my trembling hand
This will of mine—a thing that seemeth small,
But Thou alone, O Lord, canst understand
How, when I yield Thee this, I yield Thee all.
Hidden therein, Thy searching eye can see
Struggles of passion, visions of delight,
All that I have, and am, and fain would be,
Fond hope, deep love and longing infinite.
It hath been wet with tears and dimmed with sighs,
Clenched in my grasp till beauty it hath none.
Now from Thy footstool, where it vanquished lies,
The prayer ascendeth, “May Thy will be done.”
Take it, O Father, ere my courage fail,
And merge in so in Thine own will, that e’en
If in some desperate hour my cries prevail,
And Thou give back my will, it may have been
So changed, so purified, so fair have grown,
So one with Thee, so filled with peace divine,
I may not know it, feel it as mine own,
But gaining back my will, may find it Thine.
--Author Unknown

Talent Show & Classroom

2007-02-10T22:35:00.000+10:00

Senior Pics & Katie's B-day

2007-02-05T12:12:00.000+10:00

God is still cool.

2007-02-01T16:58:00.000+10:00

The period after lunch, 5th period, I have my junior APs. Most of the time they are so wonderful to teach. They are hard working and actually want to learn -- of course, they have their days. I was a few minutes late to class and when I went into the class room there was no one to be seen. So I figured, well maybe since I was late they all did something really quick. After about 15 minutes, I seriously start to worry. It's not like them to be late - let alone, ditch. I thought maybe they were doing something for my birthday and they lost track of time. Another 15 minutes went by without any sign. I seriously thought someone kidnapped them. I was starting to get really worried and I'm looking around and asking people. Finally, I see Director and wave him down. "Where's my class?" He sort of smiles. "I think I know where they might be," He says. "But they're late." Finally, 5 minutes before class time was up, they run into the class with pizza, cake, and ice cream for me for my birthday (which isn't until tomorrow but we don't have school tomorrow because of the pastor's conference). I was mad that they missed my class (and still counted them all as absent and gave them a hefty assignment to do over the weekend) but THEY LOVE ME! What can I say? I was thrilled! Praise the Lord for those that are a joy to love! Praise the Lord for His undeserved blessings!

I also need to add something that happened from yesterday's blog... When I was talking with my students that I had caught handeling, and tears were rolling down my cheeks, another student was close by hearing every word. That other student who is very close to being kicked out due to substance abuse too said, "Yeah! Look. She just cares about us. She just wants good things for us." ...I could definitely tell that the student that I had caught was very sad that I was sad. But that's not what I want. I want him to be sad that it's not what GOD wants! That even if circumstances in life may not change and hard things happen and people fail and dreams are smashed and you have nothing to look forward to in this life... Jesus gives abundance through joy and love and kindness and service and worship and prayer! Oh, how I wish they knew this for themselves.... how I wish I knew it more!

Thank you for your prayers. God hears and ACTS!

2007-01-31T11:18:00.000+10:00

I confiscated some drugs today after chapel from a senior that I love and a junior higher. When I went to get the senior after handing over what I had taken to Director, I started crying in front of him. Pray for God to open their eyes to His goodness and mercy and grace... a life of abundance... a life for eternity.

Daily Bread

2007-01-28T19:34:00.000+10:00

Into the Desert
Read: Exodus 15:22-27

After the Israelites miraculously crossed the Red Sea, they were led into the desert. How strange that God would lead them from a place of revelation and power to a place of disappointment and dire need! But God wanted to show them that life is a combination of bitter and sweet, triumph and defeat. When the Israelites arrived at Marah, they complained because the water was bitter (Ex. 15:23). After Moses interceded (v.25), God reminded them to keep His commandments (v.26). Then He brought them to the abundance and refreshment of Elim (v.27). The Lord wanted to teach them that each experience on their journey would reveal their hearts. This test showed that they were living by sight and not by faith. They also learned that God was involved in their daily affairs. He wanted them to know that He not only could part the sea, but He would also supply water for His people. He knew their needs because He planned their way. If you are being led into a wilderness of disappointment and bitterness right now, trust God, for He knows exactly where you are and what you need. As you obey His commands, He will lead you out of the desert and into a place of spiritual abundance, healing, and refreshment.
-- Marvin Williams

We shrink from this life’s challenges – we plead
For watered pastures never touched by pain;
But God will often let us sense our need
Before He sends His cool, refreshing rain.
-- Gustafson

The more bitter the desert experience,
The sweeter the water of the oasis.

Katie and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day

2007-01-25T20:56:00.000+10:00

I couldn’t go to sleep last night for various reasons. I woke up when my alarm went off but my snooze button has a glitch in it, so I didn’t get up until an hour and a half later – thirty minutes before I needed to be at school.

Many of my sophomores started going crazy when I tried to get them settled for a test – a test they knew on Monday that they would have, we’ve reviewed for the past few days, and material we’ve been studying since the beginning of the semester. First, I told them that they had to take it today, no excuses. They started complaining horrendously. To try and give some grace, I said that they could take it next Tuesday if they really wanted to but that I would mark their grade down by one score for not being ready today and it would be a different test from the ones the students were taking today. Then a few of them said that I was really horrible and mean and don’t know how to forgive and be kind and love. Then when I finally had them settled enough for the ones that were ready to take the test, there was still a lot of talking going on – and I mean a lot – and I finally just yelled, “No! No! Be quiet!” They were stunned (for one minute) and even said, “Wow, Miss, that’s the first time you’ve ever been angry.” Of course, that made my mind go wild because I don’t know how many times I’ve cried because of that class before. The more annoying thing about this predicament was that I know that the people that are waiting until Tuesday to take the test are still not going to study or if they do look at their notes I don’t know what they would be looking at because none of them have done the work the past two weeks. So now I’m upset with myself for even letting them get away with taking it on Tuesday because it’s not helpful for anyone.

During break I went to Customs to get some papers signed so I could retrieve my packages from my mom. When I got to the post office, I realized that the Customs’ office gave me back the original and a copy of only one of the packages instead of giving me back the two different copies for each package. Of course, I didn’t have enough time to go back to Customs to get the other paper. Pray that it will not be a hassle when I try to go tomorrow!

The package that I did get wasn’t the lost one from December with my camera in it.

Of course, when I got home and opened the package hoping for something to improve my day I realized that the package wasn’t for me at all but for some other missionaries on the island that my mom was sending stuff to.

In my JrAP class, DS refuses to do his work and he makes me more upset than other students because he’s smart and talented and, I believe, a committed Christian.

Then I had another test to give in my JrReg class. That was pretty horrible with lots of cheating going on, but I don’t know what to do.

Then I had detention duty which is always depressing.

When I came home, hoping to “get away from it all” I was greeted with an e-mail which had some poignant news for me.

I tired to ignore everything in my head and so I watched a movie and downed some popcorn. That didn’t work.

I went to my room, shut the door, and cried.

“Why God? Why don’t I ever learn? How come I don’t know how to do things? How come I let my feelings get the best of me? Why aren’t my students being saved left and right when that’s what we want for them? Why is it that it seems like all my prayers are answered with a resounding “no” or that you’re waving the answer “yes” in front of me but just out of my reach, never allowing me to obtain that which I ask for? How come it seems like you try to teach me the same lessons over and over again? Why do sometimes I think You’ve sanctified me so much and other times I think I am exactly the same as before? Why am I even crying and complaining when there are so many other people in the world that have so many more terrible, horrible, no good, very bad days than I have?”

So I read my Bible…
“The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether: More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb.” (Psalm 19:7-10)
“May he grant you your heart’s desire and fulfill all your plans! May we shout for joy over your salvation, and in the name of our God set up our banners! May the Lord fulfill all your petitions! Now I know that the Lord saves his anointed; he will answer him from his holy heaven with the saving might of his right hand. Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God. They collapse and fall, but we rise and stand upright.” (Psalm 20:4-8)

And I listened to some music…
“Jesus will still be there/His love will never change/Sure as a steady rain/Jesus will be still be there/When no one else is true/He’ll still be loving you/When it looks like you’ve lost it all/And you haven’t got a prayer/Jesus will still be there”

“Jesus, I my cross have taken/All to leave and follow Thee/Destitute, despised, forsaken/Thou from hence my all shall be/Perish every fond ambition/All I’ve sought or hoped or known/Yet how rich is my condition/God and Heaven are still my own…
Go then earthly fame and treasure/Come disaster, scorn and pain/In Thy service pain is pleasure/With Thy favor loss is gain/I have called Thee Abba Father/I have stayed my heart on Thee/Storms may howl and clouds may gather/All must work for good to me”

And I prayed.

Later I wrote an e-mail to a friend that’s going through some rough times of her own…
“Everything’s better with Jesus. I’m not saying it because I live it out, but because He’s teaching me that it’s true. So many things have been flip-flopped and a whole bunch of things went “wrong” today. I put wrong in quotes because that’s from my perspective and not from God’s. There are millions of people that have things way worse in this world; I should be grateful for the things He has blessed me with and not gripe about the things that, from my eyes, He withholds. The fact is, we only deserve one thing and that’s His wrath – praise Him for withholding that! Maybe we’re right where God wants us. A place that forces us to seek after Him and want Him and know that He is our only answer and the only thing we’re left with. Somehow He will heal us and continue to grow us into the people that He wants us to be. …Today especially, I know where you’re coming from.”

I still have lots of questions for my Lord about prayer and sanctification and blessings based on righteousness or completely on His will… please, pray with me as God wraps His arms around me and gives me peace.

Loving Jesus

2007-01-21T08:51:00.000+10:00

Friday in chapel, Alvin, Kendal, and Joshua (3 brothers) sang Amazing Grace a cappella. It was one of the most beautiful things I have ever heard.

Maverick and I watched The Passion of Christ last night. I’ve only seen it once and Maverick had never seen it. I started crying when Peter denies Christ. Half way through the flogging I couldn’t take it anymore and I put my hands over my ears and shut my eyes. By the time I opened my eyes again, both of us had tears streaming down our cheeks. Later we both started up again when Jesus was nailed to the cross… for us. As the credits rolled, we sat there in silence. Finally I looked over at him and asked what he thought. “About what?” was his reply with a huge smile plastered on his face. He then nodded in answer to my question and I asked him, “You love Jesus?” “Yeah.” “Because He loved us first.”

As I was watching the movie, I was also thinking about a few of my junior regular boys. I had found out that their naughtiness extends way beyond what I can see and understand. What they say in Chuukese… thousands of times worse. I was so angry and frustrated and hurt. In fact, I even said, “I don’t want to teach them.” In the movie there are some flashbacks to different parts of Christ’s ministry – where Jesus says to love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you and what does it say about you if you only love those who love you in return. And Jesus’ prayer to His Father to forgive His murderers for they know not what they do. …Please, pray for me as I want to be like Christ to these students.

Detention Duty

2007-01-18T21:43:00.000+10:00

Over Christmas break I thought a lot about the nukumach behavior of my students. Why don’t they hate it when they do wrong? Why don’t they try to always do right? Why do they not understand punishment for when they do wrong? Well, I decided one of the answers to that last question is – me. For the most part, I’m a softy and I want my “precious” students to love me and I’ll love them and we’ll just be one big happy family in the classroom where everyone does their work happily, always praising each other for each person’s accomplishments. Okay, well it took me, probably, well, maybe one day to figure out last year that that just isn’t the way things work – anywhere. But I’ve been praying to be consistent in my discipline. Yesterday alone I put twenty kids on detention. Why? They were breaking school rules – chewing gum in class, eating in class, drinking soda in class, tardy, not wearing their uniform, leaving class without permission, speaking Chuukese excessively (which means not doing their work and distracting others), doing work for other classes before doing mine, having a cell phone operating during class, and the list goes on.

Well, I have the God-ordained task of Thursday detention duty this month. Most of the time, we make them write something over and over again in detention. Today, it was Romans 13:1-2 in Chuukese. Depending on how many reasons they had listed next to their name for being in detention constituted the number of times they had to write the verses. Seems fair enough to me. All they have to do is come in after school, write as quickly as they can, and then they can leave, be finished, go home. 50% of those students spent the majority of the first 30 minutes trying to say that they weren’t guilty, it wasn’t right, when did they do that, “no, miss” or “it’s excused.” They don’t get let off the hook, if they don’t do what I ask (or don’t show up, for that matter) their name is taken to Vice and harsher punishment inflicted. I always, always, always try to convince them to just do it and not get mad and not waste their time arguing but just do it and be done with it.

So let’s zero in on Peter. For the most part, when he does his work he’s a high C/low B student and does fine. It’s when he refuses to do his work. And, it’s not just that, because obviously I cannot make anyone do work, but if he’s (for whatever reason) refusing to do work that means he’s distracting other students, talking in Chuukese (which most of the time results in peals of laughter and pointed fingers in my direction), and being so distracting that I can’t even teach the students that want to learn or at least are willing to give it a try. Last semester, Peter said he hated me. After Emily talked to him, he did sort of revoke his comment. Back to this afternoon and Peter in detention. About ten minutes into it he comes over and starts complaining about the assignment and a sign falls into my lap – “You are a bad teach!” (I don’t even realize the bad grammar until afterwards when I was showing it to Director.) For a few moments, I was in my own world – I can’t even begin to tell you all the thoughts that passed through my mind – and I wanted to weep. I wanted to cry for so many different reasons. I kept my tears in check, though, and was back to the task at hand. An hour and ten minutes after school ended, Peter was the only one left on detention and he had written only a portion of the verse on his paper, not even covering two lines. I went down to the office. I explained to Director the situation, again wanting to cry. About ten minutes later, Peter came into the office looking resigned to his judgment. He paid the penalty and left. I left shortly thereafter disheartened and sad.

A few hours later…
*knock, knock, knock* I open the door of our little home and there stands Peter. “Miss, I wanted to say I’m sorry for the way I have behaved in your class.” I didn’t know what to say. Em and I invited him in and we talked for a little bit. “We love you, Peter.” With hand on his forehead and a slight smile, I heard those beloved words repeated back, “I love you too.”

I don’t know what caused Peter to come up and apologize but at least he did. And at least he admitted to his wrong which is a huge first step for so many of these kids. …And now I’m finally crying because of God’s goodness.

Please, pray for tomorrow.

Note: In relation to Em’s post on the Ideal Student, I have to say that I understand cultural differences. Well, no, I don’t actually understand them, I am just aware that they exist. However, my goal is to teach – whether speech, New Testament, English, that you must trust in Jesus Christ alone for eternal life, or discipline. Not because they have to be disciplined in the exact same way as an American suburban high school but so they learn how to have discipline – which the Lord says is a very good and necessary thing. In fact, the thing that really made me lock down on the rules was the very fact that so many of these kids don’t see their need for salvation because they simply have no understanding of punishment – let alone eternal judgment. Why can’t they talk their way out of it or, even worse, smile their way out of it? But eternity is not something to fool around with and my students first must recognize that there is punishment for wrong, no matter how seemingly small. And breaking the school rules is wrong, no matter how trivial you think those rules are. They are not the rule givers. And in the grand scheme of the Gospel, God is the Rule Giver. I pray that this learning of punishment for wrong will result in a better understanding of the Gospel and softened hearts for their desperate need of the only Savior of the world, Jesus Christ.

Comments...

2007-01-17T06:44:00.000+10:00

I've changed how comments work, just for your information, and now you will not immediately see your comment posted. They come to my e-mail box before they're posted. At first I thought it would be incredibly annoying but have now decided that it's a good way not to load up any more pages than necessary, i.e. coming to this website every time I come on the computer to see if anybody has posted a comment.

All that to say... thanks for your comments! We really appreciate them - and even more your prayers!

And... we had a downpour of rain last night. Power just went off right now for some weird reason but it has been fairly consistently lately. Classes are going pretty well. Em and I have been particularly strict on the rules this semester and millions of kids were on detention yesterday. My SrAps continue to talk so much that I feel we're not getting anywhere - okay, well minus Alvin, Ray, and KI. My sophomores were doing wonderfully but a few more kids have shown up and, well, it makes a huge difference in behavior of some other kids. As they go through these Romans questions I have been trying to force them to critically think - can you force someone to do that? It's been challenging for them but I think that's really good. They can do it - well, then can at least try their hardest and do it a little bit. And you can pray for my junior regular speech class... I tried to get them to do some exercises yesterday and only a small handful was participating. So that's pretty bad and I don't know what to do.

Anyway, that's all for now. Please, keep up the prayers. God is good.

I need to get ready for school...