A guest post by Rachelle Heverly

As I reflect upon my time on Guam thus far, I am overwhelmed by the experiences, the lessons, and the people especially that have made the “highlights reel” of my trip a never-ending film strip of scenes I’d like to play over and over in my memory…

…From the hospitality of a generous couple to sharing delicious meals and sweet fellowship with welcoming new friends…from an evening stroll through Chamorro Village to sun-bathed days on white-sanded beaches…from the sheer joy prompted by baby Timothy’s smiley giggle to listening to Serenity gleefully shout each new word she learns…from 5-minute guitar lessons under a shady tree to sharing my writing tips with eager young students…from singing worship songs in Chapel that portray our unity as brothers and sisters in Christ to Sunday morning services with the lovely Bradley family… My highlight reel of our short 18 days on Guam could very easily depict each and every moment I’ve been so blessed to experience with these sweet people.

Since I cannot focus on just one particular day or moment or experience, I decided to give you a glimpse into a conversation I was privileged to have with one Mr. Bradley…

I met Mr. Bradley (or “Grandpa Steve” as the students so affectionately refer to him) the day after we arrived on Guam at PIU’s semi-annual prayer meeting and potluck dinner.  He “just happened” to sit next to me in the prayer circle, and we began to get acquainted as we talked about Guam, PIU, and the upcoming conference.  We traded stories about our travels and shared in our mutual love of working with and ministering to young people.  Mr. Bradley mentioned that he teaches a course entitled, “Marriage and Family,” which leads students through a Biblical journey of what a God-honoring marriage looks like–how it should begin (including during the dating/courtship relationship) and how it is sustained.  I knew straightaway that Mr. Bradley was someone I’d be making a point to talk with more….

I naturally gravitate towards the older, white-haired men that God places in my life.  I seize any opportunity to talk with them, to ask questions, and to listen very carefully.  I greatly appreciate the wisdom imparted upon me from men and women of God who have gone before me.  After sitting in on Mr. Bradley’s class (which was much more of a blessing than a lecture), I asked him if he would be available to meet with me some time before I left Guam.  He cleared time in his schedule for the very next day.

While I went into my meeting with Mr. Bradley with some questions of my own, I also looked forward to the opportunity to learn more about this generous man who serves as a volunteer professor each Spring semester.  He travels from South Carolina to Guam on his own dime every January, and he blesses PIU’s students tenfold until he returns to the States in May.  As I chatted with him, I noticed two very obvious things about Mr. Bradley: 1) His heart for God is evident through his love and genuine concern for young people, and 2) His words overflow with encouragement and compassion, and are laced with solid Scriptural references. As a lover of words–written and spoken–I rather enjoyed the rich conversation I shared with Mr. Bradley; but as a young person seeking to honor God in my study of and preparation for marriage, I was blessed beyond measure by his willingness to answer my questions and offer his advice.  You see, Mr. Bradley would have been married for 50 years last year, but his wife unexpectedly passed away ten years ago.  I can still see the sorrow in his eyes.  He speaks of his marriage and his wife as one would expect a godly man of his age to do so–with a lifelong love for the companion God gave to him and with thankfulness that he had forty years to spend with her.  Although his wife is no longer with him on earth, his marriage continues to be a testament to his Savior as he shares the joys and trials of marriage with young people like me. Even though I tend to soak up every bit of godly marriage advice I hear or read, I am aware that marriage is not something I can ever fully prepare for, and Mr. Bradley reminded me of this.  As he prayed for me–an individual who plans and likes to be prepared–he asked God to help me through the times I will certainly endure when things will not go as planned and I will not be prepared, but rather when I will have to learn yet again to depend upon God alone.

I so appreciate Mr. Bradley’s wise, godly counsel–his willingness to take the time to talk with me, to inquire about my upbringing and my father especially (who would have been pleased that I sought advice from a wise man like Grandpa Steve), and especially to pray with me.  Our paths may only cross just this once, but I’ll have the wisdom and encouragement of one Mr. Bradley with me for life.  Thank you, Grandpa Steve, for caring, for sharing your heart with me, and for being a biblical picture of a humble, God-honoring man as you lead and disciple young people.  I, for one, am most grateful God allowed our paths to cross…even if only for a brief time.  I shall thank my God every time I remember you.

Note: Click here to view our Guam Chronicles album

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Rachelle Heverly is a talented editor and writer who interns for Vineworks Publishers. It has been very fun to get to know her better through our Guam adventure.

Maria

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Missionary service is nothing like I have ever experienced, living day to day by the very words I struggle with on a daily basis:

“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (Matthew 6:34)

Deep in my core, I’m a planner… I’m a strategist… I’m a doer… and variables like heat, humidity, and jet-lag throw a monkey wrench into that mix. Then I’m left only with enough energy to sit under a fan or directly across from the air conditioning unit, holding a bottle of water, as I fight heavy eyelids.

Practicing Flexibility

Every morning, I receive an email entitled, “Prayer for Today.”  It comes all the way from San Diego, from my friend and mentor, Joyce Tepfer. She knows me well, so her daily prayer for me is a perfect fit to my circumstances. Today, for example, she’s praying for “Flexibility when things don’t go as planned.”

Flexibility is taking a new meaning.  It’s not the result of premeditation and execution, like when I lift my leg behind my back and hold the stretch for 20 seconds… so I can hike injury free. Flexibility here in Guam, at least for me, is about moment by moment decisions — to pay attention to others… to listen to their stories… to sit quietly and wait for them to say, “Ready to go?” In short, it’s not about me, my sinus infection, my frizzy hair, my agenda…

Making New Friends

New friends at PIU are the fruit in my basket today… and it is lovely.

These are some of the students I have met — my brothers and sisters in Christ in the Micronesia region.  Their world is radically different from mine.  They walk slower… they don’t interrupt conversations to tell you about their American dream… many of them don’t even make eye contact out of respect for you…

These students haven’t had easy lives, but they love being part of PIU. I envy their contentment.  And I love hearing the stories that trickle out of them — slowly — when I’m not in a hurry.  And just for that, I’m grateful for the heat, the humidity, and the jet-lag that have slowed me down for such a worthy occasion.  I think I can call the monkey wrench a Divine Appointment.

“I will praise you, O Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever.” (Psalm 86:12)

I hope to introduce you to some of my new special friends in upcoming posts.

Related

Click here to view our Guam Chronicles album

Guam Chronicles Day 3

Guam Chronicles Day 4

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This day was all about people, praise, planning — and a good dose of humor.

Dave Owen has been educating us on the island-style concept of time.  We learned that it is quite normal for weddings and funerals to start two hours later.  “So what starts on time?” Rachelle asked. “Business meetings,” he said.  The next morning we were having a friendly conversation with one of our jovial new friends (who shall remain nameless) when he looked at his watch and said, “I better go.  I have a meeting that started…13 minutes ago.”  We all looked at each other and had a hearty laugh.

Later in the morning, Rachelle and I visited various PIU classrooms to introduce ourselves to the students.  We wanted them to know that we are here to help with their tutoring needs.

Planning the Story Crafting Conference with Samantha Owen and Lisa Collins was great fun, specially when Eli, Lisa’s son, showed up and demonstrated the use of Story Cubes.

Today’s Challenge

“Paul was devoted to a Person, not to a cause. He was absolutely Jesus Christ’s. He saw nothing else and he lived for nothing else. ‘For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified’ (1 Corinthians 2:2).” Oswald Chambers

Chambers’s reminder — to be “devoted to a Person, not the cause” — hits home today.  I needed this reminder, especially when plans, goals, and decisions get derailed by island-style schedules, jet-lag… or getting lost on the way back from the store and spending the next hour circling the jungles of Guam.

Ultimately, we are doing what we are here to do… We are getting to know the people and their heart for their ministry… And I’m learning that serving them is not about being “the sage on the stage.” It’s about walking up to students, teachers, and staff and being a friend… a peer… “a guide on the side.”

That our focus is on the people before the cause is our prayer today.

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“Be still, O restless soul of mine…. Be still; Be speechless…” The lyrics of Steven Curtis Chapman’s song perfectly capture the theme for today.

Be still and know that He is God
Be still and know that He is holy
Be still, O restless soul of mine
Bow before the Prince of Peace
Let the noise and clamor cease…

Be still; Be speechless

Be still and know that He is God
Be still and know He is our Father
Come rest your head upon His breast
Listen to the rhythm of His unfailing heart of love
Beating for His little ones
Calling each of us to come
Be still, Be still

Learning to Be Still

Guam moves slower than San Diego… and that’s not a bad thing.

I’ve been the first one out of bed in the house for the last three days.  Up by 4:30 AM. Showered and dressed by 5:30 AM, I sit alone at the kitchen table to read My Utmost for His Highest, my favorite devotional, and to meditate on the Word before me. Then I write… uninterrupted until seven.  These 90 minutes of solitude have been precious and concrete reminders that God calls us to be still and know that He is God… (Psalm 46:10)

Football Monday Morning

On our way to Guam, Sam was already planning to ask if our schedule would permit him to watch the championship games and the Super Bowl.  “We are not here to watch football, Honey!”  I chided him.  “What if nobody watches football… but feels obligated to you and in the process we miss opportunities to serve them and God…  You could cause a butterfly effect here, you know.” Aha!  How could he respond to that? Checkmate!

Go figure… He was right.  The Owens host a football open house on Monday mornings (that’s when Sunday football takes place here) and PIU’s staff — men and women — drop by with food and their computers. They work and cheer before heading to the office.  Lots of fun– that is until the President’s team lost  in overtime.  That was a very sad moment, even for the Giants’ fans — who shall remain nameless — who watched the entire game in a state of respectful “stillness” in honor of the host’s exuberance for the 49ers.

@ International PIU

During the afternoon, we joined the faculty and staff meeting.  I believe every continent was represented around that table.  Visiting professors, full-time faculty, and missionary staff energetically contributed to a conversation about policies and programs.  Diverse accents, opinions, and personalities — united by a single focus to serve students and God with excellence — what a beautiful dynamic to witness.

Then I had the privilege to lead a faculty training session, which will continue this Thursday at the home of the Academic VP.  Food, sunset, and learning how to make our teaching stick–that’s what’s in store for us.

Today… we will continue preparations for the Story Crafting Conference…  But through it all, my prayer is that God’s vision for our labor here will materialize as we, San Diegans, slow down… be still and know that He is God.  Would you, my friends, pray to this end as well?

Related Posts

Guam Chronicles Day 1

Guam Chronicles Day 2

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Day 1 is behind us and jet-lag, at least for me, is barely noticeable! I give credit to all of you, my dear friends, who are praying for our adventure.  Thank  you!

“And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.” Matthew 21:22

The weather forecast called for inclement rain and dark clouds for Sunday.  “This is supposed to be Guam’s dry season,” everyone tells us.  “It’s the wettest dry season we’ve ever had.”  Yet, God greeted our morning with a magnificent double rainbow, right outside the kitchen window, announcing that He had planned a special surprise for us.  By the time we got out of church, blue skies and distant puffs of fluffy clouds greeted us.  Thank you, Lord.

New Friends, Praise, and Fellowship

That was the theme for Sunday.  We attended Agana Heights Baptist Church and met some of the warmest and welcoming people I have met.  The message was casual but inspiring, reminding us of God’s heart for music and worship. The pastor, who preached the entire message from a stool, bass guitar in hand, interjected chords of Christmas songs because “every day is Christmas for the Christian.” Then a soft hum and melody of Amazing Grace began to erupt from his guitar… one by one, instruments… then voices, from sits among the congregation, joined in until instruments and God’s people serenaded the heavens with heart-felt praise.  Beautiful!

Creation Declares His Glory

Indeed it does! Joyce Owen, our lovely hostess, drove us to Ritidian Point, an unspoiled treasure of God’s handiwork. White sandy beaches framed by Guam’s National Wildlife Refuge, it is a heaven on earth  facing the Philippine Sea. It was truly medicine for our wilted minds and souls.  Thank you, Lord. You are a Master artist and a generous Father.

Nice to Meet You, PIU

The day culminated with the first prayer & potluck dinner of the semester on the campus of Pacific Islands University. What a trip to walk into a room full of familiar, friendly faces!  We met on Skype last August when I conducted a full day of virtual professional development workshops. Now, in the same PIU classroom where they sat as I taught from my San Diego home office, we  comfortably continued the conversation.  “We are so excited you are here,” they kept on saying.  How humbling. What an honor to be invited to be their colleague and guest for a few days. But I’m not surprised… their praises and prayer requests opened a window into the labor of love they all do here. That’s how we concluded the evening…  everyone sitting around a giant circle to praise God and ask Him for His blessing.

Today, Monday, we’ll begin to put the final touches on the Story Crafting Conference.  But first, we’ll meet again for faculty in-service training — the theme:  “Sticky Teaching…”  May the lessons I bring bless them as much as their heart for the school, their mission, and the students have already blessed me. That is my prayer for today.

Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.”  John 14:13-14

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It’s five o’clock in the morning and Guam sleeps on a pleasantly humid Sunday morning. In a few hours we will head to church.  The San Diego we (Sam, my hubby, and Rachelle, my friend and intern) left Friday morning is already humming on a beautiful Saturday morning.  I can’t wait for the house to get going and to see what God has in store for us today.

God Appointments

Do you believe in God appointments?  Yes, that’s how I call what some refer to as coincidences or serendipity.

Two years ago I was invited to speak at the TRACS Conference in North Carolina–a complete surprise.  I knew only two people from TRACS, Dr. Paul Boatner (TRACS President) and Mary Boatner (his wife). They would be too busy with the conference to ease the mild anxiety that tends to come over me when I enter a banquet hall full of people I don’t know.  So there I was, awkwardly looking for a seat at a table with friendly faces when a nice man said, “I am very familiar with your school,” as he read my name tag.  In the next few minutes I found out that he was David Owen, President of Pacific Islands University (PIU), from Guam and the father of our very own Matt Owen, System’s Librarian at San Diego Christian College and Southern California Seminary. That’s where the Guam connection began.

Over the next few months, David invited me to work with PIU. A year later I conducted PIU’s faculty in-service training via Skype.  Now we are here to serve them. I know this much so far: We’ll take part in a Story Crafting Conference (for which I brought over 4000 story tracts), share our story with various audiences, and serve PIU in any way we can.  Sam will be busy speaking to men’s groups. Rachelle will be tutoring writing students and helping PIU’s library. We come prepared to bless others… but what I know for sure is that God will bless us more.  How? That’s what I can’t wait to find out because He never ceases to amaze me! But I have a feeling that much of that blessing will come from the stories we will hear and capture.

Praising Him Today

• I praise God for His goodness preparing the way that brought us here.  From San Diego to Los Angeles to Honolulu to Guam — 18 hours of travel that could not have gone smoother.  Everyone who has been praying for us: your faithful words to our Lord have been honored and have delivered us safely.
  Praise the Lord
• We praise God for the Owens’ hospitality. We arrived to their lovely home at 9 PM (3 AM, a day earlier in San Diego) to enjoy refreshing conversation.  ”We will keep you up till 10 PM so you don’t wake up at 2 AM” they said. We got a Pacific Islands geography lesson and an update on everything Guam and PIU.
  Praise the Lord 
• I praise God for the stamina and energy to start the day for Him. I’m showered, dressed, and ready to go… but I must let the rest of the gang wake up first. So I thought it would be a good idea to start “The Guam Chronicles.”
  Praise the Lord 
• And on behalf of Sam and Rachelle, I praise God that football parties and a big Super Bowl party have been included in the agenda–an early Happy Birthday gift for Mr. Sam! 

Our Prayer Today

The LORD is my strength and song, and He has become my salvation; This is my God, and I will praise Him; my father’s God, and I will extol Him … Exodus 5:2

If you want to keep up with what’s going on with us on this side of the Pacific, this is where the updates will be posted. You can subscribe to my blog using the form on the right and have the updates come to your inbox automatically.

May God bless your day.

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If you think your story has no power, think again. Today I published one more story at Stories from the Vine and the voices of women who have been moved are still coming in because a story touches the heart and opens it up like nothing else…

It must be my fault!

That’s what my little nine-year-old brain thought. Nothing was ever said again. No justice. No questions. No understanding. Even when…

…I became extremely introverted. Before that day, my mother referred to me as “my little girl who dances on her tip-toes.” I no longer danced. I pulled me inside of me. But no one asked why.

…My grades dropped drastically. Until this time, I had excelled in school. I loved art and music, reading and math—and especially spelling.  Now as I struggled to keep up no one asked why.

…I gained thirty pounds in three months. Still no one asked why, seemingly as if nobody cared.  I was brokenhearted… alone amid people who loved me.

“No one asked why…” are four words that resonated with me as I read the story from my friend and colleague Diane Szuch.  I’m honored to share “Please Heal my Heart” with those who understand or know the meaning of a child’s broken heart–no matter how old one is.

May this be a year in which you give your story away many times that one more person may find hope.

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As we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior, may our hearts be renewed with the hope we have for tomorrow.  May your Christmas celebration be filled with the joy and hope that surpasses all understanding.

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I have been thinking a lot about mentoring lately. In fact, I can’t remember a time in my adult life when I didn’t have a mentor or when I wasn’t mentoring someone else.  Both relationships have enriched my life and shaped the person and professional I am today.

• A mentor’s past experiences save us time and heartache…
• A mentor helps us ask the questions we tend to ignore…
• A mentor is not a sage on the stage but a guide on the side…
• A mentor cheers us on when fear strikes…

If you don’t have a mentor, I highly recommend that you begin praying and looking for one. If you are not mentoring someone else, what’s stopping you? Someone is praying and looking for you.

A life prompt for you:

Who has shaped your life for the better?  What do you need to know to help you inspire the life of another by being a mentor?  Share your comments below.

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Few people have the rare opportunity to sit in the company of genuine World Champions, athletes who have trained and disciplined their minds and bodies to do what very few are ever able to do—consistently win and succeed in their sport and in life.  If you ever get the chance to spend some time with one of them, be still, listen, and learn.

That’s what I was doing this morning while having breakfast with my friend Carolyn Fisher, whose 30 year career in professional arm-wrestling has been marked by five world titles and numerous national and international titles.  You will be hearing a lot more from this amazing athlete and budding author in the near future. Today, I just had to pause and share five lessons I took away from our time together:

1.  World Champions are unapologetically confident.

They have prepared mentally and physically to achieve what few ever do.  They are not afraid to express their opinion and be actively involved in the process that will lead them to new life championships.

2.  World Champions are generous with their knowledge.

They know how hard it is to get where they are and appreciate those who helped them get there.  When others seek their advice, they share it with abandon.  That couldn’t be truer of Carolyn.  If you want to learn how to be a life champion, she’s the gal to call.

3.  World Champions know their limitations.

They know that talent alone does not win championships. They humble themselves to ask for help and seek others who can lead the way to where they want to go.

4.  World Champions are teachable.

Although they know their stuff, they have learned to yield their will to the expertise of coaches who can take their natural talent further.  Carolyn, for example, is grounded in years of training and experience. However, she always arrives to a conversation with her journal and pen in hand.  She’s constantly looking for gems of wisdom; when she finds them, she mines them like mining for gold.

5.  World Champions live for a new challenge.

No matter how many titles they have or how many championships they’ve won, they constantly look forward, not backwards.  They find their energy from winning new battles instead of dusting their trophies.

Your turn

How can you apply some of these lessons to what you are doing?  How can you become a world champion at what you have been called to do? I’d love to read your comments below.

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