SAMOA...

Samoa... the Pearl of the Pacific... Four years ago I was in this beautiful country and making plans and promises to return. But as you all know, my life changed. When my brother, Jeff, died my life was turned upside down. I couldn’t imagine going back to life the way it was. Just getting right back into overseas missions. It wouldn’t have been right either. The time at home was necessary both for myself and for my family. Yet over the last four years my love for the Pacific didn’t recede. I even went to visit other parts of the world... I wasn’t ready to return yet, I suppose. But as I was in the Middle East, instead of feeling called to that region of the world, I instead felt my call was to raise up Pacific Islanders for world missions, to be a bridge so that others might go. I went on to study the Bible in Los Angeles at the School of Biblical Studies and later staffed the same school in Kona... but still my love for the Pacific seemed to be part of the driving force of all I did in missions... I thought, “If only I could be a part of equipping missionaries from the Pacific with a foundation in the Word of God.”

And now, here I am in Samoa. And while I’d like to say it’s all been wonderful and that I wish I could live here forever, I must be honest. We’ve been here a week as a team and its been a challenge. I’ve grown accustomed to the comforts of western living, and I’ve grown older... I miss my parents more than ever. I miss my bed with its comfy mattress. I miss the freedom of eating what I want, when I want. I miss washers and dryers. I miss English being the predominant language. I miss unlimited and reliable internet. I miss having my own transportation. I miss clean and organized hospital facilities. I miss being there for friends who are having babies and being able to watch their babies grow up.

To amplify the situation, our team has had a LOT of free time. It seems like too much free time breeds homesickness. In Fiji we were pretty busy with ministry and it seemed like a really nice balance there, but here in Samoa we have had multiple teaching opportunities cancelled, due to unforeseen circumstances. With all of this free time, our students are getting antsy. And while we are seeking to make the most of our time by investing in the staff and students on the YWAM base here, we have all had to come to grips with the fact that our ministry here is not going to look at all like we expected. The students also had some intense culture clashes upon arrival at the YWAM base, which made the first few days very difficult as we waited for the Lord to soften hearts and help our students adjust to a culture extremely different than their own.

But... I am reminded that my being here in Samoa is an answer to prayers, both my own and others. I am reminded that God has called me to this place for this time, and even though I feel overwhelmed with the challenges here, I know his grace is more than sufficient for me. And I am reminded of others who have faced challenges far greater than these for the sake of the call God put on their lives. So, when I really stop to think about it... I thank God that I am in Samoa and that I get to stay here for three months. I thank God for bringing me back after these four years away. I thank God for the people of Samoa who have touched my life in the past and I thank God that I get to play some small part in seeing Samoans who feel called to world missions equipped with tools to study the Bible for themselves, which in turn equips them to be more effective missionaries. I even thank God for the unmet expectations and the free time he has given our team... I trust he knows how to best use us and knows when we need time to spend alone with him and when he wants us to minister to groups or to individuals.

I really value your prayers and emails or facebook messages of encouragement... even as a more “seasoned” missionary, I obviously still need them... and probably always will. Here are a few things you could pray for in our team:

• My co-leader, Rachel has been fighting an infection since our last few days in Fiji and it’s really taken a toll on her health, energy, and emotions. She’s such a trooper and has maintained probably the best attitude out of our entire team, though she has been in pain and discomfort for our entire time here in Samoa. Please pray that she heals fast and that this infection doesn’t return or produce any long term effects.
• Our Fijian student, Catherine has seen God provide her finances in so many ways, from people buying her plane tickets to others feeling led to give her money even though they were also tight on money. Catherine feels called long-term to the Muslim world, and specifically Turkey, but she still needs $185 USD to finish outreach in Samoa and return to Fiji. Please pray that God would provide this small remainder of fees and continue to lead and teach Catherine through the area of finances.
• Our two American students, Mike and Simon, had to make some big sacrifices to be able to minister here in Samoa, and they did. Pray that God uses them because of their willingness to give up their rights, and continues to teach them and grow them in this area.
• Teaching opportunities! Our main goal as a team is to teach the Bible! Please pray that God opens doors where others have been closed and gives us wisdom to make the most of our time here. We have upcoming scheduled times teaching in the Nazarene, Catholic, Pentecostal, and Mainline (London Missionary Society) Efokasi Churches as well as the Prison.... please pray that God would use us to teach His Word here in Samoa!
• And for myself that I wouldn’t let little issues get me down, but that I’d continue to “be here” in my heart and mind as long as my feet are here! I would hate to miss out on what God wanted to do in me or through me because I was wishing I were somewhere else.

Fa’afetai tele lava... thank you so much!

Love,

Jill