Summer Ministry Games, July 3rd thru 6th

The month of July marks the time of the year where many young Pacific Islanders, mostly Micronesians come together every year to play the sports of men’s basketball and women’s volleyball games. This event began fourteen years ago and has been growing over the years.

This year's event included several teams from Southern California, Hilo, and Oahu. There were individuals that came without a team but they simply came just to enjoy the games and the fellowship among fellow islanders.

Although fewer teams showed up in comparison to previous events, the outcome was overwhelming and beyond expectation in both the sports and ministry activities. Some of us made an assumption that the reduction was due to the inflating cost of fuel these days. But could it be the work of the Almighty? Time management for the games was superb, and in turn enabled more time on ministry activities.

The Saturday evening service dedicated and ran by the Youth was long yet very inspirational and enjoyable. Along with the powerful and uplifting worship songs led by MOMUSA worship team, there were special numbers, hand-motioned dances and powerful testimonies presented. Few came forward to share their experiences during the event. Silence filled the worship room as tearful testimonies were shared. Following the presentations was the message preached by Mr. Lawrence Yinolang, one of the youth leaders. In closing, Mr. Yinolang challenged the congregation where several came forward and gave their lives to Christ. What a blessed night that was!

The games results for the 2008 Annual Summer Ministry Games are as follows: For the men’s basketball, first place champion went to team Oahu, team Hilo got second place and the third place went to the Braddaz, from Southern California. Interestingly, the smallest contestant in the three-point shoot-out among 30 plus contestants won the champion. I mean a 12 or 13 year old boy! For the women’s volleyball, first place went to the G-Kumi from San Diego and the second place to Tamaora from Pasadena.

From the MOMUSA leadership, we want to convey our heartfelt thank you to all that came and took part in the ministry event especially our brothers and sisters from Oahu and Hilo who have been supportive and actively involved in this ministry for the past seven or eight years. We also want to thank our communities of Pasadena and San Diego for their continual support and participation in all aspects of the event, from finances, meal preparations, transportation, coordination of the games and worship services, clean ups and the many areas you have helped out in. Lastly, I personally want to thank each and every member of the MOMUSA Ministry Committee for being a team player in planning and carrying out the duties being assigned to each one of them.

We are already making plans for next year’s event and we will disseminate the information as it is made available. Two years ago, a team from the State of Pohnpei came all the way from Micronesian to compete and left with the first place trophy. Hawaii and mainland teams, we have received an exciting news that this team might be returning this year along with a team from the State of Chuuk. So make plans and don't mis out on this exciting event. See you next summer!