And We’re Back!

After an absence that was much too long, I have decided to again share the joys of being a grammar school teacher with you all! The content of Teaching 101 will be very similiar to A Glimpse into Room 106. The title changed because I no longer spend my days in Rm 106. I have moved down the hall to Rm 101 and now my days are filled with the joys that teaching 5th and 6th graders bring. Believe me, there is much to tell! I am working on a proper introduction to these 19 little darlings. Check back soon to meet them all!

Lay these before the Father

A good bit of my time here has been spent with volunteer teams as they go through orientation and debriefing. The volunteers are sent to various places on the island to do Kingdom work and I stay here and help Katie with logistical stuff. Throughout the summer I have struggled with staying behind. I have allowed myself to ask things like, “Why did you send me all the way here to do logistics – that’s not m work? and Why are you using me in the way I intended?” During one debriefing I was brought to repentance.

This particular week we had teams in three locations. Here are their stories:

Team 1
This team spent time with university nursing students. The dean of the school of nursing, Pak Allam, invited two of the ladies to stay in his home. They agreed. They spent two nights with this cousin family. There were many oppportunities to share beliefs. Pak told the ladies we are a family of peace! We have been asking the Father to show us people of peace throughout the island. While that statement may seem insignificant, know that that is the first step to becomming open to the truth. Ask you lift up this family remember Luke 10.

Two of the girls spent considerable time with two national nursing students – Noni and Ia. The girls said an instant friendship was formed. The national girls told them that they helped them to have a whole new perspective on American women. See, all they know of American women is what they see on TV and movies. And that is one huge reason cousins want nothing to do with following the Son. They believe all westerns are followers and all are like what they see on TV so all Followers are immoral people. The fact that Noni and Ia were able to change their way of thinking a bit is wonderful! Ask that the Father will continue to place Followers in thier lives. Ask him to make them seekers!

Team 2

This team taught English in several schools and orphanages. One team member was able to share that he was a Follower of Jesus. That prompted a lot of questions from the older students. One said, “I knew he was different.” Ask that these students would always notice the difference and want to know the cause of it. Ask that they keep asking questions. Ask that the Father keep providing bold volunteers.

Team 3

This team spent time on an island off the coast of the main island. It’s very rural. They spent time teaching the men on the island various farming skills. They even had the opportunity to introduce new crops to the area. They planted the first green beans to be grown there! Then men were very receptive. Now they have a way to feed their family and make money by selling crops at the market. Ask that the Father continue this ministry there. Ask that the permanent workers will conintue to find favor with the locals. Ask Him to show the team people of peace and that those people would become seekers.

Thank you for faithfully taking requests to the Father on my behalf. Although it’s hard to believe, my time here is almost complete. I can’t wait to share more stories when I return to the states. Let’s commit right now to continue to lift up this nation even after I have returned and the blogging stops.

Apa ini?

It’s “Apa ini?” time again! This week might be a little more challenging. We are done with fruit for now. New category: Indonesian history! I want you to tell me what is pictured and why it is significant.

Shopping for these prizes has been so fun!! And after this week you only have one more chance! So, Selamat menikmati!

Mmm, mmm, good?

Ok guys, tonight was the night. I tasted durian – affectionately known as “stinky fruit.” I don’t think I have words to describe the smell or taste. It is a very strong smell. If durian is close by, you smell it. Grocery stores have the stinch just hanging in the air. You don’t even have to cut it open to smell it. Awesome. It sort of has a rotting smell, almost garlicy, almost meaty. Really gross. I won’t ever forget it! Sadly, the taste is real close to the smell, but not as bad. Still gross, just not as gross. And the taste doesn’t really leave your mouth once you swallow. I really think it wouldn’t be as bad if the texture was a little different – maybe a lot different. It is so soft. I mean, really soft. You have to hold it gently or it will just be mush in your hands. I have to stop. I am grossing myself out. So, just know I took one bite and have the pictures to prove it. And if you ever venture out to Indonesia, they will make you eat it too!!

I am not sure why they are smiling. I think they just wish they were Indonesian. They both say it is an aquired taste. I am not going to find out if that is true!

Apa ini?

Apa ini? (What is this?) Ok, here is the second installment of our little game! This is a fruit I have not tried but I am afraid I will have to before I leave. It doesn’t look too tasty to me!

So, remember: First person to respond with the correct answer gets prize! Sandra was pretty quick last week, so watch out for her!

Hope you all are doing well! I miss you!
Selamat menikmati! (Happy searching!)

It’s Good

I love that I was able to capture this on video! At the end of an English lesson we taught these precious children this little song. They worked so hard to learn it and were so proud that they could sing it in English. My prayer is that they would trust that I love them and the Father would use that to draw them to Himself. Lift these little ones up – they need the love and protection of our Father.

Percut Needs Water

I have spent the last few days in the fishing village of Percut. I wish I had adequate words to describe what I saw. We pulled up to the village, got out of the car and immediately children starting coming. On one side of the street was a levy, on the other the community. Most of the houses are concrete. Some are nothing more than planked wood floors with thatched walls and roofs. People – mostly women and children – were out and about. The men were out fishing. Most looked eager to see us. Some little ones looked a bit unsure. All of the buildings were old and dirty. The people were dirty. Every inch of ground was muddy. Running throughout the village were chickens, goats, sheep and cats. As we sat in our meeting place smiling faces of boys and girls filled the windows and doorways. They are beautiful! The majority of the time was spent with those precious little ones coloring, singing and practicing english. While I was with the children the others spent their time providing the village ladies with basic health education.

On the other side of the levy I mentioned is a river. This river is the life source of Percut. They use it for everything – bathing, fishing, washing clothes, washing dishes, cleaning food to eat – EVERYTHING. It is filthy. It is unhealthy. It is their life source but it is the very thing that is causing illness and sometimes death among their families.

Lift up the people of the village of Percut. Ask the Father to provide ways for clean water. Ask Him to protect their bodies from disease. Ask Him to call those people to Himself. Ask Him to cause them to thirst for living water. Thank Him for going before us. Thank the Father for the workers that faithfully go that village every week.

Apa ini?

Apa ini? (What is this?) Ini buah yang khusus dari Indonesia? (This is a special fruit in Indonesia.) I realize it looks like a sea creature but I was brave and tried it. Believe it or not – it was delicious!

Click on the photo to see a larger image.

So here is the deal: Weekly I will post a photograph of an Indonesian treat. The first person to comment with the correct name of the pictured item will get a prize when I get home!

Selamat menikmati! (Happy searching!)

Father, Give them light

Yesterday I toured the Grand Mosque here in the city. I learned a lot about our cousins. My heart was grieved as I listened to the devout guide explain his faith to me. This stood out to me the most: Every day cousins are on their faces praying for light. Can you believe that? They are praying for light. When that precious man told me that I immediately began asking that very thing. Father, Give them light.

As I was alone that night in my room with the Word, I asked myself, “What is the purpose of light?” My thoughts settled here:

- Light takes away darkness
- Light guides our way through darkness
- Light enables us to see
- Light provides warmth
- Light enables growth

My next question was, “What does the Word say about light?”

Gen 1:3 – God spoke light into existence. He is the source of light.
Ex 10:23 – Plague of Darkeness. God provided light for His children. Light was their comfort.
Ps 27:1 – The Lord is my light and my salvation
Ps 119:105 – The Word is a light unto my path. It is our guidance.
Matt 5:14 – We are the light of the World.
Luke 2:32 and John 8:12 – Jesus is the light.
John 12:35 – We are commanded to walk in the light.

As I pondered and prayed through this scripture, I became so excited. And I began to think of a SS lesson I had just listened to the day before by Dr. Russ Moore teaching through the account of Moses living in the house of Pharoah. He pointed out that Pharoah was allowing the very man that would destroy his kingdom to live in his house and enjoy the ‘perks’ of growing up royal.

You see why my thoughts wandered there?

Just as Pharoah did not know what he was allowing, the cousins do not know what they are praying for!

Everyday cousins pray for light. The Word says that the Father is the light. We are the avenue in which the world sees the light. The Father has placed light all around the cousins in the PacRim! Everyday they are seeing that light as followers meet their needs. Tears well up in my eyes as I think about that! I love how the Father works!

Join me as I thank the Father for putting His light here. Ask Him if would soften hearts and allow the cousins to see His light. Ask that He continue to go before us and prepare the way. Ask the Father if He would allow cousins to see that they live in darkness. Ask that the Father would allow Katie and me to be light in this dark place. Ask that Matthew 5:14 be the cry of our hearts.

Brothers and Sisters

Friday I attended Jemaat [contextual (cousin-like) worship service]. There I met a few national brothers and sisters. It was such a sweet time of worship and fellowship. Between songs they shared what the Father is doing in and through them. Lift these situations up, please.

One sister shared about her opportunities to share with ‘cousin’ men in a neighboring village. That is rare because she is a woman. To keep things “right” the men invite their whole families to come and listen to her! The Father has opened a door for her to share with many people!

She also told of another sister in a village that goes everyday to wash clothes at the local well. She is the only Follower, the rest of the women are cousins. She is faithful to share His story daily to these women and they listen. Other people in the village say to these women, “She is just trying to make you a follower.” To which they reply, “We want to listen to her. We trust her.” They have also noticed a difference in her life. She has become a confidant to them. They said to her, “You are different. We know you have not told our business to anyone.” She continues to share truth to these women.

A brother, who was married today, shared the struggles he and his fiance have had dealing with family because of different circumstances. He was thankful to the Father for bringing the two of them together despite the struggle. He had such a sweet, calm presence about him. They are national partners who have a heart for their people. They are ready to partner together for His glory.

Lift our Indonesian brothers and sisters up! They are working hard to reach their people with the truth. They love the labor. It is exciting to see the Father using Indonesians to reach Indonesians!