So much has happened since we returned to Palau in September. God continues to develop His church and I just want to take a few minutes to share some of the highlights with you.
Moving from Leading to Coaching
It’s hard to believe, but our family moved to Palau sixteen years ago this month! As we left, many of you began to pray fervently for God to raise up leaders and that they would lead in the church. This reality is continuing to get closer and closer!
God has directed a young Palauan man named McLane Masao to return home after completing his undergraduate work at Harvest in Guam. He is now serving as an Assistant Pastor at OBBC! God is using him in many ways as we invest in him at this time.
It is so exciting to be a part of this phase of ministry. Lord willing, we have two more young men who are planning to return this summer to serve the Lord at OBBC.
On January 2
nd, we had the joy of commissioning two more of our men as deacons of the church. Following the commissioning service we had a very profitable deacons retreat entitled “A Deacon On Purpose”. We spent a good bit of time in prayer and study together. Our current deacons and the newly elected deacons went away energized and anticipating God to use them in the days ahead. Please continue to pray as we invest in these men to be strong leaders in the church and their homes.
Bungalow Project
I have mentioned in the past that we are seeking to build a small bungalow for our young Palauan pastors’ lodging as we help them develop as leaders. We are finally seeing some progress! God has answered specific prayers and is “making all things beautiful in His time.” First, He amazingly has provided the needed funds to build through a partnering church. Then the only thing that was holding us back from starting to build was a signature from the chief of our village. Last week, the chief signed the necessary documents, and the Koror State Planning Commission has told us that they will give us the permit to start this week! Please continue to pray for this, but it is exciting to see things moving forward.
Spiritual Growth of Believers
The holiday times are usually a very dark time in Palau with binge drinking and lascivious lifestyles on every corner. This New Year’s season was no exception. It reminds us that Satan truly is our adversary and is working to destroy anyone who wants to follow the Lord. We have had the joy of seeing some of our church family stand strong and yet the sadness of seeing others knocked down. I love the promise in James that says, “Greater is He that is in you than he that is in this world.” Satan is strong…but God is stronger – we see that time and again.
Reaching Our Samaria!
As part of our long-term goals in Palau, we have prayed for many years about reaching into our “Samaria” just southwest of us in Indonesia. For several years the doors were repeatedly closed and yet it appears that they are now opening. Jamie and I are currently in quarantine in Jakarta and will be traveling for the next several weeks to explore various possibilities. Please pray for open doors and open hearts!
