It’s Spring in our Back Yard

It is must be April because we are getting mangoes and macadamia nuts (left) on our trees in our back yard (and allergies from the mango blossoms). It looks like this year will be a record year for fruit at the Owen house! The mangoes will be great in my breakfast smoothie!

Tuesday Chapel

For Tuesday’s chapel we continued our Holy Week meditation as we read dramatically through Matthew. Of course we did not read chapter 28 – the celebration of Easter is saved for Sunday. Again I found it a powerful thing to read the words of the Gospel aloud and experience them again in that venue. Mike read the narration, Samantha did the miscellaneous voices, Scott Refilong read the words of the disciples and I read Jesus’ words. I would urge you to try this. It really is a different experience to hear the spoken words of scripture in this way. The pictures were all taken by Titus, Courage and Serenity.

They even got some close-ups

Last Week’s Chapels

Tuesday’s Chapel had two speakers. PIU’s Dean of Students Sarah Brubaker and Nicky Ballard from the Southern Baptist Mission Team from Reno Nevada. The mission team included 4 members and were here on Guam all week to work with the PIU students doing evangelism in the village of Umatac and to find out more about PIU. Nicky shared some insights from the Lord’s Prayer in Matthew. Sarah talked a little bit about what happened in Umatac and challenged the students with continued need to pray and go out to the unreached people of the world. It is real challenge coming from Sarah, because she doesn’t just talk about it. She does it.

Friday’s chapel began our campus preparation for the Passion Week observance coming up this week. Mike, Samantha and I began a dramatic reading through the Gospel of Matthew which will continue on Tuesday. We read through the Transfiguration on Friday and will finish the Gospel this week.

This Week in the Psalms

My Facebook friends know that I have been posting “devotional thoughts” every morning on my Facebook page. The last couple years I have been working through the New American Commentary as I read through the Bible and have been posting some quotes from it. Interestingly there is not a volume in that set for Psalms (at least not in Logos) so I decided to post my own thoughts on each Psalm as I read through them. Sometimes it is a summary of the Psalm or it can be a thought that strikes me as I read the Psalm. I thought I would post them here too so I can “archive” them (things can disappear on Facebook) and go back and reflect periodically.

The God-centered life is the one worth living. Psalm 1

Submission to human rulers or political systems often requires a choice between freedom and safety. Submission to God's king and life in God's kingdom provides both. Psalm 2

One who trusts YHWH does not need to fear enemies, no matter how many rise up against you. Psalm 3

Don't let circumstances fool you. God does hear your prayers and will keep His promise, so keep trusting Him. Psalm 4

Prayer: Lord help me to recognize the people, ideas and advice that will keep me within the shelter and agenda of your life-experiencing kingdom. Then help me to bring your life out to everyone I contact as you live through me. Psalm 5

The character and covenant of God assure the ultimate victory of God's people, despite our weaknesses and inadequacies. So keep praying. Psalm 6

God will judge justly. We should look at ourselves first and repent of our own unjust acts toward others and then pray and work for God's justice now. Psalm 7

We (human beings) have an important and honorable task to do: represent God and His care to the whole creation. We are not up to the task, but in God's strength (ministered through the ultimate human Jesus) even "babies" (v.2) can do it. Psalm 8

We can trust God because he has the power and will set all things right. Anything that comes at us God can handle and use to accomplish His purposes in our lives. Psalm 9

It often seems now like God ignores the evil of the tyrant and the plight of the oppressed. He sees it all and will make everything right in the final kingdom. In this age we need to be the "body" as God works through us so that His will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Psalm 10

Even when it seems like God has been dethroned, he is still in charge. Justice still rules and things will be set right. He is the only safe refuge. Psalm 11

I am sick and tired of people with "big vision" and "powerful plans" that walk all over and misuse, in the name of God, the people God loves. May God save us from this. Psalm 12

Despite my circumstances I will patiently trust in God's character and promises. My circumstances then become a stimulus to prayer and an opportunity for God to move powerfully in my life. Psalm 13

Evil and oppression flow from a world-view which does not acknowledge God. This means that, even though someone says they acknowledge God, if they use and abuse others, they neither acknowledge nor serve God. Psalm 14

A real relationship with God is shown by service to others, devotion to truth, and words and actions of integrity. Psalm 15

I am "all in" for God. He provides my goals, my direction and my security. The result is that not even death can defeat me. Psalm 16

Prayer: Lord I refuse to answer violence with violence or lies with lies. Despite what others do around me I will do and say the right thing. This means I must rely on you and your covenant for my cause and well-being. But Lord, whether you save me now, or not, I will be satisfied with your presence because I know that you bring joy forever. Psalm 17

When we trust God for our lives and ministry He personally intervenes to make them successful according to His plan. There are great rewards for obedience to God - the best of which is His presence. Psalm 18

Both the world around us and the scriptures give an accurate account of God's glory and power, and his instructions give us the parameters for wise, right and joyful living. Psalm 19

Psalm 20 is a prayer for God's "anointed one," the Messiah (king). Since God answered every request in this prayer for Jesus (the ultimate Messiah) - including help, favor, fulfilled plans, joy, victory and all his other requests - he will now do the same for his people and He will do it in a similar way as he did for Jesus - cross then glory.

No enemy can really harm the one who keeps covenant with God. He will accomplish His eternal plan for His people. Psalm 21

Suffering for truth and righteousness happens so often it is proverbial. In this world, those who radically trust God will be misunderstood, mocked, hurt, and persecuted. It will get so bad that the sufferer feels that God has deserted him. But God is always there. He gives strength and accomplishes his plan through the suffering to produce the joys of his eternal kingdom, not only for the sufferer, but for anyone who comes in contact with him. Psalm 22

YHWH's covenant insures His direction, protection and care for me. Even though I go through many difficulties- and will eventually die - he assures that I will come out on the other end better fit for His eternal kingdom. Psalm 23

All of the stuff in the Psalms above is sure - including God fitting me for His kingdom - because God has the power and desire to do it. The King of Glory wants to bless us! Psalm 24

Our weaknesses and enemies (not always people) put us in constant need of God, but He is always there to meet the need, providing His presence and covenant blessings and to teach and enable us to overcome these obstacles. Psalm 25

Trusting YHWH leads to a life of integrity and worship. God's grace results in changed people. Psalm 26

When we trust God there is no need to fear. When trouble comes, pray, seek God's presence, and wait for his deliverance and it will come. Psalm 27

Prayer For Justice: God set things right! Punish those who hurt and deceive others and reward those who love their neighbors. In the meantime I will trust His care for His people and praise Him. Psalm 28

Owen April Prayer Letter

(This is our monthly prayer letter (slightly edited) that we send out to our ministry partners. If you would like to be on our email prayer letter list please send me an email at dowen@piu.edu)

It is April and that always seems to be the busiest time of the year for us at PIU. There are so many things going as we get ready for graduation on May 5^th. Joyce and I value your prayers very much. We know that all these things we do only have meaning as they are done in the power of Christ. So below I share I one area of news of our upcoming plans, and some praises and prayer requests.

NEWS: Joyce and I are planning a short furlough on the US Mainland for about a month from mid-July to mid-August. We would very much like to see as many of you as we can while we are there. We would be available to speak for Sunday services (of course) but are also very interested to share in Bible studies, mission meetings, get-togethers etc. However you would like us to serve you as your missionaries while we are there, we would like to do it. We will be in the process of scheduling meetings for our visit over the next few months so please let us know when you would like us to come. We are very much looking forward to seeing you.

PRAISES:

1. Thank you for your prayers for Joyce while she was in the hospital over Christmas time. She is doing well and going like the “energizer bunny” again. Insurance covered most of the costs so we are very thankful for God’s provision in this.

2. I had a wonderful opportunity to do ministry this past weekend at the Soul Check Festival For Jesus on the main public beach of Guam. You can see pictures of the event here: http://guamdaveo.blogspot.com/2014/04/soul-check-2piu.html. I had the opportunity to pray with several people and had the privilege of hearing their prayers of commitment of their lives to Christ for the first time. It really was a great day.

3. God is opening up many new opportunities for PIU to serve the Guam and Micronesian communities. It seems like doors that we have been “knocking on” for years are opening up to us. I know many of you have been praying for us for these many years and it is exciting to see these prayers answered. We have been able to make new and update agreements with the public colleges in our region and have renewed our relationship with the church and communities in Chuuk. Please pray that we move forward wisely.

Prayer Requests:

1. Finances: As we near the end of our fiscal year in a couple months PIU is in need of at least another $50,000 in donations to our Rising Tide fund to meet our budget needs. We must finish the year on June 30^th “in the black” to avoid being put on warning status by our accreditor. Please pray that God will supply this. In addition many of our students still struggle to pay school bills despite all of our efforts to make the school affordable. These students need help to close the gap between school costs and their ability to pay. They have often been able to see God provide for them in miraculous ways in the past through God’s people and we pray that will continue to happen.

2. Our project with the Chuuk Department of Education continues to move forward. The plan is to train 20-30 Chuuk public elementary school teachers here at PIU this summer and then continue their degree upgrades though the next few semesters to meet the US Dept. Of Education mandates. Please pray as we interview and select the students to participate in this program, the logistics of getting them settled into our campus this summer, the teachers and staff at PIU who will run the program and that this would not only be a benefit to the teachers’ professionally, but it would be a spiritual benefit to them as well.

3. Student Recruiting: This is our high season for student recruiting. We hope to increase our student population on the Guam campus to over 100 students for next Fall. We would also like to increase enrollment in Palau and Yap, along with the re-start of our Teaching Facility in Chuuk. We are also recruiting in the high schools and churches of Guam and in Korea. Please pray that God will fill our classrooms with the right students and that He will be preparing them for encountering Jesus here at PIU.

4. People: We need to hire a new librarian and liberal studies teacher. Please pray that God will provide the right person and the finances to bring them on board.

5. Students: Please pray for our current students to finish the semester well. For most it is academic issues. Some struggle with deeper issues. Pray for our faculty and student life team to minister effectively and pray for God to work in the lives of our PIU students.

We do appreciate your prayers. We look forward to seeing you this summer.

Blessings

Dave and Joyce 

Soul Check #2–PIU

As I mentioned in my previous post, the PIU students led worship at the Soul Check celebration from 5 to 6 PM. The students worked hard and practiced diligently and did a great job. I think they looked pretty good too! They worked hard at ministry all week. In addition to getting ready to lead worship they spent much of the week in Umatac village working with the mayor’s office and doing some friendship evangelism. I will try to get some pictures of that too. Here are a few pictures of the PIU family at the Soul Check celebration. (I did take a few from PIU Facebook pages).

The students prepare to go on stage

Sarah and Davey get everyone checked in

And we are ready to sing!

And then a little time of fellowship

Soul Check #1

I spent most of my day Saturday at Ipao for the Soul Check festival, a “Fiesta for Jesus.” What a great day! So many good things happened. I got to see, fellowship and talk with people from churches all over the island. I made some new friends and renewed old friendships. People from many different churches and many different denominations sang together, ate together, prayed together and ministered together in a real Spirit of love and unity. There were powerful testimonies and many people made first time decisions to trust Christ. This was a real answer to a long-term prayer for me – that the island churches would get together and work together to disciple this region for Christ. Here are a few of my pictures of the event – and a couple I lifted from Facebook pages.

This event required months of planning and organization

The event began with a reading of Psalm 51 in English and Chamorro

It was hot out there, but groups from many different churches led us in worship

with many different worship styles

We blessed the island with free barbecue. The line was long and provided a good opportunity to talk with people about what we were doing.

The PIU students sang between 5 and 6 PM. I will post more pictures of the PIU team in the next post.

We heard a powerful testimony about how God can change a life. Many responded by surrendering their lives to Christ,

The island pastors then led a prayer for the leaders of the region and prayed for each village on Guam (right). No that is not a real angel on the left. (kidding) The lighting just created an interesting effect.

I am praying that Guam’s churches will continue to work together and that we will see the people who experienced God at work here will continue to be discipled within Guam’s churches and will continue to grow.