Summer Nights!!

Just got back from a girls afternoon at the pool. Yes I heard 49 of the 50 states got snow and I got a sun burn. Wish I could say I was upset...but definitely loving this, minus the no AC. Anywho...

So since we aren't in America, Brette and I are having to learn to cook the Indonesian way. It certainly was not something I thought about when heading this way, but we are extremely privileged in the states to have microwavable meals, frozen food and packages with all the ingredients ready for you. Here we are having to learn how to cook from scratch. Let me explain...if I want tacos, (which I would probably have to substitute tofu for the meat), I would first have to make the flour tortillas-not quick- then mix the spices for the flavoring of the tofu. Not to mention that sour cream and cheese are pretty much out of the question b/c hey are expensive. What is even more difficult is that our kitchen consists of a portable stove top where the only heat settings are boiling and burn...not literally but the lowest setting boils water in about 10 seconds. We are extremely lucky that the couple we are living next to has a somewhat normal kitchen and the wife is teaching us a lot. So far we have learned to make biscuits, sausage and as a team we are still perfecting fried chicken. We also are learning to make casava chips, kinda like potato chips. We will be expert from scratch cookers soon...feel free to donate any from scratch recipes!!

"Earth, Earth, Earth hear from the word of the Lord." -Jeremiah 22:29
Our Father is so faithful! We have been thinking hard about the people in our village. We want them to have dreams and ask questions. So far two of the workers here were able to share the truth of the son's work with Bapek and the brother. We have also had several opportunities to share. We ask them to correct us as we read our Indo version of the book. Today the kids were asking the difference between us and them while reading. So that has opened the door to share more with them. WE have also thought a lot about meeting new people in the village and again our thoughts were heard. We have been invited to visit a few new homes and we have met some new people. Sometimes being a Boolay is a good thing!!

This week in the village showed us how much our family likes us. We didn't spend the night b/c we didn't want to be a burden, but every day they told us to just sleep there and stop driving back and forth. They were much more willing to let us help too. It took us one time or asking and they let us climb into muddy rice paddies and pick the rice. One day, as soon as we got there the sister asked if we wanted to sift sand with her. Another thought answered b/c we want to be considered a part of the family and j\not just visitors.

I want to encourage some, if not all of ya'll to be bolder in your walk. Maybe look into overseas work. It's really been put on my heart of how Global the message is meant to be:
"Lukewarm people are continually concerned with playing it safe, they are slaves to the god of control. This focus on safe living keeps them from sacrificing and risking for [the Father]." - Crazy Love pg.77

"As for me, here I am in your hands, do with me what you think is good and right. But know for certain that if you put me to death,k you will bring innocent blood on yourselves, on this city and on the residents, for it is certain the Lord has sent me to speak all these things directly to you." -Jeremiah 26:14-15
Be Bold. Be Unafraid. Don't let your fear hold you back, but the courage of the One carry you through.