Only 2 weeks - 2 days.

This week is really my last week for catching up with friends and family. There are so many people that I did not get to see or spend time. One would think that 2.5 months is plenty of time but until you get over your jet lag, it really zooms by quickly.

My final week on the east coast will be spent in Delaware at Bethany Beach with my family. This is a tradition that has been going on close to 8 years. (Although it started in Avalon, NJ)... I am really looking forward to being with my whole family and enjoying the beach. Since we don't have many waves in Guam due to the coral reefs - it will still be a different experience. Plus of course I can't see my feet in DE waters. ;o)

Finally on August 7th I will fly out with the Farnsworths, arriving in Guam on the 8th due to the International Date Line. I am looking forward to beginning and getting ready for the school year and yet another mission's conference, this one for Liebenzell Micronesia.

I could still use quite a bit of support so if you would like information on how to send support or know someone who might be interested in supporting another missionary please email me at melissa@missionarygirl.net Otherwise please pray that God will provide the remaining support that I need.

Home Again.... Home Again....

This Sunday July 22nd, I took a trip to my home town of Pottsville, PA. In the morning I gave a minute for Mission during the service of the United Presbyterian Church of Pottsville. I then spent some time driving around and visiting a couple of old friends.

Here are some views of my hometown, including the church, a view of city hall, a distance view of both my high school and middle school, a close up of my high school, and a picture of the house that I grew up in. Since my parents moved from Pottsville over 4 years ago, it is a rare treat for me to go back to town.

Moving on Up!

This past Friday I had several crews of friends (one in Wayne, PA and one in Reading, PA) help me move my storage stuff to a new location. It was very quickly and smoothly. I am thankful for everyone's help and the generousity of both my friends Dan and Lisa Greenwood and my sister, Chris and her husband Jean for allowing me to take over sections of their houses.

Time Flies when you are having Fun!

One of the people that I visited during my stay in Philadelphia is Vicky. She was my little sister through Big brothers Big Sisters. We were matched about 15 years ago when she was 10 years old. Now she is 25 and a Mom. Here she is with Jonathan. He is certainly a cutie pie.

Avalanche Ranch

During the past week, the sanctuary at my home church was turned into Avalanch Ranch! Yee Haw! We learned that God is Real! YeeHaw! God is Strong! Yee Haw! God is Awesome! Yee Haw! God is With Us! Yee Haw! and God is in Control! Yee Haw!

I was blessed to be able to participate this summer as a crew leader. I had a group of six children and we all rotated from station to station together. It was a lot of fun but very exhausting. However I was know that VBS has the potential to influence their lives for a long time. I know it had a lot to do with me becoming a missionary.... so who knows what it will do for all of these young ones.

In the afternoon and evenings I spend very much time trying to catch up with many friends and supporters in the Philadelphia area. It is amazing how quickly time flys.

Lancaster County, PA

On July 13th I headed out to "Pennsylvania Dutch" Country to visit my good friend Jill (AKA Jilly Jill)..... For those of you from Micronesia Dutch is really a butchered form of Deutsch - basically German, which is my heritage. It was a great blessing to see one of my dear friends from college and her family and eat wonderful Pennsylvania Dutch food.....especially my favorite Hamloaf.

Happy Birthday Joel!

July 11th was Joel Farnsworth's 4th birthday. Many of you know that Joel is my neighbor in Guam but you may not know that His grandparents and my parents live only about 20 minutes from each other in PA - so I was able to stop by and celebrate with them. It is always good to see them.

July 4th

On July 4th, we had a big family and friend picnic at my parent's house in their back yard. It was good to see many people I missed when I was away for the previous 10 months. Most of the day looked like rain but fortunately, it held off until after the party was over.

My friend Judy

Judy is a pillar in our church. For quite a few years she has been activily involved with the Missions committee in our church. I have seen her first hand stateside, keeping in touch with all the missionaries. She follows along with each persons story and remembers important dates with cards. Now as a missionary, I have experienced it first hand. She even learned how to use the internet so that she can read my blog. :o) She is a Saint in my book. I am thankful for her continual encouragement.

Speaking at Home!

On Sunday July 1st, I had the opportunity to speak at my home church. I for just about 5 minutes. Overall I had some positive feedback, although you can't really say much about 10 months in 5 minutes. I am not sure whether to take the sermon topic for the day too personally. :o) I am thankful for all the enthusiasm and support from all the people here.

Meanwhile....Back in Guam....

Tropcial Storm Man-Yi is wreaking havoc back on Guam. If you check out Brad's blog you can see a picture of minor damage done to one of our buildings back on Guam. The storm is expected to hit Typhoon stage but only after it passes Guam. My friends in Yap may not be so fortunate.

Last year on Guam, everyone seemed pretty confident that it was time for a major Typhoon to hit Guam. Fortunately we were spared although several came close.

One thing I did learn is preparing for a typhoon can be a lot of work. Unfortunately there is very little staff or faculty back on Guam after July 15th when two Missions teams from the school will leave for Thailand. Please pray for Mohammed, our lone maintenance person, during mid-July until some time in August. Pray that he would be spared from any major disasters during that time. He is busy enough just getting the school reading for the Fall semester.

Read For Charity :o)

Apparently there is a new book site called Abunga.com. It is meant to be a competitor for Amazon.com. Apparently Brad set up the school as one of their Fans and the PIBC will get a donation from them if you purchase books and indicate PIBC as your non-profit. Below is more detail from Brad's site. I think I might just give it a try. How about you?

We're FANs!
PIBC is the newest FAN of Abunga.com! Abunga.com is a US-based family-friendly content-safe online discount book retailer with a gazillion titles in their four regional warehouses.When you sign-up to become a "member" (a very simple and quick online process) you choose a FAN -- that is, a "Favored Affiliate Nonprofit." That's where Pacific Islands Bible College comes in. If you choose PIBC the college receive a 5% commission from products you purchase through them. It is also possible to make a credit card donation of any amount to PIBC when you are checking out. So, for example, if your books cost a total of $24.30 you can choose to add a .70 donation to round it up to $25. Or if you're really wanting to bless PIBC you could add a $975.70 donation. You get the idea!This is another simple way to support PIBC in its mission of training servant leaders for the churches in the Western Pacific. Thank you!

Maggie and Elise

These are my "nieces" Maggie and Elise. They were very excited when I came home and I was excited to see them. They live next door to my big sister, Chris. Elise is only 2 so she doesn't really remember me since I was gone since she was one and a half. However, while I was gone she and my sister Chris would go to her computer and look for "Aunt Melissa" on my blog. When I finally came home I don't think she realized that I was a real person but she quickly caught on and always comes with her sister Maggie to visit when I am at my sister's house.

Times of Worship and Renewal

During our week at Schooley's Mountain, we had times of worship and renewal. Christian author, J.Robertson Mquilkin encouraged us to carry on faithfully in our mission work by messages of God's faithfulness.

Several of our PIBC family including Steve "Ringo" Stinnette, Happiness, and Rob Watt, along with Mike Galley, from Liebenzell USA headquarters provided great music.

Smore Fun! Smore Food!

One of the activities planned for Liebenzell Missionaries during our conference was a BonFire and Smores. Everyone seemed to have fun.... and of course Smores are one of my favorite foods being an old girl scout. Although toasting the marshmellows was quite a challenge with a fire of this size. You were not quite sure if you or the marshmellows would be the first to melt.

Freedom

The man on the horse is John Boville is the new Retreat Ministry Director. He brought his horse over the other day and gave the children a thrill by letting him ride his horse named Freedom. She was a very kind horse and let me pet her nose.

A Day in the Big City

On Sunday after a worship service, the whole Liebenzell team headed to New York City for a Circle Line Boat Tour around Manhattan Island. It was actually very interesting and fun.

65th Annual Liebenzell Mission Day

It was a beautiful but chilly day in Schooley's Mountain, NJ for Mission Day. We had a nice lunch of hamburgers, hot dogs, and of course bratwurst (we are a German mission, you know!) with all kind of salads and desserts.

This was followed by a program where all the missionaries gave a brief summary of what we did. Followed by a message by one of our Board Members.

As is tradition at the Mission Day a Brass Band played Hymms. Then we sat around in our mission groups and shared answered questions as people stopped by our displays.

My parents and the parents of my co-worker, Ned came for the day. I was very excited to introduce them to those with whom I work in Micronesia. (At least the ones here.) I wish the whole gang were here since my parents will probably not come to visit there. However it was a super day.

I think most of us are exhausted because I know I am and the house seems pretty quiet.

Pic 1: Dave (PIBC President) and Joyce Owen.... sharing during the service.

Pic 2: Picnic Lunch

Pic 3: Dave and Joyce's display

Pic 4: PIBC Missionaries and families

Pic 5: All Liebenzell USA Missionaries and families present.

Hail Hail the gangs all here....

Yesterday most of the Liebenzell USA missionaries arrived in Schooley's Mountain, NJ for a week long conference. It was very fun to see many of my friends from Guam..... although not all PIBC staff and faculty are Liebenzell USA. Also one of our students has been traveling with Dave and Joyce, and so it was also good to see Happiness. (Yes that IS his real name.) It was also fun to meet other missionaries I have heard about from Ireland, Spain, Oregan, Germany, and even some I had met briefly on a 10 day trip to Ecuador about 6 years ago.

Tomorrow will be "Mission Day" where supporters of the mission and it's missionaries are invited to come and see and hear things going on throughout the world. I am excited that my parents plan to make the trip from Reading, PA so they can meet my co-workers from Guam. I just wish the rest of my colaborers could be here. If you are reading this and you are not doing anything on Saturday June 21st. You are welcome to join us in Schooley's Mountain at Noon. There will be lunch and a short program.