I trust that many of you have already learned our family
will be returning to the States in May after having served the last four years
here in Indonesia. As you can all imagine, this is a very bitter- sweet moment
for our family. We are excited to once again be with friends and family and our
own culture. However, we are also in mourning, as we anticipate having to say
goodbye to the many friends and close relationships that have been formed since
we first arrived.
We have felt so honored and privileged in serving the name
of Christ to the people of Indonesia and being your representation in this
location. Our prayer is that we have acted honorably in our service to God, the
nation of Indonesia and for you all. We have been blessed by the partnership
that we have shared together with you in taking the saving message of Jesus
Christ to the most populated Muslim country in the world. Your continual prayers, encouragements,
packages, visits and financial support have continually been a great source of
strength for us here. We could not have had greater support in our ministry
here than what we have experienced in you all. We are so thankful for you all!
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Ministry Foundation:
In our time here in Indonesia, we have been involved with
the start of a ministry foundation that seeks to meet both the physical and
spiritual needs of many in this nation. We are excited to report this foundation is not only established but has
also been approved by the government (only God can receive such glory in this)
and is currently being operated by local
Indonesians. Many of your prayers, finances and even support visits have been
instrumental in seeing this goal become a reality. In the last three years,
this foundation has been involved with eye vision clinics, dental clinics,
teaching English in the villages and surrounding communities, pastoral
training, a ministry conference, visitation of our persecuted brothers and
sisters in Christ and providing visas for future workers here. Will you
continually join in praying for this foundation as they seek to become more
financially independent and seek to greater impact this nation with the truth
of the gospel?
Preaching and Teaching:
Living here has also afforded me with continual opportunities to
preach and teach in many house church fellowships, established churches and
ministry conferences as well. In our four years here, I have been blessed with
the task of meeting with church leaders and fellowships in helping them learn
how they may reach their own people with the gospel of Jesus Christ, understand
the gospel message and exist biblically within the local church. During this
time, much of our ministry has been met with opposition. Often, this
opposition has come from many of the false teachers within several of these
fellowships and even western workers who have brought “another gospel”
(Galatians 1:6-10) to this land. In many regards, ministry for us here has been
a continual spiritual battle and struggle. Our efforts have often led to
seasons of spiritual fatigue and loneliness. Not only have we experienced this
among those who would call themselves Christians but also among some of the Muslim communities that we have lived in as well. However, God in His providence has
also allowed us to see a great number of individuals come out from false
teaching and unbiblical practices within the church as well. May God receive
all praise! We are humbled to have been a part of such spiritual renewal in the
lives of those who are running more deeply and passionately for the Gospel in
this land and those who have been awakened by its truth. Will you continually
join in praying for the church in Indonesia? May the Gospel take root in her
and may she be a powerful witness among her own people.
Discipleship and Evangelism:
The last four years has also given our entire family an
amazing opportunity for personal discipleship and evangelism within our home as
well. One of my greatest memories of our time here will be in connection to the
young college age adults that have been a part of our Friday night Bible
studies in our home. This study has had somewhere between 25 men and women who
represent American and Indonesians, Buddhists, Muslims, nominal Christians and
Christians. Our studies through scripture, questions that have been asked and
gospel conversations have been so rewarding to have been involved with. Both
Misty and I are so grateful for the time we have been able to spend with them
all. Will you continually join us in praying for the gospel to take root in
many of them? May they continually grow in their love of Christ and His word
and be instruments of His glory in a coming generation here.
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