AUGUST 18, 2006
Greetings
Friends,
Janet & I are quite settled now in Pontianak, mostly because school
started two weeks ago, eh? She's being challenged
to make class plans with all her materials from different sources, and
then translate them into Indonesian, but because
it's all about music in worship, it's mostly a joy to her. My biggest
challenge is to somehow convey all of Darrell Bustin's
notes to the students when what I really want to do is tell them stories!
I'm working on a compromise in that
department, eh?
Here's our typical day:
*Wake up 6:30, eat breakfast (with all the ants on the table!) and read
a psalm with our two girls
Juliwati and Eka (living with us and doing housework, fixing meals, etc.)
*Head for STK, only 100 yds. away, greeting all the kids on the street,
and trying not to sweat!
*Teach one of the two morning periods, then go to Chapel at 9:45am (&
sit near a fan!)
*Talk with the students outside class until around noon, then home for
lunch (hot meal of the day)
*Take a short rest, if nothing else needs to be done (Janet has choir
2x a week at 1 pm, bad time
of the day, because students have been up since 4 am and just eaten lunch.
i.e. ZZZZZZZZ)
*In late afternoon, prepare class materials for the next day, or do shopping
for food and supplies.
...on Friday, I get to play badminton with some of the staff and students
(girls only watch!)
*Light supper at 6 pm, then several evenings have worship fellowship with
students or local house
churches (if we're there, we usually are "invited" to give the
message!)
*Later in the evening, go upstairs to ride on the exercise bike or use
the computer...we're so
fortunate to have an ac there, and now this "Speedy" linkup
that keeps us close to YOU!
One night a week, Janet & I go out to the new super-mall here, to
shop and just walk in the cool air...it's a real treat
by comparison to most places (i.e. the air is hot & humid and it's
virtually impossible to walk anywhere!). I, of course,
strike up conversations with people everywhere (because they want to talk
to westerners!) while Janet does most of
the shopping. Actually, it's amazing how people here will listen to the
Gospel in some form or the other, if I show an
interest in them!
Prayer requests:
1. We desperately need RAIN here...it's extremely dirty and smokey! We
are praying too!!
2. Janet needs prayer for her courses and to enjoy (read:"survive")
the many "formal" women's
activities (you know, she's not one for formality, esp. in clothes!)
3. I need prayer for my sense of claustrophobia here...we live in a very
"small" world of
home, school, and a few trips to the store (on harrowing roads). We have
very few contacts
outside of our ministry and our fellow teachers' social norms outside
of class & worship
times are much different than ours. We do have great times at scheduled
events, but not
much beyond that...i.e. not enough for this socialite!
We do THANK GOD for you, your friendship and your pr;ayers...perhaps we
couldn't realize the value of family and friends
until we are this far away. I also must admit that I do miss coming home
to 4 playful daughters (the cat living here does
NOT compare!!!)
Would really like to hear how your summer and other things are going,
and your prayer requests!
Love and blessings in Christ,
Dennis & Janet