Looking for Tarzan

One morning Laura (the assistant dean of women) and I took 3 students on a hike. We had planned to go to a place called Tarzan falls. We got to the right trail head but there are 2 hikes from the same trail head. One to Tarzan Falls and one to Tarzan swim hole. Neither trail is very clearly marked. So off we went. It was a beautiful morning, but being rainy season yet the trails were very muddy at places. Unfortunately some how we took a path that actually put us in the middle of the Tarzan River rather than at the Falls or the swim hole. The students walked down river and found the swim hole. Laura and I followed. We all returned safely from there. So even though we did not get to see the Falls, we still had fun and enjoyed our time together and the beauty of God's creation.

Island Tours

Here are some pictures of some of the students who were on one or both of my two island tours. For many of the students when they get to school, it is their first time on Guam. We had a bunch of fun driving around the south part of the Island seeing different sites including Fort Soledad, Latte Stone park, Agat Beach Park, Mt. LamLam, Coco's Island, and many other sites.

It is nice to have time to do more fun things with the students during Thanksgiving break.

Pure Joy

During free time on Sunday afternoon at our retreat and another time during the week on an Island tour some of us stoped at the pools at Inarahan. These pools are salt water tidal pools. This one about 15 - 20 feet deep.

When we started swimming only about half the group decided to do so....but people found it hard to resist getting in when they saw how much fun we were all having.

The diving board does not look too high but it is a bit intimidating when you get up there. I thought I was over my fear of heights until I got up there. But in the end it was a blast. I think that everyone who went in had fun. In fact I suspect that some that went on the Island tour went strictly to go swimming again in the pools at Inarahan.

Hiking to Ge'Dao's Cave

Ge' Dao was the Chammaro chief of the south part of the Islands. Legend says that he was the strongest man in the world and could crush coconuts with his bare hands.

Near the village of Inarahan (which by the way I have a terrible time pronouncing)..... is a cave with some primative looking drawings. (I don't think anyone actually authenicated them).... But this cave has become known as Ge'Dao's cave.

During free time of the Spiritual Emphasis weekend and on one of my island tours we visited this cave. It certainly is a pretty view.

Happy Thanksgiving

It is 8am on Thanksgiving morning. I just stuck the turkey in the oven. Today we are having a big Thanksgiving celebration with a short service of Thanksgiving and then a somewhat traditional Thanksgiving meal. I have a lot to do to get ready, but I just wanted to take time to wish you all a happy Thanksgiving.

I also wanted to take time to appologize for not blogging a bit more this week. There is so much to blog about but this week has been extra busy so I have had no time to blog. The students are off from classes and so I have scheduled a number of fun trips throughout the week. Some of the students have never been to Guam before they got to school so one of the things that I have been offering is Island Tours. I have tons of great pictures and will be posting some soon. Some of us went hiking (on which I had fun but injured my knee) Then some went to do the tourist thing in downtown Tumon. A daily trip to the video store is almost a must. On Friday there will be another hike and a trip to one of the most popular tourist sites, Two Lover's Point.

Then on Saturday things start to get back into a more normal schedule with a basketball game and the University Outreach Team 2nd Bar-b-que.

I am having a great time with the students doing fun things.

Spiritual Emphasis Weekend

This past weekend we packed every one up and shuttled them down south to Rios Beach for Spiritual Emphasis Weekend. We camped over night and returned Sunday late after noon.

Over all every one seemed to have a good time. Three speakers, including Brad Boydston, a professor and fellow blogger, Dave Owen, our illustrious President, and Paul Castillo, a navy chaplin, shared messages which had the general theme - "Don't Waste Your Life".

Overall the weekend went really well and every one seemed to have fun. 2 problems - One student got bitten in the middle of the night by a Brown Tree Snake - or that is the best explanation that we came up with to explain the marks on her arm.

Second problem - the chocolate for the smores was missing. :o(

Land of Promise

Rainbows always remind me of the story of Noah. In the end of the story after the water cleared out - God provided a rainbow as a symbol that "God keeps His Promises".

Rainbows happen often here in Guam. Here I captured part of one. Actually with this rainbow I saw the entire arch.... I had never seen one that full before.

I was excited that it was bright enough to see on the picture.

Vietnam War Memorial

This little pavillion is part of the Vietnam Vets War Memorial in memory of all the Guamanians which died in Vietnam. The other picture is the view. This was an absolutely gorgeous view and a peaceful spot. I decided to stay awhile and I spent some time reading my bible and praying before moving on.

Can you say "Tourist Trap"?

This week on my day off I did some touring by myself around the island. Hopefully on Thanksgiving week --- I will be taking some of the students on Island Tours.

One place they have asked about was Talafofo Falls. (There are several really nice waterfalls on Guam.) Talafofo Falls also claims to have a replica of the cave used by the Japenese War Hero, Yokoi. He is a Japenese Soldiers from World War 2 who hid in a cave in the woods in Guam until the 1970's when some Guamanian Farmers finally discovered him approximately 28 years after the war had ended.

You get to the parking lot and ride a cable car down the the falls. There is supposed to be a monorail but it was tiny and cheaply made and had fallen off it's tracks. You could only see the openning to the cave. There also was supposed to be other amusement rides, a ghost house, and ostriches but nothing really seemed to be in working order. There was a little museum with murals which depicted the history of Guam and the war which was interesting. It is really sad actually that they almost have destroyed the beauty of the place. Besides that it is not cheap to get into the place.

Children's Day

Every year the Principals of Teaching Class hosts a "Children's Day" where local children are invited to participate in games, skits, crafts, songs, and lunch. On November 11th - approximately 75 children came to campus and our students shared with them the Wordless Book. They also shared skits about how sometimes telephones don't work right, but God's telephone is always working and so we can always talk to him. The day ended with lunch. Although I only went in and out of the room during the morning, everyone seemed to be having fun and it was considered quite a success.

Student Outreach Bar-B-Que

It is hard for me to believe that an Island has one college, but this island also has a University, UOG (University of Guam). Some of our students have been involved in an outreach ministry to the University students. This past weekend they held a Bar-B-Que for all who wanted to attend. Hotdogs, Hamburgers, Volleyball, and then wrapped up the evening with a time of worship. Since I was only the pick up driver - It was too dark for pictures except of the worship time.

Cheerleaders

Although the team has no official cheerleaders, often other students will come along and encourage them. Here are some of the "cheerleaders" waiting for the tire to be changed. (The little girl is Triann. Her Daddy is a pastor and a PIBC alumni and plays on our team. Her mommy is also a PIBC alumni. Both are big supporters of our students.)

Basketball Team Exibits Excellent Teamwork

After the game on Saturday, we came out of the gym to find one of the tires on one of the vans was flat. Since there is no AAA in Guam, Ned and I were very thankful to have a whole team of competent students who were willing and able to do the job.

Drum Roll Please

Finally all the hard work has paid off and the dorm that will be known as the Cannex was dedicated to God with a small cermony and a tour. Tomorrow 8 guys will move into the new dorm. Of course after today there will be no more girls in the boys' dorm bathroom.

Chapel

Tuesday through Friday Chapel is held from 11 - 11:30am. On Fridays, it is lead by different groups of students. Today it was led by the second year students who refer to themselves as the "Froggies"
These are the girls performing an "action song" Action songs are big here and we often sing and do motions. In this song they came up with actions for a song played on a CD.
These men are all from the Island of Yap. They sang a song for us. (Mac, Tim, Philemon, and Sato.)

Pictures thanks to Brad. :o)

Meet Scooter

Many of you will remember the story of "Scooter" (If not check my August archives.)

Scooter (aka Mohammed) is from Bangladesh. He works on our maintenance team. He is a very hard worker and is really appreciated on our campus.

The Very Wet Story

Earlier this week it was wet beside my bed. I thought it was odd because I didn't remember spilling something. So I cleaned it up.

The next day I stepped in a puddle right inside my door (about 10 feet away from the head of my bed). That seemed even weirder. I noticed again a puddle next to my bed as well. I thought..... Water is coming up through the grout between my floor tiles.

I called Peter, the maintenance supervisor. He thought I was crazy but he came and looked. He told me that it was impossible that it was coming throught he floor but at the time he could not explain why there were 2 puddles so very far away. He told me there were no pipes under my floor, and he had no idea what to do about it. He suggested that I might want to keep my snorkeling equiptment next to my bed.

I thought someone must have buried a statue of Mary under my floor and she was weeping.

After Peter left and I started to clean up the water, I realized the problem was bigger than I thought. The puddle was under my entire bed and all the way to my closest on the other wall. After awhile it became clear that it was my airconditioner leaking. Since I could not figure out how to get the filter out I called Peter again. He told me he was going to send Scooter. I didn't hear from either of them again that day. Although as it turns out Peter had come back and drilled holes in the outside of the cinder block wall so the water would drain out.

The next morning there was a puddle again. As I was lying in bed and looking up at the airconditioner and realized that there was a tab underneath it. Lo and behold I pulled it and the filter came out I cleaned it - problem solved.

However today Scooter came by and decided to do the job right. He had to chisel the airconditioner out of my wall and take it to the shop and clean it good. When he put it back it looked almost brand new AND he actually cleaned up his mess. Now that is what I call service.

We have a great maintanence team. I am thankful for their help.

New Uniforms Arrive Before Season Over!!!

Here are Happiness, Julius, TJ, and Hansen sporting the new basketball uniforms. Due to a problem with the sizing - they needed to be re-ordered are now finally here and looking good.

BTW Happiness is one of our students who has created his own blog.... click the link on the side to view.

Island Girl

Here I am trying to be an island girl supporting the ol' plumeria behind the ear. :o) You can't look too nice to take the boys to the basketball game.

S - H - O - PP - I-N-G Let's go shopping!

Although I run trips throughout the week where I drop students off at local shopping areas so they can shop, eat, or see a movie. On Thursday afternoon I take 2 students from each "dorm" area. They receive $10 per person living in their dorm space and they must decide what food to buy for weekend meals and breakfasts during the week.

We spend about 2 hours going to 2 or 3 stores until the money is mostly gone we head back to campus and unload. These pictures were taken by my friend and co-laborer Brad Boydston. You can see his blog by clicking at the right. He is was the inspiration for starting my blog. Thanks Brad.

Praise

Today Ned was able to get his Chauffer's license and his 15 passenger upgrade. In only ONE trip to the DMV. Miracles still do happen. We did have to wait in various lines for almost 2 hours to make it happen but it is still quite a feat considering it took both Hollie and I 3 trips to the DMV to get ours. Looks like we have finally figured out the process. This is just in time since there are some special church events going on this weekend and it would have been near impossible with Ned driving a van. Now we just need to get Hiob's license straightened out and then we won't have enough vans. :o)