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!
