November 23, 2006    

Greetings Canadian folks and Happy Thanksgiving fellow Americans,

Janet & I are not eating turkey & dressing, but we are extremely thankful - for much improved weather here in
Pontianak...we are enjoying real sunshine, frequent rains, even stars and the new moon....what a blessing! The air is
clear and we are enjoying breathing again! God has been so good to us, but parts of Borneo are still in thick smoke
and east Java is rationing water because El Nino has kept the rains from them...so keep praying, please.

The recent visit of Opa Williams (the seminary founder) and his team from Fresno, CA, was inspiring to our teachers
and students alike. Opa's non-stop smile was contagious...and his love for Indonesians was like having Jesus himself
among us. His two pastors served us like Peter (teaching) and John (loving), and the ladies reminded us of Mary
Magdalene and Mary sister of Lazarus, with their devotion to God and Opa. Was quite the 10 days! Ended it off with
a huge birthday party for Opa, who only turned 96 in November!

We have only 2 weeks remaining in Pontianak, leaving Dec. 10 for Jakarta, then Dec. 15 for Vancouver. Exams at STK
happen next week, then a cool Christmas service for the staff & students Dec. 1 (Janet will have the choir in great
shape!)

November has been a real joy, with the school choir singing beautiful numbers while Opa was here, and our classes
giving us opportunities to share our spiritual journey with students. This week Janet's "final exam" for her Music in
Worship course was to have her students demonstrate creativity in leading chapel from four different perspectives. . .
they have done well and are soon heading off for 6 weeks of practical ministry.


Love you all, and will see many of you fairly soon!

Dennis & Janet