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)

Happy Birthday to Me!!!!

Today is my 40th birthday here in Guam...... It is almost 11pm here, and it has been a good day.

It was 7:30 this morning when there was a knock at my door. Since the knock woke me up I wasn't even coherent enough to remember it was my birthday yet until I opened the door and a number of the girls from the dorm were there and including Ethel, our office manager to sing me some songs and wish me a happy birthday.

Throughout the morning others stopped by to do the same including Ned and Joel who sang happy birthday in Spanish. Joel gave me the box from my parents which was filled with all kinds of good snacks. The Farnsworths also gave me a pot holder with apples because it is apple picking season back in Pennsylvania.

In the morning chapel everyone sang to me again.

After it was over Crystaleen took me for lunch at Steaks and Shakes where I got a taste of home with a Philly Cheesesteak. She and the girls from the Bannex dorm also got me a Guam shirt and signed it.

In the evening I talked the campus director into letting us keep the court lights on so we could celebrate with volley ball, basketball and ice cream sundaes (My treat - thanks to the generosity of my parents) One of the students made me a flower Mar-Mar which are a tradition in Micronesia. (See picture)

Of course throughout the day I received many ecards and emails with birthday wishes and throughout the week a number of snail mail cards..... A special shout out to my friends at PMA.... miss you and love you all.

Thank you all my friends in Micronesia and around the world for making this a very special day.

Fall in a Box

This is the art work of my niece Maggie. (I think she may have had a little help from her mom, Deb)..... But it certainly made my day when I received this picture and a box full of Fall leaves and a birthday present.

I do really miss the Fall and all the things of the season.... getting this picture and the leaves was definately getting a little piece of home.

Thanks you Maggie & Deb, John and Elise.

Here's the "Buzz"

The small dot in the center of the picture....it is a helicopter. This is my friend Hollie's husband flying over our campus....he is a Navy helicopter pilot here on Guam.

Auntie "M"

Although I miss my little "nieces" and nephews at home - I have certainly been blessed to have 3 sweet children right here on campus to enjoy playing with. Micah, Joel, Amelia and Me.

And if you look closely you can see my silly friend Joyce in the background trying to put rabbit ears on me. :o)

Thinking Ahead

Tonight I was trying out Joel in the drivers seat. I am thinking that some day he might make a good assistant Chauffer. I am working on training his sister Amelia to be an assistant Dean of Women. I am really enjoying having the Farnsworths as neighbors and friends.