First Quarter 2008

WOW! Where has the time gone? Our schedule has been quite full, and now that I finally sit down and start to write a blog I realize again that I need to set aside more time to reflect.... This blog was started on 4th march... and has become a daily journal as well as a look into the future....


January 1 -10 : Pontianak, West Kalimantan (Borneo), Indonesia... visiting friends, taking some time off because life has been much too busy. Great chance to get caught up on what's been happening with some of our Dayak and Chinese friends. Lots of good food and fellowship.
It is encouraging to see some of our friends' families where the children have grown up to be responsible adults who love God and are good citizens.
January 11-13: Batam, Indonesia... spent 2 days at the Harris hotel... a great chance to relax and read. Spent 1 and 1/2 days with the Korean trainees from ACTI as they visited several sights / churches in Batam. Were able to spend a bit of time with Wendy, Linda and Merry, helping them purchase some things for their home. Rev. Lee was a BIG help, driving us around. This man is an angel.
January 14 - February 1 : Korean course at ACTI. This was a tough month for us. How can you be an effective resident trainer when you can't verbally communicate with 75% of your trainees? Yet, there were some redemptive aspects to this time. It seemed that toward the end some of the ice was finally broken. Trainees were all good people with good intentions. I don't think they learned all that they should have while here, mostly due to the language barrier, but everyone was stretched and went away much more informed as to the intricacies of cross-cultural life and ministry.
February 2 - 19 : a bit of a blur.... some meetings to attend, some struggles with evaluating the short course in January. some writing and reading, visiting others in ministry. on-going ministry with Indonesian Maids (though this is primarily Janet's ministry, I help out in various ways.) Had several groups of people staying over... ACTI alumni, Indonesians, some friends from Bethany College of Mission, others...
February 20 to March 1 : Penang, Malaysia. First 4 days were a much needed holiday. We had a great room on the 24th floor overlooking the bay at Paradise Sandy Beach Hotel. Good friend Timothy Kim lent us his car so we could get out and around. That was great! Following this was our WT Asia LEAD meetings. Great messages from David and Rosemary Harley, former Int'l Director of OMF. So good to hear great Bible teaching from well-educated, yet humble and down to earth servants. Lots of sharing from fellow field leaders. God is doing some good things in and around us.
March 2 - Seems there is never a lack of things to do... why am I writing this at 12:30 in the morning? more to come.....
March 5 Good friends, Darrel and Sylvia Davis leave Singapore for Canada. Sylvia has been suffering kidney disease for many years. Finally, they were forced to return to Canada and wait on the Lord for the future.
March 6 Good friends, Dr. & Mrs. Wendell Geary long time medical specialists in Kalimantan who don't believe in retirement, stay overnight on their way back to the States. Another guest from Bethany College of Missions arrives late on her way from Cambodia to Batam.
March 7 : International night at SBC. Had to miss this wonderful event, just too busy and too tired.
March 8 : Our good friends Jason and Ruth Ann get married. A delightful, talented couple. An honour to be at this wedding.
March 9: Farewell for Emik, one of the leaders of our Indonesian Fellowship here., Evening spent with a very gracious Korean couple who have a passion for serving the Lord!