Prior to welcoming this new year we had a wonderful Christmas gathering and fellowship in Beach Grove, Indiana as according to our program for annual PNG Students Fellowship in the USA. Jack Yakura, one of our Ministerial student from Penview Bible Institute was the speaker while Pr. Robin Pinpal another Ministerial student of ours from Hobe Sound Bible College took in charge of the Sunday Schools. What a joy it was to be in the house of the Lord gathered with the saints to celebrate the unusual birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who was incarnated and took flesh on him to dwell among mankind on earth. We enjoyed and celebrated together as the King was born in the manger. Obviously the manger simplifies our sinful heart.
Christmas is not an ordinary day of celebrations in terms of buying gifts and presents, but it's a time of reflection on our lives. It's a time to evaluate our lives according to the (scripture) word of God. We ought to evaluate our self and know that this extra ordinary birth from a virgin who was conceived of the Holy Ghost. Having that in mind we should accept the World's Greatest Gift (Jesus) in our lives with joy and a grateful hearts. Jesus is the eternal gift that God had bestowed upon mankind. Jesus Christ is a special gift that we ought to embrace within our hearts. Any gift on earth is earthly, unworthy and durable. Jesus is the universally eternal gift that brings live and with Christ comes the abundance of blessings that flows out of heaven. Thank God for this very special Gift. John 3:16, For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life. Jesus Christ is the gift to earn everlasting life..Amen!
January 4th, 2011. School Registration
Did registrations for classes. Prior to registration I hadn't had a single penny to do registration but God is awesome and comes in at his timing. I had submitted a letter of appeal for my scholarship extension for a year. I walked into the financial aid office to check this out, praise God it was approved. I stood there in the office speechless in front of the financial aid officer when he told me my scholarship appeal was approved. I thank God for intervening in this huge financial need. Little that I needed to complete my registration I got it from my car sale. Attended classes as usual and work program as usual, night guard on campus. The weather is pretty bad, cold and chilly with snow falling 3-4 inches. Just had a day's classes cancelled due to bad weather.
Just visited two schools for my observations and field experiences. There wasn't much new things although it was in a different cultural setting, but the only difference I've seen were the curriculum. The curriculum were set differently. I have to do some more school observations.
I was asked by my College Advisor to check upon my proposal for graduation today (01/31/11). I prayed that the last minute God who I believe would bring this proposal to effect. I was glad to hear from my advisor that my request was granted and accepted to graduate this May, 2011. I am so glad now and thank God for making things possible for me.
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Month of February, 2011.
I was asked by my College Advisor to check upon my proposal for graduation today (01/31/11). I prayed that the last minute God who I believe would bring this proposal to effect. I was glad to hear from my advisor that my request was granted and accepted to graduate this May, 2011. I am so glad now and thank God for making things possible for me.
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Month of February, 2011.
My international game event invitation for today (February 5th, 2011) turned out pretty good at the first start. We had a great time of games and fellowship with the guys from Guatamala and PNG guys from Cincinnati. It was the initial time of these gathering but the turn up of numbers showed a positive outcome. There was games of basketball and volleyball later followed with pizza and drinks. We look forward for more groups coming next time if the Lord willing.
Here in these pictures are the guys playing basketball. Guatamala VS. PNG. PNG were tough enough to win both games against the South Americans. I didn't had to play very much but took in-charge of the program as I was the initiator and umpired the games at most times. I just played few games but then had to get off court as guys coming in were asking for direction to get to the location. As you can see my hand was taken in the picture on the left. I was happy that at least a good number of people turned up at this initial gathering which we planned to host more of these games once in every two months. Invitation goes to any interested. You are welcome to join and have fellowship with us.Today was a great day in the Lord. One experience that I had today (February 6th, 2011) which I will never forget. A faithful grandma that I normally pick up every morning for church was attacked by this sickness called Cesar this morning right in the middle of Highway Interstate 75. I picked her up from her home leaving her husband behind as usual. Right in the middle of the highway another brother (Ben Agu) who was sitting at the back with her shouted, stop! stop! stop the car. I was in fear that the cops must have pulled me over although I could not see on the rear view mirror, but since I was a little speeding over the limit to make it to church quickly I though Police must have seen it. I pulled over to the side quickly and had the emergency blinkers on. This lady was attacked by Cesar right in the middle of the road. She (sister Flowers) was unconscious and started spewing out saliver that threaten us of her passing out. We called pastor and later he called again asking us to take her back home as her husband wanted us to do that. Took a different route and dropped her off at her home, she was confused what we were doing so Olivia supported her into the house. However, its a joy and praise to God that she was able to make it back to church with her husband and daughter an hour later. God's in control over our lives and knows what's best for us. Praise God for all things!!
Later we had food and the fellowship was great. The church service was wonderful. God helped us and we had a great worship and praises to God. It's always good to be in the house of the Lord. Amen and Amen!!
In the picture is (L-R) Ivan, myself and Sigmund having fellowship with food and laughter from jokes after church. Gatherings like this with Christian brothers are always good and enjoyable. Churches here in America encourage such fellowship together once a month. People always enjoy that company with one another. It trills the heart of the many that attend the church. Sometimes we invite homeless people to the church during such fellowship and enjoy such a meal with the Christians in the house of the Lord. It's not just the homeless but few disadvantage families and friends who deserves a meal like this. It always good to share your love, food, money and goods that God provides to us. That is a way to reach out the lost souls in the community that we live in. God fed the thousands with two fish and a loaf of bread. Aren't we rich with countless blessings that we don't seem to count on? Christians, now it's our duty to feed the lost either with food for the physical nourishment or the scripture for the Spiritual Life. This day ( February 10th) was a very special day. I was wondering that I had run out or laundry supplies and deodorant to a surprise. Later in the evening I had a letter sitting on my laptop and found out that someone had blessed me with $25.00. I really needed it to buy these necessities. Thank God for his awesome blessings that he bestows upon us. Later at night I was blessed with a bunch of boxes of pizza. GBS student recruitment officer asked me to take six boxes, however I thought that was too much so decided to take three boxes and shared with my two room mates a box each. Thank you God for so many blessings like these that most times people take it for granted.
Today (02/18/11) was a bomb. We had a good cook out at Hidden Park and enjoyed our selves. The food were so good. Later came to play basketball in the gym at night. It was a joyful day to enjoy with friends.
The day was a little chilly from the winter wind so some of the guys had to play around with ball at the park while few of us were cooking. It was great fellowship. We've never cooked out like for a year and it was good to do this again. It's not very often done but at randomly. Later we came to the College gym to play basketball. We played like three games of basketball. I felt so exhausted but tried to keep up with my team to make the game interesting and fun. We had couple of friends from the College join us to play this night. There was good flavor in the game. We played for about three hours and really exhausted ourselves. I left for room but how crazy were some of these guys, they kept playing after I left. It didn't matter to me because I had played enough and I felt I needed rest for the night. ___________________________________________________________________________________
We've gone into winter break now beginning the 24th February for a week until March 10th when classes will resume. Had played basketball games the Friday night and worked in the morning Saturday till 3pm. Went to church this morning (Sunday) and came back to work at 3pm till 11pm. So now I'm looking forward for the week long break. Probably will decide on making some school visitations and hopefully get some home work done. Thank God for all that has happened this week. Praise Him always!
The first day of March, without knowing that it was already March and time was flying so fast I called a school to make some observations. The receptionist was from the Elementary School so she directed me to the High School at my request. Now it was the receptionist of the high school but then she referred me to one of the school principals there. The principal answered the phone and we chatted for a while in our phone dialogue fro him trying to help me make sure schedules were made possible for me. We hang upon each other after he requested my number to get in touch with me after he had figured out schedules for my visitations. Indeed, he was prompt and called me after an hour and asked me to come tomorrow (3/2/11) and I did. One of the classes that I was scheduled to observe was taught by a female that has been to Papua New Guinea on a Missions Trip during her College years.
I drove to the school using the map quest that I printed out. Drove through back road looking up on each streets and avenue for the exit that I was going to take. Driving in America is great because every single route as address. So long as you know where you are heading to but at times it is frustrating when you miss the exits somehow. I did miss the exit although I though I saw the street name it was in light print and also I was on a separate lane blocked out by the racing traffic that morning. I drove a quarter mile and turned back after realizing I have missed the street. I turned into the right exit and headed into the Elementary School with a one way drive way. It was real annoying to myself but I had to stop and asked an old lady that drove by. She gave me the direction and I did arrive at the destination. Again I could not see the visitors parking and drove past it because the print was small and light. You know what? These was all in pressure of being late. I was scheduled to arrive at the school at 8a.m but it was already 8:10. I almost drove out of the campus but again stopped another man who drove by and asked for the visitors' spot. He was kind and asked me to follow him and he showed me the visitors spot.
Quickly got out of the car and at the entrance of the door asked a student that just walked past for the office. He promptly gave me direction to the office. There at the counter I was asked to write my name and destination on the sticker that I sticked on my chest. I was then sent into the receptionist. I approached her and told her that I was on a observation visit. Told her that the assistant principal is aware of it, we made the arrangement yesterday. The assistant principal wasn't in his office so they start looking for him. About a minute or two later he came and we shock hands greeted each other. He led me to the first classroom. There were two female teachers but the one that was teaching at that time was the one that visited PNG. As I was given a seat and seated there came in the student I had just asked him for the direction. That was interesting. Now the students had a water break or something and everyone had to leave out so I had to step out of the seat and out of the door because I was sitting at the door way.
To make the long story short, the teacher came to me and we shock hands and greeted each other. She told me that I was from PNG as the assistant principal had already introduced me to her. I said, "yes, I am from PNG. She said she's been there in the highlands and so I replied that I come from the Higlands too. She couldn't remember well because it was like 20 years back. Hmmm, and I thought, yet she is still unmarried. Anyway, she's been to Goroka. I moved to another class for Calculus though by an old woman who had Phd, that really make me thing. Unfortunately, I was late for her class so just observed for 15 minutes and then moved to another class. It was a math class, probably calculus also taught by a old female. After that the principal came got me out and on the hall way out meet the principal and shock hands with him. These people there were very friendly according to my observation. Well the principal had to go for chapel so he said goodbye and again we shook hands and wished blessings on each other.
This art work depicting the Crucifixion of Mount Calvary surprised me. It was on the wall on the second floor of the building but never saw it until I was just about head out of the building to come home. I've visited several schools before this but this was unique. I mean the image does not help the school in anyways, but however; the resemblance brings insights to the very time of the Savior's crufixion on the Cross of Calvary. This is a school and so it would perhaps remind the students there that Christ has died a horrible, sinful and guilty death with the sinners. I felt it would encourage the students to ponder the agony Christ suffered in order to set us free and bring us back to Him with his blood that he shed on the Cross. This art work meant so much to me when it grabbed my attention here.
This was an interesting day of worship (March 13, 2011) with three different denomination of different race. Wow ..people from all around the world were there praising God. So many different Ministries did wonderful presentation using the talents that God has bestowed upon them. God's presence was there and many went seeking the Lord in prayer at the altar. There was food and fellowship afterwards. It was a day of unity in spirit and in body in the Lord with the people of God. Glory be to the God on High!!
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What a joy that God brings in our lives each day with new life, fresh breath of oxygen, manifold blessings of things in varieties and friends in live. At a good day today, March 20th, 2011 with the congregation at the church. I had to preach today at church about the trend in which the world today is heading. The day in which we live has become materialistic society that most people had drifted away from the presence of God. Preached a sermon today on Job's life testimony. In a single wide swipe Job had lost all his possession and he was in great affliction and agony. However, all that has happened to him did not halt his faith in God. He said " naked I came into this world and naked I'll go". What a strong, strong testimony. His heart was uprigt with God and he had settled all his possessions and his children committeed into the hands of the Lord, God of the Israelites. Therefore, in the midst of that catastrophe he bowed his head and worshipped God.
Here I am ready to leave for church in the morning at the school parking lot. Had a wonderful time after the church. When to drop off congregations at their various homes and on way stopped by Chinese Buffet, a very famous and favorite place for lunch. A very good student friend also from PNG paid for the lunch for both of us at the Buffet. Had a wonderful fellowship having the meal. She's been a very close and a good friend in times of need.
Oh my goodness, the very bad thing is you feel so weak and tirde after you leave the buffet. The fat in the food intoxicates you and leads you to bed. So I did that after I got back to the campus. Headed straight to bed and woke up later in the afternoon. Then went to supper in the cafeteria and headed straight to work in the night at 11pm till 3 am.
I feel that life in the USA has really been a challenge for me. It's not be joyous everytime, but times of trial, struggles, fear and tiredness in life. The very significant issue of burden in my life has been financial struggles and burden. Bills had just been piling up on my table that I had no single year of financial freedom. It's indeed a tremendous pain when you being a student and going through such burden. After I got done paying my accident bills of about $5011. and losing a thousand dollars in this accident there came another.
I thought I was relieved from bills, but this $2570 dollars plus interest came to me. I had to go to pretrial court over this issue because the two (Brian & Petrus )involved in this accident left for PNG. A friend that I allowed him use my library account to borrow books delayed its return and I was billed another $58. Just to get some relieve from these burdens I had to sell my car. The car went into these accident problem and ended up receiving $600 instead of $1000. Now the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) had mailed me a bill of $361 on the 10 of March, 2011. I was billed for not filing my Tax Returns. Another pain to bear again. I've called the IRS and posted a statement payment plan form today, 22nd of March, 2011.
My concentration area was supposed to b emy studies, priority should be my tuition and fees and books for Classes. It's been a real pain, oh dear Lord, Jesus has been my stronghold and my provider. God has given and I was able to get some of these bills out but still few are hanging on my shoulder. It just reminded me today of these financial struggles and its an ache in the bone but God knows everything.
Our College Spring Break stated yesterday, March 25th, 2011. The College band group went out early yesterday while others went home to various states that they belong. About a few national students stayed back on campus because they have work to do. Had a wonderful time with the guys from PNG today playing basketball and then switched to volleyball. Played four rounds each of these games and feeling so tired now. Got to head to bed now and ready for church tomorrow (Sunday) morning.
This prophetic thing happened to me in a vision form straight after I wrote the above journal and went to bed. So tired physical after playing for three long hours I slept dead in bed. In the midst of the night this is what happened to me. I slept with long pants (trouser) thro ugh a vision. I felt something smooth crawling in my pocket and saw this green snake crawling out and down my leg. I felt so scared that I stretched my to a longer length and watched the snake crawl away. Then I realized that I went into a deep sleep again. Augh..I felt this soft and smooth creature laying on my belly as I was lying face up on the bed. I opened my eyes in a vision again and saw the snake again. I wanted to scream but I couldn't. My mouth was closed tight so again I stretched myself longer and had my head up to see this creature crawl down my leg again. I wanted to get out of the bed and so I turned and twist but I couldn't. I wanted to remove the blanket out to but I found it impossible. As I did that I saw the fire so glowing so bright and red that I felt the heat on my body. I saw that I was turning and twisting in this flame. I had my jaw tight and I was struggling. I couldn't speak but I thought, "O Lord! help me please, why is this happening?" In a split of a second I saw an Angel fly in through the flash of the flame. He stood by me and said, " Do you ever pray?". After he said that I took off the blanket and turned on my bed. I took a deep breath and saw the clock that it was 3: 23 or something in the morning. I had to confess to God for sleeping without praying. I admit my failures and faults to God this very hour.
This was a message from the Lord that wanted me to change from my old ways and be faithful to Him. He is a God that loves us, but we must show to Him that we love Him. It is keeping a covenant through prayer and maintaining a close relationship with Christ. Making prayers and supplications, reading His word and sharing His word with others. Lord, help me sanctify my heart with the renewing of my mind so that I will praise you and bless your name in all that I do.
Yesterday, the 29th of March was a good day. Apart from sleeping and sitting in the room all day on internet there was gathering invitation from the Witts. I went there with others college students who were still on campus over the Spring Break. We had great food and had a wonderful fellowship with friends and the Witts family there. Later played some games but I had to leave in the midst because I was on clock working security on campus. Now today, the 30th of March, 2011 was another day of fun. I drove the Church Van to the Shop early in the morning. Left the Van there still for the mechanic to look at it, but I was given a lift back to School by brother Sigmund our Church Elder and Treasurer. During the day Phil Denis, a friend from Indianapolis came over and we hanged out. Alvin Robertson from Grenada was with us. Went to the Walmart and then to Cici's Pizza, and wow had a lot of pizza there. Shifted gear into Best Buy do some eye shopping and just spend time there and left there around 4:15pm back to school because I had to work again. Well, we got back to school and then played ping pong. It was a great time with the guys.
Spring Break is over now, April 4th, 2011 and school resumes tomorrow. Had stayed on campus over the break and continued with work on campus. Security Job on campus is always fun though it seemed boring. It depends on individuals preferences and interests. I've always work security over the breaks and holidays on GBS Campus. Actually it's part of my on-campus job so I love working security. It's relaxing but scary at times when there is public shoot outs in the neighborhoods.
Thank God for providence through such little jobs. Count it as much blessed with God blessings because little is much when God is in it. I've been able to get my bills paid and help my families back home in PNG through this job. Thank God for this College for trusting in me to do this work. I've done it for five years now and probably this Spring break must be the last time for me as I look forward to graduate on the 14th of March. If the Lord is willing I may be able to look for a job outside of the College this summer. However, if the College allows me to take some more Biblical classes as I've requested I shall have fifty percent changes of working this summer. However, if things does not work out according to plan I hope and pray that god will have its own way. I pray that God will help me find a summer job and also will need an accomodation to spend the summer. Whichever way God leads I'll follow either to home because my families need me so much. Otherwise, continue to another College. I miss my family because I've stayed out for five years, and that is a lot of time. Anyway, back to school tomorrow to end the school year.
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The Long Awaited Time
After years of struggles and sleepless nights the time longed for has fianlly evolved. This is the day of Graduation, May 14th, 2011. I have accomplished my goal after 41/2 years of studies in God's Bible School & College to obtain my Bachelor of Arts in Education. It was time of joy indeed as many others who graduated have had. I walked the aile to receive my Degree with the other graduants. We all celebrated together with laughter and cheers with smiles on our faces that, Yeah....no more restless nights. It was indeed a wonderful time with the wonderful friends that attended the memorable ceremony.
One other thing that I'll never forget is Pastor Johnstone and family cooked a graduation dinner for me. I was very delightful to see other friends that did not attend the graduation ceremony gathered together at Pastor Pande's house to have dinner together. They brought food and also an African American friend of mine had a graduation card for me, but he had not brought it with him so gave me to me on Sunday with an amount of money($30). I was so thankful for him. Later that day after church service Pastor Pande took me to the bank and withdrew $200.00 to give it to me. God was so good at this time to me. I wasn't expecting such gifts. Isaiah also had a $100.00 as a graduation gift. I felt compelled to reject this money as he was also a student but I knew he would insist to give me the money. In fact he had the money in an envelope and presented to me as a gift card.
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Crown City
This summer, 2011 has been unlike past years. The humidity is so high and the weather report has sent out warning that people are getting sick and many others are getting burns. There wasn't any significant things in life this summer but God was good, as always He is good!
Been hanging around in Cincy and randomly travelling to West Virginia. Right now, August 3rd, in West Virginia again maybe for the finalist visit. Here helping Scott and Lisa pack stuff as they plant to move to Arkansas by Friday, August 5th. Packing things here and there in the house and at Church. Hoping to head back to Cincy by Friday or Saturday.
It's been Pastor Scott and I while Lisa's out in Cincy at Elmwood Church assisting with Vacation Bible School (VBS). Well, I am enjoying here although working hard packing and moving stuff but I feel good. It's relaxing here than back in Cincy although I skipped work that I would have made some money. I feel good here. Thanking God always for His love.
