Dem

The plane engine drowned out Israel calling my name. It didn't matter, my mind was in another place as the pilot said to prepare for landing. I could see the people gathering around the air strip. I was nervous and anxious. Would the Dem people embrace me and my kids? What would they think of the pale skinned girl climbing out of the plane? I gave my nervous laugh as I stumbled on my skirt getting out. The Dem people looked on curiously I'm sure wondering what would be my next move. There was a stand still. They weren't running up to me, trying to hold my kids, or even smiling. Fear planted my feet and plastered a smile. It was all so intimidating. I whispered to my coworker, "what should I do?"  She mentioned that it would be good to greet the ladies. So I did, I walked up to each woman and did the traditional Dem "handshake thing"and said Hello. Oh gosh I was so awkward but managed to fumble through my first introduction to the Dem ladies. 

Its funny how I had built up that moment. Grand expectations of how I thought I would feel. All collapsing in my dose of reality. It had taken years of preparation all finally coming to fruition. Long before we knew the Dem tribe, myself and so many others had unknowingly prayed for them. People sacrificing money and time all for me to be standing there. Disappointment set in as I followed Jared up to the location of our future house. 

I walked in to see some tribal guys sitting on some bins we had just flown into the tribe. He pointed out a little old man standing in the corner. He was the one who walked mountains (literally) to meet Jared and our co-workers in Wano. Months ago, he had stated his case that he was growing old and the Dem needed to hear "Gods Talk." Time was running out.

I watched the old man walk out and immediately felt grief thinking he probably will never get that chance, but has laid the ground work for his people.  What I had seen in the Dem could not be unseen and what I felt could not be forgotten. That this old mans soul is at stack and many others. The callousness of saying that at numerous churches numerous times melted away. And the reality of this truth reached into the utmost parts of my heart. I don't want to forget that moment. 

My expectations trumped by reality that there is a job to be done. That my love for these people would be fleeting at times but that Gods would never waiver. As I write this I feel an overwhelming thankfulness to be doing this job! So thankful for the churches and individuals who make it possible by giving financially or standing with us in prayer. Thank you for allowing our family the chance to be moving into the Dem. Pray for us as we prepare to move in January. Pray for us as we show Christ love in actions long before we know their heart language. Pray for the Dem People...

 "I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them." Isaiah 42:16

Culture Shock Times2

“I believe God is leading us to Papua,” Jared said to me while sitting in a little Javanese restaurant. I still remember my reply and it rising from the depths of some of my greater fears. Hot tears streaming down my face I choke out, “Are you sure?” Indonesia the land of islands had many places for us to go and do tribal work. All of them I was willing except for the island that Jared uttered, Papua. Different people that had come and gone didn't sugar coat the place. It was always perceived in my mind only the most extreme missionaries go there and Lord knows I'm not one! The arm pit of Indonesia, the land of disease, and the last place I wanted to go:) 

After we confirmed it with leadership we received an email saying our home most likely would be broken into within the first month, adjusting will be stressful on our family, and to anticipate culture shock times two!  

I took these words with me as we walked off the tarmac and never forgot them. In fact, I held on to it fiercely and it shaped the way I viewed the world around me. It would never live up to my expectations nor could it because of the walls I built. I stiff armed the people, I rejected their culture, and embraced the notion that this could never be my home. 

The thought that my children would most likely call this place home left an unpleasant taste in my mouth. Why? Was it that rice would forever be a food staple to them? Or the smell of sate coming from street vendors would be more familiar than the smell of BBQ grilling on a summer day. That sidewalks not littered with trash would be a luxury or feeling grass under their feet while playing competitive football would be utterly irrelevant. And most likely never completely understand western thinking.  

Maybe because in my mind we would be different than each other. Things that I hold dear would be an afterthought to them. Or maybe it is the fact that I wouldn't be able to relate to them. My own flesh and blood I wouldn't completely understand or be able to empathize. They would always be torn between two worlds.

It took me going back to the US for maternity leave to realize that the place that used to be home now lacked the luster that I held in mind. It was different somehow, something changed, or I changed. Don't get me wrong, being with family, seeing my kids play with their cousins, and of course eating good ol' American food is still an amazing blessing. 

For the three months we were home I prayed the entire time that God would change me. Change the way I view Indonesia and take my eyes OFF what the world tells me I need or don't have to what is eternal. To keep my eyes fixed on him and be thankful for the opportunity to be able to share His Story with those who have never heard. To help me see Papuans as He sees them. To feel His love and hunger for them to come to the knowledge of His Saving Grace. 

Its still a battle I face daily to be thankful and have a humble, adaptable spirit. But its getting easier as I walk in truth. I truly with all my heart feel we are exactly where God wants us. I have peace saying those words! Knowing he will never leave me or forsake me. That His Love and Grace followed me all the way to the jungles of Papua and loved me through a difficult year that has changed me. 

To Wedded Bliss

Im flying solo right now because Jared at the moment is hard at work building our house in the tribe. So this means I need to put my procrastinating tendency aside and attempt being organized. I planned plenty of time to get myself and the kids ready for a friends wedding. Despite my best efforts little did I know Israel would spill juice all over his clothes seconds before walking out the door. Our dog would decide to chase a pig when I opened our gate to leave. Which translates me running up our street in heels with a baby strapped to me trying to catch him. And a motor bike that wouldn't work. Granted I did leave the keys in the ignition the night before. Moving on, it was a crazy day and I need my husband back home! 

All the stress was worth it because tonight I got to see a beautiful couple commit their lives to each other in front of family and friends. Gloria and Andy have dated for eight years and dare I say somewhat the modern day Romeo and Juliet. You see Gloria is Papuan and Andy is Indonesian. While I realize this statement probably means very little to you. You have to understand that saying this entails  so much more than what appears on the surface. Underneath it lies decades of warfare, death, and fierce opposition.

Its frowned upon by both cultures to intermarry. But despite family disputes and cultural differences tonight they stood side by side and devoted their lives to each other. It was a sweet moment that I felt privileged to share and be a part of their special day.

Im not sure who is having more fun;) 

Israel telling him he has a lizard in his pocket named hairball.

Welcome to the World of Blogging

OK, so I totally feel intimidated to be blogging. But after alot of pressure from ahem Jared :) And having amazing missionary coworkers who blog every week. I feel the time has appropriately come upon me to take this challenge. (Yes I consider blogging a challenge) All I can say is thank God for spell check! 

I have been thinking through how I wanted to start off the blog. What topics to talk about, I mean its my first blog post. Its got to be good, it has to be eye catching, and draw the reader. (This was my check list) But here is the thing; we have not begun anything exceptionally exciting. We are still in the language learning phase of missions. The mundane life of learning language is not exactly sexy or eye catching. 

 I also made a list of what I wanted to accomplish in communicating our life to you the reader. I hope to be honest, living in a third world country is hard. Its not always glamorous and upbeat. I think there is a stigma and expectation that missionaries feel when it comes to talking with supporters and churches back home. That our outreach has to be generating tons of success or that it needs to feel and sound dynamic.  While I pray this is true in the future its not always realistic. 

I hope to give a little glimpse of our life and what we encounter on a daily basis. By showing pictures of the food we eat, or describing how I get grocery's by driving a moped with two kids strapped to me. You will get to see this crazy life of living in a different country. 

Lastly, I hope to convey our heart. The reason why we moved our family to the other side of the world. Why we left all that was familiar to face a world of constant change. It was so that we could give HOPE, TRUTH, and FREEDOM to a tribe that has never heard the name Jesus. They live and die without ever knowing the Creator and his utmost love for them. Man, I hope we can be a part of seeing lives changed. And one day greeting the Dem people as brothers and sisters in Christ!