Update (finally)

Dear Friends,

So much has been going on these past few weeks! There is both a lot to do and a lot to pray about. I have been teaching, and studying, and have just started Unit 7 in my language school, (7 out of 9) which is the 3^rd and final level of the school. Thus far I have been studying a how to communicate and be polite, and a little bit about the inner workings of a family and history of Indonesia. In phase/level three, I will be studying the culture much deeper; why do Indonesians believe the way they do, what do they really think about this or that, and so on and so forth. I will also be studying major scriptures and Bible verses, today we studied Psalm 23, not too in depth, but in Indonesian. I was so excited last week that I kept flipping through my new book and nearly read the whole thing.

Teaching is going strong, and I still love it…I’m trying to get the kids to get over their shyness and simply speak, as I believe that to be the biggest hindrance. I have also been making new friends, and getting a lot closer to some of the ones that I had already. One such friend is an American woman named Rio who is married to an Indonesian (from Sumatra), they have one little 3yr old boy who is just a doll. I have really enjoyed getting to know them, and they have already presented me with a few possibilities. One of these possibilities is that they have been teaching me how to drive a motorcycle, and have said that if I want to buy one (and am serious about coming back) they would take care of it while I am in the States. Another is that next week they will be in Bali and have asked if I would like to watch their house. This would basically mean that I would spend the week in Salatiga instead of up the mountain…it sounds like an awesome experience, and due to some details, may even be a God-send. So please pray for me as I consider this.

There is another new development that has presented itself, and that is that I have been invited to go to NTT (the eastern part of Indonesia) for a week in August and so some ministry there. The people I would be going with are all excellent people, and we have a lot of fun while we are together. I don’t know many details yet, but I would be working with mostly children, and doing things like teaching them how to pray. This would be a fantastic opportunity, it would , however, cost some money (not much, but enough to mention here) so please also pray that if it is Gods will that he will bring it to pass.

I have been in the beginning stages of preparing myself to go home for a while, and also planning what I need to do when I get back, but God has been teaching me how to let go, and let things die. I have been meditating on the scripture “Lest a seed falls to the ground and dies, it remains alone.” And I have also a new understanding and appreciation for “walking through the valley of the shadow of death.” This has not been easy, and is still not easy, but I know that it is necessary. So, please continue in your prayers, know that I think of, pray for, and talk about you all all the time….all of my friends here want to meet all of my friends there, as they have heard so much about you ;) . Though it is a death, I am looking forward to going home for a while (and not eating rice) and seeing you all and telling you all of my stories. Much love, Me.