Welcome to Indonesia. The streets are filled with motorcycles, the people are filled with smiles, and cockroaches don’t die the first time you step on them.
When we arrived at the bus station our host picked us up and took us to lunch. The table was spread with tea, rice, fish soup, chicken. We filled our bellies and went to our ministry location-a local school. The children lined up to greet us by shaking our hands and placing our hand to their forehead. My tired spirit was overcome with eagerness and excitement.
After the children left we settled in to the classroom (where we would be sleeping). I laid down on my sleeping pad at 4 pm to take a nap, which turned into sleeping off and on until 3:30 am. 20+ hours of travel will do that to you.
When I woke up I was filled with discomfort and fear. It was 3:30 pm at home. But here I was laying on a floor in Bandung, listening to the endless sounds of city life right outside the window. Tears streamed down my face as I asked God over and over again, “Why am I here?” After the tears subsided I noticed the small amount of light coming from the window. In that moment, I felt Him speak to me, “To bring light into darkness.”
I know God is already present here. He’s already working here, so I asked Him to show me where He is. “Where can I make your light shine brighter, Lord?”
The sun came up and our first day in Indonesia began. We took a walk through the narrow walkways between homes and it was then that God answered my question. As we passed by people walking with their children, standing outside their homes, and selling dragon fruit and little bananas, they smiled at us with light and kindness in their eyes.
God is here in every single one of those smiling faces.
Woo hoo I can’t believe we are here!! Loved hearing how this has been for you the past couple of days… It has definitely been hard, but so dang thankful we are learning how to live in a place so unfamiliar to our homes in the U.S. and to totally rely on God. If you ever want to talk to someone when you wake up in the middle of the night, feel free to nudge me girl. Loved that your first reaction was to speak to Christ… And how He gave you an answer through the beautiful Indonesia people 🙂
Full of love!
Miss you so much and so happy to read an update! Keep your head up!
Great first step, common second-guessing your decision, but SUPER recovery and reliance on our faithful Creator God to show the way to his purposes for you for the moment. Excellent!!
You’re there for a reason, to make a difference and to bring love and joy to others. Best of luck to you, looking forward to hearing more from you????
Just remember GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME!!!!!! Proverbs 3:5,6 too!!! Trust in the Lord with ALL your heart and lean not on your own understanding but in all your ways look to Him and He will direct your paths!!!!! I am so proud of your faithfulness to the Lord by doing His work!!! You’ve got this!!!!
I got chills all over reading this. Amen amen amen! God is using you and I’m so delighted. Love you, friend ??
This brought tears to my eyes. Love that you found answers from the Lord. Still praying
Glad you arrived safely. We’ll be keeping you and your team in our prayers. Love hearing how God is speaking to you and working through you and your team. God is good!!! Hugs
I love this: “I know God is already present here. He’s already working here, so I asked Him to show me where He is. ‘Where can I make your light shine brighter, Lord?’” Keep asking the question, dear heart! I can’t wait to see what He shows you!
“…where cockroaches don’t die the first time you step on them.” haha! Welcome to Asia! 😉
“Why am I here?” — I pray you never stop asking God this question.
See you soon!