Done at Last!

We are pleased to announce that Karen and I are both IMLAC graduates and are considered "fluent" in the Indonesian language. This is kind of funny to us because the they word fluent could also be translated as fluidity and so if you can talk fast, you sound fluent. I don't think I will ever be fluent in any language if speed is the guage - Karen on the other hand ...

We are still very motivated to continue learning this language - it is like most other things, once you start learning, you realize how much more there is to learn about that subject. We have plans to continue reading books to increase our vocabulary, but chatting with the neighbors is the best way to increase our "fluency".

Thank you for praying for us during this time! We could tell that we were being lifted and watched over. We ask that you continue to pray for us as we organize the details of moving once again and also for the children who, although adapt quite quickly, are very sensitive to change. The plan is to ship our household items around the 15th of May and give them a head start before we depart on the 18th of May. We have to go through Jakarta and plan on staying in the city for a few nights visiting with friends and enjoying the city. We plan on arriving in Papua around the 22nd of May. Hopefully our stuff from Canada and our stuff from here will all get to Papua safely.

I would like to close with an encouragement from John 20:30, 31

"Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name."

This passage comes right after Thomas declares that he will not believe that Jesus rose from the dead until he puts his fingers in Jesus' hands and side. Many times we require proof of the power of God before we will choose to believe in the power of God, but Jesus said in verse 29,

"blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."

Verse 31 says that Scripture were given to us as proof of God's plan of salvation so that we may believe. Although we may not have seen miraculous signs like the actual holes in Jesus' hands and side, like the disciples, we have scripture, which is a miracle in itself, and we are told that its account is accurate. May you continue to read the scriptures and may the Holy Spirit unveil truths to the greatness and glory of God. If you haven't started reading, or it has been a while since you last opened your bible, don't let that stop you. Open it up, it will change your life. May His name, the name of our risen Lord, Jesus, be praised for ever and ever, Amen!