New Dorm Arrives!

Yes I said arrives..... This building was built by a company called Kwikspace. They build building using cargo shipping containers. This building was built out of 4 containers. For the last week or two and probably another week or two..... Peter with the help of some outside contractors and students are installing sewer and electricity. By the end of the semester we will also have a cafeteria/dining hall building delivered. Using the backhoe is Kalvin one of our students and RA's.

And I am glad you asked.... this new dorm will be called the "C-annex" Since we have the Annex and the B-annex already... Although it is pronounced the Cannex (one word).... appropriate since it is made from Containers (i.e. Big Cans. :o)

Cat-a-strophic

Unfortunately I had a bit of problem capturing the scene on camera. The one cat is clear in the foreground. If you look closely there is another cat under the chair. And what you can't see is about 7 more cats in the background standing around and watching these girls eat dinner.

I have actually seen the cats standing at the back door of the dorm waiting for the girls to come out for dinner.

There are at least 8 cats probably more that came with the house that we rent next door and use as a dorm. Unforutnately most of them are not very nice (they hiss) or they run away. I miss friendly pet animals that we have back home. They are few and far between here. "Boonie" or stray dogs and cats are such a problem here you have to be careful where ever you go. Our assistant dean of men was actually bitten this week on the way to the market down the street.

Singing Bubblegum

Last night the students on campus decided to have a time of worship and fellowship. They had several groups which shared songs. They invited others to share testimonies and scriptures. They played a crowd breaker game and sang songs. One group to share a song was the "Chuukese students." Of course this is about 80% of the people in the room..... when they were going up to the front one of the guys told me that I should be "bubble gum". (See previous post for explanation) So I went to the front with the group and even though I knew virtuatlly no Chuukese I stood with them as they sang. So technically maybe the post should be called silent bubblegum among singing students. :o)

Couples from A Cup

Apparently when students get bored - they get silly.....no wait - I they are silly all the time.... Regardless last night two of the students were standing on campus with cups. One with all the girls names in and one with all the boys names. They were making everyone pick a name out of the cup with the opposite gender to determine "God's will for whom they should marry." I was no exception. I was told that I had to pick as well. I happened to pick one of the youngest Chuukese guys who loves to joke with me and who happened to be standing about 15 feet away. I shouted to him - "Hey....it's you and me forever!" He was quick to point out that this was only for prayer. Can you believe that he did not want to marry someone old enough to be his mother???? Anyway we have promised to pray for each other for God's will in the area of marriage.

Raining Days and Mondays Always Bring Me Down

Down to the beach apparenatly.... It has been raining here now pretty much for 2 solid weeks. Occassionally it will stop for portions of the day but the sun is no where to be seen. According to the forcast it may be another 4 or 5 days before the Sun makes another appearance.

Today after returning from the Basketball game, and a few errands I had planned to run some of the students potentially to the mall since the weather was so miserable. (Probably got 2 or 3 inches of rain today).... However when I got back to campus everyone wanted to go swimming. Apparently they like swimming in the rain. There were so many of them that wanted to go I thought what the heck - why not - and almost simultaneously Peter decided the same thing so we hopped in vehicles and headed down to the beach but unfortunately when we got there the life guards reported that the currents were too dangerous - the rain storm was a bit too severe - and we were denied. I was all ready to be adventurous and we were denied. Hopefully we will get a chance to swim in the rain later in the year.

Queen for a Day....

My girlfriends, Helen, Lovinia, and Joyleen chilling at "fun night".

Speaking of contagious

Another thing that seems to be catching on is a blogging trend. Brad Bodyston got me going and now I am hooked.... Dave Owens president of the college is also having a try..... etc....

As the students have found the blogs of the staff members a number of them have begun to give it a try....

Here is Mac (and Crystaleen).... you can check out his blog by following the link.

http://www.alphoda1.blogspot.com/

Anybody Recognize the Shirt?

This is a shirt that I made this summer and had many of friends from the Philadelphia area sign at a party I have to celebrate "Graduation, Guam, and Getting Old." It is one of my favorite shirts and it has not failed to get many comments and compliments every time I wear it.

Mostly it reminds me of all the ones I love back home and makes me feel close to you. (even those who didn't get a chance to sign the shirt :o)

Fun Night

The Students here planned and prepared for a "fun night". The evening was planned soley by the students. Staff and faculty were told we were not invited but then apparently some of the students protested and we were then invited. Boy am I glad they changed their minds and included us. It was absolutely a blast. They sang songs, performed skits, had some contests, and then all of that was followed by a nice meal. What amazing funny and talented students we have....of course I knew this before the evening started but they continue to bless and surprise me.

Sharing is Caring

Islanders, especially the Chuukese, have a very generous spirit. They are often willing to share whatever they have. The other day I had taken some of the students to the mall and I ran into some of them in the food court they were eating pizza. They invited me to come over and offered me some of their pizza. At first I didn't want to eat their pizza because my stomach was still not feeling quite right but they insisted so I had some of their pizza. One girl explained that is just the way we do things and she told me - "Sharing is Charing".......

Seems like their is a whole lot of love going around as one by one more and more people get hit by the same stomach virus that had me side tracked for the first part of the week. By the rate it is spreading I expect a large part of the PIBC community to get it by the end of the next week.

Bleah :oP Some times I wish we were a little less caring.

Bubblegum

Yesterday one of the students asked me I would take her to the post office today. I told her to talk to me today after chapel. When she talked to me several of the other students asked to come along - even though they had nothing they had to do at the post office. I said sure. I had to go back to my apartment and I ended up talking with the dean of men....and so when I got to my apartment they were waiting for me.

The one girl told me that really only she had to go to the post office - that the other girls were just "bubblegum". When I asked why they were "bubblegum", she explained that it comes from a Chuukese slang expression which translates literally to bubblegum in English....but basically it means that it is just like they are stuck to us (like bubblegum on the bottom of shoe) so they are coming where we go. If we didn't go - they wouldn't go.

It maybe just be one of my new favorite expressions since there seems to be a lot of "bubble gum" in this part of the world. ;o)

Stomach Virus

The last couple of days I have been sidelined with a stomach virus/flu thing. I don't normally pick up stomach viruses and I can't tell you the last time I felt this sick. About dinner time today I started to feel a bit better.

It is weird to take sick days when you live at work. Although I was very also very surprised about how well people were at letting me get the rest I needed to get better. Unfortuantely Monday and Tuesday were big shopping days for the students which I am assuming they missed out on since I was not driving.

Hopefully I will be feeling better and eating more tomorrow.

Me and Micah

It was cracking me up..... Micah is only 3 years old and he already has discovered the instand gratification available on a digital camera. Every time I took his picture he would make me show it to him on the back of my camera.

Pray together and Stay Together

Every other Sunday night the PIBC faculty and Staff gather together for prayer and once in a while it even involves food.

With or without food I have to say I always look forward to this special time together.

Look Out World Here I Come.

Mac is one of our students here at PIBC. Today Peter gave him his first driving lesson. So far so good I suppose, since there was no new damage to the truck or to the campus. Although it may be my paranoia but I believe the two of them tried to run me over several times. :o)

All Night Praise and Prayer

These are pictures from the all night prayer and worship night. The night was planned by Steve, Hollie, and Hiob. The student Chapel band played. There was teaching on many different types of prayer and of course praying. Not every - including myself stayed for the whole night. However, those I talked to afterwards who did stay all night spoke of how blessed (and of course tired) they were. Overall it was pretty well attended since it was not mandatory.

One for Dad

For as long as I can remember my Dad has been associated with the local Lions Club and Lions International. He is a Past District Governor, and my parents have travelled the world going to Lions Conventions.

The local super markets on Guam work with the Lions Club and collect money for their sight conservation project.

Comment on Comments

Just thought I would let you know that all comments must be approved by me before they are posted. I have noticed that some of you make the same comment twice thinking your first time did not work. I have chosen this method of posting comments to filter out any inappropriate comments by strangers.

Building Servant Leaders

....that is the motto/mission statement of the school. The premise is based on a principle from scripture where Jesus who was the leader led by serving and by example. Some times I am so taken back by students who seem much like typical teenagers but have not been spoiled by the American culture..... They are often so willing to sacrifice for "a brother" or "sister" in their God family. Sometimes I wonder - who is teaching whom to be Servant Leaders?

On Saturday a bunch of students were doing yard work on campus when I was pulling out to do an errand. They noticed my tire was flat and they flagged me down and stopped me. I pulled back into campus and before I could ask two students were there to help me put on my spare donut tire...... I was extremely grateful..... and felt very blessed. That day I experienced Jesus love through them...... and was also convicted about my attitude which is not always so giving.

Invincible!

Since it was raining today on my day off I headed down to the local theater to see the film, "Invincible". The movie is about the Eagles in 1976 when Dick Vermile took over as coach. Apparently the Eagles stank and to shake things up, Dick Vermile held open try outs. One 30 year old man from south Philly who had never even played college ball made the team. It is a good story where a man who was down on his luck took a chance and beat the odds.

It was nice to "be back in Philly" for a couple of hours even if I had to be transported back in time to 1976. It made me smile to see how they accurately played the Philadelphia sports fans as the actress who played Vermile's wife reminded him that "they even through ice balls at Santa" when he was making a risky decision.

There were also many good shots of south Philadelphia and I am assuming graphically created images of the old no longer standing Vetrans stadium.

Another fun thing was to see Yuengling Beer featured in the film. Being from Pottsville the home of America's oldest brewery - I felt a bit of home town pride seeing it up there on the big screen. However being from Pottsville and between having toured the brewery and my Dad being an acquaintance of Dick Yuengling - it occured to me as I was watching the movie that it may indeed be historically inaccurate. In fact after checking the website - it was clear that the Lager was only re-introduced after decades of not producing it - in 1985 when Dick Yuengling took over the brewery from his Dad. Also before that Yuengling was not marketed in the Philadelphia area.

Although the ending of the movie was triumphant - I have to say that I was a bit sad and homesick when it ended. :o(

Hail! Hail! The Gangs All Here!

Tonight we picked up the last of the new PIBC family from the airport..... Ned, Marisol, Joel (3), and Amelia (9 months). Ned will be the assistant dean of men and also the director of Children's ministries.

I actually met Ned and Marisol when I was on a mission's trip to Ecuador in 2002. Ned is actually from the Reading, PA area but met and married Marisol while serving as a missionary in Ecuador. They have two children.

They will be living right next door to me.

Yes the rest of us in the picture all went to the airport to greet them. When we got back to campus the other students and some staff sang a "welcome song" and came to say hello.

Chocolate Chip Cookies

On Friday night we had a girls movie night. Amy, our ESL (English as a Second Language) Intern, came to campus and brought a movie to watch with the girls. As a special treat I made Chocolate Chip Cookies. I was surprised that many of the girls had never had a chocolate chip cookie especially not one fresh from the oven. Except for the few that I gave to some of the on campus staff members - about 20 of the girls went through 2 batches. The poor guys were left with none. I did promise to make them some on another night..... and it works out ok since a number of the girls asked me to teach them to make them.

Basketball

Many of the boys belong to a "Christian" basketball league which has its games on Saturday afternoons. They play other teams mostly represented by churches. This week I drove the team to the game. They were teasing me that I needed to drive faster so they didn't miss their warm up time. As I started to drive a little faster to answer their pleas - One of the students yelled from the back of the van - "I am too fresh to die" Sheesh.....

Let's Chat

One way our students are typical college students is that they all love their email. Many of them also have MySpace pages like just about everyone else these days.

This is some of our students in our computer lab right before I closed it late on Friday night.

Where's the Beef?

Even Wendy's has a Carabao..... I also noticed a decorated Carabao in the one mall. I made some of the students pose with this one on our shopping trip this afternoon.

I haven't had any food from Wendy's since I have been here but this kind of makes me wonder where they come from. Anyone else?

S.O.S.

Please send good Chinese food. You would think moving closer to China would actually increase the probability of getting good Chinese food. So far I have not found a decent looking Chinese Restaraunt..... many of them on Island are just the fast food variety that are found in the malls in the states. Many of them have dishes I don't recognize nor do they seem like dishes that I would like to try. And I love Chinese food. Could someone please mail me some General Tso's Chicken from the Sampan Inn? Maybe some Chicken and Stringbeans with Garlic sauce? Maybe I will just learn how to cook it myself. Hmmmm.....

Everybody's Got One!

What you ask? A Water Buffalo....Mine is fast and your's is slow.... Some of you might already recognize this as a line from one of Larry's Silly Songs from Veggie Tales. (One of my favorite silly songs I might add)......

Anyway I have to report a slight error. There are not Caribou on Guam. Caribou are reindeer. Although there are some weird alien looking deer here that are found mostly on Andersen Airforce Base and are often shot by "Mr. Hottie" (See previous post)..... they are not Caribou.

What we have on the island are Carabao which is a Chammaran (local islanders) word for basically a water buffalo. (Can anyone believe that Microsoft does not recognize the Chammaran language in spell check?)

You can read more here http://www.heptune.com/Guamcrit.html#Carabao

Sorry for the confusion.

Objects in the Mirror May Appear Larger than they actually Are

I remember when I was preparing to come to Guam and I was trying to figure out how big the Island can be..... I thought with so many golf courses how could there be room for anything else? Yet compared to my expectation - the island seems huge with tons of totally undeveloped land. I am told, however, the island seems to shrink the longer you have been here.

Some of my co-workers have shared how they have even become a bit "bored" with the Island and all it has to offer. They have been everywhere and done everything they would like to do here......

Yet every day I drive by an Ocean View gladly it still takes my breath away....then I tell myself.... "Wow I live here." Of course Pennsylvania has a beauty all it's own...... and I am already missing the cooling weahter, the autumn leaves, college football, the smells of wood fires burning in fireplaces (although I realize even in PA that is getting more rather with the popularity of gas fireplaces.)

I have to say it seems very weird to see the Halloween costumes in the stores here when it still feels like summer. Then again, they probably hit the stores there in the summer already since it seems to keep getting earlier and earlier every year.

Man can not live on bread alone....

Yet some days I am tempted to try. There are several bakeries on Island that I have tried which make the most amazing breads. The Guam Bakery sells their products not just at their bakery but also at many local supermarkets (and Kmart). The Crown Bakery is not far from school, although you still need to drive because the school is basically in the Boonies. They also sell their day old bread for a $1. This is helpful when buying enough bread for 63 people on a small budget. Also nice on a missionary's support. :o)

So many children I don't know what to do......

Just like the old woman in the Shoe. Yesterday when I was taking some of the girls to see the boys play basket ball (they play in a Christian League on Island)..... I was sharing with them about my family. I told them about my poor parents who had 4 children - yet only 3 grandchildren...... Both my brother and I never got married nor had children. I explained now I had 63 children..... and I am thinking of sending my parents a picture of their new "grandchildren" for Christmas. :o)

Later that day one of these girls was in the computer lab when I was there. One of the male students was joking with me and giving me a hard time. Stella scolded him and said .... "I can't believe you are talking to our mother like that." I thought it was very sweet.

A Day of Exercise

Spiritual Exercise anyway.....although I did buy some exercise videos this week I have not yet used them.... ;o)

Yesterday was an all day seminar for the students on what is commonly referred to as "Spiritual Disciplines". As staff I also got to participate. Some of these disciplines include Prayer, Journaling, Bible Reading and Scripture memorization.

The teacher was E. Neil Culbertson who is the pastor of Faith Presbyterian Church here on Guam. He gave helpful information on how and why a Christian should practice the Spiritual disciplines. He also has created a journal which is a tool to help create a plan for practicing these disciplines over 52 weeks. Usually I feel too limited by prefabricated journaling tools but as I look over this one --- I do like it and I plan to give it a go. If you would like to check it out - you can visit the website at http://christianstraininglog.com/homepage-pepco.html

Princess Maggie

This is Maggie. She is 4. She and her baby sister Elise are my adopted nieces.

Besides being adorable. She is very smart and creative. She always makes me laugh. I miss her.

Her mom sent me an email with this picture and a song Maggie made up about me.

"The night is here, the night is here. It's time for eveybody to go to bed. Go to sleep my sleepy head. The sun has gone to Aunt Melissa. This is the end, of my song, the sun will be back when its morning."

When her mom asked her how she knew the sun had gone to Aunt Melissa, she said "Because Aunt Melissa is far far away and she's awake."

Picture and song shared with the Permission of Maggie and her parents. :o)

House Mothah.....

Many of our students come have graduated with a "Certificate" from our Tol campus from the Islands of Chuuk. Apparently on Tol which is a small island with absolutely not much except the campus on it..... they have a "House Mothah" or AKA House Mother - she makes sure they get up on time and get to class on time. She does many things to help people students who are Micronesian get accustomed to a school schedule based on Western principals. Although I don't do nearly as much as this woman did - some of the students still refer to me as house mother.

Pslam 113:9 says "he gives the barren woman a home so that she becomes a happy mother." I went from 0 to 63 in a couple weeks. Although I am not as responsible for the guys they guys still come to me for some issues when they need help.

I have had to help sick children, listen to their problems, drive them places, and discipline them at times.

When I go to the grocery store to get the weekend and breakfast groceries everybody looks at how much food I am buying and very often make a comment. My answer is always I have 70 children which I was supposed to have but the enrollment was down from originally expected.

Paul Lynn

Some of you who are old enough may remember the old comedian, Paul Lynn. It just so happens we have a female student here whose first name is Paulynn. Not Pauline. Paulynn. It is very common among the Chuukese to end female names in Lynn or Leen. Paulynn being one of them. We also have a Jayleen, Joyleen, Crystaleen, Jafflyn, Giftleen, Trulyn, Smileen, Verlyn, Merlyn, Alynn, and I am sure that I am missing a few.

Kmart Mystery Solved

The Kmart on Guam is the Largest in the world.....not because of what you see in the store.... but because below the store there is a basement the same size as the store filled with inventory. Since everything has to be shipped in they keep plenty of stock on hand to keep things on the shelves.

I was there again today and I am still surprised to watch tourists taking their pictures in front of the store.

Island Guide

Joyce is the wife of the College President. She is a lot of fun. Today on my day off she took me on a tour of the Island or at least the middle and southern parts. This was part of an old Spanish Fortress outside of Inarjan....I think....maybe Yano. It was great fun.

I feel like I have a better idea of where I live. Maybe next week I can take some of the students on a tour. Many of them come from other islands and have not seen most of Guam yet.

Inarjan Pools

Inarjan is one of the southern villages which has a park with these pools of water which are fed by the ocean. Some of the pools are pretty deep and you can go swimming in them. Unfortunately today we did not bring our suits.

Guam's German Restaraunt

The place does not look like much from the outside but actually the Bratwurst was delicious.

Caribou

Caribou seem to roam the island....Although this one was tied to a rope so someone must be responsible for it. In fact my friend Joyce used the rope to pull it out of the jungle a bit so I could take it's picture. She promised to sit on him for the picture but then made some lame excuse that he was too smelly.

I have also seen statues of Caribou throughout the Island. I am not sure if they have some special meaning or not.....

Golf Anyone?

I am told that Guam has 7 public golf courses along with 2 military golf course. This course is at a Japenese owned resort called Leopalace. This place is huge. Not only does it offer golf. It has soccer fields, an olympic sized swimming pool, and a baseball staduim which I am told the Japense team comes for Spring training. If you look closely you can see the ocean in the background.

Historic Beach

Agat Beach is where the American's landed to take back the Island at the end of World War II from the Japanese.

On the Road again.....

Turns out the shop Peter reccommended did a good job fixing my car and what I thought was going to be a major transmission job turned out to be a "tune up" of the engine and a fix of a leak in the air conditioner. I was quite relieved not to have a $1000 car bill....it turned out to be a little over $200 which of course is still a bit of money but a relief considering the possibilities. And fortunately my car insurance covered the towing.

3rd Time's the Charm

Finally today Peter and I went back to the DMV. I did not want to go the guy that I had twice on Friday. And I was relieved to see that he wasn't there...... Or at least not at first. Peter also had to register a vehicle so I had to let multiple people go in front of me while I was waiting for him to finish because they need his driver's license as well. I was so relieved when I got a woman....who was even familiar with the college and was very nice. But then she said "Who wants to do a "G" License?" Since they have to come out and inspect the van and ask you questions. And who should agree but the scary grumpy guy from Friday. I was sure he would find something else but after a little checking and me showing my safety triangle set up skills - he passed me. Of course this meant I had to fill out another application AND stand in line again.

Finally I had my license and Peter was all to eager to give me the keys.......

Today we shall shop.

English or something like it

Almost everyone on Guam speaks English.....of course being part of the US - it is one of the official languages. The trick is there are so many different nationalities all speaking English..... and each nationality struggling with certain english pronunciations and translations..... so even when people speak English there is often a need for a "translation" of what is being said.

This realization came just after trying to communicate with my Korean mechanic and his receptionist.

Micronesian Moment

One of the Chuukese girl's sister got married this past Saturday. She asked if the Chuukese students could come and sing at the reception. The students from the Island of Chuuk have a special way of singing. I don't know exactly what they do - but it sounds really different than when a westerner sings..... and it is beautiful. She said that she would come back and help transport students and she wanted us to be there around six or seven. I asked Peter if he would help. So I told him 6. But no Lovina. 7...... No Lovina.... finally at 8:30 we were ready to go. I am told this is quite frequently the way things work in Micronesia.

Originally I was told just the girls were going but it turned out to be both the men and the women..... Peter had a van full of girls and I had a pick up truck full of the guys. I am working on trying to learn the names of the male students when I have an opportunity. The problem is that they keep switching clothes.

After singing they invited us the have some food ....of which there was plenty ---- many of which I didn't recognize. I was adventurous and tried a few new things even sashimi. (Raw Fish).

Finding Nemo

Or at least some of his friends.....

This is Ritidian beach which is the north most point of the Island. It is a wild life preserve and it is gorgeous. My friend, Joyce, took me snorkling for the very first time. It was pretty amazing all kinds of beautiful and weird fish and coral just steps from the shore. It was so relaxing and it was nice to be away for a couple of hours.

No you aren't seeing things.....the starfish actually matches my bathing suit. :o)

Here we go...... or no longer go.... as the case may be

Today has been a bit of a crazy day. I ran some errands early in the morning. Ok maybe not too early - It IS Saturday. Came back and drove a student to the bank and returned a movie.

When I returned to campus the Internet was down all over the campus so I made some phone calls about that.

Then some girls wanted to go shopping and as I was driving off campus onto the main road my car lost power. Fortunately my new insurance offers towing coverage and I had my car towed to the shop reccommended by Peter, the maintenance supervisor. Unfortunately since it is Saturday I won't know the cost of the damage until Monday.

I am very thankful that I was only about a block from campus when I broke down. As I was waiting for the tow truck - 2 people stopped and asked if I needed help. I was right in front of what we called the Ownex.... our off campus housing. Laura, the assistant dean, went with me to the shop. As we were all waiting for the tow truck, Brad and Cheryl (A professor and our new business manger) just happened to be driving by and stopped. God is good.

Fortunately right now there are some other vehicles on campus I can drive kids in right now.

O - O - G (Pronouced Oh - Oh- Gee)

This is an expression used on the Island which is short and assumed to mean ....."Only On Guam".

There are many of these things about apparently getting your license to drive a 15 passenger Van is one of them.

Before you can drive a 15 passenger van, you need to get a Chauffer class added to your license. You have to study for and take a written test. Although it took a week and a half to get a scheduled test. Afterward it took them a week to post results from a test which used computerized forms.

On Friday we got to the DMV. A licensed driver must take you and before you get your license they ask you a bunch of questions. I stood in line for about 30 minutes. He processed my update to a Chauffer license. Then he informed me that I needed a letter from my company stating that I was to drive their van. So we jumped back in the van - got the letter - and back to the DMV.

Again I had to wait another 30 minutes. I got to the counter with my letter and a receipt that I paid to have my license updated. I did not actually sit for the picture because I they would have to change it anyway to an Mini-Bus Operator. The man told me that I needed to actually get my other licesnse and he would not give me the approval because both Peter (who is the only Van driver right now at the school) and I did not have the little cards for our wallets. Even though Peter's license was only a couple months old and he had to have a valid medical card to get it..... AND I had a completely seperate form they require with detail that the doctor signed.

Since it was late on Friday..... I now have to wait until Monday. Sheesh.

I stood in line another 30 minutes.

Day off

Yesterday I had a day off. Although before I could even get off campus I had a few situations to which had to be tended. Laura Peters - the assistant dean covered for me the rest of the day.

I went to find a beach called Asan beach but missed the entrance and decided to keep on driving to see what I could see....... I didn't get too far before I had to turn around and head in the other direction to get a physical so I can get licensed to drive a 15 passenger van. No wonder so many people on Guam drive without licenses and/or Insurance.

In the afternoon I went to a movie with Crytaleen.... The girls had told her that Material Girls was a good movie. Unfortunately we were not impressed.

After the movie we headed to the Fish Co-Op where one of our students works. These fish are as fresh as they come. Most of them come with the heads although they will clean out the guts "for free" even.

Later that night I went with Crytaleen, Hollie, and Aaron to Chammoro Village..... It has a festive atmosphere. There is native dancing, al kinds of ethnic food, and crafts.

Meet Hollie and Mr. Hottie.

Hollie is my co-worker. She is the assistant discpipleship person and is in charge of student ministries (i.e. our students working with other students)..... With her is her husband Aaron. He is a Navy Pilot and they live on Andersen Airforce Base.

They have only been here about 5 months and Hollie has only been at PIBC about 3 weeks longer than I was.

The other week when we were in church, some of the people did not know the name of Hollie's husband. So someone asked to be introduced to "Mr. Hollie" - however since English is not the first language of many people here ---- some thought they said "Mr. Hottie"

One Thing I Don't Miss!

Overturned Dump Truck Spills Dirt All Over Blue Route
Drivers on the Blue Route (Route 476) are dealing with a filthy mess Tuesday morning. An overturned dump truck has been uprighted at the St. David's-Villanova exit, but the bad news is that the dirt the truck was hauling is still all over the road.
Traffic Pulse reports traffic is getting by in the right lane and shoulder, but the going is slow.

_________________________________

One benefit to living at "the office"....

Happy Birthday Crystaleen!

This is my new friend Crystaleen. She had her 25th birthday today. Crystaleen is on staff here at PIBC. She is an assistant dean of women and lives in the dorm with 18 of our students. She also is an assistant in the library. She is also a graduate of PIBC.

So as her birthday treat I took her to Cold Stone Creamery. She had not been to Cold Stone yet. It is less than a year old in Guam. I think she has joined the fan club.

Happy Labor Day

Yesterday was Labor day here. The phone woke me up. It was my family. My whole family on speaker phone. They were celebrating my parents 55th wedding anniversary. My nephew Chad's 32nd birthday and my nephew Andrew's 12th birthday. It was good to hear from them. The day before I was so sad because I wasn't going to be there with them.

Believe it or not it was relatively quiet on campus. There are no classes on Monday until 2:30pm. They had all their classes even though most of the staff had off. It was the first day in awhile that I didn't feel pulled in 1000 directions at once. I believe this was answer to prayer.

At the staff prayer meeting on Sunday night - I was feeling overwhelmed and homesick and I could not stop the steady stream of tears from rolling down my cheeks. They prayed for especially for the deans - me and Hiob - because although most of the staff all leave campus at the end of the day - we are still here and are not often "off duty". I also spent quite a bit of time in prayer on Sunday as well..... I thank God for listening and blessing me with a great day.

Once was lost but now is found

One of the students here at PIBC almost did not come back to school. Shortly before the semester began her brother and some friends who were on vacation on Chuuk (other islands in Micronesia) and was lost at sea while sailing. She did come however and last night she burst into my room and gave me a huge hug. Her brother who was lost was found - ALIVE..... They ended up on another island in Micronesia far away from where they started. I don't know about any body else but after over 2 weeks I really didn't expect good news....... We are all rejoicing.

Two Lover's Point

There is a legend from the time when Spain ruled the Island that a Chamorro chief who had a beautiful daughter who was beloved by all pledged her to be married to a Spanish commander. She met a Chamorro man with whom she fell in love. Etc. Etc.... The two lovers knitted their hair together symbolizing their bond and jumped to their death off of this cliff.

It is a very amazing view...... and if you are looking for a romantic place to get married there is a small wedding chapel on top of the hill. There was one wedding in progress which unfortunately you can't see..... and another Limo waiting.

Check out their website for the full legend.
http://www.twoloverspoint.com/

A Taste of Home

I have to admitt that i was a skeptic.....but when I got here - right across from Kmart there was a sign that advertised "Philly Cheesesteaks". Right.....there are so many places which advertise such things but do not get close. So today I decided to put them to the test. Besides the fact that they serve them with Ketchup (which I ask them to hold) - it really was pretty good. A bit pricy but definately worth it. It was a nice treat on a day like today - especially when I was feeling a bit homesick.

When I was on the beach sitting right next to this tree - I read this passage of scripture.

Psalm 92
12 The righteous will flourish like a palm tree,
they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon;
13 planted in the house of the LORD,
they will flourish in the courts of our God.
14 They will still bear fruit in old age,
they will stay fresh and green,
15 proclaiming, "The LORD is upright;
he is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in him."

Never thought much about how a palm tree flourishes...... and there they were flourishing right next to me as I read about it in God's word.

Sunday Exploring

On Sunday I told the Campus director if I didn't get some time to myself off campus I was going to lose my mind. I could feel myself getting irritated very easily and knew that was not a good sign.

So I hopped in my car and here are some of the sights that I saw. I ended up sitting in a beach chair on the beach pictured - reading my bible and praying. Since I was alone I didn't go swinning per say but I did take a dip or two to cool down.

It definately was a big help to get some alone time with God....... During this time I slowed down enough to recognize a sense of sadness missing home even though I like it here as well.

Service with a Smile.

One thing that is hard to get used to in the stores is how helpful everyone is. I was in Kmart and I was looking at large Trashcans for the campus. I decided on which ones I wanted and I was just going to stick them in my cart and be on my merry way.....when the department clerk asked if he could take them upfront for me. I assured him that I was ok but he insisted.

Also when you go to Kmart. Some one is often there to tell you which line is available.

Today I shopped at another store and the man working there just pushed my cart out to the car and loaded the stuff in for me. I wasn't sure if he expected a tip but after he loaded my car - he didn't even pause.

Hospitality is just a valued part of the culture here. Although it feels a bit weird especially when I don't think I need any help, I am sure that I could get used to it.

Inconceivable!

I have found out the Micronesian Girls love shopping just as much as American girls. Last night a couple of the girls asked to go to the flea market. I said ok and told them that we would leave at 7am. I got up at 6 and made my coffee, read my email, and then got my shower. I had just gotten dressed and it was 6:45 and there was a knock at the door. One of the girls has come to inform me that they were waiting for me. Apparently it is very exciting to go to the flea market..... and they were anxious to get started.

P.S. The title of this blog is based on one of my favorite lines from the Princess Bride. One character in the movie keeps saying this....and finally another character says.... you keep saying that and I don't think you know what it means..... or something like that..... I guess you had to be there. If you haven't seen it and you like good old fashioned sillyness - It IS a classic.

Waiting....a Micronesian hobby.

I know it looks like they are possibly in jail but actually we were at the airport waiting for hopefully the last 2 female students to arrive from Chuuk. These are 2 of my sophomores who like the rest of the girls laugh and giggle constantly and whenever I can understand them - I like to laugh along with them. Unfortunately many times they are laughing at my inability to understand their accents and pronunciations.

First Ever PIBC Ministry Fair

As part of the requirements for PIBC students, they must choose to serve 3 hours a week in some type of ministry work. This year, Hollie with the help of others, organized the first ever ministry fair. Representative from churches and other local organizations came and talked to students about opportunities in their organizations..... These organizations included Bayview Baptist Church, Big Brothers/ Big Sisters, Island Girl Power, Faith Presbyterian Church, and Pacific Mission Fellowship among others. And of course there was food to intice everyone to come. For the most part, I had no role in the event which was nice for a change..... that is until someone saw me sitting there with a camera and then I became the "Historian". Speaking of history. The young man at the microphone pastors a Chuukese church on Guam. He is also a graduate of PIBC.

Here's your sign....

Although I don't pay too much attention my niece and my nephew-in-law love the blue collar comedy. Some of you know one of the guys does a routine where he says "Here's your sign"..... This comment follows a story when some one says or does something ridiculous.

Here in Guam - you often find state siders complaining about the inefficiancy of everything especailly those more recently from the 48 states. When I hear people who complain about things - including myself --- which Guam is notoriously famous for - I usually think " Welcome to Guam" - But I imagine I could also just say..... "Here's your sign."

Zoom - Zoom

Even though I don't have my Mazda and my Mitsibishi has a hard time going up hills when it is full and the air conditioner is running..... I still have the ability to instill panic in my passengers. I was out with a student and she was telling me how to get back to school when I saw the Route number that the school was on. People here on the Island rarely know things by the Route number and almost always go by landmarks when they drive. The student seemed quite nervous when I tried to go off on my own and not the way she was familiar. Then as it turned out the road was particulary, hilly, and twisty, and bumpying...... and although I was only going 25 mph --- it was fast enough to make the girl blurt out....."How fast are you driving this thing?" I immediately started laughing heartily and then so did she.

Today (Friday) I took the written exam for my chauffer's license. Without them and a 15 passenger mini-bus test we can not take students anywhere. This is really limiting our abililty to get done what needs to be done.....and means I have to take many more driving trips then otherwise necessary. We also found that it will take a week for them to post the results. Welcome to Guam.