Prayer Requests For A New Semester

The students are arriving back at campus for the Spring (that is what we call it but there are not really seasons here, except for maybe wet and dry - less wet - 84 degrees and humid every day) semester which will begin on Monday. I will be teaching two courses: Survey of NT General Epistles (assisted by my father-in-law Dale Cundall) and Exegesis in Genesis. The Genesis course will be a distance education course with students on Guam, Chuuk and Palau. We are all running around like crazy to get everything ready. Because of the blessings of new faculty we are shuffling offices and mine was one that needed to move. So between moving furniture, preparing classes, registering students and other normal school activities we never get bored. Here are a few prayer requests to start the semester.

1. For our new teachers. We have three teachers who are teaching their first PIBC class this semester: Alfredo Agtarap, Kathy Newell and Hiob Ngirachemoi You can read more about them on the PIBC web site. The picture above is of Fred Agtarap, our Academic VP Brad Boydston and me. You could also pray for all our teachers that God will work through us as we disciple the students.
   
2. For possible expansion plans. I spent a couple days in Hawaii last week discussing some opportunities to expand the offerings and sites of PIBC. One proposal would have PIBC working with other groups to expand our program to a graduate level. This is something we have wanted to do for a long time. Another proposal would add new PIBC sites in Fiji, Tonga and Honolulu. There are about 100 prayer requests I could list here in relation to these opportunities, but mainly I would ask for wisdom and discernment for our board and administration as we discuss these opportunities with our potential partners. I am very excited about this, but we want to make sure that we do what God is calling us to do and we do it His way.
   
3. For Joyce: She has been struggling with some back pain and missed the last two days of school this week. She is getting around a little better today, but I would appreciate your prayers for her healing. Of course she does not want to go into her 50th birthday Monday laid up in bed!
4. For Me: That I will be able to use my time wisely as I juggle between being husband, teacher, president, advancement person etc.
   

We do appreciate all your prayers and support!