The Semester Begins, Prayer Update:

Dear, Howard It's been said that you "can't teach new tricks to an old dog."  I'll not argue about the training of geriatric canines.  I will say that both in our lives and as we work with others who have been around for a while we find that growing and learning has no expiration date. Today is the official start of a class that I'm teaching through the Distance Education division of Pacific Islands University.  The first week of the semester is an add-drop period, so the number could change, but right now four students are takingMarriage and Family, CFOR 303.  Three of them are in Palau, and the other one is a Filipina living in Italy.   The first seven weeks of the semester are being taught "online."  I'll be in Palau for two weeks of lectures (my student in Italy will connect with us via Skype--if we can pull it off--or by recording) October 17-28, and then we'll finish the semester by electronic connection. I have never taught a class in this remotely controlled manner and because of the needs of the students I'm working with, we aren't teaching this class in the way such classes are usually taught.  The short of it is:  We have reduced the need for students to be online to a minimum.  Interaction between me and the students will be mainly via email.  All of the class materials are not only posted on a blog (see the PS), but are also being recorded on disks and sent the old-fashioned way to Palau.  This comment from one of my students explains the need for the duplication, and reversion to some old ways:  "I prefer cd, though,  because many times the internet connection is not so good.  Thank you."  You are welcome.  One of PIU's values is to make education accessible.  We are trying to do our part. I had asked you to pray about my getting ahead enough to get several weeks of work recorded on disks.  I'm glad to report that the recordings of the first four weeks of material arrived in Palau in time for the semester's start.  Please pray as we move ahead. We appreciate your prayer on our behalf.  Here are some updates concerning some prayer requests we have shared. Preparation for Marriage and Family class has gone well. We are thankful for the four students that the Lord has sent us. Our travels have been safe and pleasant. Plans are firming up for Howard's trips to Germany and Palau in October.  In Germany He'll be involved in some strategy meetings and He'll be teaching in Palau. Our missionary colleagues, Steve and Anne, are travelling to other parts of Micronesia.  This is part of their efforts to mobilize Micronesians for missions. I heard good reports about the camp that the Palauan missionary trainees ran. The request that the "Lord  would send forth laborers," is two millennia old.  We are encouraged with our efforts at recruiting worker for the harvest and encouraging those already in the work.  The need goes on. Our plan is to return to Palau for the Spring semester of PIU-Palau.  A lot needs to take place between now and then. We mentioned in a couple of contexts the financial stress at PIU. By God's grace the University met the August payroll.  Finances are very much tied to student numbers. My account of teaching this fall's class is representative of the kinds of obstacles we deal with all the time.  Our student body is made up of people who come from far-flung, isolated communities.  Our means of communication are often limited, awkward and subject to break down--human as well as technological. All that to say that a group of students we had hoped to work with this fall, may not be enrolled in classes.  The financial impact that has on PIU is immediate.  The eternal consequences are far greater. Continue to pray for the PIU staff, administration, and that God will move in key hearts. On the US side we are thankful for opportunities to minister.  Kathy is very busy getting a new season of Coffee Break, ladies ministry, going.  Their kick-off event is tomorrow. LMUSA has been involved in some important conversations in regard to Retreat Ministries.  In particular we are seeking to sharpen our focus of ministry to the "world at our doorstep" in greater New York.  The right people are key. I'll close with a major word of praise.  Many of you have joined us in praying for the Tavarez family.  Alex and Danielle are missionary candidates with LMUSA.  We saw them on our recent trip south.  They plan to work in teaching and student services at PIU.  We had great concern for the youngest Tavarez.  In the womb scans indicated a lung condition that can be very serious. Here is the report from Mom & Dad: "Welcome to the world Meleah Faith Tavarez.  She was born August 24 at 12:34 am. She weighed 5lbs 2oz and is 17 inches long . . .  She is breathing beautifully on her own, no NICU." Meleah is now home with the family.  Doctors will check on her in a couple of months. "Thank you all for your prayers." We will continue to post information about our mission venture, and occasional baby pictures,  at http://micronesianadventure.blogspot.com/.   Our Prayer card is copied at the top of this email.  If you don't have one, and would like to have one, let us know. H&K,  PS: The need for stronger families is not something that is limited to one part of the world.  The material that I'm putting online for my class is hanging right out there where anyone can see it.  Especially since you are supporting us in this venture it is perfectly acceptable for you to use this material to enrich your family, or to help a family that could use some encouragement.  One of the text books we are using can be obtained for free, the others are quite reasonable.  Links as to where you can find them are on the syllabus.  You can access this materialat http://piucfor303.blogspot.com/. In addition to my stuff, you will find material from guest lecturers like Bud Abbott, Lou Costello, and Daffy Duck. While Kathy and I keep busy, as it is, we do want to be used as God gives us opportunity.  As you read through and listen to this material, if you think of ways that we might be able to share in your church or group, don't hesitate to get in touch with us.

Video of Palau

Here is the video we weren't able to play tonight at our Missions Night.
It gives some lovely views of our other home.  President Remengesau, who does the narration, stopped in a youth meeting Kathy and I were attending, when we were in Palau last winter.
Enjoy.
https://www.facebook.com/natgeoexplorers/videos/920125158041306/

Prayer update from the Merrells

Dear, Howard (This has been idling in my mailchimp outbox for a couple of weeks.  I'm sorry to keep you waiting.  The delay has given me an opportunity to update a couple of things.  In order to help you keep the time-flow straight I'll put the updates in italics.) Kathy and I wanted to give you an update on how the Stateside part of our ministry is going.  (If you remember our plan is to be in Micronesia, working with Pacific Islands University, for four months of the year, and here in Covington, working with Liebenzell Mission for the other eight months.)  As you probably know, we arrived here in Virginia, by way of Louisiana and Texas, in the middle of May.  We have been busy ever since.  For one thing we have been catching up on household chores.  I'm a little over half done (about 3/4 done, now) painting the garage.  That's a warm-up for doing some patching and then painting the house.  I got our garden in late, but it has done pretty well (even better with recent rain).  We'll be sitting down to a supper that includes some fresh veggies. Since I no longer have a week-to-week position at Covington Bible Church, I found myself without an official workplace.  Kathy offered to help me set up a place in our house, but I seem to work best--not to mention allowing Kathy to work best by getting out of her way--when I can go to work.  So I built a study that is so small that in order to get the desk out, one will have to tear the room down.  It takes up 40 sq. ft. in the corner of ourgarage.  Kathy has been busy as well, catching up on her household stuff, teaching piano, and getting ready for fall ministry.  We were blessed to have Chris, Nancy, Silas, and Kira here for two weeks back in June. We have been active in ministry related to our missionary job.  We just came back from a trip to LMUSA headquarters where we met with some other personnel.  We were working on plans for recruiting and missionary care.  Last Sunday we were privileged to give a report on our work to our homechurch.  I have done some traveling on behalf of the mission and will be doing some more.   On our trip to Schooley's Mountan, LMUSA HQ, we were able to say hi to Addie, Namelo Addss.  She and Scott Refilong are Pacific Islands University students spending time at at LMUSA, gaining valuable ministry and cultural experience.  We here excellent reports from them and Bill Schuit at LMUSA.  We hope that this internship can become an annual event. They are representative of the kind of young adults we are investing in. This fall I'll be teaching a hybrid class, part online and part classroom, Marriage and Family.  I've been reading a lot, working on my syllabus, and trying to get everything ready. We have been busy.  (That prep. is intensifying.) In the midst of this busy summer we want to take time to Praise the Lord:   We are well. The class preparation is going pretty well. All of our contacts with our partners have been a great joy--what a privilege. Our support base has been solid. Howard was able to participate in the dedication service for Eli Ojodomo Abraham.  Mom, Alexis, and Dad, Moses, are missionaries with LMUSA.  Five generations are in the picture above. We would appreciate your prayers: Preparation for classes. Pray that the Lord will send us the students He wants us to work with. Continued safety in travel.  Kathy and Howard will be taking a car trip this weekend.  Part of it will be celebration of our 44th Anniversary.  Part of it will be to encourage some LMUSA personnel    In October Howard will be traveling to Germany for some strategy meetings and to Palau to teach the classroom part of the Marriage & Family class. Pray for our missionary colleagues in Palau, Steve and Anne.  They are getting toward the last phase of training the first foreign missionaries from the Palauan Evangelical Church. BTW, those trainees are running a camp this week.  (Now past.  It was successful.  Pray for the kids who attended.) Click on the photo to see a quick video. Pray that the Lord will bless our efforts at recruiting worker for the harvest and encouraging those already in the work. Our plan is to return to Palau for the Spring semester of PIU-Palau.  A lot needs to take place between now and then. As we mentioned above, we are very thankful to have you as a partner with us in this venture.  I just talked with David Owen, president of PIU.  The end of summer is always a difficult time financially.  This summer is no exception.  Unless there are some unexpected donations to PIU, this week, we will not be able to meet our payroll this Friday.  (Some of us who serve at PIU serve as missionaries.  Our support comes through partners like you.  Others serve as employees of the school.  These are the folk who are on my heart. Please join us in praying for the PIU staff, administration, and that God will move in key hearts. Should the Lord so move in your heart, you can use our online donation link. As we get to know more about the church in Micronesia, and indeed God's work all around the world, we see more and more evidence that qualified leadership is key.  We are investing ourselves in efforts that will lead to a new generation of women and men who will lead the church into the beyond. I'm not sure how bold we are, but we are going where we haven't gone before.  Thanks for partnering with us. Howard for both K & H (or as one of our young partners calls us, "Koward and Hathy") We will continue to post information about our mission venture at http://micronesianadventure.blogspot.com/.     Our Prayer card is copied at the top of this email.  If you don't have one, and would like to have one, let us know.