August 2006 / Sept-Oct 2006 / Jan 2007 / Feb. 2007 / March 2007 / May 2007

MIRACLES

The other night we were watching “A Walk to Remember”, a story about a Christian girl with deep faith who only had a year to live because she had leukemia. Landon, a fellow high school student fell in love with her and married her even though he knew they’d only have a few months together. After she died, Landon said to her Father, “ I’m sorry she didn’t get her miracle”, and her father said, “she did; it was you.” By this definition you can be one too! Here are a few miracles we have seen over the years in Indonesia.
You, our supporters and partners in Indonesia, who have been faithful in prayer, encouragement, and financial support for many years, many of you thirty-two years.
Christian churches continue to multiply in spite of persecution and anti-Christian attitude.
The majority of our more than fifty alumni are still faithfully serving in churches.

STORIES OF A FAITHFUL MARTHA

I have a couple of stories from “Martha” to give you an idea how things are in Aceh. Martha’s neighbors know she is Christian and have accepted her as a friend. One gave her a live chicken and a couple days later asked when she was going to butcher it so Martha prepared it, cooked it, and took it to that neighbor and one other. They asked how she butchered the chicken, and she said “in the name of Jesus.” With much apology they returned all the chicken except a piece for a child because he cried when they tried to take it from him. Today a young woman visiting her mother near Martha stopped in and asked if Martha was a Christian as a child. Martha said no she was Hindu. Then she asked if she became a Christian because of her husband and Martha said no again. She explained she met Jesus and he forgave her sins and is coming again. Then the visitor said it was being said that the Christians are trying to make Christians of the Acehnese, especially the foreigners. When Bob visits them in December, it is very important he does so at the airport or somewhere away from their home so Martha and Samuel won’t be connected with him.
Samuel and Martha have to have an excuse to live in Aceh. They took clothing to sell, but this hasn’t worked out because there is still a lot of relief work since the tsunami, and the people think they are giving the clothes to them. We have decided that the clothes can be given away to those who really need them. But then what is their excuse for living there? Samuel and Martha want to open a “jamu” stand with Acehnese working with them. “Jamu” is a traditional medicinal health drink. There is a “jamu” for pregnant women, a “jamu” for after pregnancy, for almost anything you can think of, and most Indonesians buy “jamu.” There will be more about this plan at a later date. Please pray about it.

A VISIT FROM “SAMUEL” OUR MAN FROM ACEH

We were blessed by a visit from “Samuel.” He came to Jakarta to attend an Evangelists’ Seminar sponsored by API (Asia Pacific Indonesia). Guests from the outer islands, the Philippines, United States, and Malaysia attended. Christian leaders from Jakarta also attended. There were about 250 evangelists and preachers present. It was an uplifting seminar and a blessing to our evangelists to see that they are not alone in GJKI (Christian Churches/Churches of Christ). Samuel has also been taking care of paperwork in Jakarta so his motorcycle can be licensed in Aceh and he won’t be fined every month. During this time his mother died in Semarang, Central Java. He flew from here immediately to set up a Christian funeral because only his Mother and he are Christians. Martha said this was all in God’s timing. If he had returned to Aceh, he could not have gotten to Semarang before his mother was buried. We extend our sympathy to Samuel and his family. Samuel reports there have been two baptisms since he moved to Aceh, but both are secret believers. Others are willing to be prayed for when they have a need. Martha and Samuel visit two to three people every day. Please pray.

A SMALL DREAM

I, Jan, have wanted to have a reunion with the students and teachers we’ve worked with over the years. If it’s the Lord’s will, we will begin searching for all of our former students and teachers and try to have a spring reunion.

PRAYER & PRAISE

Praise be to God for:
Safety for our family in Aceh
People in Aceh wanting to know the Truth.
Two people in Aceh who have actually accepted Christ and were baptized outside Banda. (at this time they are still secret Christians)
Enthusiasm and Eagerness of five young people now evangelizing in the city of Jakarta with a goal of starting an active youth group.
Bintang’s enthusiasm and new ideas and faithfulness in trying to win souls to Christ in Pamulang
Please Pray:
For the people of Indonesia that God will open the hearts of the 200 million who are without Christ and without hope.
For the evangelists to be led to those whose heart’s are ready.
For Bob & Jan and the evangelists, that the Holy Spirit will set their hearts on fire for those without Jesus and sustain them as they preach the Gospel of Christ.
A way out for the people in Aceh; if they accept Christ publicly, they could be beheaded.
For the congregation in Ciracas, that they may begin to give more of themselves and their tithes to expand and become a vital congregation in their area.
Pak Salmon who’s desire to go to Bible College, but is still working in Irian Jaya until the end of August.

Continue to Pray:

For Ika, Pak Piet’s daughter, a baptized believer, but staying away from church and Christian friends right now. Her boss is anti-Christian and her best friend is Muslim.
For Andre, Pak Piet’s son, who is looking for a job in accounting, was actively studying to become a Christian, and isn’t at this time.
For Pak Piet to be led to employment and a new place to live to get him and his family out of the negative situation they are in right now.
For the Ciputat congregation as they seek the Lord’s leading in choosing a preacher, and a building to worship in.

Yours & His for a Christian Indonesia, Bob & Jan