Seven Students, Seven Cultures

Our work in Guam has a way of reminding me of the great multitude in Revelation 7.9, "from all tribes and peoples and tongues" who are before the throne worshiping the Lamb. The reason for that is simply that our ministry here is entirely cross-cultural. Even though our staff is only now showing signs of diversity, the student body is a panoply of cultures, and our church is another variegated tapestry of peoples.

I guess using "culture" to describe someone's background is a bit slippery, but it's more descriptive than simply identifying what country someone is from. For instance, even if you tell me you're from the US, I still don't know what your cultural background is. So, when I decided to share with you about my current seminary class, I quickly realized it's not enough to tell you that I have seven students from five different countries because the three who are from the same "country" are from completely different cultures within that country. It's really more descriptive to tell you that I have seven students from seven cultures. So, on Tuesday nights, I sit in front of a Chinese, a Chuukese, a Filipina, a Bangladeshi, and three Americans. It's the three Americans who really represent three different cultures. One is a local with Chamorro roots, a culture unique unto its own. Another is Caucasian from Alabama, and the third is of Spanish extraction, raised in a New Mexico town settled by the Spanish in the 1600s. Thus, though he is American, his first language and culture are Spanish, but not South American Spanish! Now, just imagine the dialog we have in class. It is rich as each accented word is shared out of his or her own culture. Categorically, I no longer assume that my cultural experiences relate to others' experiences, which has a distinct way of affecting the application of the theology we study. In a recent seminary class conversation about burnout rates among pastors, I came in assuming that one reason for the burnout is based on pastor's having more people to care for than is humanly possible. I guess I had thought it was a universal problem, until one student explained that in his culture this is not the case because a church of 50 people may have fifteen pastors! Here, it is not trite to say that I learn as much from my students as they do from me.

    Sound interesting? Come out and join us! Seriously. We are in immediate need of undergraduate teachers, especially in the areas of general education. We are looking to establish our budding counseling center with professional counselors (even those working toward licensure); and of course, we need doctoral level seminary professors. The world is becoming cross-cultural, so get in on the trend and join us at PIU!

Divinely-Orchestrated Trial

For Christmas, Eric bought me the study Bible I have been wanting for quite some time. Filled with maps, illustrations, explanatory notes, historical settings, key themes, literary features, and detailed outlines, I am having a blast! No longer do I puzzle over obscure meanings or try to remember the English equivalent of a cubit, I simply look in my handy-dandy ESV Study Bible! Well, this morning I read in Matthew 11 that when John the Baptist, who was in prison, heard about the deeds of Jesus, he sent his followers to Jesus to ask, "Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?" What?! Are you kidding me?! Isn't this the same guy who eight chapters back in Matthew 3 said he wasn't worthy to baptize Jesus? Isn't this the same fellow who saw the heavens open and the Spirit of God descend like a dove to rest on Jesus? Isn't this the same bloke who heard a voice FROM HEAVEN saying, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased?" Why the confusion? How much proof does a person need?! Enter my wonderful, handy-dandy study Bible!  Hmmmmmm . . . what do the "experts" say about this? Apparently, poor John the Baptist starts to wonder if he's missed something. You see, he was under the impression that if he were a repentant follower of Jesus, he would receive blessings; it was the unrepentant who would receive judgment. Tragically, John the Baptist was wasting away in prison, awaiting a beheading by Herod Antipas. Not quite the blessing he was expecting. I actually felt sorry for John. This guy was really devoted to God. Wearing itchy clothing, eating locusts, and STILL he ends up without a head. Certainly "not fair."  


This reminded me of some of the confusion I felt when a week ago I was awaiting results from a double biopsy. Would I be told I had terminal cancer? Why would God "call" me to Guam and have me invest in an incredible ministry and then do this? Even if I lived through it, it was quite inconvenient! After all, I was in the middle of teaching a college class and now I was packing my bags for California! This turn of events definitely took me and my prior record of perfect health by surprise.  


But, I have to say, going through this horrible event has been one of the greatest blessings I have ever experienced. I don't think it is possible to articulate the amazing way I have felt God's presence walking with me every step of the way. In the midst of the human terror of knowing I may be told I only have weeks to live, I concurrently experienced a supernatural peace. How can one explain having such divergent feelings simultaneously? I watched as God provided for my physical needs in miraculous ways. Rushing to the states on such short notice would normally have cost $1800 for an airline ticket, but a family who didn't even know me GAVE me a round-trip ticket (and it was business class to boot!). I IMMEDIATELY got an appointment with a top surgeon in California who generally has a long waiting list. Friends gave me money specifically to help cover the mounting medical expenses. I was stunned by the love and support I received from family and friends. I never realized the significant emotional and spiritual support system that surrounds me. 

Throughout those frightening weeks of not knowing my fate, I ALWAYS felt the tender and powerful presence of my Savior. It was in His comforting presence that I found the security to face my mortality and all aspects of my life, although it was anything but fun. I analyzed how I use my time, where I invest my energy, and what's important to me. I didn't like everything I saw. I was saddened that I hadn't accomplished more. I wished I could be more like what people expected me to be. I grieved my inadequacies and earthly insignificance until, finally, weeping on the phone with my mom I sobbed, "Isn't it enough to just love people? Can't my ministry simply be to try to express the love of Christ to everyone I meet?" And, that's really the end of the story. I am infinitely grateful that my biopsies were benign. I am infinitely more grateful that as a result of going through this ordeal, I am confident of God's call on my life.  My calling is not to be a renowned professor, a brilliant psychotherapist, a famous author, or a pioneering missionary. My call is to love the Lord my God with all my heart, with all my soul, and with all my mind, and to love my neighbor as myself. This is my full-time job, and I learned this with force during my divinely-orchestrated trial. 

Cancer?!

February 2:  (Written after receiving the reports that both the mammogram and ultra sound confirmed a solid 2.5 cm mass as well as enlarged ducts.)  Apparently, this could mean I have cancer. It's really a bummer! (What a dumb thing to say--duh!) One of the things I most resent is now that I have this information, it's like, no matter where I go, there is this intrusive, unwanted guest (the knowledge) tagging along.  The "unwanted guest" has invaded every space and is no respecter of privacy. I try to have devotions; the "unwanted guest" pushes in. I try to play volleyball; here comes the "unwanted guest." I try to sleep; the "unwanted guest" lurks.  It's really quite tiring! It appears that no area of my life is off-limits to the "unwanted guest."

 

Sorry to disappoint, but I won't be one of those stoic Christians who somehow goes through illness or loss with utter confidence and calm. Personally, I think this whole situation really stinks. However, it is amazing that in the midst of the intrusive "unwanted guest," I ALWAYS feel the still and calm presence of my best friend, Jesus Christ. This doesn't mean that I always feel still and calm--far from it! But, it's pretty cool, that no matter how hard the winds blow or the waves roar, my anchor never budges--not even a fraction of an inch! It's also cool that I can cry, be scared, feel frustrated trying to make medical decisions with inadequate knowledge or experience, feel disappointed, and an array of other emotions and be completely accepted by God. I mean, seriously, God is so not surprised by my response. I take great comfort in the tremendous emotions Jesus expressed the night before his death. He is the creator of humans and certainly understands a human's natural response to suffering and loss. It's amazing how much peace comes from experiencing this unconditional love. NOTHING compares.  

So, yes, I'm bummed. This certainly wouldn't have been the course I would have chosen for myself.  And yet, I do have a deep sense that nothing will happen to me that is outside God's plan for my life. No matter how rough the water, no matter how obnoxious the "unwanted guest," no matter how painful the procedures, I am "safe." I KNOW God is good. He is my refuge. 

February 13:  (Given the medical reports, a decision was quickly made that I should return to CA for further testing and treatment.)  As I held my girls in my arms waiting to check my baggage at the Guam airport, I suddenly heard the familiar harmonic voices of Micronesians. Strolling towards me, smiling shyly and strumming a guitar, came a dozen PIU students. They were singing a special song we sing at PIU, We Are One Big Happy Family. Of course, the tears began to flow down my cheeks. I teased the students that they had ruined my make-up and thus my chance of flying business class. Since I was flying on a buddy pass (a stand-by discount ticket acquired from someone who works for the airlines), I was told that I could be bumped into business class provided my appearance was attractive. (You better believe I gussied up!)  After serenading me with several songs, the students gathered around me and one of our students prayed for me. It was amazing how loved I felt. The young man who prayed had only recently become a Christian. He has an inspiring story evidencing God's transforming power. This made his prayer especially meaningful to me and served as an affirmation of our ministry at PIU. I had been so nervous that I would fall apart at the airport and yet I knew how critical it was that I hold it together for the sake of our two young daughters. This surprise send-off was just the diversion I needed. It completely changed the tenor of my departure.

My next hurdle was going to be holding it together once I was alone on the plane. Two things happened to ease this transition. The first is spelled B-U-S-I-N-E-S-S class! The couple of times we've had the luxury to fly home to California, we've had to secure the least expensive tickets (always well over $1000), and from the time we step foot in Guam's airport until we arrive in San Francisco's airport, approximately 30 hours have passed. Yes, 30 miserable hours of long layovers in Japan followed by knees jammed into the seat in front of us and seat backs laying in our tray table. Makes me shudder just thinking about it! I cannot begin to convey the unbelievable difference flying business class makes (equivalent to first-class on international flights). In spite of luxuriating in my business class seat, soon I began to feel my emotions pushing to the surface. I certainly didn't want to make a scene while I sipped my orange juice served in a real GLASS with my legs fully extended and resting peacefully on an ottoman. It was at this point that I remembered the gift bag the students had given me. I grasped at the gift bag stowed under the seat "miles" in front of me. Immediately, as I read the dozens of notes in the bag written to me from PIU students, I was enveloped in the love and security found only in Christ. These notes were filled with love, support, and best of all, Scriptures students had chosen to encourage me. It was amazing the strength and joy I found in God's word.  Several of them had written, "Don't forget God's cell phone number:  Psalm 50:15."  Curious, while on a short layover in snowy Tokyo, I flipped open my pocket Bible and read: "Call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me." I have no doubt God will do his part. He has shown himself to be faithful and true time and again. My prayer is that as I walk this particular rough stretch, that I might honor Him.

A Chain of Connections

When first we set our eyes toward this western horizon, Cathy, a close college friend, put us in touch with the pastor of her church.  Actually, Eric had met Mark Mitchell years before, and had even preached at Central Peninnsula Church (CPC) in its early days.  This thriving church, in the shadow of San Francisco (a miracle in itself), felt very much led to support international ministries focused on leadership development.  One thing lead to another, and they have become a key player in sustaining our ministry among Micronesians.  We were thrilled then, when Rob Hall, pastor of their Milbrae sattellite church, contacted us to announce that three of their pastors were heading to the Philippines to lead a pastors' seminar and they would love to stop by Guam.  "Stop by Guam?," Eric inquired.  "Nobody 'stops by' Guam!"  Sure enough, last Sunday at 11.55 p.m., Senior pastor, Mark Mitchell, CPC Milbrae pastor, Rob Hall, and young adults pastor, Justin Buzzard, "dropped by."

Eric swung by Day's Inn the next morning and picked up the three travelers for a brief hike and snorkel adventure (Hey, someone had to do it!).  After suffering floating around in the warm turquoiuse waters of the Philippine Sea, the team headed back for a quick shower and then to lunch with Karyn, PIU president, Dave Owen, and Steve Stinnette, VP of Advancement.  After a quick coffee fix, the campus tour followed, complete with a visit from a brown tree snake who plopped to the ground, stunned, after a couple student's climbed up for coconuts (special thanks to our late friend, the snake, for adding an unusal "twist" to the day's events).  The day was rounded off with dinner at the scenic home of Drs. Bill and Christel Wood, with six of our brilliant students.  They sang for the three from CPC, and joined us for a couple of hours of casual conversation.  A quick trip back to the hotel closed out a busy day.  After all, the guys from CPC were off to the Philippines at 4 the following morning!

As missionaries, we've learned that's the way these things work.  Someone puts us into connection with someone else, who leads us to someone else, who . . . and the last link is the key relationship God has in store.  Obviously the chain of connections continue, because now we're exploring how CPC might get more fully involved in the ever-expanding work of Pacific Islands University. 
Perhaps you know someone who might know someone who may just know someone God has in store to be a key player in our work in Micronesia.  Let us know, we'd love to follow the chain of connections!  To check out CPC, go to http://www.cpcfc.org/.

Guam Through a Ten-Year-Old's Eyes

Our daughter, Noelle, received a traveling journal from a student in Hawaii. Her instructions were to write about the area where she lives and to send it on to the next person on the list (a student from Japan). We thought our readers would enjoy reading some interesting facts about Micronesia from Noelle's perspective.

Hafa Adai (Hi)!

My name is Noelle Sorenson, I am ten years old and I'm in 5th grade. I am homeschooled. My parents are missionary professors in Guam (a U.S. territory) where they work at a college that is mostly for Micronesians. Micronesians are people who live among the 2000 islands above the equator, north of Australia. Although the islands in that area are very tiny, the area itself is huge. It is the same size as the continental U.S! I have two cats named TJ and Tasi (pronounced "Tossee") which means "ocean" in Chamorro. Chamorro is the language of the native people of Guam. Mostly people speak English here; however, the older people will speak Chamorro to each other.

My favorite sport is soccer, but I like all sports, except baseball. I'm not the kind of person who sits around and does nothing. I would rather go outside and climb a palm tree! I love swimming in the ocean ,which has an average water temperature of 80 degrees (compared to Hawaii's average water temp of 75). Guam has a reef that nearly surrounds the island. Our family loves to snorkel along the reef where there are almost 900 species of fish (Hawaii has about 600 species in their reef system, and Palau has over 1300!). It is especially exciting when we see a beautiful lion fish which is one of the most poisonous fish in the world. Guam is 210 miles south-west of the Mariana Trench which is 36,201 feet deep. The Trench is the deepest part of the ocean and the deepest place on Earth. When I studied oceans in homeschool, I studied some of the amazing creatures that live in the deep oceans. They are very strange-looking and fun to study. Here is some other interesting information about the Mariana Trench:

The deepest point of the Mariana Trench is called The Challenger Deep, so named after the British exploration vessel HMS Challenger II, and it is located 210 miles south-west of Guam. This depth was reached in 1960 by the Trieste, a manned submersible owned by the U.S. Navy.

 

In order to better illustrate the actual depth of the Mariana Trench, consider the following; if Mount Everest, which is the tallest point on earth at 8,850 meters (29,035 feet), were set in the Mariana Trench, there would still be 2,183 meters (7,166 feet) of water left above it. http://www.marianatrench.com/mariana_trench-oceanography.htm

Guam is a rain forest and so we get a LOT of rain. On average, we get 96" of rain a year (compared to Honolulu's average of 28.41"). It is always hot and humid here because we are only 13 degrees away from the equator. This also means that the sun goes down very early (around 6:00 p.m.). Last week we had to put up our typhoon shutters because we were told a typhoon was coming. Guam is located in what is called, "Typhoon Alley." It is common for our island to be threatened by tropical storms and typhoons. Because of the typhoons and severe weather, most of the houses on Guam are made out of solid concrete. Even the roofs are made of concrete! They are more like military bunkers than houses. Even the telephone poles are made of cement and steel because normal telephone poles will snap during typhoons. One typhoon that came here a few years ago had winds of 236 miles per hour.

During World War II, Guam was captured by the Japanese and the native people experienced forced labor, family separation, execution, concentration camps, and other horrible things. On July 21, 1944, the United States military fought the Battle of Guam and recaptured the island from the Japanese. Every July 21 we have a huge parade with lots of fiestas (parties with huge amounts of food) and fireworks at night. It's a very fun day. But, without a doubt, my favorite thing about living on Guam is the incredible ocean.

Like Scrooge, Visited by the Spirit

We'd had a busy semester and I was looking forward to finally being together as a family (minus our two sons who are in college) for a relaxed Christmas day full of family traditions. I'd put off buying much in the way of gifts because I always felt overwhelmed/discouraged when I'd walk into the stores. Then, just like Scrooge in A Christmas Carol, I felt like I was led by "the Spirit" to see/experience two events that have completely altered the way I will "do" Christmas this year.


First, we went to the college to pick up our mail. Scattered around the campus, like shattered pieces of glass, sat students unable to get back to their islands. They had requested to stay on-campus and do facility maintenance to earn a few extra bucks which will be spent on their favorite affordable food: Top Ramon, raw fish, and various canned meats (Spam being their first preference). When asked what they would do on Christmas Day, they indicated no plans--just hanging out on the all-but-deserted Pacific Islands University campus. Now, you need to know that personal gift-giving is not part of their routine Christmas celebration. They have little cash, and there aren't really stores, as we know them, on most of their islands. However, one thing that is a very important part of their tradition is the gathering of the community for a Christmas celebration with lots of local food taking center stage. Everyone brings their best food to share. It broke my heart to picture these students "stranded" on campus, isolated from their family and homeland, eating dry packages of Top Ramon with Kool-Aid powder added as a special treat.


The second thing that grabbed me was an article in Guam's paper, the PDN. The summary read as follows: "The U.S. Air Force is parachuting about 10 tons of donated items to Pacific islanders throughout Micronesia during the 58th annual Operation Christmas Drop this week. Operation Christmas Drop is the longest running organized air drop in the world and one of the largest charity efforts in the Pacific."


I went to their site: http://www.christmasdrop.com/ and enjoyed wonderful pictures depicting both the process of getting the boxes to the islanders and also life on these remote islands. (I have copied and pasted below a collage of the more poignant pictures.) Having been to some of these remote islands in Chuuk myself, I could totally visualize the excitement of the military personnel in the plane as they fly over what appears to be an endless ocean, when suddenly, the far-off-shape of a green atoll rimmed in white surrounded by crystal clear turquoise water appears on the horizon. As the plane would hone in on one of these remote islands, the personnel would be desperately scouting for the location the natives have chosen for a drop zone. With no telephones or advanced equipment, finding the drop zone can be like finding Waldo! A drop zone can be as simple as a red sheet draped over a tree near the edge of the sea. Several small fishing boats huddle off-shore, waiting to snag the boxes from the tropical waters.


This year alone, Operation Christmas Drop brought tools, medical supplies, food, and gifts to nearly 50 islands in the Pacific. As I read the names of some of the islands receiving drops: Etol, Satowan, Moch, Oneop, etc., faces of our students hailing from these tiny islands appeared in my mind: beautiful faces, luminous eyes, gold-studded teeth, contagious smiles, musically gifted, having overcome impossible odds, and among some of the poorest people in the world. Having LITERALLY no income, these students have experienced life as subsistence farmers/fishermen. The pictures of the tin roofed shacks, schools nearly devoid of supplies, and the primitive attempts to catch rain for drinking water were striking reminders of the third-world conditions from which most of our students at PIU come. The photographs serve as a reality check to the extreme privilege in which we live. As eviscerated as the US economy seems, our housing, clean drinking water, medical care, excellent educational opportunities, and array of foods, demonstrate that we are more than blessed.


All of a sudden, the idea of a traditional Christmas surrounded by family seemed very hollow. This surprised me because I, like I'm guessing most of my American friends, treasure the precious, nearly sacred time spent with immediate family celebrating the birth of Christ. So, why is it that I am more excited about trying to get as many students into our home on Christmas and trying to figure out good gifts to give them than I have ever been about any Christmas past? (By the way, I'm thinking they would each LOVE a case of Top Ramon.) I think that for me, just like for Scrooge, the "Spirit" has "opened my eyes" to see what I have never really seen before. It is not a sacrifice to try to make our money stretch to include gifts for needy Micronesians. It is not a sacrifice to include these students in our Christmas Day traditions. Do you think Scrooge was bummed that "the spirit" had opened his eyes to the needs of those around him and the part that he could play to make a difference? Absolutely not! What excitement and joy we can experience when we respond to "the Spirit."


These pictures were taken from http://www.christmasdrop.com/.

Christmas Party at Our Place!

We had a great Christmas party with some 15 of our students at our home last week. This is a visual blog: take a look at the pictures and you'll see the fun we had. The group consisted of our 2009/10 Traveling Team coming to a city near you this summer. At the end, you'll get a feel for the music we'll bring to the States with us this next summer. Enjoy.

Playing word games:

Daniel and Charles on the barbeque: What's a party in Micronesia without LOADS of food?

Featuring some of the 2009/2010 Traveling Team and some of their hosts:

Our students cracking up at our old photo albums (think Eric in short-shorts, circa 1983):

Ladies and gentlemen, introducing the PIU Traveling Team! (Turn up your speakers)