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CHRISTIAN STORY: Tun Juan - Gentleman, Gentle Man

Read about Tun Juan. He is a father, grandfather, great grandfather and a man devoted to his family and his church. His devotion to his family and to service for Jesus is inspiring.

BELIEVER PROFILE

   TUN JUAN
MEET TUN JUAN   When you first meet Tun Juan, you will be struck by his kind eyes, gentle voice and humble manner. When he says, "Welcome" he means it. But he is more likely to say, "Hafa Adai" (hello) or "Bienbenidu" (welcome) since Tun Juan lives in Guam and his native language is Chamorro. In Chamorro, "Tun" Juan is a term of respect for an elder. It refers to more than just an elder. It refers to a man of honor who deserves special reverance and respect. This is definitely Tun Juan or "Grampa" as he is known by his family.

Family is an understatement. Tun Juan is 89 years old and "Grampa" of a large and loving Chamorro family.
       TUN JUAN'S FAMILY
He will very proudly tell you that he has 58 "Grands" and "Great-grands" ages ranging from 4 months to 43.

Every week the family comes to Grampa's house for Sunday dinner. Getting together every week is a family value that is honored by all generations. Sunday dinner is a time to catch up on news, play volleyball, eat homemade Chamorro food, but most of all, it is time just to be together as a family. You can usually see Grampa watching over his flock with his warm smile and frequent laughter.

When you come to a Sunday dinner...And you WILL come to a Sunday dinner if Grampa has anything to say about it...
             
you will be greeted with aman, the Chamorro greeting, a warm hello and a kiss on the cheek...from everyone. And I mean everyone, even Baby Clare, the youngest great-grand who can give kisses. The common statement you will hear is, "After the first minute, you are not longer a guest, you are family. Get your own!" Get your own means get your own food and there is always plenty of it. Red rice, steamed rice, Uncle Joe's chicken kelaguen, kadu pica (spicy soup), kadu manuk (chicken soup), fried fish, chicken curry, pancit, hot dogs, Lola's bread pudding, John's legendary BBQ ribs, and more. You won't go away hungry! In fact, you won't go away empty handed. Grampa and the family won't let you leave without the customary Guamanian balutan (take home). There is a even a designated storage closet just for containers for left overs.
  FULL OF LIFE


In addition to serving his family, Tun Juan faithfully serves his church in Yona (pronounced 'dzo-nya', y is like j). Every morning, he opens the church and every evening, he closes it. If the church has an event, Tun Juan is the first there to set it up and the last to take it down. Anyone who knows, is quick to say that the church would not function without Tun Juan's quiet service for Jesus.

If you are ever in Guam, remember Sunday dinner. Grampa wants all of his family there.

Si juus maAsi (See-zu-us-Mah-ah-see) Thank you.


Read about Guam...Where America's day begins.


Back to Inspiration from Christian Story

5 Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for "God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble."
                      1 Peter 5:5 NKJV

               leaving a legacy

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11 He will feed His flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs with His arm, And carry them in His bosom, And gently lead those who are with young."
                                   Isaiah 40:11 NI

    
                     GUAM
29Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls..
                           Matthew 11:29 NIV


          guam photo

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