Settling into PIU

overlooking part of the campus on PIU


I don't know how to put this without feeling superstitious and "jinxing myself," but I have been really blessed since coming out to Guam. I have been here about 11 days and it feels like I have been here much longer. This, my friends, is a good thing. I have been able to drive myself from point A to B to C and back to A without getting lost, and am familiarizing myself with the locations of where my life will be taking place. The campus is small and beautiful, though we are praying for and planning on great renovations. I can't tell you how often I've sat in front of one of the office windows and watched butterflies fly by. They are everywhere out here.

This is my first big week at PIU and in life on Guam. I am in the process of finding a car, but luckily I have been able to borrow one from PIU. A friend told me that I could borrow her husband's Jeep while he's away in the military, which I should be able to pick up this week! This buys me a few extra weeks. Cars out here cost around 2g's more than cars back in California, for whatever reason. I've been blessed with a great place to stay, and have taken an extra job to make ends meet. This job is interesting so far. I'll probably update you on it later or not talk about it at all for a while until I can see where it's going.

My seminary class has been cool so far, too, alhough I have just been to one class. I just finished reading about 200 pages for it between my Bible and coursework (but my reading retention is not all that great- I need practice ways to retain info).

My best update is in the works. I need to stay focused on God and the reasons I am here. I am at PIU to teach classes in the remedial English program, to help Melody, and to most importantly minister to the students- esp the women. There are already awesome female leaders here, which has me praying for my place in all of this. I want to form good relationships with these students but I need to be on campus a lot, participate in activities, and find my niche in everything. This is my ministry in progress and I have a lot to learn and experience. I want to let the students know that I'm nice and they can talk to me. I am eager to find my place in the body of PIU, though I know it may take a little time and a lot of effort on my part. It's weird being away from what I'm used to, but I know that this is the best opportunity for me to grow. As for now, I'm going to work on my syllabus, prepare for my classes tomorrow, and see where the Spirit leads me today.

Spam

LOOK AT ALL THIS SPAM!!


And, Melody made me Spam fried rice. That was probably my first real "Guam" food.

Starting the Semester

Dave's Blog has a lot of info on what's going on at PIU, and if you look at his latest post, you'll see my Study Skills class and me (look hard) in the bottom picture. Check it out here!

First day teaching:

My first class taught at PIU went very well. I have been giving little facebook updates all week about what I have been doing so far, and for those who may not know, here's what's been happening.

This week, Melody Plaxton and I have been working on a one-week intensive course for a Study Skills class. This class includes non-Native speakers and students who either want or need more help in preparing to be better college students. I have been surveying this class in preparation to take over when the fall semester starts (Monday) as a "fly on the wall" (idiom) in the class.

On my first day, I took a seat next to one of the Chuukese men (Chuuk is an island near Guam in the Federated States of Micronesia). Apparently, Chuuk has an interesting disposition on gender status, etc, of men and women from the way they interact down to the way they dress. Well, as soon as I sat down, this student moved as far as he could away from me. We were near the end, and he gave up his desk space in this big move. I then looked around the room and noticed that all of the boys were on one side, and all of the girls were on the other (except for two Chinese female students who sat amongst the guys). At that point it hit me that there would be a LOT of things I would be learning. I knew that God was going to use me in some way, but I'm not sure if I had any idea of how much God would stretch me. None of us know what is going to happen, but this is my first prayer request for you all. Please pray for my own spiritual growth and development at PIU.

My second prayer is for the growth and development of my students. I will be teaching the Study Skills class and a remedial English course. This brings me to my first day of ever teaching an academic subject: today.

I have taught many things, and worked in English and other areas for tutoring, but today was my first day being in front of a class for two hours, being the sole speaker, and trying to make sense of practical material. This is not yoga or poetry, but instead something that needs to keep building up into college level material. As the students have proved to be more comfortable in mixed groups, I asked them to move half of the tables of our room in to create a smaller square/round table. It was weird for them to sit next to me, so we kept the divide of girls on one side, boys on the other. We opened in prayer, then got into our activities. We took a quiz on "how to prepare for a test" which I left open to their educated senses rather than being based entirely on book material. Then, we went over some study skills, study habits, and a mock test which had really funny directions that only lead to one necessary question being answered (if they read all of the directions). We all got a kick out of it and hopefully learned how to focus on directions (I failed this test when I was younger bc I didn't read the directions first). At the end of our class, I had them form 5 groups of 5 students each and prepare two lists. In one section, I asked the question "What would you like to learn in this course?". The second question was "What are some of your concerns about college or this course?" Here's some of the things they shared with me:

What would you like to learn?
-To practice English
-To write essays well
-To take notes and study
-To write faster
-Time management
-More vocab
-Fun way of studying
-If I am still single (yes me, Jen)
-How to follow and stick with a schedule
-How to be a better writer
-Spiritual growth/how to grow closer to God

What are your concerns?
-Financial needs
-Failing classes
-Not being prepared
-What does AWESOME mean? (so...I use it a lot)
-That the teacher needs to speak slower (yup, that's me too...same group that wants to know if I'm single...)
-Will I (the student) fall in love?
-How to deal with being homesick, friendsick, etc...
-That I (student) will need to know English better


It's funny how I (and probably all of us) can relate to both lists in a lot of ways. I can relate to financial needs, failing classes, not being prepared, falling in love, and being home/friend/love/etc sick (this was a concern from some of the girls, but I'm sure it relates to the guys, too). Please pray for them in these areas. Pray for their spiritual, emotional, and physical growth and strength. Pray for their education and their desire to learn, as well as their relationship and growth with God. (I think that most of them are first generation college students, so there's a lot of factors that go into what will make their education more difficult.)

Please pray that I can be a catalyst for this growth, as well as every staff member here at PIU. I think, as the new teacher, everyone knows that I have a lot to learn. I agree. I know that relationships take time to cultivate, and I am just going to let God handle that. As for now, I want to use every session and time I have with these students to hopefully minister, educate, and make a difference of some sort. I am very blessed to be here and look forward to whatever it is that God has in store for us.

Rain? On Guam?

I arrived in the rainy season. My waterproof camera arrived today, as well. I didn't take a picture of the rain because everything's dark and I don't want to spoil anyone's first impressions.

Dave Owen, prez of PIU, sent me this article- What to expect from Guam. Check it out, as you all are learning along with me (and I still have much to learn).

updates at PIU

I attended my first class at PIU, a class that I will take over by the end of the week. I love watching Melody and learning from her teaching style, and I know that I'm in for some awesome learning opportunities here. Let me just say that Guam is American owned, yes...yes it is, but it is also a foreign country. I can't wait to update everyone with pictures and other stuff. As for now, I just have to get through and settled into this week.


FYI: We have Shell, Mobil, and 76 here. But first I need a car.

We also have Taco Del Mar and Taco Bell is everywhere. OH, and a Cold Stone. Weird right?? By the way...I do not like kim chee. There's a lot of kim chee here.

why I love crabs

Tonight, Alex plays a big show in Hollywood that he's been waiting forever for, and I'm pretty bummed I can't be there to support him. Yesterday, I got an email from him that made me pretty emotional. I blogged about it then deleted it and now think I'm going to blog about it again because I miss him. I can see him looking amazing with his great stage presence and making all the girls in the crowd swoon with his piano and guitar playing. I wish when I was there he was feeling well enough to play for me but whatever, one of these days. I've seen his band twice and wish it was every time they had a show.

I totally fell for Alex before I left. Bet a lot of you didn't know that, but it was bound to happen before this huge move. Anyway, talk about quality guys and how we can't find them in Riverside. He's artisticly inclined, has amazing manners, cooks very well, says all the right things, and is so much fun to hang out with...among many other things. Alex has a Bachelor's Degree and is working toward his credentials at my school, CSUSB. He loves teaching but has some bigger plans with all that. He comes from a good family and treated me very well.


On our first date, he encouraged me to do some yoga and wandering in a fountain in downtown Riverside and it was like a little liberating experience for me, until two cops appeared out of thin air and threatened me with jail but then laughed at me because bums apparently pee in the fountain. Whatever, Alex and I were cracking up. I can't believe that was weeks before I left. I couldn't ask him to do the long distance thing, although I'm not opposed to it. I know that if things are meant to be, they will be, and I look forward to spending a lot of time with him in the summer. As for now, it's going to be interesting to see how it all fans out. I am at a point in my stay where all I want is to hear his voice. Maybe I'm being super emotional, but I feel pretty lucky to know him. I want him to know all that, too.

Guammy

Rule #1- No blogging while emotional

Rule#2, to go along with #1- Perhaps leave a blog or msg. in the "drafts" folder, let it sit a day or so, then post.


I had a little emotional morning. Jet lag got the best of me, too. I have really enjoyed my day, though. I finally saw some beautiful islandy stuff and it didn't really rain all day. It's raining now, and is late. I'm going to go read and try to process all of the stuff in my mind. I'm also going to work on some academic prep stuff. Maybe I'll send postcards tomorrow :D I can't wait to get my camera to show you all pictures. I'm also being treated really well here. As for now, goodnight.

Arriving on Guam

I now believe that all Pacific islands have this distinct smell of rainwater, local vegetation, and sewage. For some reason, it is a smell to me such as a comfort food. I smelled it first thing off the plane and it reminded me of other travels.

I am here, on Guam, in the Pacific ocean....a tiny tiny atoll...in an office that I will soon be doing stuff out of at PIBC. It has pretty much rained every half hour, and there are chickens, geckos, and lots of plumeria (I think). It rained last night when I got in. Great! My hair loves it already.

I think that I am in a really good place right now. PIU is awesome- there's some great people I have met so far, and everyone has been welcoming. I am currently occupying my time with...of course...blogging and facebook, while overlooking the middle of the campus. I think it's about to rain again.


Getting to SFO was interesting, but I had a great time with Mary and my family before leaving. I got to say bye to my sister, too, AND my friend Chelsea took me to San Fran for a night. I had a blast meeting up with an old friend from high school and running around the city! I got to spend ten days before all of this back east in Jersey, NYC, and CT- which was definitely needed.

The flight was great- long, but great. I sat next to 15yr old Japanese school girls. One of them threw up in a bag, but I couldn't really smell it or anything (I know, gross, right? had to share). The guy across the way from me was reading Blink as I am reading Outliers- fantastic books, same author, gotta read Blink...and I knew he wanted to chat but I kept putting on a new movie and falling asleep. I wish we talked more, because we had a great conversation leaving the plane. We were probably the only two people on the plane who didn't speak Japanese although he was Asian. They kept talking to him in Japanese and I was totally laughing. They knew I didn't know it. Mushi mushi. Did I even spell that right?

(little section on Narita, Tokyo- TOKYO! I rented a room for 11 bucks to sleep in for an hour, ate McDonalds for the second time in Asia because there wasn't anything else except French food and Japanese pork stuff, used a toilet that was a hole in the ground, and went online. Yup- that was the extent of it)

The next person I met was on the bus at the airport- an American living in China, and was home visiting family. I then met an awesome lady, Liza, at the airport. She's from Guam but totally looked like a Californian. She gave me her number and we talked for a long time. I can't wait to get in touch with her again- she was way cool.

Arriving at the airport, Melody and Tim gave me a shell lei and were holding up a sign and everything. We have pictures that I should post soon. On the way back, we saw some pizza huts, dominos, subway, taco bell....and a Winchells donuts. I will be avoiding these places as much as possible, but I bet if you want to feed me you can send me some gift cards. Um, Outback steakhouse, Subway...yeah. ANYWAY! We went back to their place, had some oranges, and went to sleep. I slept better last night than I have in the last two months. I woke up nicely and here I am....at PIU. My morning started with green tea and an apple with peanut butter, and I pretty much feel at home. I can't wait to settle in.

Hopefully I'll have some more interesting updates for everyone soon. I haven't seen the ocean in the daytime, and my camera is en route. I'll post updates when I can, and will have pictures pretty soon. Keep praying for my adjustment and progress at PIU. God has been so good to me and I need to use these experiences as moments to honor and praise His beauty. I can't believe how it all worked out, but I know that it will just further and develop my testimony and faith. Please let me know how I can pray for you! Feel free to contact me any time, too...you know I love it.

Specifics

Dear Friends and Family,

As you all know, we are aiming to have me arrive in Guam by mid-August. I am moving there to teach the subject of English (grammar, composition), to open a writing center, and to be a huge help to Melody Plaxton, head of the English department on PIBC/PIU. I want to minister to my students through working with them, as many great people have ministered to my life while just being there with me. In order to allow affordable education to the people of Micronesia, PIBC needs all of their teachers and staff to be missionaries and fully supported by their home church, family, friends, etc. Believe me, if I could, I'd finance this whole thing, or just live in an old bus, or a tent, or...whatever, but PIBC and I have goals we need to meet to allow my focus to be more on God than my students. (Besides, Guam doesn't strike me as the type of island where I can just bum around and be fully productive :)


Per Angie, there is a specific thing that is holding me back: monthly support. I need people to commit to supporting me monthly in amounts great and small. If this doesn't happen, I may not be able to go 'til December. I need a large amount in monthly support that I am not going to post out of discouraging the attitude "well, my $20 a month is nothing compared to what she needs!" No no...I need everything and anything anyone can commit to donating. Trust God: if you tithe or make financial commitments to a missionary, He will bless you in other areas of your life to make up for that. And, whatever comes in on top of what I have may just be enough. It's all in the works, and it's all in God's hands. This is my specific prayer request and challenge. Is God calling you to support me?

If so, let me know. I have a quick and easy form to fill out. PIBC is also gladly accepting one time donations on my behalf. It all goes toward my ministry and living expenses. I also need prayer, a LOT of prayer.


Thanks for your prayers and support!


Love,
Jen

Coincidence?

As if this whole Guam thing wasn't crazy enough, two things happened within 15 hours of each other that made me go "hmmm..."

1. Esther gave me the book Outliers. I opened the book to some random page, and in the second line down, there was the word GUAM.

2. Continental Airlines' first international destination/service was Air Micronesia.


Weird! Keep praying for me- we are all hoping and praying for an August departure date. I'll keep you updated, as well.