Samoa Medical Mission (12 days and counting)

Please pray for the 2009 Samoa Medical Mission.

Safe Travel: Most of the team will be traveling from the East Coast US to Samao (5 hours flight time SW of Hawaii).  While in Samoa, we travel by small plane, ferry, bus, van & truck.

Team Health: There are many challenges to the health of the team.  The team faces extended travel, long days in the clinic, new & unique foods, varied sleeping arrangemnets, harsh environmental conditions & spiritual resistance.

Spirtual Focus & Stamina:  Most of all, pray that we will be one body in Christ and that the Samoan people will know we are in Christ by our love for one another.

The KEY to success is to Walk in Christ: I am the vine. You are the branches. He who remains in me, and I in him, the same bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. (Joh 15:5)

There is one body, and one Spirit…one God and Father of all, who is over all, and through all, and in us all. (Eph 4:4-6) 

By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (Joh 13:35)

Let us not be weary in doing good, for we will reap in due season, if we don’t give up.  (Gal 6:9)

But all things are of God, who reconciled us to himself through Jesus Christ, and gave to us the ministry of reconciliation… We are therefore ambassadors on behalf of Christ… we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. (2Co 5:18-20) 

Now thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and reveals through us the sweet aroma of his knowledge in every place. (2Co 2:14)

Medical Mission Samoa 2009

Planning for a clinic...

Grace to you and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Our next mission is July 17 – August 1, 2009.

How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in him whom they have not heard? How will they hear without a preacher? And how will they preach unless they are sent? (Rom 10:14-15a)

God gives us insight into the missionary process through the preceding verses.  A mission involves three groups of people, the unsaved, the senders and the goers.  For many years we were in the sender group and we continue to support other missionaries in their labor in the Lord.  Over the past few years, God has also called us to serve Him in the “goer” group… to be His witnesses in our home town and in the remote parts of the earth.

God has reconciled us to himself through Jesus Christ, and has given to us the ministry of reconciliation.  We are Christ’s ambassadors to the islands and the world.  See (2 Co 5:18-20).

Please see our website for more information on the 2009 Medical Mission.

A fruitful life…

The Vine and the branches...

Our lives are fruitful only to the extent that we abide in Jesus.  Religious rules did not bring us new life and they will not produce abundant fruit in our lives today.  The Law does not produce righteousness it is a tutor to bring us to Christ.

Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it remains in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. I am the Vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, the same brings forth much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. (Joh 15:4-5) (MKJV)

The same grace that saved us will also transform us.  We do not purge the old baggage from our lives by force of will or by external pressure from religious rules.  We are transformed by the Spirit of God as we abide in His Son.

Don’t you know that the unrighteous will not inherit the Kingdom of God? …Such were some of you, but you were washed. But you were sanctified. But you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and in the Spirit of our God. (1Co 6:9-11) (WEB)

We do not gain more of God’s grace by self effort.  We are transformed into the image of Christ as we abide in Him… as we drink from His well of righteousness.

Whenever one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with unveiled face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are transformed into the same image from glory to glory, even as from the Lord, the Spirit. (2Co 3:16-18) (WEB)

For we were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. But when the kindness of God our Savior and his love toward mankind appeared, not by works of righteousness, which we did ourselves, but according to his mercy, he saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly, through Jesus Christ our Savior. (Tit 3:3-6) (WEB)

The sun is setting…

The sun is setting...

The sun is setting on our time in Hawaii and this season for the Huffman family is coming to a close. We have often prayed for God to direct our steps as we neared the completion of the first phase of the preventive education project for Samoa. God has again proven faithful! Through His Word and much prayer, He has revealed to us the need to continue with the next phase of the project from North Carolina. As we prayed God confirmed His plan through several circumstances. At the top of the list… Paul’s work will require that he spend more time in the main office in NC this year, Julie’s parents need a little TLC as they move into their golden years.

God has given us many opportunities to grow in our knowledge (and more importantly, wisdom) concerning the island cultures during our time in Hawaii and we have many wonderful island partners to share in the Lord’s work. The time here to research the culture and establish ministry contacts has been priceless. We leave Hawaii with God’s peace and a humble thankfulness that He has worked through us to establish a strong foundation on which to build as we labor to empower the Samoan people through health education.

Our new base in NC will allow us to work more closely with Pele and Eva, the directors of the Samoa Medical Mission, and help with the clinical mission preparation. Our goal is to recruit additional resources from the East Coast to join in the labor for the islands. Paul is excited to return to Samoa with the clinical mission this July and hopes to lay more groundwork for the future educational missions. It is all God’s work and God’s timing. (”A man’s heart plans his course, but Yahweh directs his steps.”)

We will be moving back to NC in May and renting our condo here in Hawaii. We will keep it as an investment for now considering the current state of the mortgage industry. We ask for your prayers as we step out in faith and prepare for our return to the mainland.

Your support, encouragement and prayers have been invaluable these past two years. We could not have accomplished the first part of our mission without you. God has reached over 12,000 people in Samoa through these medical missions and we are excited to see how He will use the educational missions to reach even more in years to come. We are dedicated to the islands and reaching them for Christ. We look forward to continued partnership with you in His service.

May God Bless and Keep You,
The Huffmans

Mele Kalikimaka (Merry Christmas) from Hawaii …

Mele Kalikimaka (Merry Christmas) from Hawaii …

We have much to be thankful for and much to pray about this holiday season. We praise God for all our friends and family, and allowing us to be here as we strive to serve the Samoan people.

We have seen a number of firsts here in Hawaii for which we are thankful:

• Our first Baptism on the Beach Party as we joined in celebrating the public commitment of our brothers and sisters to their Lord and Savior. It was humbling to behold the power of God’s creation while celebrating the glory of His salvation.

• Our first basic healthcare education booklets compiled by Julie and a missionary nurse and pub­lished in English and Samoan. These will be expanded and improved for future medical missions.

• Our first home in Hawaii and praising God for every inch of the 1350 square feet and 1.5 baths… and the many kids for the girls to play with in our park (many are Samoan).

• Paul’s first mission to Samoa with so many touched by God’s healing hand and asking God to be their Lord and Savior. Paul’s first time wearing a skirt (or lavalava – a wrap around cloth worn by Polynesian men and women)

• Hosting our first mission conference for the Missionary Church International.

• Our first ministry partner in Hawaii (Paradise Global Missions, a division of Jesus Christ is Calling You Ministries)

• Julie’s first year teaching both girls at home. They are both making great strides.

• Grace is doing well in counseling and Kristen is enjoying new independence on the phone and internet (with appropriate filters and security).

• Our first proposal to join with the Minister of Health of Western Samoa for future healthcare edu­cation missions. This partnership will en­able us to reach most if not all of the most rural villages with healthcare education and the good news of Jesus Christ.

• We join with Mission of Hope Ministries in SC in celebration of their 13 years serving the Islands of Samoa. We are blessed to be able to partner with them to meet the physical and spiritual needs of the Samoan people.

Samoa Medical Mission – Summer 2007

The trip was GREAT!  There were many trials and the days were long but the fruit that came from it was amazing.  Thousands of people were treated and hundreds accepted Christ as their Lord and Savior through personal counseling with the prayer team.

I was privileged to be part of the prayer team and the following verse came alive to us as we saw hundreds of lives transformed in every village. We were reaping that for which we had not labored:

Joh 4:35  Don’t you say, ‘There are yet four months until the harvest?’ Behold, I tell you, lift up your eyes, and look at the fields, that they are white for harvest already.  (36)  He who reaps receives wages, and gathers fruit to eternal life; that both he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together.  (37)  For in this the saying is true, ‘One sows, and another reaps.’  (38)  I sent you to reap that for which you haven’t labored. Others have labored, and you have entered into their labor.”

I was never so happy to be hot and tired.  20-30 men came through my station for prayer and healing in each of the 5 villages.  Each man carried a unique burden of sin and physical illness.  Some were broken when they understood their sin.  Others were angry and wanted to strike out or run.  God drew many to His throne of grace and they cried out to Jesus and confessed their sin and their Savior.  The others had the soil of their heart tended and the seed of the Good News planted and watered.

I pray that other laborers will enter into the labor and reap that which they did not sow.  I praise God that when I am weak He is strong.

Psa 92:1-4  It is a good thing to give thanks to Yahweh, to sing praises to your name, Most High;  (2)  to proclaim your loving kindness in the morning, and your faithfulness every night… (4)  For you, Yahweh, have made me glad through your work. I will triumph in the works of your hands.

Php 4:13  I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.

I am still coming to terms with the mighty work of God that I experienced while serving Christ through serving the people of the Samoan Islands.

In Christ,
Paul

Old House – New Home

God has blessed us with a larger condo. Our original apartment was 850 sq. ft. with 2 bedrooms and 1 bath. The new one is 1350 sq. ft. with 3 bedrooms and 1.5 baths.

Back – Mountain View / Front – Ocean in distance / Back Yard

There is a large park in the middle of our complex with several Samoan families living close by. The kids have many new friends and we all get to practice our Samoan everyday.

Park (Next to our Condo)

There is a sweet Samoan lady who teaches the neighborhood kids Samoan language and culture. It is great fun to help out while the kids laugh at my (Paul’s) attempts to speak Samoan. They are preparing to walk in a local Samoan festival and perform a Samoan dance. It will help raise money for a local church and the high school.

Samoa Festival at PCC

We recently attended the Samoa Festival at the Polynesian Cultural Center. Our favorite part was watching the high school dance competition. It was very similar to the competitions we watched in Apia, Samoa while adopting our daughter Grace.

Weaving Baskets                    Making Fire

          

Dancing                            Princess

         

Is God calling you?

God has opened our hearts to the health challenges many Samoans face. Our goal is to empower the people through education so they can address problem areas before they become serious. Cardiovascular disease and cancer have reached epidemic proportions according to the World Health Organization. Smoking is on the rise and Western Samoa beats out the United States in overweight population with over 57% suffering from obesity and its consequences.Despite government efforts there is also a desperate shortage of medical professionals. A regional hospital on one island serves over a quarter of the population with only one doctor and a few nurses. Medical professionals in related fields (i.e pharmacists, nutritionists and lab techs) are also few and far between. As we serve the people according Jesus’ example we open doors to share with them the Good News of Christ which brings true healing with eternal benefits.

God’s has sent many already to join the team. A nurse from last year’s team is helping Julie develop basic health care education booklets for the villages translated into Samoan. A local musician has made a special CD to offer to those wanting to support the ministry with donations. A number of churches have also opened their doors to us as we present God’s vision for the ministry and seek prayer and financial support.

You can be part of the team. Our next mission to Samoa is scheduled for July, 2007. This will be the larger summer mission, offering clinics in several villages in Samoa and American Samoa. Last year the mission’s team treated 2000 people in two weeks and over 800 dedicated or rededicated their lives to Christ. During the trip we will participate in meetings with church and government leaders to plan for our upcoming preventive education missions.

We would welcome the opportunity to discuss with you how we may work together to offer healing to the islands for Christ. Ask God if this is where he would like for you to get involved in missions. As in the body of Christ, there are no unimportant members in our ministry. Those who go stand on the shoulders of those who God calls to support them. We are the hands of Christ strengthened by the body Christ. Together we can touch a life for eternity.

There are two important ways to help:

• Go and Serve
• Support those who Go
  • Pray for them
  • Support them financially

We need to raise $3000 for the mission trip in July and another $3000 for a trip late 2007 /early 2008. This will cover travel, lodging, supplies, and most food for the two of us. We also have monthly administrative/office costs.All donations are tax deductible.

Donations can be mailed to:
Huffman Pacific Ministry
P.O. Box 88
Newland, NC 28657

If you prefer on-line donations please see our website.

Please prayerfully consider if God would have you answer His call for this mission.

Excitement grows for the summer mission trip

Si o’u alofa (I greet you with love),

I can’t believe it is 2007 already!! Our first winter here is proving to be much like the rest of the year with a few extra clouds and breezy nights. We even need a jacket at times if we are out in the evening. We did miss the season changes in North Carolina.

Praise Reports:

• God has answered our prayer for a volunteer Christian bookkeeper
• Our Network of Medical Contacts is growing
• We look forward to our Summer 2007 Medical/Planning Mission in Samoa
• We joined a local church… Makakilo Baptist Church
• Julie’s health has improved dramatically over the last few months.

Our networking with health professionals continues to grow but we are trying to build deep verses broad. It will be exciting to see how many of them will be led by God to go out to the mission field and those who will serve in other ways. A friend of ours at church has volunteered to act as bookkeeper and be a steward over the ministry finances. We have also made connections with those serving in other countries in the South Pacific. Paul has established a relationship with the leader of one of the most respected mission groups in Hawaii. It is great to learn of those who have walked the path before you. We hope to be able to share experiences with them and promote a cooperative spirit as we are all one body in Christ.

Our excitement grows as our medical & planning mission to Samoa is just a few months away. Paul and I will go with the large medical team to offer clinics in several villages and give the good news to those who want to hear about Jesus! While we are in Samoa and Am. Samoa we will meet with Christian leaders and government officials to plan for our future missions to the Islands. We will seek their council as to what they feel the greatest needs are in the islands regarding health and wellness. The consensus of need derived from these meetings will help us direct our efforts for the upcoming missions.

Julie continues in her studies with the Samoan language. Grace is starting to show an interest but we want her to pursue it at her pace. It is fun to practice on those around us that speak the language fluently. Grace enjoys hearing her native language and is picking it back up more quickly than her southern girl mother. Knowing at least some of the local language will go a long way in building relationships and caring for those we meet in Samoa.

Paul has switched from a salaried to a contract employee for his company in North Carolina. The complex Hawaii employment laws made it difficult for his company to maintain his salaried status. The good news is that he will be able continue as a contract employee with his current benefits. The bad news is that we will see about a 15% reduction in his net pay each month for the extra taxes and the loss of pre-tax deductions.

Julie is home schooling Grace now. Grace was doing ok at the first of school but did not progress with the rest of the class and the teacher could not give her the one on one help she needed. All parties involved think that this is the best option for her continued progress. Please pray about this and the following items.

• Wisdom as we begin meeting with our network of Medical Professionals and looking at what kind of educational programs would be most beneficial based suggestions from the Samoan ministry council.
• Finances for us and the ministry (currently 35% funded). With Paul’s recent employment change we have decided it is time to decrease our subsidy to the ministry and let it move on toward becoming a self supporting entity. This increase in the budget goal for the ministry has been reflected in the currently funded number above.

If you feel led to partner with us financially, please send your offering to Huffman Pacific Ministry, PO Box 700279, Kapolei, HI 96709. Donations to the ministry are tax deductible.

Thank you all for your prayers and financial support!