MOVING AHEAD WITH PURPOSE, 4/26/21

 Dear Students,

 

For both of us, this is a busy time.
You have seen me working on the projects, getting ready for the on-campus graduation and trying to get some things finished before we 

leave. You haven't seen the prep for the Board meeting and other completion of presidential tasks. Likewise, I see you going and coming from class and doing your Clean & Green tasks, but much of what you do is out of sight. 
A little while ago, I saw a couple of alumni working on the sixth porch-roof/awning (classroom 1a). They were about to get to a critical point in the process--once you get to that point you have to go on. We are all at that point in our studies and work. To quit prematurely would be bad. Keep on!

Kathy and my time is really filling up. Right now, I'm at Faith Church. Kathy is practicing music with the praise team. I figured I would take a few minutes, while I'm waiting, to write to you. It might be my last chance. 

To serve here at PIU, in spite of COVID and other difficulties, has been a great privilege. It has also been heartbreaking at times. Watching students grow, mature, and become more Godly is a great privilege. Seeing you avoid chapel, sleep through church on Sundays, and stubbornly hold onto those things that are destructive of life in its fullness is hard to watch. One of the wonderful realities that I have observed during a lifetime of ministry, is that God is always willing to meet us where we are. It may be too late to redeem your grade in whatever class. It isn't too late to take the right step in your walk with the Lord. If you are going the right direction, keep on.

Two, really big events take place on Saturday. You are all aware of Graduation. Alex and others have done a good job of letting you know all about it.
Right now, let's all say "Boo, Hiss!" concerning the regulations we have to follow.

Now that we are done with that, let's go on and make the most of this. Our graduates are worthy of honor. Let's make sure that we properly recognize them. Graduation is at 5:30 on Saturday. Please check with Alex if you have questions about attendance at Graduation.

The second event (second in this email, but first in time--4:30, Saturday--is the dedication of the main building as the Ezra 7:10 Building. Most of you didn't know my predecessor, Dr. Dave Owen. He was (or do I say, "Is?") Mama Joyce's husband. He was my friend. If you want to find out more about Dave,, watch this video,  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mD7B3xgoQqw.
Dave was a scholar and he dearly loved the students of PIU. Of the four people who have served as President of PIU, Dr. Roland Rauchholz, Dr. Bill Wood, Dr. Dave Owen, and me, even though Dave is the youngest, he is the youngest, he is the first to enter heaven. Dave also served longer as president than any of the rest of us.  
The roof repair, painting, and some other work (not the bathrooms) are being paid for by the Dr. Dave Owen Memorial Fund.
 

Please note, that we have to limit those who can come to this dedication ceremony. Basically, the only ones who can attend are those who have graduation tickets, or one of the few guests that Mama Joyce is able to invite. If you attend the event in person, you will need to wear a mask and observe social distancing. The Dedication will be broadcast via Zoom. If you want the link, write to me, hmerrell@piu.edu..

Since time might get away from me and I might not have the time to write to you again. I want to say a few things that are matter-of-fact but important to me.

• After May 5, I will no longer be using my PIU email. I will use covbchm@gmail.com as my address. It already works so you can
   use it now. Kathy's non-PIU email is kmusiq@gmail.com.
• You can also find Kathy and me on Facebook. I know it hard for you to believe this, but we use our real names on Facebook.
• Kathy and I llve in a beautiful area of Virginia known as the Alleghany Highlands. We would welcome any visitors.
• This life we live is full of change. The change of Presidents is just one of those changes. The next President will be somebody different, in many ways, than me. Please show the same love and kindness to the next President that you have shown to Kathy and me.
• Live for Jesus.
• Do your work.
• Pick up the trash, whether it is yours or not.
• Change the world.

By His Grace, 
Howard Merrell

2/8/2021

 Hey, students. 

I'm behind on writing to you. I really apologize.

• You already received a note from Alex concerning the Choram family and a collection you students are taking. Thank you for doing this.
  Please continue to pray for this family.
• Library week is coming up. Watch for more info.
• Thanks for a productive Clean & Green. As someone who lives on campus, I really appreciate it.
• The roof project is on pause. It won't be stalled for long, though. The patch and repair part of the project is finished. We are waiting for the coating product to arrive from the mainland. The company that supplies the product is based on Guam. The product is manufactured on the mainland. You may be interested in seeing some of the buildings on which this product has been used, http://unitedshieldsproducts.com/gallery.php. PIU is in good company.
  The coating should arrive on February 17. In the meantime, please report any leaks you observe so they can be fixed before the coating phase begins. We want to move ahead with upgrades on the main building. There may be opportunities for you to get your hands dirty and help us move forward. Let me know of your interest.
• This roof repair is being paid for from the "Dr. Dave Owen Memorial Fund." Check out the blog. Please let your family, church leaders, and others know about this. Share the link with them.
• Webit Ersin recently lost his dad. Please pray for the family.
• Get your work done. Let's make the most of this semester. It is a great opportunity.

   “So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts. And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Ephesians 5:15–20, NLT)  

Howard Merrell
President, Pacific Islands University

Missionary with LMUSA

671 734 1812, ext.15 / hmerrell@piu.edu

1/17/21, It's good to be back. We miss you.

 

Hey PIU Students, this is the latest edition of the . . . President to Students  News.   Mama Kath and I are very thankful. I thought you might like to see our family, so I posted the picture above that was taken just a few weeks ago, in South Carolina. We missed our PIU Family, but it was great to spend time with our stateside family. Our older son, Chad, lives about five hours South of our Virginia home in Rock Hill South Carolina. Our son from Texas, his family, our grandson from Louisiana, and our granddaughter and her husband from Utah all came to Chad's house for Christmas. Our #2 granddaughter, Maddie, even invited her fiance' over so we could meet him. We spent eight days in South Carolina. Since Chad and Tanisha's house was so full, we slept, except for Christmas Eve, at Kathy's sister's house about thirty minutes away, So we got to visit with that part of the family as well. While we were in Virginia, before the trip to South Carolina we were able to meet Kathy's brother and his wife, for a leisurely meal. We really enjoyed connecting with family. In the picture above, left to right: Chad &Tanisha, Harrison & Carrington Haley, Kendal (Kala's friend), Christopher (the drummer from Louisiana, Kira (Texas), you know the next two, Silas (Texas), Madeline (the engaged one), Nancy & Chris. In front is Ava and four-legged Lucy. Our travels all went well. We enjoyed attending our home church, though, like everywhere, many aren't able to attend. We appreciated the opportunity to rest. THANK YOU, LORD. Even though we have been in quarantine since we got back, we are thankful to be back home on Guam. Even though we haven't seen most of you, it is comforting to be near. Thank you, Lord.    Most of you have no way of knowing, but a major project is taking place on campus. A contractor, Colordyn of Guam is doing repair and recoating the entire roof on the classroom/office/Men's dorm building. Please help us let others know about this project. It is being paid for with funds from "Dr. Dave Owen Memorial Fund (DDOMF). As is true for many things, COVID-19 has interfered with our completing this fundraising campaign. In spite of the pandemic, enough money had come into this fund to finance this key project. In case you don't remember or hadn't noticed, let me remind you that this roof project is part of a series of improvements that have already taken place, and others that, by God's grace, will take place. Some of you will remember that, under the direction of Victor Billy, students installed new trim (the brown boards you see right below the metal roof) around most of the building. Over the past four years, Under the direction of operation manager, Mama Cel, and Student Development VP, Alex, we have replaced or repaired numerous aircon units. Financed through USA grants, we upgraded appliances and furniture in the Men's dorm (Women's dorm also). Not-a-master plumber, HM, with lots of help from students and others, installed new toilets in several bathrooms. He-is-a-master locksmith, Phil, installed a new door in the Men's Dorm (and Women's). He installed new locks on virtually all doors to the outside and re-keyed many others. This enabled serious upgrades to all the other front-side doors. This included... Painting all the front-side doors, Mama Kath. Repairing the roof allows us to proceed to some other interior projects. The problem at this point, is we are basically spending all the money currently in the DDOMF on the roof project. Please encourage church leaders. alumni, and others to join in this project that PIU students began. As you see on the blog describing this project. Part of the goal of DDOMF is to name this born-again building, the "Ezra 7:10  Building" in honor of past President and Mama Joyce's late husband, Dr. Owen. Thank you, Lord, that we are able to move ahead with this project that PIU students kicked off. Thank you, students. Kathy and I have been home-bound since we arrived back. I really missed not being able to get out and see all the hard work going on yesterday--projects to prepare for the start of the Spring Semester, week. Yesterday was a workday, and from what I heard, and continue to hear, a lot of work was done.  I'm also aware that since the last time I walked around campus, more than a month ago, a lot of work has been done to keep things up. Thanks, Thank you, students, and other volunteers. (We miss you Victor Billy.) Perhaps, the biggest thanks of the day: In answer to many prayers, we will be starting our Spring classes in the classroom, in person. Perhaps you are among those who had had enough of online classes and had decided not to return this semester. The online-only restriction is no more. I encourage you to reconsider. Don't delay. Yes, we have to wear masks and respect other regulations, but we get to be together. Please join in praise. THANK YOU, LORD, for PCOR2 status that begins tomorrow and the opportunity to have in-person classes. As I write this, my thanksgiving comes from both sides of the world and beyond. Above all the reasons for thanks I offer above is thanks for what Paul called the "indescribable (precious beyond telling) gift." (2 Cor. 9:15) I am reminded that the best thanksgiving is not given in words, spoken or written, but in actions, deeds of kindness, worship, dedication, and sacrifice. As we begin this semester we best show our THANKS by using all that the Lord has graciously given us to His glory. Thanks for reading,    The Prez

1/6/2021

 

I have heard from people all over the world who shared the same sentiment about the passing of 2020 and the arrival of 2021.

A summary:

Good riddance to the Old Year and 

A hearty welcome to the New!

 

If it were only that easy. A new set of numbers on a calendar changes nothing.

BUT, I’m glad to say we can expect change—change for the better. Get ready for it. Drum-roll, please!

On January 18 a new semester at PIU will begin, and we’ll be holding classes together in a classroom, actual people together in one place with a teacher there too.

GovGuam has announced that on January 18, in-person instruction will once again be permitted. The PIU Administration decided that the best way to take advantage of this opportunity is for us to delay the start of our Spring Semester so we can start in the classroom. So, classes will begin January the week of January 18. We’ll be sending out more information in next couple of days, but let me answer a couple of questions here and now:

·         We realize there may be reasons why some of you cannot attend classes on site. Communicate with us. We will accommodate your needs if we can.

·         If the government reinstates the prohibition on in-person instruction, we will be ready to finish the semester online. We’ll work with you.

·         We will be abiding by the regulations GovGuam has established. Masks, social-distancing and other precautions will be required, but let’s not forget this is a welcome step in the right direction.

·         We’ll update the schedule, but it will be unchanged except it will start a week later, and the classes in the schedule will be meeting on-campus.

Please take this opportunity to spread this good news. PIU is open more than ever. It is a great time to apply Ephesians 5:16, “making the most of every opportunity.” Watch for more information. Get in touch with us.

By His Grace,

The Prez

11/2/2020

Hey PIU Students, this is the latest edition of the . . . President to Students News.

Hey, look at the picture, above. Don't forget the goal. 

 At our Sunday Worship and Praise (SWAP) time, Alex Tavarez brought an excellent message. From my perspective, it didn't hurt that he started with one of my favorite verses in the Bible, Psalm 46:10. I have shared Psalm 46 with hundreds of people during times of tragedy. Every time I do, I am struck with the power and majesty of verse 10.

  ““Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”” (Psalm 46:10, NASB95) 

Alex's message was about being still. That's how most translations translate the first two words of the verse, "Be still." As Alex pointed out, though, there are clearly times when it is wrong to just do nothing. Alex used doing homework as an example. While you may wish that you could agree with the idea, I think we all know that saying, "I'm just going to be still. I'm not going to do my homework." is almost always a wrong response. 

The Bible is full of commands and exhortations to do something. 

• Jesus said to "Seek first [God's] Kingdom" (Matt. 6:33). 
• In the same chapter, he commands us to pray (6:9). 
• The Apostle Paul adds that we should pray without ceasing (1 Thes. 5:17). 
• We are to do our best in regard to the study of the word (2 Tim. 2:15). 
• We are to be eager to do good deeds (Titus 2:13 & 1 Peter 3:13). 

The Christian life is not a life of leisure. Yet, I want to clearly say, I totally agree with what Alex had to say. So, how do I know when to work hard, even harder, and when to cease striving and let God? 

What I am about to write is totally inadequate as a complete explanation. I do believe, however, that these four points will get you started on finding the right balance. I'll word them personally. Each of us needs to apply this to our own life. 

1. KNOW that my strength, my resources, my cleverness, charm, etc. are always insufficient. Read
   
   
   what Jesus had to say about this in Matt. 6. This truth is obvious when God "shows up" in unexpected, unexplainable ways and does what we could never do on our own. It is equally true, however, when I can track something that gets done back to something that I have done. In reality, everything I do is done by God's power, with His enablement, and His permission. ““I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.” (Galatians 2:20, NASB95) 
2. DISCERN: Is this a situation in which there is nothing I can do or one in which there is something I should do. As point #1 implies, there is almost always a measure of both. Another way to put it is I should do what I should--OBEY--and TRUST God for that which is beyond my reach. 
3. BE HONEST with myself and God. "God, in obedience to You, it looks like this is what I should do. I confess, Lord, this problem that needs to be solved, is something that is beyond my ability. I'm going to do what I should do, and trust You for what I can't do. And, Lord, I might have this wrong. Please correct me and guide me, as I proceed." 
4. STAY CLOSE! Really this should be a part of every point. Am I spending time in the Word? Am I praying? Am I part of an assembly of God's people where others can guide and help me? 

There are a lot of things to pray about. I'll just mention one, right now. Please pray for Mama Cel. She has cataract (eye) surgery on Wed. 

Do what you should. Trust God for what you can't. Live for Jesus. Pray for one another. 

By His Grace, 

The Prez.

9/14/2020

 

Hey PIU Students, this is the latest edition of the . . . President to Students  News.   When it's raining out and you're stuck on campus, it looks like a boring day, right? Wrong, some of our students decided it was a perfect day for Volleyball. Look at this picture. You probably think it is one of the Zoom meetings that it seems like we just can't avoid. It looks that way, but, wrong. A few of we oldsters recognize it as the opening picture for an old TV series, "The Brady Bunch." Things aren't always what they look like at first glance. Recently Alex Tavarez challenged us, based on some great models, to see things differently and do it in a way that makes a change for the better. Daniel and his three friends (read Daniel 1) had been captured by a conquering army and taken hundreds of miles away to Babylon. They would never see family or home again. They lost their freedom. They had to adapt to a strange culture and learn the language of their enemies. Even their names were changed. Yet, these guys impacted their new nation-home for the God of the Bible. Though they had to leave their people, their story has inspired the Jewish people for two-and-a-half millennia. It still inspires God's people. Things aren't always what they seem, at first. Let me modify a saying we use in the Mainland. "It is hard to soar with the Eagles when you spend your time with the chickens in the yard." That saying applies perfectly to Joshua. Joshua had just spent forty years with a bunch of losers--because of their unbelief and disobedience, they lost their opportunity to enter the Promised Land. Now Joshua was leading their children and grandchildren into their new home. Before they could move in, though, they had to move the old residents out. Unfortunately, the kids and grandkids had learned how to whine and complain from their parents and grandparents. It doesn't sound like a very attractive job, does it? Read what God told Joshua. “Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them. Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”” (Joshua 1:6–9, ESV) The bold portion is our theme verse for the year.   One of the shaping influences in my life came from that great generation that fought in World War 2. I knew men who fought in Europe. I met a man whose toes froze in the Battle of the Bulge, and another who lost his sight. I knew a sailor who served on a battleship in this region. Another man I used to visit flew on a bomber out here in the Pacific. I visited my Uncle's grave in France. He came ashore at Normandy and never got home. These men modeled doing what you ought to do even when it is hard. I'm glad they did. That's our challenge to you. Like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah make up your mind to serve the Lord (Daniel 1:8, "Daniel was determined. . . .") Like Joshua, "Be strong in the Lord" (Joshua 1:9). Like my Dad and his brothers, do something that will make the world better   Here is a song we used to sing when I was a child in Sunday School, only these young people sing it much better than we used to. It captures much of the thought that Alex has shared with us, DARE TO BE A DANIEL!   Live for Jesus. Pray for one another. By His Grace, The Prez.

July 20, 2020

Hi students,

I don't have time to go to Mail Chimp and put together a pretty email, so this will have to do.

Tuesday is Liberation Day in Guam. Many of the usual festivities will not be held because of the ongoing Covid-19 Pandemic. I hope we can have a great day in spite of the limitations. Liberation Day remembers July 21 in 1944 when US forces liberated Guam from Japanese occupation. Our own Celia Atoigue has stories from her family about this part of the history of Guam.

Freedom, Liberty is an important virtue. Scripture speaks about the greatest liberty.

 “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” (John 8:36, ESV)

“For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another.” (Galatians 5:13–15, ESV)

 Like any precious gift, we should use our freedom responsibly. What are you doing with yours? What am I doing with mine?

In my seven decades of life, I have noticed that the abuse of freedom leads to entrapment, slavery, and an utter inability to enjoy liberty.

• I may be free to indulge in bad habits. I don't have the liberty to be free of the consequences.
• Doing the right thing is frequently hard, but not doing what is right often leads to a loss of freedom.
• “Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness?” (Romans 6:16, ESV) 

In this Covid-19 infected world, how is your freedom being limited? I'm sure that you join me in looking forward to the day when we will be liberated from this virus. But, what can we do in the meantime? 

Instead of focusing on the restraints that are placed on you from the outside, take a look at those your own behavior is imposing. What are you doing or not doing that limits your freedom now, or will limit it in the future? Let's do something about that.

How about making Tuesday a personal Liberation Day? Make a decision to stop allowing Covid-19, the government of Guam and other forces beyond our control to hold us captive. We may have to wear a mask, but our freedom in Christ is not diminished.  Let me know how I can pray for you.

   “Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God.” (1 Peter 2:16, ESV)

Watch for an invitation from Mama Kath. She has some Liberation Day plans you'll like. You will have the freedom to attend.

Here is a video that gives information about fall plans at PIU. 

One more thing. Kathy and I don't want to diminish the many other good options that you have for Sunday worship, but we are willing to give you a ride to Faith Church. Let us know if you want to attend with us.

Freely, 
Howard Merrell (The Prez)