Gone to Guam- II !

Whirlwind Windup!

2011-04-08T20:40:00.001-07:00

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11

Hi All!

Technically I am back stateside.....my inner clock is still a bit askew! I love getting back an hour before I left Guam!

Along with the Seminary counseling class, the final few weeks were jam-packed! There were two trainings on meeting facilitation -- one we held at Lisa's house and one for the Administrative counsel. There was a staff training on 'multiple relationships, burn-out and self-care'. Another basic counseling seminar which the Graduate program sponsored and which was open to the public -- offered to Pastors, lay ministers, direct-care workers as well as our staff. It was well attended and went well! There were various meetings about the counseling center and a variety of other chances to support and encourage folks in both formal and informal ways.

There were also numerous ways to serve at LCG my on island church home. I had a great opportunity to solo Steve Weibley's music --- a blessing to bring our east coast church to Guam! I also was asked to give a testimony on music and faith. It was a very moving experience for me to be able to share how God has used that gift in my life; it is so much a part of my relationship with God; and it rests so deep in my heart. Oh was it challenging to talk about in front of the church! Stop laughing now! Yea, I can get up and blab in front of a class or seminar or yak, yak, yak with my friends but sharing this level of heart stuff ....tongue tied!!! Thank God, He is on the throne.....or I'd still be standing there staring at the congregation. Finally, the night before I left I got to really stretch musically, and "Cantor" from the Holden Evening Prayer. Never "chanted" before -- at least not publicly.

Lots of fun mixed in these last weeks too. Times of getting together with friends.....bar-b-cues, snorkeling, spending my last days with Lisa and the kids, amusing ourselves (although I don't know how "amused" Lisa really was at the roller coaster!), goodbye suppers and unanticipated events! I love that God gives us laughter!

I'm still teaching g (SKYPE now from 9:30 to Midnight) and then I start work on courses for the fall (I hope to SKYPE in) and then God willing go back next Spring. Chuck hopes to join me for a little bit. Meanwhile, my practice is waning a bit more each time I go. I covet your prayers as God moves me in different ways to utilize my clinical skills in a gainful way. God bless and enjoy this last video montage!

Yes, it is good to be home.

Gifts......

2011-03-27T05:15:00.006-07:00

As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace.

1 Peter 4:10

Last year I was blessed to be here when the Covenant Players were on campus. This year I had a double dose, experiencing their spectacular ministry at LCG and then again at PIU with a workshop and performances during last Friday's chapel. For those of you unfamiliar with this incredible ministry, here is a little information from their website: Since 1963, Covenant Players has pioneered the use of drama as a communications resource in the church. Units of Covenant Players travel throughout the world communicating the reality of the Gospel in churches of all denominations. If you'd like to know more about them check out the link in the favorites list to the right.

Meanwhile after our workshop, our little groups enacted some Scripture.......from some unique perspectives. Can you guess the references? Some hints: you may need to think like: 1) sea life; 2) water, reeds and a basket; 3) coins, and; 4) some fierce critters! Ok, no drama critics please.....haven't done this in years!!

The answers will be in the next blog..... ;-)

P.I.U. Days 2011!

2011-03-16T07:13:00.029-07:00

... And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8

The above Scripture was the theme of our P.I.U days! Days of sports competitions, sharing and devotion. A time for students, faculty and staff to fellowship, have fun and glorify God. Student preachers demonstrated the fruit of their learning and His gifts to bring us the messages inspired from Micah 6:8. I was part of the "Love-Mercy" team and was blessed to join my brothers and sisters in song. A short blog to make time for the long video....take a break, relax and enjoy...unfortunately I can't upload it as one. So here are the three days, one by one, or you can catch the whole thing on You Tube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qEp6xOt8NO
or Face Book: https://www.facebook.com/jo.romaniello
Friday.....

Saturday

Sunday

Redeeming Ashes

2011-03-09T06:21:00.005-08:00

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Psalms 51:10

A short recounting:   A phone call from Pastor Jeff from LCG came to ask if I still needed a car. Seems someone offered a 5-speed Honda for my use for the next 3 weeks or so. Praise the Lord on that!
      He suggested that I pick the car up tonight when I went to the "Ash Wednesday" service to kick off Lent. I chuckled and told him, no, I wasn't planning on going, "I had errands to do." I suggested I pick up the car when I dropped off   Lisa and the kids. Ever the optimist that I am learning him to be, Pastor asked "not even to come to hear my sermon?" No, I assured him, I had too much old baggage to take part in an Ash Wednesday service. . End discussion!
     Of course, God being God ...... we were late and ended getting there just as the sermon was starting and I pretty much had to stay.    Hmmm, the sermon title: "Faith comes by . . . Repenting". Sigh.
   Here we go, God!   About 3/4 of the way through, there was a distinct urging from within "let it go, Jo" and immediately my heart was softened. Boy He works fast sometimes! No disrespect to my Roman Catholic roots, but it was a distorted religious experience of hurt, sin, confusion and pain that ultimately led me away from Jesus.
Tonight, for the first time the 'ancient rite of ashes on the forehead in the shape of a cross" was explained in a way that made sense! Believe me, I sat through countless masses and RC services but the eyes of my heart were shut tight!!
     Tonight something released and I was able to experience a deep healing connection to Christ! I felt so loved in His arms as I sat next to Lisa, and with smudgy foreheads we wept together.
    She leaned close and whispered that her 8 year old son, Eli, says that on Ash Wednesday he loves to look at himself when he washes the ashes away, because he feels like it is Jesus washing away his sins."
    Yes, it is.

"Hyper-Venerating"

2011-03-06T05:26:00.001-08:00

Miri coined the word above when cautioning her brother about breathing too hard/too fast! We all decided it referred to someone who was falsely effusive in their praise and worship!
That got me thinking about the connection between humility and serving. Going to exotic and exciting places could easily lead to a false sense of self importance. There have been too many prideful moments throughout my life for me to believe I am not susceptible. What God continually teaches me here is that it is in the smallest moments that He often uses me....us. He is there with me in those moments of just enjoying those around me, of sharing in the lives of people who open their hearts and homes; moments of laughter, or struggle on a steep "boonie stomp" (trek in the jungle), or a precious moment of letting go of frustration to ask for prayer. It is about the wonderful freedom to have people to pray with!

The attached video highlights things the past few weeks. The Board of PIU came for the annual meeting to guide the school, Voices of Micronesia sang and performed, I have been attending Lutheran Church of Guam (LCG), Lisa (my wonderful host) had a birthday, and I surprised myself by making the hike to Pagat Cave. It was extremely steep, but prayer, my walking stick, knee brace, heart meds and group encouragement got me there and back! Who-hoo! Enjoy!

Planting Seeds In Yap

2011-02-24T06:00:00.000-08:00

Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand. Psalms 19:21

Its taken me a few days to digest this experience......humbling, energizing, flat out amazing!

First, for those of you who asked for specs on Yap here are a few facts:

The state of Yap is one of four island state groups making up the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), others being Chuuk, Kosrae and Pohnpei. Yap is on the extreme western end.
Yap is made up of 4 large islands, 7 small islands and 134 atolls, with a total land area of 45.6 square miles. We were on the largest island, Yap proper.
Figures from the 2000 census give the approximate population of the FSM to be 107,000, with Yap proper at 5,500 and the outer Yapese islands at 4,800.

OK, no more specs! As many of you know , despite my own, and the prayers of others, I had some anxiety going into this. There was little advance info other than a request for counseling skills at a foundational level. We had some discussions when I got to Guam about the Yapese culture, and also about a clear mandate from PIU that this was a very important "first" in connecting to Yap in a new ways. It seemed a huge undertaking.

God came through in a big way!! Whew!

We were welcomed, and for three days we presented what was requested, and folks participated, discussed, laughed, and taught us as much as we taught them! I also got a chance to give an in-service at College of Micronesia and Marci spoke at a church youth group meeting. Things went amazingly well on all fronts!!

Most amazing in the conference, was something that hit us all on about the afternoon of day two. Because changes have come to Yap, folks felt counseling is something that is definitely needed. But, many of ourwestern concepts were a "stretch" and this led to great exchanges regarding what is/is not culturally appropriate and what it will mean to appropriately adapt concepts and skills. At one point we all found ourselves contemplating that, if not now, then perhaps the next generation, or the one after that would be using these new re-creations. The people in the room beginning this work, were the ones who are turning the soil.

I slipped out of the room shortly after that discussion for a moment and tearfully thanked God for allowing me to be a tool to plant seeds.

Jonathan, our host, a PIU graduate, who took the risk to set this thing up e-mailed me after I returned to Guam and he acknowledged this as a "groundbreaking project." He added: I have things in mind but God’s timing and ways are always best. Remember us in your prayer. He signed it: "Your Yapese Brother, Jonathan.

Once again I am blessed, and I too ask for each of you to remember those courageous folks in Yap in prayer!

God bless and enjoy this video on Yap...... ok one more spec.....I saw enormous clams some 5-6 feet across while snorkeling......wow!

A Short Check-in

2011-02-21T04:49:00.000-08:00

Been awhile.....I've been to the island of Yap Proper and promise a post soon to report on the amazing experience there! In the meantime enjoy this little video tid-bit about the first few weeks here on Guam....

The Chorus

2011-02-08T17:11:00.005-08:00

Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand. Proverbs 19:21

Singing at LCG

      Have I ever made plans in my life? Those that know me can stop laughing now. For a very long time my plans had very little to do with a walk in faith of any kind. Yet, looking back, the things I did, didn't do, etc. I can actually see His design. I often laugh at myself when pondering things like "why exactly did I minor in "anthropology" in the early 70's?" If I forget Who exactly worked all these threads into the pattern of my life He gives me little memory nudges.... OK, yes I need memory nudges much more often now. His plan proceeds whether I am aware or not, whether I remember or not, but when I do, I have the chance to give Him the glory! That is where this photo comes in. But first some back story.....
   About 14 or so years ago, when well lapsed from just about everything spiritual, I was invited to a concert at a local church in our small New England town. At the end of the "Cantata" the music director turned to the audience and invited those who knew Handel's Hallelujah Chorus to join the choir to sing. I stepped up and enjoyed belting out the soprano parts. That fall, Steve, the then Choir Director and Associate Pastor at Carlisle Congregational Church (currently he's Senior Pastor). Invited me to join the choir. In all my arrogance, we agreed (Chuck was dragged along), provided Steve knew we weren't going to be members of the church. He smiled, and they all started praying for us the minute we stepped through the door! The rest is history.....and here we are, "glory be to God!".
     Which brings me back to the photo: yes that is me this past Sunday, in the midst of the choir at the Lutheran Church of Guam, responding to an invitation from the Pastor for those who know Handel's.......
     Full circle.......albeit a bit more difficult to hit those high notes now......... God bless! Jo

Arrival Observations

2011-01-31T22:43:00.001-08:00

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

1 Corinthians 10:31

A safe arrival on Guam! The long flight ended as I emerged from the airport where Marci and Stephanie were waiting for me in the curiously humid warm-with-an-undertone-of-chill evening. Marci reminded me it is 'winter' -- it was in the 80's I think, but the cool trade winds were blowing!
After a bite to eat, Marci graciously shuttled to the Collin's home. A beautiful room and a super family -- Lisa (the head librarian at P.I.U.), and her three wonderful children Zack, Ely and Miriam, two dogs, one puppy, and a cat! Joe, Lisa's husband is stationed in Texas at the moment. Lisa loves to do crafts in her spare time, is not too fond of cooking (hmmmm)--- a perfect place. I've got the sauce for supper going on the stove right now! What a blessing!

On the way here I had wonderful encounters and was pleased to have, and observe, many special moments:

My seatmates from SF to LA - a couple from Lancaster County, PA returning from Youth With a Mission (YWAM) Kona where they worked for the Kingdom for 3 weeks! Check out the link: http://www.uofnkona.edu/ We had wonderful discussions -- he a former Mennonite, especially had much to share! They were heading off from SF for some R and R in Mexico before returning to the snow!
The flight crews, exhausted, and busy, smiling with good will and encouragement nonetheless -- did I mention the warm white-chocolate chip cookie I was gifted with when I turned down the dairy laden ice-cream sandwich!
The Franciscan priest heading to Guam for a meeting, traveling from his teaching post at a boys middle/ high school in Hawaii. As he chatted, his clear commitment to, and love of, his work was infectious! He reflected joy in the kingdom with each sentence! A native Hawaiian, who has also lived in the US (Boston no less!) openly gifted me with his multi-cultural perspective on changes in the Pacific over the past few decades.
Looking across the aisle on the Guam leg of the trip, I caught a magical moment as an older gentleman immediately became part of a family -- a very little boy traveling with his mother. Seeing "Mom's" distress juggling things, this man quickly jumped in- to entertain, show genuine interest in his little seatmate, and just "be".
This contrasted sharply with the man directly behind him, who scowled openly (he tried unsuccessfully to move his seat) at his seatmate, a woman with a somewhat cranky toddler in her lap! For the 7 hour flight she patiently and lovingly held her little one who was able to settle between take-off and landing. And yes, the man kept his scowl going. He was very good at it. How precious to see that mom and little girl, eventually drifting into peaceful cuddling slumber.

I wondered which of the two men. would I be?

     This morning I woke to the welcoming and engaging faces of Lisa and the children and a great e-mail exchange from our Yap contact letting me know that we are on the same page regarding the upcoming conference. Whew!
      I made a short trip to campus and was again warmed with the hugs and hellos from students and colleagues. I remembered my send off last year, sitting in the Chapel as the community sang to me.... "Is your home in the wide Micronesia...."
      Yes, praise God, for these next few months, it is!

Prayed Upon......

2011-01-23T23:17:00.000-08:00

Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to Him; bless His name! Psalm 100:4.

Take a moment, close your eyes, take a deep breath and savor the thought of being enveloped in sweet prayer!

The play on words in the title above, speaks to the often assault of the distractions, mishaps, and whatnot of life that perpetually swirl around most of us. It doesn't have to be major....just an ever-present daily din. In this house, the focus is on our last week together, trip details and travel preparation.

This morning, Chuck and I received the blessing of our church family as Pastor Mike and the Boulder Creek Community Church congregation prayed for this mission ministry and my upcoming journey! For those moments, we were surrounded by the gift of our spiritual family in prayerful agreement! Sweet indeed, His peace to savor.

What a wonderful reminder that it is certain, because He is faithful, His peace is always available in every moment to those who believe.....

He Calls -- "We" Answer......

2011-01-16T22:02:00.002-08:00

Two weeks to go before getting on that plane to leave. Much to reflect upon.
      This morning's message was about responding to God's call, even when we don't think we have what it takes. These past few weeks I must confess to that "voice" of fear mumbling at me. Facing some new challenges in Micronesia, attempting to prepare while nursing an injured knee, an annoyingly persistent cold/flu, energy leaking out like sand from a moth-eaten bag, and an obviously aging brain............wait, what was I saying.........???
      Yes! It was definitely good to be reminded that my heavenly Father already knows all my needs and I need only seek His Kingdom and His righteousness above all else, and He will provide all that I require. (Matt 6:32-33). Whew!
On another note: you might have noticed that Chuck has been included in the photograph above. This call to Micronesia is not just to me, but to him as well. Through Chuck, God has provided encouragement and support, wisdom, and patience. Believe me I am very grateful to have someone gifted with mercy, compassion, kindness and gentleness and a completely crazy sense of humor as my life partner! Thank You, God!!
      In God's infinite wisdom and plan, He has paired us for such a time as this, to do what He calls us to do individually, as a team and, most of all in partnership with Him. Please remember us both in your prayers over the next few months.
God Bless!

Getting Ready!

2011-01-10T10:04:00.000-08:00

     Time is counting down -- only three weeks to go!
     As I write that, I am thinking about Sherwood Lingenfelter's* discussion on time. Do we, (do I) look at time as important in itself, noting the schedules governed by the clock's temporal divisions of the day, or are we swayed by the events before us, unconcerned about any perceived "disruption" in the order of the day?
     Whatever our answer, where do we hold the truth of God's timing, always perfect, always in balance and always just right for us.
     My prayer, and that which I ask of you, is that I become more mindful and sensitive to His timing and then to the sense of time for the cultural context in which I am at any given moment. Contexts of friends, family, church or Micronesia, I pray I can communicate a sense of His priorities in my life. God bless!

* Lingenfelter, S. G. & Mayers M.K.1986, 2003. Ministering Cross-Culturally, An Incarnational Model for Personal Relationships 2nd. Ed.    Grand Rapids., Baker Academic

What Is Next?

2010-03-07T12:59:00.003-08:00

Although there are not daily or weekly posts to create -- this mission is not over. Prayers are greatly coveted for things that need to happen now:

1) Insight, discernment and vision for the "Hours For God Project" This is what we are attempting to create to facilitate bringing more counseling services to mission settings, like PIU and Oasis in Guam.
2) Help and favor for the AmeriCorps Vista and Senior Corps project grant for funding
3) Clarity and favor in developing the mission and other details for the PIU counseling center.
4) Favor from the Guam board for the licensing for both myself and Evelyn in April.
5) Clarity for me in what is the best way to develop the missionary ministry God is calling me to.

Thanks for all the support along the way! I greatly request and welcome your comments on the blog and this ministry!
Blessings from California,
Jo

Faces of Friendship

2010-02-28T19:00:00.003-08:00

A friend loves at all times.... Proverbs 17:17a

This final video is a tribute to the wonderful people I had the privilege to meet in Guam, at and around Pacific Islands University! The call: go with an intern, Marci, to help set up a counseling center pilot program, and to serve as teachers. This small Christian university has a huge mission to serve the Lord by providing affordable quality education in the Micronesian islands. What God did (and continues to do) there, is nothing short of amazing!

How enriching was each moment of my stay! Every struggle or triumph really points to His glory! It was miraculous to leave there with the application process for licensing in Guam almost done! To be involved with a newly evolving partnership between PIU and a community counseling center, Oasis. It is beginning! Marci is already serving in the wider community as well as counseling on campus! Thanks to extraordinary efforts on the behalf of many other people, the PIU counseling center room is off the ground and well underway!

Teaching was beyond my wildest dreams....the perfect graduate class with students from varied places and cultures! Possibilities for the future are opening up for expanded service to PIU students!

So now......as we move forward to continue shaping the program our first focal point is to work on clarifying a mission statement and define goals that reflect the wider university mission and purpose. That will form the frame. Then we must work to bring more counselors to Guam -- pray for this process, as well as for funding and the recruitment of counselors and interns with hearts to serve!

My last moments on campus, brought me to tears ....yes that is me sobbing in the background on the video. Not easy to simply receive the warm, loving, musical embrace of my sisters and brothers in Micronesia ....!

Please pray for me to make the transition to work productively for Him in His mission field! Please pray for Chuck in whatever role God has ordained for him. Thanks and God bless you all!

God's Glory

2010-02-26T20:23:00.004-08:00

My journey has come to an end. ...... at least the first phase of it!

I would like to post some tributes to God, to the wonderful place of Guam and to the people I met there! First are these special memories that clearly show that:

The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky proclaims His handiwork. Psalm 19:1

Love in the Sea

2010-02-19T07:26:00.005-08:00

So a bit of just goofy fun......its been a full week and a great day! Yesterday, promise daughter Jen had an encounter with a sea creature. So tonight a bit of creative fun.....to unwind....... enjoy the moment!

Grace, Growth & Gratitude

2010-02-17T07:24:00.018-08:00

So very much in so short a time. I can hardly believe there is now less than a week to go! People here seem, at times, steeped in the truth of being His people. I see struggles, stress and sacrifice -- and often I walk away humbled by the responses. I am humbled by what God is doing here, and the profound truth of the words from Matthew 25:21 "Well done good and faithful servant!" I am learning valuable lessons about letting go and about how to really wake renewed in Him. THIS is a great gift! Grace!

Things with the counseling center have been moving along. There have been moments of amazing connection where I have been near tears seeing how God is creating opportunities and provision. I think back to what seemed at the time, a completely bizarre notion about bringing interns to the mission field. What a contrast to a meeting a few weeks ago when I sat in absolute amazement listening as the director of a community organization talked about how much his organization needed those resources and how it could be funded!!! Yesterday dropped off most of my paperwork and items for licensing in Guam. Marci, and many others on campus have been working their tails off getting a room ready. Space is so limited here, and this space represents a clear sacrifice for many. There have been hard moments where God has reminded me to look squarely at my own tendencies to get attached, to turn brittle and forget Steve S's words back in California "flexibility, flexibility, flexibility!" Sometimes God slaps me upside my spiritual head -- remember who you work for, Jo! Growth!

Picture this...its evening, I'm grading papers....I'm at the desk where I squat on campus (thank you Eric), when through the wall comes this torrent of harmony. Of course it took about five minutes before I had to go investigate! On the other side of the wall is the woman's main dorm. There I found a group of young women, looking ever so relaxed, hanging out making music. I joined them at the bench to sit enraptured yet again by the sound. Sometimes being around this, I feel like Saul in the presence of David and his harp. It definitely soothes the spirit! At one point May-May came out and spritzed us all with sweet smelling spray. She explained: "We do this to show our appreciation for them singing!' Wow!

Class remains a shining bright spot in my life here. The students are working hard and I see so much progress even in this short condensed time! I've had some opportunity to speak in an undergraduate class and to help organize a panel for faculty on "confidentiality." Marci is working so hard on her classes and on counseling students! She is definitely the exact right intern to have here for the start of this project. Thank you, God.

I've discovered that hot baths in the evening don't cut it in the tropics. So, for my unwinding I've taken to floating with the fishies --- and try to do so at least once a week. My "promise daughter" Jen, has been a wonderful companion in this, along with many others. Some of us have also had some great "girls night out" to balance the work day. Am I ready to return to California?? Is it REALLY laid back???.....and to think I used to pace myself like a New Yorker! This is just wonderful! Gratitude!

So, enjoy the singing in this video and the montage of things: snorkeling, Dave and Daisy's birthday super bowl celebration, out with the girls, some great photos of the island courtesy of Jen....remember the crosses on Mt. Lam-Lam -- well she photographed them when she hiked the ridge. Blessings to you all! Jo

Covenant Players

2010-02-10T07:33:00.002-08:00

Lots to share, so it will be in stages. The first post will be from last Thursday night and the amazing Covenant players! I've seen them in California, but what a delight to participate in a workshop with our enthusiastic students......enjoy the video!

2010-02-02T05:41:00.011-08:00

"Boonie" Person

A mid-week musing about a common term here "boonie." For some of you that may bring up echoes of Billy Joe Royal "Down in the Boondocks, down in the boondocks....." When I researched Guam before coming here, I learned about "boonie dogs" --- those ubiquitous strays that roam anywhere and everywhere. The females waddle around, teats hanging to the ground from endless litters, and the males in canine gangs clumping themselves the middle of streets staring down cars. Sometimes they wander alone, ambling along the side of the road, or just sit around looking bored and hungry. Dave advised us if, while walking, we encountered any--just bend down and pretend to pick up a rock to throw and they will disperse. Hmmm, I think I'll stay in the car! Here is one of the ancient locals the Owens have dubbed, for obvious reasons, "Sadness":

There are the boonie chickens, and boonie cats, like the little tailless female below, who prowls the campus. There are boonie cars....wrecks alongside the road. You get the picture. Dave informed us there is boonie everything in Guam.

The other evening, as I was leaving campus, Jen, one of our teachers, stood like a boonie dog to face me down in front of the car. I rolled down the window and joked: "what are you, a boonie person??"

Then, God got me thinking.

What about the disconnected, unattached, unwanted, unloved, and uncared for? Those who hurt, are oppressed, confused, or grieving? In thinking about this counseling center we are forming, I have really been pondering, praying and seeking counsel about God's mandate for this place meant to hold and encourage others.

Steve S. shared this verse with me today as one underpinning he holds for the center, from Luke 4:18:

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has appointed me to preach Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives be released, that the blind will see, that the downtrodden will be freed from their oppressors.

As I sign off tonight, I pray that I can look and really see the boonie people who cross my path here in Guam --- and back home. I pray to hear and know His word on how best to serve.

Joyful Songs & Answered Prayers…

2010-01-30T07:47:00.002-08:00

I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; He set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD. Psalm 40: 1-3

This week has been one of humbling grace and saturated goodness from God!
Class is well under way, and I am loving every minute of it! We also began to get things rolling with the counseling center. We've been developing forms and securing places to hold sessions while the designated "room" is being readied. Both Marci and I should begin seeing counselees this coming week. I was delighted to learn from someone who is currently in the Guam MFT licensing process that it is not nearly as difficult as we thought. Hopefully, this will will enable some connections and possibilities for the university and potentially for serving the community at large.
On Wednesday night after class I was asked to lead a devotion for the women on campus. It was definitely daunting, (a bit more than the summer Bible Study in my garden at home) and outside my comfort zone. Praying about it a theme of “beauty” emerged. God, of course came through, and starting with a ice-breaker of nail painting, we looked at the Bible’s take on both outward and inward beauty. We ended with Romans 10:15 “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring the good news!” Whew, the Holy Spirit came through on that one!
A huge unexpected added blessing was the “singing”. These wonderful women broke out in original song praising God. These were complex, multiple harmonies, interwoven in perfect blend. No one voice stood out!
How did I react? Immediate weeping! It was so very beautiful, and such a pure expression of joy and love in the Lord! What a great gift! A few pictures from the evening:

View Full Album

The joyful songs did not stop there! On Friday, the "Traveling Team" ---a community group that I am privileged to be assigned to, met at the Owens. This group of amazing young islanders are working to come to the United States this summer to share their songs, testimonies, and speak about what is here at PIU. They are trying to raise 40K so all can fly to the mainland and tour in California and North Carolina.
We began the evening with food and a game designed to help the new staff (Marci, Stephanie and me) learn names. I was seated amidst some of the girls on the couch. Their welcome and inclusion was so touching! There was much laughter and joking. At one point after I joined in the humorous teasing (OK, I mouthed off ;-) , amidst the group response of laughter, one of the boys said "Jo you fit right in, you are one of us".
A few moments later, when the singing began, I thought back to the hard times in the past year. To my own whispered prayers "Lord, please bring young people into my life – young adults with whom I can share mutual appreciation -- and for whom I can make a difference"

As these young people sang their heartfelt songs to the Lord, I wept again. I wept for the beauty of their praise to God, and I wept in gratitude for answered prayers.

Listen:

"Holding Up..."

2010-01-24T07:13:00.002-08:00

              The first week here in Guam has passed and it was very full!
              As I, and others faced daily and/or ongoing challenges, I am struck by the way the people here help and support one another.    The story that touched me this week was that of Moses and the defeat of the Amalekites, from Exodus 17.    Joshua was fighting the Amalekites and as long as Moses held up his hands the Israelites were winning; when his hands lowered the Amalekites won.   Moses battled with his tiredness. Then Aaron and Hur put a stone under Moses and he sat on it and they "held his hands up --one on one side, one on the other -- so that his hands remained steady until sunset." (17:12) Joshua and the Israelites were victorious! This struck me as what 'counseling' really is all about:  coming alongside to encourage and support one another to do what God calls us to do. In this story I find meaning for the work I am doing here and for the field overall.
      To pick up from the last entry:
      Tuesday: Melody and Tim Plaxton hosted the four of us for dinner. It was a relaxed evening -- well maybe not when their curious little cat with the "Hitler" moustache scratched Marci's hand! Of course the food and graciousness of our hosts blessed us, and continues to humble me with its magnanimity.
          Wednesday: I started class prep by wodering if I back in the states teaching??? WHY won't this projector work??? Seriously, that WAS an all too familiar groaning moment, but-- it quickly unwound to being far more relaxed. Marylou, our IT Maven, showed up and things were up and running before the students even arrived (on time, of course)! Class was exciting and, as suspected, our multi-ethnic group (a student each from China, Bangladesh, and from Guam/native Chamorro) made for wonderfully varied perspectives and great discussion! So, when Eric e-mailed me on Friday to ask if I would accept another student from the island of Chuuk I was ready to give it a chance. Lest my former students reading this think I've gotten too soft ....I agreed "only if the student could get up to speed by Monday." One of the other students jumped on board immediately and did what she could to help get her classmate up to speed --I had the new student's big assignment in my e-mail by Saturday!! "Holding up his hands?"
      Thursday: I was able to get off campus to do a bit of necessary shopping and then prepared for a birthday celebration for Joyce. We went to the "Top O' The Mar'. A Mongolian BBQ. You gather up all your meats and veggies, and then top it with sauces and take it out to the chefs to be cooked as you enjoy a spectacular view! Yum! I already love one of the local favorite sauces -- a spicy sauce "finadene". I have to learn how to make this back home. One recipe I saw for this calls for "boonie" peppers (doni sali), although none of the finadene I've had seemed very hot!
     Friday: After chapel I went home to rest! A good thing too since one of the other teachers, Jen, took Marci and I off to the "Chamorro Villiage" that evening. The really jumpin' night is Wednesday (when I teach), so I'm glad there is something on Friday. We saw a great looking coconut crab (a land crab that lives in the jungle feeding on coconut), some Chamorro dancing, bought some local things, and had some Thai food......oh yea...coconut milk and fresh coconut....YES, I'm addicted to it already!!! No crab jokes please.
      Saturday: A "boonie stomp" out to "Shark's Hole" and the "Lost Pond". Our group included Anne, Joyce, Rob (oversees Student Life), Perry (a missionary from Oregon, here until mid-Feb), Marylou, Marci and I. We did some snorkeling.
      Reaction to snorkeling: .....oh....WOW! Speachless. OH WOW1!!
     I really didn't know there were fish like that! Thank you God! We hiked out to the hidden pond and collected shells on the beach. What were some of the highlights? The praying mantis eating the butterfly, sand crabs, green tailed skinks, "walking" trees (trees that put out roots and migrate themselves towards the sun), dragonflies, a very poisonous centipede, flowers, sand crabs, amazing coral, blue-green sea, coconuts growing new palms. I learned that coconuts are three sided and always land so they can immediately put out a new shoot!
    Sunday: Marci, Perry and I went to worship at Agana Heights Baptist Church, where Eric is currently preaching. We split up and we went to a woman's bible study --- solid and grounding in Genesis. Our youngest participant was 4 months old! ;-) Then the service....it's been quite some time that I have been to a service where all the music was from a hymnal! There is a slogan here that "America's worship begins in Guam". The dawn does after all, begin here...... ;-)     After the service we were invited by Cil (one of our PIU staff who worships there) to join folks for lunch.
     This Sunday there were some baptisms of three high school students. After sharing in that experience, one question comes to mind:
     What does it take to help someone respond to God's call into His kingdom?
                               "Holding up his hands"
Our great commission to spread the Gospel. Why?
The expression on the last slide of one of the newest members in His kingdom is all the answer we need.

Blessings from Guam! Jo

2010-01-18T07:44:00.001-08:00

     We four hustled this morning packing lunch, books and whatnot (of course, I had my small desk fan in tow amidst the computer, books, and other academic paraphernalia). The day started with a campus wide rally and worship and rally. Clearly a profound sense of fun and family permeated the event! It was delightful! Then a staff meeting and new faculty orientation. Immediately Marci and I were brought on board. What impressed was, despite the chaos and stress of the semester start, there was a clear sense of hard work -- a climate of support and encouragement among staff and students alike.

     Back in our offices, when chatting with Marci about the things before us, I experienced the full weight of God's hand in all of this.....and wept at the miracle that is Him. We talked with another MFT here regarding Marci's counseling and I was able to begin to help shape things, by creating a first draft of a referral form. It is releaving to see the possibilities for clinical hours for Marci begin to materialize.
     My first night of class was a surprise! I hear Steve S. saying in our long ago meeting in California (when he and Dave came to talk with us): "flexibility, flexibility, flexibility" An hour before class I discovered my room full of students and food ready to celebrate for the opening night event. Once that was straightened out, I found myself with my class of three. Things didn't go as planned, so we were unable to do the first night recording. We agreed on breaking early and havee a longer class on Wednesday! What a delight the class was! I began to go over the syllabus, and felt a check in my spirit. Instead I gave a testimony speaking about God's hand in bringing me here. This opened up a great discussion and led seamlessly into the teaching for the night using our genuine exchange as the focus of "interviewing" skills. Yes it was a true delight!
     Steve S. has gone to Palau (Dave leaves tomorrow). While Steve is there he and Anne have generously loaned us their car--a quirky Rav4 that requires getting in and putting the key in the ignition -- within 30 seconds of unlocking the door or the alarm will go off! Try doing that in the dark!! I am bringing my headlamp for Wednesday night's class!!!

     So I've driven at night and day now and mercifully have survived! PTL! Here is today's video.

Days 2 & 3 – Getting to know folks and the island!

2010-01-16T21:14:00.004-08:00

This will be a long blog…..I suspect the rest to be smaller since the semester officially gets under way tomorrow!
The past few days have been about getting to know the folks at PIU and this amazing island!   On Friday we started off with a stop on campus and once again had an opportunity to meet Daisy, a wonderful woman from Texas who has a great heart for the students here. She introduced me to Mollie and to Charles (pronounced Shar-less) who wore the most ingenious hat as you can see!
Below Daisy and Doug make the sign "h"" for “haole” non-whites, which they jokingly show to introduce themselves.
A trip to a local store Kwong Hwa to get some fans for sleeping and other key items! Lunch at an Owen’s favorite the “Jamaica Grill” Then we went to Ypao and the Tumon hotel tourist district and the sea.  Magical chrysalis wrapped in gold!

On to the “Leo Palace” a resort complex built by a Japanese company. A favorite tourist spot for Japanese citizens it also has a spectacular view of both sides of the Island with the mid-island location at the narrowest part of the island. Ann Stinnette joined Joyce and they were definitely most excellent tour guides! Ann is pointing out the south-easternmost point of Guam.

Off to the former site of the Spanish government. Behind the archway is the “Chocolate House” where the wives of the Spanish governors sipped chocolate!

At Latte Stone Park (above) Latte stones are believed to be the posts holding up ancient structures.
Below are some other interesting sites: an old Spanish bridge and Mt. Lam-Lam. From the bottom of the Marianas Trench on the ocean floor to its tip it is the highest mountain in the world! The native Chamorro are 90% Catholic.   The practice for many Island Catholics of all ethnicities on Good Friday is to carry a wood cross, while self-flagellating, climbing the mountain on their knees.   The picture below the Lam-lam is the view on the opposite side from where we were taking the pictures.
Below is Ft. Soledad Park and we were treated to some star fruit and fresh coconut by Big John. He assured us the star fruit came straight from the sky! After watching him with the machete I am not so sure I can fulfill the challenge by Joyce to crack one open myself!

Our Lady of Camarin , is believed by some to be a very important patron saint.   The legend is that after a typhoon this statue reportedly came out of the water on the backs of crabs. She is believed to protect the island from Typhoons.

The amazing Inarahin pools just invited swimming….alas we didn’t have time, and the rain was coming and going throughout our tour.

The stones below are grinding stones, some from the tops of the lette configurations. Below that are the remains of the oldest Protestant Church in Guam. Considering this is a predominantly Catholic country this building is remarkable!

On the way back we stopped a few places to pick up sea shells on the beach. First time in the water on the Pacific side of the Island. Folks don’t usually swim there since it is so rough and treacherous with the currents and deep water.

Back home after a marvelous day. Marci, Joyce and I poured over our collections ---- her shell, coral and rocks from her many years here and on Palau are amazing! Then I cooked up a nice hearty ragu to go over pasta and cut Dave’s hair!

This morning we went to church at Bayview and came home, had lunch, I worked on this blog while Dave and Marci watched some sports……not sure what Joyce was up to.
As beautiful as it all was, a quote from the John Piper book I am studying somehow fits best: “The reality of spiritual joy depends moment by moment on the steadfast seeing of the glory of God”      God bless from Guam, Jo

First Day!

2010-01-14T03:18:00.002-08:00

The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing." Zephaniah 3:17
      This was the extraordinary verse that I woke to, and the day just unfolded as promised! Mercifully, Marci and I got to sleep in after our arrival here at 2:00 AM.    By 11:30, Dave came back to get us.   We picked up his wife Joyce at the Japanese school where she teaches English to chidren in first through ninth grade.   We were treated to a welcome lunch with them and the Sorensons. Eric S. heads up the graduate seminary program, where I will teach, and his wife Karyn will be helping with Marci's supervision whenever the cyber world makes it difficult for us to SKYPE to/from the mainland. She also teaches at PIU, of course. It is a place where most folks wear multiple hats! How warm and delightful it was to go onto campus and meet everyone today!
      The weather is HUMID!  Yes, spoiled I've been in California!!!   I've become a complete humidity wimp!   Actually,it doesn't feel as oppressive as I remember New England August  could be -- since the underlying temperature is quite bearable this time of year.
      The environment is jungle lush! I can't wait to sample some coconut from one of the trees around the house, although Joyce says that opening them is near impossible and has issued a challenge on that!
     Tomorrow we head back to campus and then ride a bit more around the island......Marci and I are searching for small fans for our rooms to move the cool central air around a bit more ;-)

Today's Images:

On the Journey

2010-01-13T00:15:00.000-08:00

One of the unexpected blessings was to be gifted with a round trip ticket. The domestic legs are first class and the international hops are "business" class. Here, I am enjoying the nearlly full recline of the seat! Of course there were endless movies and food. Marci noticed that two of our stewards were Believers. God is so taking care of us. Another benefit is we get to spend our long layover in Japan (6 hours) in the airline clubs. I am sure my body has no concept whatsoever rgarding what time it is........the excitement is building! We are due in at Guam a 2:00 AM tomorrow, I think, I just talked to Chuck on SKYPE and he was in yesterday! ;-) Blessings! Jo

Tomorrow is Here!

2010-01-11T00:47:00.001-08:00

Things are mostly packed and I was delighted to discover I can use the Verizon cell phone in Guam. However it is costly. So the best way to get in touch: SKYPE or e-mail, texting, then calling. Of course visit the blog. Check out the world clock at www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/....an easy way to know what time it is ....however the blog is set to Guam time......and I guess you know what time it is where you are! ;-)

Getting Ready!

2010-01-07T19:35:00.001-08:00

Time is fast approaching. Speaking of time this blog is set to Guam time. Our (myself and Marci, an itern traveling with me) journey begins on Monday at noon.....heading to Guam via Chicago, through Japan.....I know east to go west......oh well! Prayers welcomed!