If you visit Guam you will see representations of the Latte Stone, pronounced “lah-dee,” adorning everything from public buildings to T-shirts marketed to tourists.  The real thing, however, was not merely decorative.  Latte Stones were used for a thousand years or more as foundations.  Think of a picnic shelter, with these artistically carved columns holding up the roof.

Foundations--they are incredibly important.  Jesus spoke about building our life on the rock (Matthew 7:24-27).  The Apostle Paul said he had bee

n privileged to lay a foundation (1 Corinthians 3:10).  He cautions those who come behind him to be sure to build something worthwhile on that rock-solid base. 

In the last century, for some only the last half-century, the people of Micronesia have been pulled from a life of subsistence farming and fishing into the 21^st Century with all its politics, temptations, innovations, and opportunities.  You can see from the pie-chart that Pacific Islands University is a broad cross-section of the people of Micronesia—

Chuukese, Palauan, Yapese, Pohnpeian, Marshallese, and Chamorro.

Thank you for partnering with us to help “prepare men and women with a biblical worldview for leadership and service in life, work, and ministry in the global community and the church” (PIU Purpose and Mission Statement).  Your prayers and gifts are greatly appreciated.   In order to further this partnership, we are setting up a blog, H&K’s Micronesian Adventure (http://micronesianadventure.blogspot.com/), where we’ll post frequent updates.  If you want to talk to us Skype to Skype, reach us at howard.merrell.  On Skype we can use video if we want.  Sorry Apple-ites, We aren’t set up for Facetime.

We have also set up a Skype number.  You can call 540 784 1195 from any cell or landline phone, and it will ring on our computer or tablet.  (It won’t cost you any more than any other phone call to Lexington VA.  For many of us, that’s free.)  Keep in mind that the time on Guam is EST + 15 hours.  Skype does have voicemail, though.  Leave us a number and we’ll get back to

I’m planning to be on Guam around 3/18, Kathy will be there shortly after April 2.  Again, thank you, and we’ll stay in touch.