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Our First Full Day In Taiwan 

Traveling here was…long.  VERY long.  It was a 10 ½ hour flight to Japan and then another 4 hour flight to Taipei.  It was 10pm here when we arrived, which is 7am at home in Portland.  Needless to say, we were tired and ready to sleep when we arrived.

We started our day by travelling on the MRT (their mass transit train) from our hotel to Christ’s College.  The college is actually at the top of a hill, so we walked from the train up a very steep hill.  If you have ever been to Taiwan, you’ll know that it is very humid here.  We are all adjusting to sweating a little more than normal! 

Chapel In Taiwan

We were introduced to the student body at the beginning of their chapel service.  We will be speaking at their chapel on Friday.  After chapel, we headed down to Tzu-Chiang Elementary school.  We gave away basketball cards and invited the children to the outreach event we are doing on Saturday.  The kids were VERY cute and some spoke pretty decent English.  After hanging out with them for a while, we headed back to Christ’s College to have lunch with the students.

Sight-seeing And Fellowship

After lunch we had some time to explore the city.  Many members of the team headed into Danshuiwith some of the students from Christ’s College.  It was very helpful to have students who are familiar with the area showing us around.  Danshui has a lot of shopping and there is a nice walk along the river here as well.  We truly enjoyed the company of our local hosts and they seemed to enjoy us as well.  They at least enjoyed our attempts at speaking Chinese!

Sports and Testimonies

This evening, we met back at Christ’s College to play various sports with them.  Some students played volleyball outside while the basketball teams from Multnomah and Christ’s College warmed up with some competitive events in the gym.  The night ended with a basketball game.  Multnomah had a modest 99-48 victory.  Every Multnomah player hit a 3-pointer within the first half.  They played great and had fun.  After the game, Melissa Miller shared her testimony with the students via an interpreter. 

Pray

We walked back down the hill to the train in pouring rain.  At one point, Coach Bickley smirked, “So…if you want to be a missionary, this is what it’s like!”  It was actually a nice cool down after the game.

Tomorrow is an early start.  We are heading to Bethany School to lead their chapel and minister to their students.  As you read this, keep us in prayer.  Pray that people would come to Christ, that we would stay healthy and safe, and that God would continue to work through each of us.

Colin Wyenberg
Admissions Counselor
Multnomah Bible College

It is just about 48 hours until I head to Taiwan.

Wow…It doesn’t quite feel real yet. I’ll be going to Taiwan for 10 days with members of Multnomah’s Basketball and Volleyball teams to minister to the people of Taipei. The big idea of this trip is to use sports as a means of connecting with the people of Taipei and to be able to share Christ with them. Even though I am only marginally athletic, I am VERY excited to be a part of this team. I have the privilege of joining them in their ministry efforts as well as promoting Multnomah to a number of students.

Spending Our Time

The majority of our time will be spent connecting with students from four different schools in Taipei. Bethany Academy and Morrison Academy are two Christian schools that have a large number of missionary kids. We’ll be speaking in their chapel services, giving a few basketball clinics, and playing a game against their high school basketball team. Christ’s College is a unique college where about half of the students are believers and the other half are not. Many students are enrolled in the English program and we will have the opportunity to share with them at their chapel services as well as play a basketball game against their team. The last school we will be working with is Tzu-Chiang Elementary school. We will be inviting them to an all-day basketball clinic on Saturday, May 23^rd that will be held at Christ’s College.

Follow Along and Pray For Us!

I will be blogging every couple of days and I’ll be sure to include plenty of pictures! This is a great opportunity and we would love if you would join us in praying that God would grant us opportunities to share His love with the people of Taipei.

Until next time…Zaijien!! (Good bye)

If you have been following us on twitter you may have caught the announcement of our new Online Application.

Now for a bit of an explanation

At some point in the distant past, MU released its first “online” app. It was awesome. You could pull all the necessary documents into your own home using only the power of the internet. In reality, we were providing what amounted to nothing more than a link to a PDF. But it was so cutting edge, so cool, that we rode that wave of technological magnificence up until yesterday.

On Monday, May 11, 2009 Multnomah University launched a real online application.

You are now able to do the entire process online – application, references, application fee – all real, all online, hence a “real online” application. Bottom line, we want to save you money on stamps. I mean, the price of stamps is a moving target now-a-days and we really don’t want the stress of that financial uncertainty to be the deciding factor that comes between you and a MU Bible education. This is just part of how we here at Multnomah are working hard to make the admissions process faster, easier, and more convenient.

Don’t even get me started on printer ink.

http://www.multnomah.edu/goto/Apply

The 4th generation iPod is most certainly larger than a new iPod Shuffle (that’s the point, isn’t it?)

A classic NES controller is bigger than a new iPod Shuffle. While some would say they’re more fun, especially when plugged into the NES for a little Super Mario Brothers or Mike Tyson’s Punch-out action, that’s for you to decide.

This DeLorean time machine toy from Back to the Future is bigger than a new iPod Shuffle.

“What does this have to do with anything,” you say?

This brand new iPod Shuffle happens to be the grand door prize at the New Alumni Celebration on May 14th! (this prize is for a new graduates only, and the battery in the photo, used to indicate size, is not included)

Other door prizes include books, CDs, fun MBCS logo merchandise, book bags, and more (all guests in attendance are eligible for these door prizes).

Details
The Alumni Department is looking forward to welcoming this year’s graduates into the Alumni Association at the New Alumni Celebration on May 14th at 7pm in the JCA.

Scott Frazier (‘02 MABS) is our special guest speaker and Brian Cheney (‘02 BS) will be providing musical entertainment. An elegant dessert will be served to over 225 guests at this evening celebration.

RSVP is required and the event is almost full – students need to RSVP today:

• Farrah Weinert
  Phone: (503) 251-6455
  Email: alumni@multnomah.edu

Other info:

• Each grad present will receive their Alumni Association Card which gives them access to their Alumni Benefits
• Each grad present will receive their Multnomah Alumni Association keychain

Clearly, you don’t want to miss this event!

The following is an email sent from the Wellness Center on campus late last week. We have re-published it here because it has been recommended to higher ed institutions by the Centers for Disease Control to do so.

H1N1 (Swine) Flu Information for the Multnomah University Community

The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) have been reporting about the outbreak of H1N1 (Swine Flu) and cases have now been reported in Oregon. There is also now evidence that the flu can be passed from human to human. Travelers to and from the affected areas are advised by the CDC to exercise caution.

Public health officials in Oregon and Multnomah County are monitoring the situation and will continue to offer direction and advice, as cited below. Multnomah University is collaborating with these officials by monitoring this situation on our campus and putting their recommendations into effect. Multnomah University will help identify persons that may have the H1N1 (swine flu), ensure that persons with symptoms are not spreading the disease, and encourage all persons with symptoms to see their local physician, urgent care facility or the emergency room immediately. Please know that the university has a response plan in place should we need it activate it.

For prevention, MU is doing the following

• Wellness Center is monitoring local and national outbreak developments and has created posters reminding the community to increase hand washing/sanitizing
• Dining Staff has increased cleaning and disinfecting procedures in all dining facilities
• Custodial crews have increased cleaning and sanitization of surfaces, doorknobs and bathrooms around campus
• Hand sanitizer has been placed in classrooms and in strategic places around campus (although frequent hand washing is still recommended)
• Appropriate staff and faculty have been notified to be ready with their departmental responses should the response plan be activated

Symptoms & What to do if you think you have it

H1N1 (swine flu) is a highly contagious respiratory disease characterized by high fever over 100.4 , cough, sneezing, sore throat, body aches, nasal congestion and fatigue – and in some cases nausea and vomiting.

If you have above symptoms:

• Please first call the Wellness Center at 503.251.6685 as soon as you notice the first symptoms, so Nurse Jana can assist you in getting the proper care.
• See a medical doctor! It is important that you be treated by a physician within the first two days of the above symptoms to see if you need an antiviral medication that will lesson the symptoms and the duration of your illness. (Note: this medication is not going to be helpful after that time frame.)
• Avoid exposing others to your illness! You may get a protective face mask from the Wellness Center. (If you have flu symptoms, these should be worn while around others in addition to avoiding being around others as much as possible.)

How you can help avoid H1N1 (Swine Flu)

H1N1 (Swine Flu), like any other influenza, is spread from person to person by being exposed to respiratory droplets from infected people.

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth as germs spread that way.
• If you are ill, stay home or in your residence hall room away from others.
• Wipe down surfaces that may have become contaminated with disinfectant wipes.  Staff and Faculty may wish to keep on hand a container of disinfectant wipes for use in their offices and/or classrooms.
• Wear a face mask when there may be others around you with flu symptoms.  These can be found in the Wellness Center and at a number of stores nearby.

Again, if you think you have the flu, please call Nurse Jana to ensure that you are doing everything possible to prevent further spreading of the illness. This is very important!

We will continue to monitor this issue and contact you if any important new local developments arise about the occurrence of the disease. In the meantime, we encourage our community members to learn more about H1N1 (Swine Flu) by visiting one or more of the websites listed below.

More information

• World Health Organization
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Multnomah County Health Department

Sincerely,

Jana Poling, RN
Wellness Center
503.251.6685
jpoling@multnomah.edu

Someone has absconded with the letters “L”, “O”, “V”, and “E” from the “Multnomah University” sign on Glisan Street!

Honestly, who steals letters?

Some possible theories from around campus:

• Since the “pink mist” (that means that engagements and love is in the air with students) is floating in spring, perhaps someone is trying to propose or otherwise proclaim their love with the golden letters of “love”?
• Maybe it is tennis players from nearby Montavilla Park since “love” means “nothing” to them!
• Maybe there is something malicious afoot where someone is trying to make a statement about no “love” in MU?
• Perhaps our Advancement department is holding an elaborate fundraiser where “love” is being held hostage and only one letter at a time will be released as ransom is paid?
• Maybe I couldn’t think of anything better to blog about so I trooped out in the rain, in my suit, with an expensive camera, and staged it for giggles? (Nope. Campus Services would be ticked!)

Well, honestly, we don’t know what happened or why. Maybe the letters will resurface? Probably not.

Oh well…any ideas? Anyone?

Over the years we here at Multnomah have gotten many, many, many requests from alumni, donors, and parents for us to let them/you know how to pray for/with the Multnomah community. Since we definitely need the prayer and know that many people praying in accord is a good thing, what we’ve decided to do is create a category called “Pray For MU” (you can find it in the menus on the right side) on this blog and every few weeks we’ll post a list of requests from around campus.

Most of the following requests are quoted or strictly paraphrased from the person requesting it – so if the tone, style, and tense changes then you’ll know why.

Please Pray For:

Student Services

• Strong finish for students, that they would take good self-care, and safety traveling home after finals.
• Protection and provision for our graduating seniors.
• A healthy, protected campus should swine flu get worse.

Alumni

• Our upcoming New Alumni Celebration event as we inaugurate this year’s graduating classes into Multnomah’s Alumni Association.
• Our 50-Year Society members as they return to campus to partake in graduation activities and lead our graduates in the commencement. 
• My [Michelle Peel's] upcoming International travel.
• May 17-31 with our students to Scotland to support the ministry of Re: Hope with Brian (BA ‘98, MDIV ‘01) and Kellie (BS ‘99) Ingraham.
• June 1-8 to support the ministry of Tim (BS ‘99) and Rachel (BS ‘00) Uthmann in Rome, Italy.
• June 9-30 in Jinja, Uganda

Teacher Ed/MAT

• Increased enrollment in the Teacher Education program.
• Our students to have the resources to keep coming.
• Wisdom and discernment for the program director.
• Kathy McKee, our new full-time faculty member who starts on July 1st.
• Adjuncts: excellence, good relationships with students and with other faculty.
• Our preparations for an upcoming (September) TSPC site visit.

General Staff

• Those being laid off here at Multnomah to find peace, work, and new ministry opportunities.
• Energy to complete the tasks that God has laid before us.

Financial Aid

• Our students and their families during the economic times – not just on having more money for school and living - but having the peace of Jesus.
• More and more students and their families at home are a mess. In some cases, the children are “parenting their parents” because their parents are overwhelmed with life – whether it’s financial, emotional or whatever – these kids are so burdened for their parents but more importantly their younger siblings that are still at home. They feel responsible and want to be there for their younger siblings but they want to stay in school and fulfill God’s call to be at Multnomah. It’s fairly obvious that these students are overwhelmed with all of this.
• Our enrollment challenges to not just get new students, but keeping the old ones in the midst of total chaos. They [students] need wisdom and peace.

Advancement

• Student Aid Society Gathering, Thursday 4/30 – 5/2 in Northern California. Pray for safe travel for Dr. Lockwood and Matt Forsythe.
• MU – MBC – MBS Graduation 2009.

Do You Need Prayer?

• If you would like prayer, please use the comments on this blog to state it and other readers will pray with us for you.
• If you would like prayer, but don’t want it public, you can request it here. Our Advancement Department prays for these requests every week.