The study center I worked on all summer opened when classes started. Some days every computer is in use. On other days - not so many. Below is a picture of the Study Center.
Soon after classes began, we had our annual Pacific Islands University / Lutheran Church of Guam challenge cup. PIU got to keep the cup for another year. Below, the ladies are getting ready for the volleyball games which PIU won because we were ahead when it started to rain!. LCG won the basketball but PIU won the tug of war 2 to 1.
One evening we held a Mystery Dinner for the ladies. It was like a progressive dinner but the students did not know what was coming next - snacks? main dish? salads? We staff stayed where we were and the students went from place to place. At first the students were a little shy but we had ice breaker questions and by the time the fifth group came around it was a grand time and we didn't need the questions. After all the students had been to each "station", we took all the food to the main classroom and ate some more and then there were a couple of games. In one of the games, 2 student would get a card that would say something like "cheek to shoulder". The picture below I got by pointing the camera up from the floor because the students were bent way over.
Three of the ladies wore a beautiful picture in blue.
At Pacific Islands University, we have "community groups" where students and staff are assigned to a group. We have had 2 activities. One day we met in the pavilion for lunch. The next outing was a boonie stomp to Paget Cave. I had been there before so I knew I could make the trip on my own but the men students in our group are so chivilrous. I had help over the difficult bits so I did not have to slide down on my rear and there was one spot going up I was glad for a hand to pull me up where there was a really big step. Larry (a missionary instuctor) runs every day and he beat us back to the car by a long shot. Melody and I brought up the rear during the section that is just steep enough to get us puffing every 50 - 100 feet.
Good exercise. When we got back to campus, we spoiled it with ice cream cones. Mint Chocolate - yum, yum.
Not everything has been fun and games. It is only with the Lord's help that I have been dealing with GTA (the local telephone company) who supplies DSL to the library and Study Center. It was immediately evident after classes began that we were having internet speed problems. We are still experiencing internet slowness. The conclusion is that we are located too far from GTA's office in Mangilao to get consistent service. I would appreciate your prayers and we discuss what we will do about the problem.
I have been doing some wood working. I finally got my scroll saw up and running and below are some of my new "tropical" themed boxes. What I have made was in a show last Saturday and I sold one box and a couple of other things. I will be looking at where I can offer my work for sale. One thing I will do is add another page on this blog where I can list some of my craft/art work.
This is one of my turned things. It is two cup shapes to be a "latte stone".
I also have made some scroll saw boxes. Here are some pictures of my boxes.
For two weekends I looked for a bay where fellow staff member Melody Plaxton told me there was sea glass to be found. I was told the first time that the bay was on the Pacific side so I didn't go far enough but the ride was fun anyway as I enjoyed God's creation of the beautiful scenery.
The second time I tried I knew the bay was on the Phillipine Sea side of the island and I found it! This is what I picked up -- drying after soaking in clorine bleach to that they do not stink.
One day I went snorkeling with friends Laura and Jen where we encountered a blue starfish which is on Jen's head and my hand:
Back into it's own environment on the sandy bottom:
Every once in a while I am reminded that for most people, English is not their first language:
I hope you have enjoyed these pictures. I am so blessed to be here on Guam serving God at Pacific Island University. There are many other things that I do not have pictures of. Pictures of chapel where God is worshiped. Pictures of the Lutheran Church where God is worshiped in song, prayer, preaching, praises, and fellowship with fellow believers. Every other Sunday night the PIU staff meets for prayer. We learn the needs of the university and the people involves and pray for each other.
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