greetings and hallucinations--
those are not my words, but the words of pak ken, a career "M" who, on one of our first nights here, fed us dinner and charmed us with a very informative powerpoint presentation on life here in indonesia. everyone on the team--all the "M"s--are gracious and helpful. i'm so glad for this chance to see and experience life here so that i can lift them up, join with them, even after going home.
my first time in asia has been eye-opening and i think will even prove to be shaping of who i am from here on out. i underestimated what kind of effect it would have on me, honestly. i am now seeing and understanding what jessica's life has been for the past year and a half--i'm excited for it. and i am also now beginning to understand the weight of what it is to be a light to "cousins" all over the world.
okay so today we spent time at an orphanage in the city. the kids were older than i expected! in fact most were in the 10 to 17 range and only a few younger than that. we sang songs, played games, shared pictures, and they taught us a few of their songs as well. they are beautiful, so kind, and shy, for the most part. it's a frustrating thing to not be able to go any deeper than just a few short phrases in conversation with them, but what a neat thing that through songs and games we are able to fellowship with them regardless of the language barrier. i will say, again, their english is better than my indonesian. it's the trend it seems.
we are trying new foods every day. we are experiencing the full joy of squatty potties and spicy chicken feet. today in our spare time the girls got a cream bath = a $3 version of an upper back and scalp massage (whoop). we are learning to press through the remains of jet-lag and throw ourselves fully into the day at hand. we are loving indonesia and PROMISE to actually truly really post pictures soon soon soon.
stephanie
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Indo
Hey everyone!! Indonesia is amazing. It is so different than anything i am used to and have been around but i can tell that he is doin incredible things through these people.
We just got done eating some classic indonesian food(chicken feet mmmmmmmm) at the orphanage. The kids there gave us so much love and loved all the songs and skits that we did. Their smiles were contagious and everyone had a great time. I still havent learned many indonesian words yet but smiles are universal!!
Yesterday me,steven, an scott got a chance to play indoor soccer with a team from the university in indonesia. I was a lil nervous considering that i havent played soccer since mightymites but we dominated lol jk! I believe we get a chance to redeem ourselves thursday because they called and invited us to play again, so we'll see how that goes..........
We have so much more left to do here and i can see that he is working through everyone of us here. Please keep us in your prayers! bye ttyl
much love Buddy
We just got done eating some classic indonesian food(chicken feet mmmmmmmm) at the orphanage. The kids there gave us so much love and loved all the songs and skits that we did. Their smiles were contagious and everyone had a great time. I still havent learned many indonesian words yet but smiles are universal!!
Yesterday me,steven, an scott got a chance to play indoor soccer with a team from the university in indonesia. I was a lil nervous considering that i havent played soccer since mightymites but we dominated lol jk! I believe we get a chance to redeem ourselves thursday because they called and invited us to play again, so we'll see how that goes..........
We have so much more left to do here and i can see that he is working through everyone of us here. Please keep us in your prayers! bye ttyl
much love Buddy
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Oh Happy Day!
We finally arrived in Surabaya two days ago, and it has been whirlwind already! We apologize for not updating this sooner, but since we missed two days due to our unexpected stops along the way :)- we have been going full speed!
It has already been a remarkable journey. Despite the third world surroundings, we have all come to see how beautiful this city is. Each room in our hotel overlooks the city from high above, and every time we hear the "Call to prayer" 5 times a day, we are reminded that we are not in Kansas any more, Toto! Yesterday all of us made new friends at an English chat club, and exchanged numbers to meet with them later this week! It was incredible to see how closely they leaned on every word we said. Even though they were mostly excited to be around new "bule" (term for white person!), as conversations deepened, we could see the beginning of new friendships forming! It was hilarious, and a little embarassing as we taught them the "Cha Cha Slide", but they were eager to learn this "bule" dance.
The Food. This needs a whole paragraph! The first couple of meals were ok, and some were actually very tasty! We went to the local grocery store and bought a loaf of bread for breakfast, only to cut into it and discover CHOCOLATE goodness inside. What a treat!Our favorite sate (peanut sauce with rice) and chicken friend rice (which is served at EVERY meal, including breakfast!) We have not had any problems until today when we visited the local schools and were served typical indonesian food. This was a little bit of a struggle for some of us as we tried to force down jelly filled banana leaves, tuna floss, "mystery meat balls", gizzards...and Scott's favorite: Coconut everything!
The School. I think this day put a smile on everyone's heart and soul! It was amazing to see the faces of these little children- all decked out in their uniforms, ready to learn american songs like boom-chicka-boom and head shoulders knees and toes! (Please insert asian accents...so cute!) We had to be very flexible, as we did not know what to expect. They loved watching us make fools out of ourselves as we did our skit and showed funny pictures from our lives in America. It is amazing to see the power a smile can make! It breaks all language barriers! These children were so smart. By age 3, they could already speak small English phrases.
We definitely have a chicken living outside of our hotel in a cage. Seriously. We don't know why he is just hanging out? He's a lurker.
Word of the day: Terima Kasih (Thank You!) We have to say this alot. "As bules" we need all the help we can get here!
He is definitely here and at work. It is amazing to be able to join Him in this journey! What a great dad!
We love you all. We promise to post pictures soon, we have just been so busy!
Love, Hannah and Erin
It has already been a remarkable journey. Despite the third world surroundings, we have all come to see how beautiful this city is. Each room in our hotel overlooks the city from high above, and every time we hear the "Call to prayer" 5 times a day, we are reminded that we are not in Kansas any more, Toto! Yesterday all of us made new friends at an English chat club, and exchanged numbers to meet with them later this week! It was incredible to see how closely they leaned on every word we said. Even though they were mostly excited to be around new "bule" (term for white person!), as conversations deepened, we could see the beginning of new friendships forming! It was hilarious, and a little embarassing as we taught them the "Cha Cha Slide", but they were eager to learn this "bule" dance.
The Food. This needs a whole paragraph! The first couple of meals were ok, and some were actually very tasty! We went to the local grocery store and bought a loaf of bread for breakfast, only to cut into it and discover CHOCOLATE goodness inside. What a treat!Our favorite sate (peanut sauce with rice) and chicken friend rice (which is served at EVERY meal, including breakfast!) We have not had any problems until today when we visited the local schools and were served typical indonesian food. This was a little bit of a struggle for some of us as we tried to force down jelly filled banana leaves, tuna floss, "mystery meat balls", gizzards...and Scott's favorite: Coconut everything!
The School. I think this day put a smile on everyone's heart and soul! It was amazing to see the faces of these little children- all decked out in their uniforms, ready to learn american songs like boom-chicka-boom and head shoulders knees and toes! (Please insert asian accents...so cute!) We had to be very flexible, as we did not know what to expect. They loved watching us make fools out of ourselves as we did our skit and showed funny pictures from our lives in America. It is amazing to see the power a smile can make! It breaks all language barriers! These children were so smart. By age 3, they could already speak small English phrases.
We definitely have a chicken living outside of our hotel in a cage. Seriously. We don't know why he is just hanging out? He's a lurker.
Word of the day: Terima Kasih (Thank You!) We have to say this alot. "As bules" we need all the help we can get here!
He is definitely here and at work. It is amazing to be able to join Him in this journey! What a great dad!
We love you all. We promise to post pictures soon, we have just been so busy!
Love, Hannah and Erin
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Sleepless in Seattle...
Hello All!
As I type we are all settling into a hotel way, way, way, out in downtown Seattle taking showers and resting. Storms caused the flight out of Atlanta to be delayed for four hours which caused us to miss our connecting flight to Taiwan. The guy who broke the oh so bad news made the delay sound as good as humanly possible but the truth is that we are in Seattle for twenty four hours. Steven talked to our "bad news" breaking friend and he gave us vouchers for free breakfast, as well as pillows and blankets to help us sleep in the airport. EVERY hotel in the area was booked so we pulled a few benches together and slept pretty well all huddled up. Yes we were the sketch-balls dead asleep in the airport and we were not ashamed! The whole experience was pretty hilarious actually. Everything so far has been an ordeal but God is in control and we are all trusting in Him and His ways.
KEEP PRAYING!!!
pictures to come when we make it. =]
Love, Taylor
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Indonesia- Here we come!
Hello Friends!
The countdown is on! We will be departing for Indonesia on July 22nd, 2008. We would love for you to journey with us during these next few weeks! You can begin by lifting us up as we prepare to leave!
Here is our team list:
Hannah Nichols
Erin Rearden
Taylor Thompson
Stephanie Boyter
Buddy Snelling
Scott Readett
Steven Kinney
God's already at work...and we can't wait to join Him!
The countdown is on! We will be departing for Indonesia on July 22nd, 2008. We would love for you to journey with us during these next few weeks! You can begin by lifting us up as we prepare to leave!
Here is our team list:
Hannah Nichols
Erin Rearden
Taylor Thompson
Stephanie Boyter
Buddy Snelling
Scott Readett
Steven Kinney
God's already at work...and we can't wait to join Him!
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