Mike and Libby

6/22/10

I (Mike) have just begun my second week of class. It’s been a ton of work, but it has been even more rewarding. We just finished the book of Hebrews on Monday (after a total of 10 hours of lecture and discussion), so we’ve covered a lot of great material, as well as some of the most difficult passages in the New Testament. Somehow we got through it, and hopefully made some sense out of it! My students continue to impress me with their insight, thoughtful questions, and an overriding passion for learning Scripture. It’s an amazing experience to see the “lights come on” when the students grasp a new truth or idea. Seeing them take a lesson learned from class, and apply it to their future ministries is incredible. I have 8 students in my class, who represent 5 different cultures! So for those of you who have supported us through giving and/or prayer, be assured God is using you to help these students learn and apply God’s Word, thus increasing their effectiveness in future ministries to the people of Guam, Chuuk, Palau, the Martial Islands, and China. And that's just my class.

It’s been an honor to serve here at Pacific Islands University. Getting to know the administration, faculty, and staff these past weeks, it’s clear that God is really doing something special here. They’re truly providing an excellent, biblical education to students of so many nations and cultures, providing opportunities for them that otherwise would not be available. They have a vision for the future, looking ahead to a growing student body, more programs, and a greater impact worldwide, so it’s a privilege to be a small part in what’s going on here.

Please keep me and my students in prayer. Tomorrow we begin the book of James, so we face many practical issues, and some very challenging. Please pray that I would be effective in teaching Scripture in a way that meets the needs of my students, especially in light of the challenges of doing all this in a cross-cultural environment.

God is good.

Hebrews 13:20-21