From our email update

Dear Friends,

We have reached a milestone here in Indonesia!! One we are proud to say we reached! We completed our first of 9 units of language study! Hallelujia that is now behind us and those ahead of us say it is the hardest. Friday was our last day of class for Unit 1 and now we have a 2 week break before the next one begins. Looking back to the first day of class, we are amazed at how far we’ve come in just a short amount of time. We can now have conversations with our neighbors. As a matter of fact, just this morning I was talking with Ibu Samsia and for the first time, I completely comprehended what she was saying to me, without my dictionary and without having to ask her to repeat it. She asked me to teach some of the neighborhood kids English as they come often to play in our yard. I learn bahasa Indonesia from them and she suggested that when they come to play, having little mini language sessions for them in English. For them to go on in school, aparently they need to master some English so it will help them out and it helps me out! A great combination, I’d say.

Joel has been taking opportunities with the men we’ve hired to do some repairs to the house to learn language on subjects like construction and gardening. Each day they are here, he looks up words having to do with that subject and then goes out to talk, hoping to incorporate those terms in conversation. It has worked well so far and he looks forward to that time each day. It is also a great way to build relationships with the men we see often around our house!

On Friday, we set out to do a very daunting thing! We invited all of our teachers over for dinner. Ten came and so for 2 ½ hours we spoke in Indonesian. It was tiring but it was also a great way to practice what we’ve learned with those who have taught us so well. It was a really nice time to see our teachers outside of class and get to know them a little better. On Monday, they will be giving us our evaluations for this first unit. Pray we can communicate clearly what we know and that we won’t be nervous.

For the next 2 weeks, we will be trying to rest and give our minds a break from the intensity of language school, while at the same time, reviewing what we’ve learned and using it in every day opportunities. We may try to get away one night to do some shopping in a nearby city but for the most part our holiday from class will be spent at home. One of the main priorities is to spend time together as a husband and wife, going on a few dates together and also to spend time as a family with Jack. He is doing so well and we feel like he has completely adjusted to our move here. He is now walking all over the place and loves to bop up and down to music any chance he gets. He is still full of smiles and gives them away to anyone who looks his way. Our house helpers told us the other day that he said his first words to them, in Indonesian! They asked if he was done with his snack (sudah makan) and he said “sudah” – done! Then they asked if he was ready to take a nap and his answer to this was “tidak” – no! Of course, isn’t that every baby’s first word! I guess it’s that way in every language!

Our local volcano keeps on a’ puffin’! Just last night we came out of our family room to find the house covered in ash! I almost slipped on our tile floor it was so slippery from the dust. I keep asking each time it erupts if that is all and my neighbors say, “you never know. It could go on for months like this!” I hope it ends soon but I’m sure those who live closer wish that more than me. The rebuilding in Yogyakarta “Jogjakarta” after the earthquake is still going on. We have been able to help with some of the efforts there finanically, but because the volcano is between us and Yogya, we have been advised to stay here. For safety reasons, it would not be wise to be there when and if there was a large erruption. The response to the needs there has been huge. Many churches around the world are sending money and manpower to help those in need. Keep praying that God will use this to open the eyes of those who have yet to trust him for salvation. Perhaps something of this magnitude will bring to reality their need of spiritual salvation as well as physical. That is our prayer.

We have really enjoyed all the emails that you all have been sending our way these past months. It is wonderful to feel connected to home.

Keep praying for us as God teaches each day how much we need Him. We are so thankful to be here and believe God is using so many of you back home and around the world to be our team mates. Remember, for a wheel to have the rubber meet the road and keep moving forward, that wheel must have spokes and a hub supporting it. The hub is our home church and the spokes are those in between praying and giving so we can go! You are vital to this task!

We love and miss you all!