Tropical Isles

2020
Newsletter of the Guam-Micronesia Mission
Tropical Isles
Getting Dengue Fever in Ebeye
Jessica surprised her students by returning to Ebeye for a second year, but after coming down with dengue fever, she questions her decision to return.
Official Statement Concerning Coronavirus
Guam-Micronesia Mission President Ken Norton has released a statement regarding the Coronavirus and how the island nations are protecting their borders.
A Time for Renewal in Christ
Young ladies from across Micronesia opened the new year with Women's Ministries first ever Teen Conference and Retreat in beautiful Palau.
Student Missionaries Serve in Paradise
Student missionaries from different educational and cultural backgrounds are serving across the Guam & Micronesia region.
GMM Operational Guidelines for Churches
GMM outlines Operational Guidelines for church meetings in relation to the number of coronavirus cases that may become confirmed on any of our islands.
Guam-Micronesia Mission Releases Coronavirus Contingency Plan
Guam-Micronesia Mission has created a Coronavirus Contingency Plan effective immediately that will serve as our guide in dealing with any possible outbreak of the virus in the islands in the future.
Third Annual Guam Micronesia Alumni Reunion
Current and former missionaries reunited at this year's Guam Micronesia Alumni event in Loma Linda. They reflected on the progress and renewed their commitment to the work in Guam-Micronesia.
Letter of Encouragement from the President
Ken Norton, our GMM President, shares words of encouragement in these challenging times. Amid the turbulence of the coronavirus, our own responses can bring peace to those around us.
Island Hopping: First Class
The Director of Volunteer Ministries for North America visited his recruits on the islands of GMM to witness firsthand how missionaries live and work in Micronesia.
Spared to Serve
In one of the few places left in the world that remain free from COVID-19, missionaries in the Marshall Islands take advantage of this rare opportunity to reach people's hearts in personal ways.
And Suddenly Everything Changed
When people were driven into isolation because of COVID-19, the work of the gospel moved on...line. Learn how churches shifted to technology to keep people spiritually connected at this critical time.
Saipan Completes New Housing Project
Though some GMM projects were recently postponed, we are thankful for one completed in Saipan. Damaged during Super Typhoon Yutu, the faculty housing has now been replaced through generous donations.
The Class of 2020 Graduates with Distinction
Guam Adventist Academy lauded the Class of 2020 during an unprecedented time in an unprecedented way -- with its first online graduation ceremony.
Welcome the New Director of Education
Churchill Edward is our new Director of Education. As one of Pohnpei SDA Academy's own graduates, he answered the call to serve at Guam-Micronesia Mission.
Being a Missionary is Not for an Island Girl
A testimony of how God uses our unique lives to relate His love to others. God closed doors then opened windows of opportunity for this island girl to become what she never dreamed of - a missionary.
A Multi-talented Missionary
God blesses people with a variety of talents to serve others. One missionary describes his joy in discovering the ways God uses him to help across the Marshall Islands.
Every Home A Cathedral
Pastor Walter John and the elders of the Pohnpei SDA Church turn homes into cathedrals during their Sabbath house visitation program.
Deja View: Return to Online School
Returning to PCOR-1 has not changed Guam Adventist Academy's mission. Staff respond to the increased restrictions motivated by love for their students and greater determination to continue God’s work.
Novel Coronavirus: Renewed Evangelism
Saipan SDA Church members lovingly reach out to their own congregation, local community, and across the ocean. Be inspired by their methods to meet physical and spiritual needs at this crucial time.
COVID-19: What It Means for You and Your Family
GMM Executive Secretary Remenster Jano calls on families to use the pandemic restrictions as an opportunity to build relationships at home and deepen our relationship with God.
Voice of Prophecy Bible Study Translations for All the Islands
Closing borders has opened opportunities to spread the gospel online. Pastor Suhot uses his past experience and current situation to translate the Voice of Prophecy Bible studies into Marshallese.
Drive-thru Clinic: Medicine and Ministry Collide
The Guam Seventh-Day Adventist Clinic rises to meet the challenges of the coronavirus, while providing patients wholistic healing for body and soul.
Adventists Giving
Donald Lloyd, our GMM Treasurer, reminds us of why we return of tithes and give of our offerings, even in times of uncertainty.
What I Learned From First Graders
As most of our Student Missionaries are transitioning home in this COVID-19 changing world, here is a precious reminder of the positive differences that are made through their service at our schools.
First Regional Youth Conference
Earlier this year, youth leaders across GMM gathered together to become brighter lights for their own islands.
Masks Reveal the Church’s Love for Its Community
Undaunted by COVID-19 reaching their territory, the SDA church on the small island of Tinian put love into action by providing masks for their community.
Starting School in 2020: COVID-Style
By God's provision, all 11 SDA schools opened this year with the help of locally-hired teachers working alongside missionary teachers. They move forward in faith, while more teachers are still needed.
What We Can with What We Have
Hands and hearts in action speak louder than words, as members in Pohnpei clean their community. Volunteers accepting a neighborhood invitation embodied Christian stewardship to local officials.
Because God Loves You
The NAD Adventist Community Services provided a relief fund to support food pantries. The Agat-Santa Rita SDA Church experiences the joy of seeing their community's response when meeting their needs.
In Our Own Backyard
Home visits in Pohnpei led to a family with roots in Adventist education. Through an offer for Communion, the church learned that spiritual seeds had been planted in this home by the local SDA school.
Connecting the Chuukese Brethern
Pastor Ifa visits the SDA members in the western islands of Chuuk. They enjoy this fellowship only once or twice a year due to limited transportation, yet each time, bonds are strengthened.
Mission Doesn't Take a Break
Local teachers and long-term missionaries provide an essential bridge between the old and new school years. Read what one school was up to this summer to engage children during the summer break.
Made to Move
The NAD Health Ministries Department challenged people across the division to move physically and spiritually. Participants from GMM islands connected over fitness, faith, and new friendships.
75 years of Soul-Winning and Counting
The liberation from World War II introduced Guam to Adventistism. When a family offered hospitality to a military visitor, they opened the door to more than they expected.
Missionary Teachers Still Needed
The Ebeye SDA School has been both blessed and challenged by the pandemic. As other Ebeye schools closed, SDA enrollment increased, yet closed borders means a greater need of online teaching support.
The Story Channel: Where the Stories Never End…
Just in time for the holiday season, JOY FM launches "The Story Channel". Enjoy the gift of story time 24 hours a day with this new web streaming channel. Gather round, it's time for a story!
Re-New Normal
Thanksgiving is a time to reflect on our blessings, but with so much changed by the "new normal" of the pandemic, how do we celebrate? Thankfully, there is a Gift we can always be thankful for.
AMEN Guam-Micronesia
The health message is called the "entering wedge" of evangelism. The recently formed AMEN team of Guam-Micronesia unites medical providers and pastors in the work of healing souls.
Young Hearts Won for Christ
Youth Ministries Director Pastor Intong shares how youth across the region are on fire for Christ. Young people are engaging in church activities and giving their hearts in baptism.
Face to Face
As we gather as close as possible to our loved ones this season, there is One who desires to be even closer.
The Printed Page
In the age of digitalization, is literature evangelism still relevant? Pastor John describes opportunities to place tracts in the hands of everyone from school children to civic leaders in Pohnpei.
Let Hope Be the New Normal
Most can't wait for 2020 to end. Start the new year with "Hope Now". Because COVID pushed our tent meetings on Guam to a digital platform, all islands and beyond can now join the Bible seminars LIVE!

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