Yummy......

Today I took a little time for myself and went to the famous Micronesian Mall. My first destination Cold Stone Creamery. It was a real treat. The employees there seem to have a lot of fun and they sing all the time especially when people leave a tip. The only problem was this Cold Stone was too new and didn't have the ability to use my gift card. However he told me the other Cold Stone on the Island can take them and they are working on getting set up. The only thing is on Guam that doesn't necessarily mean this year. The mall seems to be a hodge podge of stores with many aimed at pleasing the tourist and the american solider. Just about every type of Asian and American food group is represented..... Although Taco Bell is the only "Mexican" restaurant that I have seen so far.

TUBAS for SALE

As we were driving down the road today. I saw a sign "Tuba for Sale". I thought it quite odd since the sign seemed somewhat permanant. When I made a comment about the sign, I was told that Tuba is a local brand of moonshine made from fermented coconuts. I seem to learn something every day.

Registration

Monday 8/28 was registration. As the Dean of Women I had no official role in the process. Then at staff meeting I ended up volunteering to take pictures for photo ids. I enjoyed meeting many of the students in the process. I had to coax quite a few of them "into my studio"..... and there are still some that have eluded me. However when they want books from the Library.... they will need to find me. No ID - No Books. :o)

A Taste of Home

I was quite popular with the staff today as I received two packages from my family. One was a package from my older sister, Chris. It contained a bucket of carmel corn from Fisher's in Ocean City Maryland.

I also received a box of my favorite pretzels from my parents - Unique Splits from Reading, PA. Although my one German co-worker believes "German" pretzels are the best...... I told him most PA pretzels are German..... He did enjoy the pretzels I shared with him although he is not ready to believe Pennsylvania Germans are real Germans. :o)

www.uniquesplits.com

www.fisherspopcorn.com

Not Just a Bath and Body Works Fragrance

This is the picture of Plumeria. They also come in White. These particular flowers are not in full bloom yet.

These are some of the few flowers that actually grow on the Island. Apparently fresh flowers are rare and expensive.

Chamorro! Chamorro! I love you Chamorro!

You're always a day a way..... or at least 14 hours to you east coasters.

As some of you may know the Chamorro people are the people that are native to the Island of Guam. Since the bible college is located in Guam I expected many of our students to be from the island and of Chamorro descent.

Well one of the things that I was surprised about when I got here was not one..... Yes that is what I said - not even one student on campus is a Chamorran. The only Guamanians attending the university are "statesiders" and Chuukese transplants. A majority of the students seem to come from the Islands of Chuuk with Palau and Yap being the other 2 main contributors.

Herding Cats

Awhile back on TV there was this commercial which was supposed to be funny....and it was about these guys who herded cats. The point was this was a near impossible feat...... Cats do what they want when they want to do it.

Today it struck me sometimes being responsible for 40 college age girls must be a similar experience.

24 x 7

By Saturday afternoon between working all week, jet lag, and getting used to the heat, I was exhausted. Literally it was almost painful staying awake. I thought I would go lay down in my apartment for an hour or so. I found that this is almost an impossible feat. When you have 40 girls for which you are responsible, there is always something going on which needs your attention, especially at this part of the semester. After all the newness dies down and things are a little more settled, I will have to figure out how to build space in my schedule to get away so I don't burn out.

They're Back!

Saturday morning was orientation. Many of the students are now back. The morning was spent eating, explaining the changes that are happening at PIBC, worshipping, and playing games.

In the afternoon, a number of the students had to take English placement exams. Depending on the results of the test some additional students may be admitted. Where we are going to put more students, I don't know....but God is good.

The scores of those freshman already admitted will determine which classes they are able to take the first semester.

A little this and a little of that.....

Today is Friday here and many of the students will come today....Orientation is tomorrow.

This morning as I was getting up at 7:30am. There was a knock at the door. A student had arrived. As students arrive I try to give them a tour of campus and introduce myself if they are new to the campus. Seems like that is how things work here. No one has much warning when things are going to happen and when they happen you drop what you are doing and take care of them. It is partly due to the laid back nature of the Island life....but also to the hectic pace of a college at this time a year and the unpredicability of life. I think working 24 x 7 will take a bit of time getting used to.

Today I had to get my car inspected and an oil change. When my boss told me how much inspection would be my jaw dropped. $7. Yes that is it. It is so weird everything on island especially food and cell phone plans are much more expensive but then you get the anomolies like car inspection fees and some times it just catches you off guard. I passed inspection and needed one tire and some brake fluid. I also guessed that the car was due for an oil change since the inspection had lapsed. Total with my membership discount was about $85 for everything. Not bad since that same price also will include free wipers and tire rotation and a 10% discount. Oh yeah and I got a free hat too.

Transportation Updates

Today I got my car. I am very excited to have wheels and a bit more freedom and flexibility. One small glitch is that it is over due for inspection - please pray that it will pass inspection. One additional blessing is that it came with a variety of kitchen supplies and spices. Since the couple is moving off Island they decided to bless me with a number of things they could not use. I was very excited to get quite a few things that I really needed or wanted. I also was able to get a year's worth of insurance for less than $500. I thought the price was for 6 months and she assured me it was for a year. So I suppose there is one thing on Island cheaper than Philadelphia.


PIBC also got their new van today. Well - new to us. I don't know what the wear and tear is on the inside of the van but the outside is pristine. In fact even though it is a 2003, it looks brand new. What an amazing blessing it is.

Finally Saw the Beach

This is Tumon Bay. It is gorgeous and today was a beautiful day. We did have a down pour. It sounded like someone opened a huge faucet. It lasted for about 5 minutes and then stopped. However the heat and humidity were both high today. It has definately been the hottest day since I have been here. Unfortunately we only had about 5 minutes to take a peak. Just too much to do before school starts.

Pacific Island Bible College

This is the college. It is a long flat building. The right end of the building (with the car) houses the administration offices. This building also holds the faculty lounge, the girls dorm, the computer lab, and both class rooms.

Jehovah Jirah (God is our provider)

Since I have been here God seems to be providing mightily. It is exciting and it never ceases to amaze me.

Here are some examples... On Saturday I decided that I wanted a bulletin board. I told the presidents wife, Joyce. And she said good luck finding them on Island. She stated that they are hard to find and if you can find them, they are often expensive. (Of course almost everything here is expensive). I was a bit discouraged but on Sunday I decided just to pray and ask God for them and I also told God that I didn't want to pay for them. A couple hours later I was off to a PIBC staff potluck. On the way over in the van, a couple who is retiring and leaving island said to me if you need anything let us know we might have it. I asked about a bulletin board and they did indeed have one. I don't always pray like that but I have been challenged by the scripture - you have not because you ask not. I figure if God says no - then I am no worse off than when I started.

PIBC was also in need of beds for all the additional student which were added to our numbers this school year. The Hilton happened to be redecorating and clearing out all kinds of beds and furniture. We got 20 beds for $400 total (i.e. $20 per bed).

I wanted a bedside table and an end table for my apartment. When we went to pick up the mattresses, they also had able to get two little end tables which were perfect and they were $5 each. Originally he said we had to come back the next day for the tables. Again I decided to pray and ask God to change his heart because it seemed silly to come back tomorrow for just two small tables. I was going to go ask him when one of the women who went with us who knew I wanted the tables came up to me and said he said the we can take the tables today. I was so excited.

Finally it does look promising that the school will purchase the used van that we found on the internet. The dealer also dropped the price by $1000 when Steve went to talk to him about it. Wahoo.

God is good.

Thank you all for praying as well.

Their Like a Brother to Me

Except they won't watch the kids, they haven't tried to sell me insurance, nor do they talk - especially not with a British accent. However, this island is crawling with Geccos. Cute little guys really. At first I was a little weirded out by them being every where - but they really do grow on you. The other day I spotted a baby one in my apartment. He was only a couple inches long and almost transparent looking. He was too fast for me though, and I lost him.

And then there was Scooter.....

This morning as I was outside my apartment I was in deep concentration as I was trying to determine if my new bulletin board and white board would fit outside my door to leave messages for the students and vice versa. Unexpectedly a male student which I hadn't seen before rounded the corner by my apartment....he startled me and I screamed. He said something which I thought he said, "I'm Scooter" So I asked him "You're Scooter?" He shook his head and said "I'm a student. I'm working in the Banex (The building behind my apartment)." So I said. "Great! Nice to meet you Scooter. I'm Melissa the new Dean of Women." And we both went on our merry way....

Then I asked several people if they knew Scooter. (They're are only 70 students and everyone seems to know them all by name). No one knew Scooter. So finally I asked Peter, the maintenance supervisor. He didn't know a Scooter either. He said neither of the guys who work with him is named Scooter. He laughed and said one of them was probably joking. When he went to find out....it turns out that he did NOT say that he was Scooter he was saying "I'm a student".... And when he shakes his head what I thought was yes was actually a no because in Bangladesh where he is from the whole head shaking is different. Of course the maintenance supervisor could not wait to come back to the meeting and tell me my misunderstanding where we laughed about it hardily for quite a long time. However as far as I'm concerned he will always be Scooter.

Random Reflections

Time is really flying. This morning I got my Guam Driver's License. Tomorrow I have to go back and apply for a Chauffeur License and sign up to take a written test. Then I will have to take another test to be able to operate the school 15 passenger van. Look out Guam. Here I come. Part of my duties will be to drive students to places they need to go through out the week.... post office, bank, etc.

Was to the supermarket again today and Cost-U-Less (Guam's version of BJ's, Costco, Sam's, etc). The selection here is very different and a lot smaller. I have been quite spoiled with the selection available to me in a large suburban area. The one thing that actually has a larger selection than the mainland is SPAM. Personally I never new there WAS more than one flavor but alas there are many.

Missionary Magnet Madness Mission

Here is your assignment if you chose to accept it.

You can do this as individuals, as small groups, maybe even a project for a Sunday School class.

My refrigerator has absolutely no magnets. And this will not do..... so here is the idea.

If you would like, send me a magnet. I would really like for the magnet to be something that would remind me of you. You could be as creative or silly as you like. You could send a picture frame magnet with a picture of you. You could send me a magnet right off your refrigerator if you want.

I will use the magnets as a reminder to pray for you. I also hope the magnets will be a witness to my students. That they might see how much people at home love and care for me - and thus them too. If I get more magnets than I need I will think of creative ways to give them to the students.

If you want you could buy yourself the same magnet as a reminder to pray for me.

Send them to me

C/O PIBC
P.O. Box 22619
Barrigada, GU 96921

Answered Prayer!

Today I got a car. Actually I don't get it until next Wednesday. It is a 2001 Mitshibishi Mirage. One thing I am learning is that everything in the Micronesian culture is about relationship. This guy was a statesider who is a Chrisitan but who has lived in Micronesia several times in his life and where he met his wife. He was over here working on a project for one of the Baptist Churches and is now leaving the island and so he has to sell the car in 14 days. As we went for the test drive, Steve - Campus Director - went along as well as the owner and we are chatting away the whole time. I got a chance to share with him my testimony of how I believe God called me here. He also had felt called to come to the Island so he related to my story. The Car had a sign which said $4500 in the window. After the drive he showed us a print out of the value of the car based on Blue Book value and he said he would give it to me for $3500. We told him we would call him in the afternoon and let him know for sure since this is greater than the amount budgeted for a car and about the $1200 car that fell through. When Steve called him back and told him we would take the car, and then the guy lowered the price to $3000. Wahoo. God is good. It isn't an exciting car but it should be good to get me from here to there and the air works. :o) And it has a CD player so I can still worship God when I am driving. :o)


Oh yeah.....and this one is an Automatic. I suppose maybe the Lord thought I would have my hands full with everything else I am learning new. :o)

(Picture is not the actual car but one like it.)

Good Morning America!

It is 4:30 AM here in Guam. I have been up since 2am. I have tried several times to go back to sleep but my body says - No! This whole jet lag thing has got me a bit confused. Hopefully I will catch up soon.

It is funny to me as a "city" girl or at least a suburb girl to hear the rooster crowing somewhere outside my door. I knew the college was a bit remote but I never expected a rooster. For those of you city folk like me know that roosters crow all day long. It is not like on TV where they only crow to wake the farmer off and then the rooster goes about doing other things. Apparently he starts about 4:30 and crows throughout the day until he exhausts himself and goes to bed.

Today I have a meeting with my supervisor and the Dean of Men at 8am. There is a lot of work to be done and orientation to be had before the semester starts next week. Apparently the staff has grown quite a bit in the last year and so there will be a lot of adjustments to be made.

Well I am going to go see how well my new coffee pot did it's job...... and spend some time in prayer as I get ready for my new everything.

I'm here!

After 22 hours of flying, I arrived in Guam at 5:30pm local time. Although I cat napped on the plane - I didn't sleep very well so I was somewhat of a zombie. It was a surpise to see that about 8 or so people from the college were on hand to great me. They presented me with a beautiful shell lei, and then took me out to dinner at a local restaraunt. They reported to me that their goal was to keep me up to 9pm so that I might minimize jet lag and better adjust to the time there.

So even though I was not terribly hungry and could barely function I enjoyed a traditional dinner and the fellowship with my new PIBC family.

Today will involve a bit of orientation and potentially a bit of shopping to pick up some stuff I need. The morning was left to be a little laid back and I spent some time unpacking a bit.

The Heavens Declare the Glory of God

For those of that know me really well know that one of my favorite verses is in Psalm 19 verses 1- 4.

"The heavens tell of the Glory of God.
The skies display his marvelous craftsmanship.
Day after Day they continue to speak;
Night after Night they continue to make him known.
They speak without a sound or a word;
their voice is silent in the skies.
Yet their message has gone out to all the earth,
and their words to all the world.

The sun lives in the heaves where God has placed it. "

What I find amazing is although every culture is different, the sky for the most part remains the same. It speech it pours forth over comes any language barrier and tells us of the glory of God.

Here is a picture that I took yesterday on the plane where the sun never set for a day and a half :o)

Behold the glory of God!

5 - 4 - 3 - 2 - 1 Blast off!

Well it is 9pm. On my last night in the 48. In 3 hours a driver will come and take my baby niece and me to the BWI airport. My baby niece decided that she wanted to ride along and will ride back after they drop me off.

I am really tired now and I don't really feel all that well. But I am still looking forward to getting going. I can't wait to get past airport security and on the plane so I can just relax.

Pray that I might be able to get some good rest on the plane and that my sinuses and my stomach might feel better.

I will update my blog again as soon as I get a chance when I get to Guam.

God Bless you.

From Sea to Shining Sea

Yesterday I arrived in Ocean View, Delaware (right outside of Bethany Beach) with part of my family. The rest of the family arrives today. Right now I am enjoying relaxing and enjoying the beautiful house that my family has rented. It really looks somewhat like a house right from a magazine with many amenities.

I am not sure if we will get to the beach today or if we will not get there until tomorrow because there is so much to do in the community here. Pools, Golf, Gym, etc.

However in one week's time I will go from the Atlantic Ocean to the farthest point in the Pacific Ocean. (Guam has Pacific Ocean on one side - Phillipine Sea on the to the other side.) Quite literally from Sea to Shining Sea as sung about in the National Anthem. Pretty Cool.

By the way.....my Mom is not computer savvy and has never seen my blog or website until today..... She wants it known that she no longer saves oatmeal boxes, although she strongly advocates their usefulness. Now if she needs one she will just empty the oatmeal into plastic bags from the container she currently has.

Orange is not my favorite color

I guess on one hand I am relieved that the terror plot was discovered and "foiled" before it was executed. As security is heightened - it could be potentially much safer to fly this coming week.

On the other hand to a person with dry skin - not being able to take lotion on a 22 hour flight has the potential to be even physically painful. The air in a plane is so dry that it has potential to dry out skin even on a short flight. Just a whole other level of thought which has to go into what to take and what not to take. What to pack and what to ship......

Fortunately God is good. Pray for wisdom and safety in travel.

Time is getting short..... less than a week before I go.

Such a time as this.....

Sunday was my last day at Manoa Presbyterian Church in Havertown, Pennsylvania. Brown (the pastor) allowed us earlier in the summer to vote on old testament stories that we wanted him to preach on. One of my favorite stories in the entire bible is the story/book of Esther. When I found out that it looked good that Esther would be in the top 4, I asked Brown if he might preach it on the Esther on August 6th, my last day. He was quite accommodating.

If you have a chance, I really suggest that you read it. It is a wonderful story of God's sovereignty and how he chooses to work through people and that he has a plan for our lives. Although sometimes the risk seems big, following God is always better than going the other way.

After church I said my goodbyes, packed up my car and headed up to Reading, PA where I will spend my week with my family leaving for Bethany Beach on 8/12.

Goodbye PMA!

Yesterday was my last day to work at PMA Insurance Company. After 15 years, it was difficult to say good bye. After going to work at the same place for so many years - it is almost surreal to think that I will not be going back there - at least no time soon.

You spend more time with the people you work with closely than any other people in your life. It is a big loss in life to say goodbye, even when you are excited about a new adventure that is just around the corner.

They had a nice party for me on Thursday afternoon with Ice Cream sundaes. They also gave me a generous financial donation towards my mission. One woman even made Latiya which is a dessert with pound cake, cinnamon, and vanilla pudding. She found the recipe on the internet as a traditional recipe of the Chammoro people (native Guamanians.)

I am so blessed to have so many wonderful and thoughtful people in my life.

Time Travel

Two weeks from today I arrive in Guam. I arrive in Guam 22 hours after I take off from Baltimore Airport however it is actually a day and a half later when you add the time difference. As I land it will be evening in Guam on the 17th but you all will still be sleeping.... of course with the exception of my Mom possibly - who will probably not rest until I call here after my safe arrival.

Quite frequently if you are awake and I am awake I will be in the next day. Isn't that what time travelers all seek to do go ahead or go back in time? Pretty amazing if you ask me how time works. Blows my mind when I think about it. Yet I tend to believe that God himself is not bound by time so no matter what time it is here or there - God is there just the same.

So if you are curious and you want to know what tomorrow brings.... just call or write and I will let you know.

Never so glad to be at work

As of this morning the last of my stuff is moved from my apartment. Yesterday was a long day in the heat, and thanks to my sister, Chris, my friend Jill and her sons Brandon and Jake, and my friend Sue - things were pretty much finished by 5:30......just one more load for my friend Tony and I to pick up and store this morning. I am so thankful for all of the people that have helped me get ready to move in the last couple of weeks and for the Greenwoods for an amazing storage space in their attic.

I am amazed by how much stuff that I had in that little efficency apartment. It was kind of like eatting fried rice. Because of how they stuff it in the box, it appears to multiply as you are eating it because it slowly expands as it has more room.

Today I am appreciating the central air of the office and I am refusing to take the stairs. (For those of you have not been to my apartment - it is on the 3rd floor with very steep stairs) My legs are a bit weary from all the ups and downs.

An interesting fact though - the heat index has surpassed the heat index in Guam by about 15 degrees. So if I can move in weather like this - I suppose I can handle the conditions there.

Time is certainly flying and soon I will be too......

I'm Melting! I'm Melting!

It's 6:30 AM and the sun is just rising and already it is about 80 degrees in my attic apartment even with my fan and my little air conditioner going. I have been packing and moving for weeks now and I was supposed to be out yesterday but alas here I am one more day. It is amazing how much stuff one has when you have to make a decision - store, toss, donate, ship, take - on each piece of stuff.

Then I seem to have internalized both of my parents. My Mom doesn't want to get rid of anything. Maybe someday she will need an empty oatmeal box. They really are useful to store all kinds of stuff. I hate to get rid of things that can be useful to someone. I don't like to waste things. Although I draw the line way before empty oatmeal boxes.

Then there is my Dad who would toss just about anything if my Mom would let him. Although there is the story of regret in which my Dad talked my Mom into letting go of her old Shirley Temple doll which would now be worth a lot of money.

So inside my head my two parents argue about every decision. In the end sometimes one wins and sometimes the other but all this arguing within myself really slows me down a bit.

Anyway after today - Lord willing - if I don't melt in the process -- I will be moved from my apartment and be one step closer to Guam.