Update for June 2011

Once again trying to get caught up with the updates...

OUR May TRIP to Kalimantan...IN SHORT…
We got to Pontianak, picked up a rental car, met with a few of the PPIK leaders, got things ready for trip up country, drove 200 km to Anik through 4 heavy thunderstorms (stopped in a few places on the way), met with the head of the GPPIK church and his wife.
From Anik to Ngabang where we visited several families, then to 3+ hours to Serimbu (our old village…about 50 km from Ngabang). Sunday was feasting and thanksgiving celebrations in Serimbu. We met people, ate a lot of good food, shared in church, visited many old friends, had some good conversations with several young men who had recently made a decision to return to the Lord and the church.  All in all a great time of fellowship and encouragement.

The trip from Serimbu to Ngabang and Pontianak was without incident – which we were thankful for. The day before no vehicles could pass as there was major flooding on the main road. (Motorcycles could get through if they paid to be taken over the flooded area on a makeshift raft! No raft big enough for cars or trucks! ☺ )

In Pontianak Henry met with GPPIK church leaders to discuss strategy for the coming year and Janet joined the leaders of the ladies ministry as they planned a special seminar for wives of pastors and church leaders. We were also able to visit some “pre-believers”, especially one family whose father is struggling with cancer.

ONE EVENING IN PONTIANAK…
I (Henry) was able to meet with some of the denominational leaders from our churches. I asked them what they thought about the condition of the denomination as a whole. They stressed need for a lot of wisdom.
Though believers are not poor, they are not supporting the denomination. With the coming of Credit Unions, people are not saving money, but rather borrowing to buy motorcycles…. With monthly payments taking a large portion of their wages, people are giving less to the church… More must be done to encourage the leaders, better communication is needed.
One pastor shared that another denomination invites its pastors to the city every month for a pep talk and the imparting of a vision. All expenses are paid from an outside source. But the pastors are excited to run with the vision, and their churches are growing. Though PPIK cannot afford to do this every month, they would like to try it at least every 3 months. They hope to be able to gather about 150 leaders together, but will need about $6 per person to help with food and other supplies. Each pastor would pay for his own transportation and an offering would be taken towards paying for the next meeting.
Communication and a sense of belonging are missing. We are praying that these planned meetings will be a catalyst in the Lord's hands to bring about some much-needed change in the lives of the leaders… change that will filter down and infect the lives of church members as well. Financial gifts marked "Kalimantan Ministries" are tax-deductible.
They were also challenged concerning sending a missionary from GPPIK. One young lady, a 3rd generation believer, is applying to go on the OM ship Logos-Hope. If you are interested in supporting a national, she is someone we would highly recommend. Contact us if you want more details. (Her grandfather was one of the first converts from the ministry of Janet’s parents. He was also on staff at the Berea Bible School).  You could also contact Operation Mobilization directly and specify a gift for "Cynda Kyoci" from Indonesia.

SCHEDULE for JUNE/JULY…
1-3 – packing and sorting, as well as visiting several key people in Singapore
4 – lead a seminar on how to teach churches that their missionaries need member care
5 – afternoon… fly to Denpasar, Bali for 1½-day holiday, followed by 5-day World Team Asia Area Conference, followed by 2-day orientation for summer interns to Indonesia…
16 - 30 – wrap things up in Singapore
26 – Henry to preach at Bethesda Pasir Ris Mission Church (where we live) on the Discipline of Serving
July 1 – 12 tie up loose ends, prepare to leave for Canada.
9/10 weekend sleep-over for Indonesian domestic workers
12 – leave for our 6-month home assignment


Again, we rejoice in God’s goodness to us in allowing us 10 years in Singapore to train missionaries and each Indonesian ladies for Christ. We look forward to what He has for in the near and distant future, and we appreciate your prayers for us in that regard.
In His Strong Arms,
Henry and Janet

WORLD TEAM OFFICES…
CANADA: 7575 Danbro Cres., Mississauga, ON L5N 6P9 1-800-610-9788 wt-canada@worldteam.org
USA: 1431 Stuckert Road, Warrington, PA 18976, 1-800-967-7109 wt-usa@worldteam.org
AUSTRALIA: PO Box 217, Ringwood East, Victoria 3135 61-3-9879-6377 wt-australia@worldteam.org