After three flights and a long bus ride,we left 11 hours behind us,and exited the plane to find ourselves in Jakarta, Indonesia! The humidity and mosquitoes were the first to greet us! With greasy hair and tired eyes, my teammates and I explored the airport restaurants for breakfast. I ate some garlic toast, a boiled egg, and some black tea with milk. In an effort to experiment with the cultural norms, I smiled at people and said hello. Everyone responded in the same way, and were shy but friendly. Their English is very good, with a little accent. The Muslim women wear a hijab and the men wear prayer hats—which is most of the population. I got to talk to a group of women as we were waiting in line, and friends(!)—THEY WERE SUCH SWEETHEARTS! They are so gentle and polite, but have a sense of humor too! Truly a smile, a compliment, and just asking questions scales even the highest barriers!
1st Day
When our bus arrived in the suburb town we’d be living in at a bus stop, I looked out the window to see our host, Dessy, smiling the warmest smile and waving to us! She embraced each of us, and introduced us to Pa Ian and Pa Fabi—our other hosts—who loaded our hiking packs and my guitar into their small cars. The whole while, I could just see pure joy on their faces. “Pa” means “sir” in Indonesian. They drove us to a restaurant that was half inside half outside, and treated us to a feast! Servers brought fried eggplant, fish soup, brown rice, chicken legs, tempeh (tao fu), cassava leaves, and lots of different sauces to our table! The food was incredibly good and our company was even better! Afterwards, they drove us to the English language training center we’d be serving and living in this month. Once there, we peeked into the various classes going on and got to meet the very energetic children!
The eight of us slept in the upstairs classrooms, on our inflatable mattresses. I took a bucket shower, and avoided drinking the water by brushing my teeth and rinsing with a cup of clean water from a gallon of water they had bought for us. Dessy was joking with us about there being cockroaches, rats, and little lizards, but it wasn’t long until one of my teammates was screeching about a cockroach while using the squattie pottie and a little lizard jumped off the ceiling onto a bag a couple inches near me while I was unpacking things. SOOOOOOO… I was quick to put up my mosquito net around my inflatable mattress!
2nd Day
We had to pack up everything before nine, and store it on some racks in a back room, for their morning classes. We are all still adjusting to the time change, so Dessy brought us to her house to rest while classes were going on at the training center. The journey there was my favorite memory so far! We followed Dessy through the maze of narrow streets, as local people who were washing clothes, cooking food, working on the street or on their mo-ped, or watching their children play, smiled and waved at us! It felt like our team was part of a parade, as all the local people would see us coming and come out of their houses to greet us! Ah, it was such a precious cultural moment! SO MANY BEAUTIFUL SMILES!!
Once we arrived at Dessy’s house, she led us to a room with some mattresses on the floor for us to sit on and a little outdoor balcony. THEN! She left the room only to return with a little table full of fruit, Indonesian snacks, and bottled water! Oh my goodness, my heart just burst!! No joke, my eyes are filling with tears again just remembering her generosity! We spent the day there resting, journaling, and reading. Once classes were over around 3 PM, Dessy came back and we followed her to the local mall to eat lunch and go grocery shopping. That night we cooked a stir fry meal, while trying to “not see” the cockroaches that would scurry across the counter and disappear into another crack in the wall.
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Thank you so much for all of your prayers! My team feels rested up now, and we are praising God for our wonderful hosts, indoor facilities, and each other! There are both Muslim and Christian teachers working at the language center, and they have a Bible study before class at eight each morning. The Christian teachers read the Qua’ran and the Muslim teachers read the Bible. They discuss commonalities and what they learned. Muslims will not allow Christians to talk about their faith, so the Christians show extremely high respect for the Muslim faith, and minister by how they live with love and serving. In return then, the Christians are loved by all. I was amazed by that, because I often see Christians in the U.S. speaking derogatorily to people of other beliefs and just how tragic that is because it distorts the character of Jesus. The Christians here deeply love each other and their Muslim neighbors.
Contact:
Since I’ve entered Indonesia, my phone will not work for the rest of the year. The best way to contact me is my email: k[email protected]. I also use WhatsApp and Marco Polo. I will be active on my blog weekly, so ask lots of questions and I appreciate your interaction! Let me know the questions you have in the comments below, so I can create my posts based on what you’re interested in and get the pictures you want to see! Lastly, take a moment to think of someone who might be inspired or supportive of these stories. Please subscribe their email to my blog, or share the link with them. I’m hoping these stories of how God is moving in the hearts and communities of people around the world will nudge other people to take up their skills and further the Kingdom. I want to hand off the baton for someone else to “go” when I return. You are welcome to share posts I write on your social media if you wish!
Prayer Requests:
- Muslims pray 5 times a day. If you could remember to intercede for them during those times that the truth of Christ would be revealed to them.
- Going to fast and pray for the lost in this community on Wednesday, if you would like to join us.
- For opportunities to be the hands and feet of Christ to the people we meet.
- Most people speak only a few basic words of English, so the language barrier is a big challenge… even in communicating with our hosts. We need lots of patience and grace!
- Bond of unity among our team!
- (updated) Tonight I got sick multiple times and now there is no food in my body. I also have a low fever and cannot keep any liquids down. Dessi sat beside me on the floor and held my hand and prayed for me in Indonesian. My teammate Shauny is also caring for me, and Malysa will take me to the doctor in the morning. WHAT A BLESSING COMMUNITY IS!
Kaitlynn: You are amazing! What a wonderful adventure you are on. I’m so confident God will use your experiences in a mighty way and I can’t wait to continue to read about it on your blog. Thanks for your update and the pics…they really help us know what you’re up to and how to best pray for you. So proud of you. Praying that you will be blessed and will be a blessing to those you meet. God Bless!
Kaitlynn,
It is wonderful to hear the pests are greeting themselves, you Know I believe one of Gods intentions for the Cockroach is nourishment !!!! 😉 JK… All kidding aside I do have one request, for spiritual observation; In Juarez I found the whole surrounding area to have a completely different spiritual atmosphere, like Gods presents was a lot stronger, He was more apparent in everything going on at the time… As you stated they teach from each others book, Christian and Muslims one to the other and everyone is so respectful. As you travel around and experience the culture, people and places I pray Our God would allow you to have the eyes to see and Grace you with His Spirit to feel his movements in all things allowing your Ministry through Him to be stronger by His guidance… And as stated this feedback would be wonderful…Bless you
Continued prayer, From our Family to all in his will,
Robert,
I will join you in praying for the truth of Christ to be revealed to the people you are teaching and who are taking such good care of you! I loved reading your blog today! Prayers for restful sleep, strength, and guidance by His Holy Spirit. Loved the pictures too!
Hi K,
Glad u made it safely. So sorry u r sick. No fun. Esp overseas.
Am writing u from frontier ventures where david has a m meeting today in cal.
May the L use you in His vineyard. Prayers and blessing m and d
So glad you get to experience Indonesia. It is “home” for us in an odd way but also foreign at the same time. I totally understand all the smells, feelings, emotions and physical things you are going through. Including the sickness! Stay cool, use lots of bug spray, take lots of pictures and journal lots! It is a whirl now but goes by so fast. Praying for you and all those you come into contact with that you can help spread the good news!
Loved, loved your Indonesia story and your pictures!!!
Prayed for your health and your teammates’.
I so admire your courage and concern for the gospel.Go! Go! Go!
Strength, healing, encouragement, and joy I send your way. Continue to remember your “why” as you fight against this sickness. Always blessed in your blessings.
Kaitlynn,
So thankful for your willing spirit to say “yes” to this journey of faith. I love to read your descriptive details of your first few days there. I am sad that you got sick so soon after arriving in your first country. I am so thankful that you are recovered and back to doing our Father’s work. Praying for you and your teammates in your work and the lives that you are touching there.
Love ?? Mom
The question marks by my name are supposed to be a heart (love).
Hi Kaitlynn! My!! What an adventure you are on!! Your mom share your blog address with us. We think of you there and know you are seeing and learning so many things. We trust your “bug” was a simple virus and passes quickly! Try to keep hydrated. We will look forward to your next Post on your blog! Love and best wishes , your Netawaka KS neighbors
Wow! Thanks so much Terry! It’s always so exciting to see a comment from you! Your prayers and encouragement help so much. : )
Haha! Thankfully I don’t “see” the “creatures” running around the house so much anymore, haha! Great thought about spiritual observation, Robert. I totally know what you mean… I experienced that kind of discernment while I was serving in both Peru and China. To be completely honest, I haven’t experienced much of a difference in the spiritual atmosphere… except for when we were worshipping at the church service Sunday and it truly felt like a CELEBRATION! A spiritual affirmment that we are SET FREE from the bondage of sin and fully live through the SPIRIT’S sustenance, and claim our SALVATION with open lungs each breath! I loved the energy and pure joy radiating of each person present! The other time I sensed spiritual conflict, was when my team was eating a picnic lunch outside and the Muslim call to prayer began over the loud speakers. My team was chatting but I couldn’t hear anything but the loud cries of the Muslims praying. But it wasn’t fear that I felt, it was deep DEEP sadness. The sky grew dark after the prayers had started and then it started to rain so we had to leave. I really appreciate your encouragement to be discerning what’s going on around me spiritually… it will help me in my days moving forward to be more sensitive to God’s Spirit living in me. Thank you for your prayers too! This week God did INDEED GIVE ME EYES to see the injustices and corruption around me that was hidden the week I had first arrived. Blessings you and your family!
Thank you so much Joyce!! I feel that so many of the Muslim teachers who join the Bible study are just ON THE EDGE of getting it! Your prayers have helped them take interest in us so that we are not struggling to spend time with them, but rather THEY ARE INVITING US to lunch and fun outings! It’s so amazing!!
Thanks so much Karen! I’m so so so SO thankful that you pointed out that gift God has given me at Launch: gift of observation and seeing people as Jesus does. That knowledge has really helped me use it as a skill rather than unconsciously. And!! I’m completely healed from the illness now! Whooo! Praise God! : ) Can’t wait to catch up with you and Keith again!
Hey Mary! Thanks so much for your constant prayers! I LOVED SEEING THAT VIDEO OF YOU AND CAROL THAT MY MOM SENT TO ME THE OTHER DAY! I was so surprised and delighted that I gasped when I saw your faces! Honestly, with the illness, it’s to be expected when first entering a country. I wasn’t totally surprised. But I’m completely healed now! : ) That’s so fun that you and David got to be refreshed and encouraged at your meeting! I can only imagine the beauty of so many m’s in one place! Love you!
Hey Heather! Oh my goodness, reading your post while I was sick was SO COMFORTING TO ME. Your words were spot on. I’m completely healed now! Getting to talk with ya’ll before I came here has proved to be so helpful and so many different moments. Thanks for blazing the trail! : )
Aaaaaahhhh Carol! I can’t even right now, haha! So glad you loved everything! Thank you for your prayers, I’m completely recovered now! Whoo! I ADMIRE YOUR COURAGE AND CONCERN FOR THE GOSPEL! Go! Go! Go! Love you!
Thanks so much Keith! Aren’t these Indonesian Christians amazing!? Thanks for speaking TRUTH! : )
Ah, thank you so much Cindy! That really helped me to remember my “why.” I knew when I signed up for the WR that hospital visits, sleeping on the floor, and killing cockroaches with my Bible could be a possibility! ; ) Blessings to you sweet woman of God!
THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!! So glad I got to talk with you the other morning!
Carl and Gloria! I’m so thrilled to hear from you and bring you along on my journey! Thanks for being such good friends to my parents : ) It’s been a week now, and I am completely healed of the illness! Whoo hoo! Thanks again, so happy you guys are here : )
Love these descriptive glimpses of life and ministry on the Race! You truly do see with the eyes of Jesus—all the people and the places He has placed before you. We are joining you in prayer, and look forward to hearing about how the Lord works in and through you. (And praying for a full recovery from illness!)
Thanks for sharing, Kaitlynn. Loved seeing photos of everyday life.
But mostly I loved hearing how local Christians are known for their love. You are exactly where God wants you to be.