It has been such an adventure since being here. My skin is so dark I'm turning into a Pohnpeian ;) I've only burnt myself once but that was enough for me. Sunscreen has become my best friend. Believe it or not, I never used sunscreen and bug spray in Africa like I do here.
Enough of that :) I love it here! Pohnpeian people know how to laugh and enjoy life. There seems to never be a dull moment. This school has about 100 students and half of them are from here in Pohnpei! I love that we get to do this journey with locals and learn from them. There is nothing that excites me more than seeing people hunger for Jesus and willing pursue Him at all cost. God is moving here in Pohnpei and the young and old desire to release the Kingdom of God here on earth!
I live in a place called Nihco Marine Park. I think if you google it, you'll be able to see their website and it will give you a good picture of where I'm staying. The owners of the park opened it up to us for these next few weeks while we are in school. They're not Christians and none of their workers are so it has been an absolute joy to be here and bless them. Everyday we have class here talking about Jesus in english and pohnpeian over loud speakers :) I'm excited to see what God does. Here is how you can pray for the Pohnpeian people - A lot of the Pohnpeian people use sakau (sa-cow) and beetle-nut as numbing drugs. Sakau is a plant they beat with rocks to get the juice and drink and beetle-net is some kind of powder they chew. Even young children chew beetle-net not really understanding what it is but it is highly addictive. Depression is a big issue here so suicide and these numbing drugs are common. Take heart! I've been so amazed at Gods goodness :) Some of the Pohnpeian students here have shared their testimonies and God is moving in the hearts of these people! Gods arms are wide open and His children are running into His arms finding joy that cannot be quenched by the trials of this world. His JOY is our strength!
Speaking of His joy being our strength....I climbed the tallest mountain here in Pohnpei where you can look out and see the whole Island. Personal opinion - you can get a better view from the airplane ;) Haha! It was a great experience and probably the hardest thing I have ever done in my life. We had a guide but he couldn't remember the way so we made our own path HA! I cried about four times :) It's funny now but in that moment I thought I was going to die on that mountain. There were times that we had sheer drops on either side of us and other moments we had to go down such steep mountain sides that we would slide hang onto trees and then slide hoping to catch the next tree. I don't think I can paint a clear picture with my words to even explain what it was like. Good news - the guide knows that shortest route now and the other groups won't have to experience all we had to! Our guide was amazing even though he didn't know the way and I was so thankful for him. This mountain is one they train their military and police on and he said he was impressed we made it to the top :) I've never been so happy to be on solid ground!
I learned a lot about myself on this journey and it probably won't stop there. I've had some struggles but I'm leaning on my beloved knowing that He has good things for me. I'm learning that God brings things up in our hearts not to condemn us and rub our failures in our faces, but He does this because He cares! He gives us opportunities to become more like Him. We are going from glory to glory!
Healings:
A woman with extreme pain in her abdomen was healed.
A woman who could hardly walk because of bad knees danced in church!
Legs have grown out!
Back pain gone!
A mans eye infection has been reduced...we'll be praying for him again :)
I love you all and miss you! Thank you for all your prayers and support :) Be blessed!
