Hafa Adai #10

Greetings from Guam -- the land of endless summer, cultural fusion, free-ranging roosters, and great opportunity!

GRADUATION
School is out, at least for a few more days. Two weeks ago we had the PIBC Guam graduation -- four students received AA degrees and nine were awarded BA degrees. It was an incredible event to be a part of, and to celebrate how much these students have accomplished. Over the next few years they will be tapped for key leadership positions throughout the islands.

THE SUMMER
Within twenty-four hours of graduation the college staff started to leave for the mainland. Most are missionaries who will reconnect with supporting churches, attend conferences, and enjoy some well-deserved vacation time with family and friends this summer. We hope to be stateside ourselves Summer 2008. And of course the dorms are vacated. In other words, campus is pretty deserted. However, since bills and banking don't seem to take a summer break, Cheryl's work in the PIBC office continues. And Brad will be teaching the only PIBC Guam class offered this summer. His class will meet on Tuesday evenings to study World Religions, starting this week.

Since Brad hasn't taught world religions before it is a lot of work preparing. He's excited about the two textbooks that he'll be using. Some of you might find them to be interesting as well:

• God's Rivals: Why Has God Allowed Different Religions? Insights from the Bible and the Early Church by Gerald R. McDermott (InterVarsity Press, 2007)

• Neighboring Faiths: A Christian Introduction to World Religions by Winfried Corduan (InterVarsity Press, 1998)

Brad's other major project for the summers is overseeing the set-up of 90 new computers the school received from a grant for the development of distance learning. We have to install all the software before sending them out to our sites on Chuuk, Palau, and Yap. Some will stay on the PIBC Guam campus for the library and study center. We also need to purchase other equipment, video cameras, DVD duplicators, etc. that goes with the grant. In total the US government is investing about $230,000 in us. This is the first grant we've ever received and so we're learning as we go in the management of it.

PRAYER PARTNER OPPORTUNITY
PIBC has a new prayer partner program where we will be matching specific students with individuals who would be willing to pray for them during the school year. If you're interested in praying for one of our students on a regular basis over the next school year let us know and we'll send you some information. You would have some direct contact with the students through either letters or email. There is no financial obligation in this opportunity ~ just a commitment to invest yourself spiritually in the life of a student!

MISSION TRIP TO THAILAND
Twelve PIBC students and staff will be on a short-term mission in Thailand, July 11 - August 15. One team will be involved in evangelism and campus outreach at a Thai university. Another will be teaching English. Pray that their impact would be significant this summer and that the mission experience itself would have a significant impact on our students -- and ultimately the kingdom of God.

NEW STAFF
While you're praying, remember Eric and Karyn Sorenson from the Bay Area, as well as Tim and Melody Plaxton from Placerville, California, who are all busy packing so they can join the PIBC staff in August. Eric (who is another Covenant pastor) will be teaching theology and Bible. Karyn is a family counselor who will be teaching and working with students and staff. Tim, who can fix anything, will become the chief maintenance guy (replacing Peter Vaas who is returning to the Netherlands), and Melody, who taught here a few years ago, is returning to teach English.

Cristel Churchill, a CPA who serves as a missionary with the ELCA, will be joining us to teach this school year.

Rumor has it that Suzanne Bratcher, a retired Northern Arizona University professor (she's hardly old enough to be retired), who taught English for us last fall, is trying to line her ducks up so that she can rejoin us this fall.

COME TO GUAM!
There are all kinds of opportunities here for short-term and longer-term service. We need teachers (English, computer skills, theology, ministry skills...). We need IT help. We could use additional assistance with maintenance. If you know of anyone who might be open to traveling halfway around the world to serve in a new context let us know. Perhaps you're looking for a place to do a sabbatical. Sometimes we host mission teams from the States and Germany. Pray for those who are being called to serve.

Some of the very short-term projects on the Guam campus involve: removing old fencing, putting up new fencing in some areas, painting, landscape maintenance, installation of insulation over the ceiling tiles in the classroom and administration building.

HOSPITALITY
Summer is a good time to build our friendships with those who are not traveling. We are also looking forward to hosting faculty and staff from other locations as their travel brings them through Guam. Let us know if you need a place to stay!

OUR KIDS (OR, ISN'T "ADULT CHILDREN" AN OXYMORON?)
Last week Betsy started an eight-week internship in Sacramento with an assemblymember. After that concludes, she will be coming to Guam (yay!) for two weeks before returning to Cal for her second year. Kent completes his junior year in a couple of weeks and will be staying in Irvine over the summer. He has a part-time job and will also do a part-time internship for academic credit. Kirk is very involved in an ongoing project at work in San Franciso where he is a linguistic analyst.

On Guam, sunrise is glorious, sunsets are stunning ~ as the psalmist says, "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands." We count ourselves blessed to serve the Lord here on this island!

Keep in touch. Let us know if there is any way that we can be of service or assistance to you. It is fun to receive notes and email. Thank you for praying for us. We pray regularly for you.