One Thing After Another, update 10/23/18

Hopefully, this ministry report will be more than a review of how the Merrells are doing. I really don't think our lives are all that different than the life of anyone who is seeking to live for Christ and eternity. Hopefully, you'll not only find out about how and what the Merrells are doing, but you'll also learn something about your own life.

It has been said that this life is just "one thing after another."

Indeed, and sometimes the things come faster than at other times. Life isn't like an action movie where enemies take turns attacking the good-guy. Sometimes they just all pile on. The syndrome isn't unique to missionary life, but it can be harder to deal with when you are away from familiar surroundings. I'll explain as I go along.

The last few weeks have been pretty intense. It looks like that pattern will continue for a while. That's OK. We aren't on vacation.

Most of you know that PIU is in the once-every-ten-year cycle of accreditation. Basically an accrediting agency, in our case the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools (TRACS), examines a school. If that school measures up the agency puts its stamp of approval on the school. This assures those applying to the school that it adheres to high standards in all areas of operation. In order for a college to participate in Department of Education financial aid programs, it must be accredited. In our case, Pell Grants are our biggest source of revenue. PIU has been accredited for more than fifteen years. Currently, that status is being reviewed. The process is much like the process of applying for accreditation and being accepted as an accredited school. If it were easy accreditation would be worthless.

Two aspects of accreditation have had particular impact on me, HM. The first step of the process is for the school to write a self-study. This deals with every aspect of the school's operation and must follow a prescribed format. Since PIU is functioning with a skeleton staff, a lot of the responsibility for writing this falls to me. I don't really mind. It is just something at which I have to persevere. The other trying aspect of reaccreditation is complicated, so I'll simply say that we need to have $86,000 in a reserve fund. This is money is above and beyond our regular operating cash-flow. At the beginning of August, we had $0.00 in this account. As I write it stands at $80,000. I have several assurances that it will be complete. I expect to celebrate before another week passes. Again, I remind you of my anorexic friend above. At present fundraising is my responsibility. We have worked hard to make this need known to those who might choose to partner with us. I thank God for the remarkable progress.

Things, little and huge, add to the busy-ness of life:

 

Small in the cosmic sense, but big to us, has been some work we needed to do on our vehicles. Not long after we arrived. we were given a 2005 Ford Focus. The car is not unlike me. It still runs pretty well, but it shows some signs of wear and tear. A friend did an AC transplant, we had motor mounts put in it, and I put brakes on the front. Almost a year ago I purchased a "beater" pickup. It had major front-end issues. A friend from church helped me (truth be told, he did the job and let me look like I was helping) rebuild the front end and put brakes and shocks all around. I also replaced the fuel filter on the little Nissan. Thankfully, it was back on the road before the little Ford developed a serious growl in the left-rear. You mechanics have already guessed it was a wheel bearing. I'm getting to be a frequent flyer with Rockauto, an online parts store that does deliveries to Guam. My VA buddies will be proud of me. The car spent a bit more than a week on jack stands in the backyard. Part of the process of fixing the car involved boiling the brake-drums. If you want to know "Why?" write back.
Praise the Lord, both vehicles are back in service.

The climate of Guam is hard on car finish. I have been planning for a while to do a paint job on the car. It won't be ready for a car show, but I think it will look better, hopefully, a lot better. My goal is to get it done by Thanksgiving.  Pray for Kathy. She really enjoys driving the car in its present leprous condition.

I'm glad the vehicles are running because I leave for a brief trip to Texas, this Saturday. I'll be attending the TRACS conference and making contact with potential supporters. Son, Chris, and Daughter-in-law Nancy are helping us keep this trip on a cost-cutter budget. Thanks, guys. I'll not only be able to visit with their family, but I hope to meet Christopher and Carrington--Chad's two oldest--for a meal. They still live in Northern Louisiana.

Under the heading of "Big-things":

A week ago we received the tragic news that Edward Hutapea, the husband of one of our board members, Siska Hutapea, died suddenly from a heart attack. Edward was only 48 years old, active, and the father of five children. We mourn with the Hutapea family. This family has a been an outstanding example of redeeming tragedy for the glory of God. The family asked that "in lieu of flowers" funds be donated to a special fund to be given to PIU in honor of Edward. $14,000 of the $80,000 I mentioned above came from this fund. It is an example of something Kathy and I experience often. We aren't worthy.




Pray for Kathy while I'm gone. Kathy is now working two days a week in the front office. She is becoming more comfortable with her first-lady status here on campus. Not only is she the first person people see when they come into our office on Tuesdays and Thursdays--fortunate visitors! She is also the campus hostess, errand runner, decorating constultant, informal counselor to the women students, and major encourager to the President. I am told she'll be teaching music, again, in the spring. Lately she has a helper. Esther Combs is the daughter of Administrative Assistant/Admissions Specialist/Prayer Partner to the President, and all around good guy, Joshua Combs. Esther enjoys hanging out with "Ms. Kathy." It is always good to see them stop by my office.

Here are some Praise & Prayer items:

* We are thankful for good health, good friends, and a lovely place to live.

* We are even thankful for vehicles that run with cold air that comes out of the dash.

* We are majorly thankful for the outstanding response to the fund-drive for the $86,000. 

* We have an outstanding group of people with whom we serve. 

* Pray for them

* In addition to the $86,000 (which I am confident will be in place in a matter of days), there are several other hurdles we need to overcome on our way to seeing our accreditation reaffirmed. The visiting team of inspectors will be here in March. Pray that we will be diligent between now and then.

* Pray that we will keep the eyes of our hearts on people. Jesus didn't die for programs or budgets. They are means to ends. People need the Lord. People need to be taught and discipled so that others will meet the Lord.

Thank you for partnering with us.

Howard & Kathy