Durham's in Indonesia!!

What is the Durham clan learning these days?

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31 (ESV)

We are doing a whole lot of learning. We have really committed ourselves this year to growing in His truth and in our likeness of Him. We have also been desiring a different picture of what that means as a family. The book This Momentary Marriage by John Piper has been an amazing catalyst in the way we think about how our family is supposed to reflect the relationship the Father and has children. It has been humbling for us to think through our lives and wonder how we have been perceived. Have we always glorified the Father with our behaviour towards one another. It has been much to think about. We highly recommend the book to you. Also, we have been learning that He is a sovereign Lord: over finances, health, family, and most definitely our future. But, equally important, we are learning that He is good; maybe not always so easily understood, BUT HE IS GOOD!!! We are so loving that He never stops working on, in and through us. So humbling to realized that He chooses to use us, in spite of ourselves. :-)

David is relearning teaching Math and Sciences. He is finding that he missed it terribly, but He still loves teaching His 12th grade Bible class on Biblical Worldview and Transitioning to life post - high school and back to their home countries.

David and Kim are both learning what it must have felt like to our families as we prepared to leave to come overseas, now that this year we are preparing to send our oldest daughter back over the great seas to the United States to attend college. We are learning much about letting go and trusting the Father to care for Grace much more than we could ever do so.

And, we are learning a lot about faith. All of us are learning about living a life where the only thing that really matters is the glory of the One and Only God Who is to be glorified and magnified through our lives. Learning more and more that this life is not about us, but

about Him!

Praises and Prayer Requests

Grace’s Big News

Grace has received and official acceptance letter from Northwestern College in St. Paul, Minnesota. This is her dream school. So, needless to say she is jazzed beyond belief and is

praising God daily for His goodness. Please keep praying for scholarships. We know that Lord will provide according to His will and we rest in His sovereignty and His goodness.

Emma’s Competition

Em has been having a great freshman year in High School. We are so proud of her diligence and commitment level. Please pray for continued growth in her walk with the Lord and pray that she will continue to make good friends.

Jeff and Homeschool.

It is going great. Please continue to pray for wisdom in dealing with learning differences and for

diligence on both Jeff and Kim’s part. They are having fun and learning at the same time. Learning book stuff and more about each other. So much fun!!!

Abi is loving 1st grade

Nothing could be better for Abi. She is thrilled to be in school. She is still by far the best at tearing down walls between cultures and beliefs. She sees no difference between her and anyone. She talks to anyone about anything..no judgements, no hiding, no fear. I pray that she

matures but never changes. She is such a blessing to us. Gotta love God’s surprises.

Fun times with snakes!

The Lord keeps us safe here. We have found three snakes in our back yard: 2 Cobras and a Rat

snake. Our school security is on constant snake patrol at our school looking for snakes and protecting our kids from them as well. They recently found a reticulated Python. The kids were thrilled when we received a phone call telling us we could come and see it. (See photo) There has been a lot of education on what to do if you see a snake. Abi is so fun when she comes home and tells us what we need to do when we see a snake. :-) We are learning that this is part of life here and are adjusting our habits - like looking down before you take a step....

abi loved the snake so much. wishing she had a little more fear
this thing was over 3 meters long!
not loving snakes at the house, but it was kinda pretty!

Check out my facebook acct for more fun pics of our life here in Indonesia!

thanks so very much for all your prayers and support,

david and kim and the rest of the clan

Contact Info:

David and Kim Durham

c/o Bandung Alliance

International School

Jalan Bujanggamanik Kav. 2

Kota Baru Parahyangan

Bandung 40553

Indonesia

EMAIL:

david.kim.durham@gmail.com

INTERNATIONAL PHONE#

903-704-4148

NICS HOME OFFICE:

(PLEASE USE THIS ADDRESS FOR

ANY FINANCIAL GIFTS )

NETWORK OF INTERNATIONAL

CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS

3790 GOODMAN RD E

SOUTHAVEN, MS 38672

U.S.A.

More notes....so sorry that it has been so long

Dearest Friends and Family,

Rainy season is over. Dry season is in its beginning stages. A few rain drops here and a few showers there but all in all, the rain is a bidding us farewell. Many of my friends are happy about this, but I for one, am sad. I love the rainy season. The smell of fresh rain, the clouds helping to hide a fierce, hot sun, the green grass and beautiful flowers (including my wonderful orchids that a student’s parents gave us), and a plethora of other reasons bring me much joy and much comfort. I am in awe of His creation more during the rainy season.

But, the dry season does have its advantages. I can ride my bike without fear of being doused before I get to shelter. I can count on getting my clothes dry by noon on the clothesline and my kids like to get suntans ☺

OK! Enough about weather

We are doing well. Winding down the school year.

David is winding down his responsibilities as chaplain and member care coordinator. He is excited to return to the classroom on a full time basis next year. We have enjoyed the roles he has had the last two years. We have fed new teachers dinner one Tuesday a month for two years now, and helped guide them through their first year overseas. This has been so fulfilling to us. But, it has also drained David as he has found that he definitely loves to minister to folks in this way, but he really does enjoy the administrative side of things. So back to behind the scenes we go!

He will teach Accounting/Statistics, Pre-Calculus, Calculus, Physics, and Grade 12 Bible. He is so glad to be “home” again.

Please pray for the finishing up of the year that he will finish his roles well. And, for next year that he will be able to honor the Father in teaching his classes.

Kim will take on a full time role of homeschooling Jeff. This is NOT a part time job. That has been her new discovery for the year. Jeff has been so patient with her. Love that boy. They are both looking forward to being able to have the whole day to do school and ministry and application of what they have learned.

Please pray for her to have patience with Jeff and herself. Pray for wisdom of when to move on from a lesson and when to stick with it until mastery. Pray for this to be a time for her and Jeff to really make memories (preferably good ones ☺)

The kids are pretty busy themselves

Grace has taken the SAT twice this year and the ACT once. She has had reconstructive knee surgery with the possibility of another surgery next week. She is Eliza Dolittle in Pygmalion this week (two performances) and has her AP US History exam on the same day; then to Singapore for the possible surgery and then back to school for final exams. Aduh!!! Craziness.

Grace is still hoping and praying for an opportunity to go to China this summer to work with children in orphanages or camps. Please pray for the Father’s leading in this. And for Mom who is still learning to let go. Also, please pray for upcoming senior year and wisdom in college choices.

Em is finishing off Middle School and heading to High School. We are glad to see her growing in many ways. She really loves to read. She has been making some good friends as of late and for that we are praising Dad like crazy.

Please pray for the transition into High School to go smoothly and that Em will lean on the Father for EVERYTHING.

Jeff is hoping to add some sports to his schedule next year. He is soooo excited about the World Cup. He has asked me to make sure his allegiance to Brasil is made known to all of you. ☺ That boy loves his World Cup.

Please pray as we said above that home school will be a good experience for him and that he will learn to the best of his ability.

Abi graduates from kindergarten this year. Where did the time go? According to Abi, she is ready to get to 1rst grade so that she can go to 2nd grade. We are telling her to slow down and enjoy the ride, but she feels frustrated being so much younger than her siblings and is feeling the need to catch up. Ha ha.

Please pray for Abi as she is having a hard time focusing at school. And that she will continue to love Jesus and grow in Him.


Thanks so much for praying for us and for supporting us through so many years. Your consistent notes of encouragement and your financial support have humbled us and encouraged us so much.

We are praying for you guys as well!!!

David and Kim for the rest of us Durhams