PIU Ministry at Bayview Baptist Church - Guam

Today was PIU Day at Bayview Baptist Church -Guam. Students, staff and faculty led the whole service. I had the opportunity to preach, although Mike's program didn't leave me too much time. I am pretty sure the people at Bayview were much more interested to hear the PIU students sing than in hearing me preach anyway. Bayview has been a long-time supporting church of PIU, sent us several students and we have enjoyed partnering in ministry with them in many ways over many years. We are very thankful for their partnership with PIU and were grateful for the opportunity to minister there.

The students did a great job. Here they are getting in some rehearsal before the service began.

Kita, Joanie and Jaynee sing a song written by Kita. Many of the songs performed today were written by PIU students.

Students and staff read scripture, devotional thoughts, prayers and theological meditations interspersed within the music. Here 1st year student Jesse Hartt reads from Philippians 2. 

The ladies did some worship dance as they sang.

There was a lot of congregational involvement in the program. I think they enjoyed it. 

No, it is not Saturday Night Fever here. I am making what I am sure is a very important homiletic point. 

After the service Serenity worked hard at making friends with everyone.

Gas Prices on Guam Skyrocket

Yesterday on the way home from the Youthfest (for pictures and story on the Youthfest go take a look at Mike and Samantha's blog - they were there all day and got some good pictures.) we were on empty and pulled the Kia into the Shell Station on Route 8. Friday the price for regular unleaded went up to $4.62 a gallon. If you can't see the price on the pump in the picture it was over $68 for about 14.5 gallons. We are trying to economize our driving, but on Guam, because so much is shipped in here, a rise in gas prices means a rise in prices for food, electricity and everything else. It makes our financial situation, personally and for the school, a little tighter but, "though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord." (Habakkuk 3.17-18). FYI - we all seem to be eating pretty well still. :)

Pacific Islands University Senior Chapel 2011

Today was the last chapel of the Spring 2011 semester and, as is our custom for as long as I remember, this chapel is set aside as the "senior chapel." Each graduating senior is given an opportunity to address the students, staff and faculty and talk about their experience at PIU, their future plans, give advice to the audience and share how we can pray for them. Most of them were very nervous, but all those that could be there (a few of the off-campus graduates were unable to be there) gave at least a brief speech. It is very encouraging to us to see and hear how God has worked in the lives of the students during the years they have been at PIU. The chapel always ends with a prayer time for the graduates and the upcoming ceremonies. Our graduation will be on campus at 4 PM, Monday May 9th. The baccalaureate will be Sunday the 8th at the Onnuri Church in Mangilao.

Jake James (left) let the other students know that "if I can do this, all of you can." Jeremiah Sound (right) persevered to get his AA degree despite some physical difficulties and I am pleased to see him complete his degree. Both plan to go on to further study.

Peng Li (left) from Harbin China is our first MAR graduate from the PIU PIES Seminary. Gloria Ikea graduated with an AA and plans to continue on to get her BA.

Erten William (left) completed his BA at PIU and plans to be a teacher. Davy Welle talked about how God used discouragement in his life to mature him. He plans to move on from his AA and finish a BA in Biblical Studies at PIU.

Grateful Nokar is one of our valedictorians and asked for prayer that he would be wise in choosing from the many opportunities he now has before him. Our other valedictorian Xuefen Mei was unable to attend the chapel.

Machinta Yos (left) said that she was still unsure what she would do with her BA degree. Javrin Fritz was thankful for how God worked in her life during her short time at PIU.

Joyce shared about how she decided to become a student at PIU 8 years ago and worked toward her BA degree one or two classes per semester. She said that she got a good husband from her first try at college at Biola, but this time she managed to get her degree. She urged everyone to keep studying because you are "never too old to learn." Yes I am pretty proud of her! Quite an accomplishment considering everything else she does.

Melody Plaxton, PIU Academic VP preached about Jesus "first words" in Matthew and Mark, "Repent!" and emphasized that repentance is not just feeling sorry for sin and trying to make ourselves better, but is instead, a turn in the direction of our life toward Jesus and willingness to let him change and empower us. 

The chapel ended with the faculty and staff leading a prayer time for the graduates.

PIU Completes Accreditation Response

This week PIU received notice from our accreditor TRACS that we have completed our response to the recommendations made by the TRACS team in May of 2009 during their reaffirmation of accreditation visit. According to the letter from TRACS president Paul Boatner, "At the April 11-13, 2011 TRACS accreditation commission meeting, the commission voted to accept the Progress Report of Pacific Islands University. After the staff review of your Spring 2011 response, you are now in compliance on all recommendations noted by the visiting team. No further progress reports are required." We are very pleased to have completed this task in less than two years after our reaffirmation visit. We know that it often takes 5-7 years to move into compliance with all the recommendations. The term of our reaffirmation goes until 2019 and we will have a mid-term visit in 2014. This was an accomplishment of the whole PIU family, but we are especially thankful to Nino Pate (center) who coordinates all the Institutional Effectiveness efforts at PIU.

Courage's 3rd Birthday Party

Courage turned 3 this week and her birthday party was held on the PIU campus. The theme of her party was "Fairies." She came dressed for the theme and, in fact, did not take off her Tinkerbell costume all day, except to take her nap. The students, PIU staff and families all enjoyed the party and sang several versions of "Happy Birthday." Here are a few pictures of the event.

Kevin tries to lights the candles for the birthday cake. There was too much wind so Courage had to pretend to blow out her candles.

Courage receives her fairy crown

There was plenty of cake (carrot and chocolate) ice cream and lumpia for everyone.

After the party at school Courage and grandma went home for another small party

and a fun evening

Easter Celebration at the Owen House

We went with the full celebration of Easter Sunday yesterday, with all the fixings. Ben called it "Thanksgiving at Easter." That was an accurate assessment. All our family on Guam came over with some PIU students and staff too. We had a busy, but fun day of hiding and finding Easter eggs, playing games, eating, eating and eating some more. Here are a few pictures of our Easter celebration. Christ is Risen! He is Risen Indeed!

First there was breakfast and worship service at Agana Heights Baptist Church....

(We had Ben, Lucy, Jesse and Joanie with Joyce and I in our little Ford Focus)

We posed for pictures in front of the church with the beautiful overlook of Agana Bay

and then over to our house for lunch.

 

 

Followed by the Easter Egg hunt! 

Courage and Titus did pretty well for themselves. 

Serenity also enjoyed the egg hunt. 

The kids had plenty of help finding the eggs

And there were plenty of spectators for the event. 

Titus and Courage pose with the family and show off their treasure

After lunch and the egg hunt it was nap time