Crazy Busy but Awesome Times

Hello again.
so sorry for being so long again. please pray for consistent internet and for my web page program to start working again.

I am writing to you from a new blog because my old webpage is experiencing serious technical difficulties. i believe it is still accessible but it is not editing very well.

we are all doing ok here in Indonesia. we are feeling at home. it took longer here than in Bolivia. not sure why. just noting that in a conversation with some friends here. we do love it here. some really good friends and a great job.

this school year is gearing up to be a busy one, but we truly believe that God has something amazing in store for our school. we have almost 200 students in our school this year. this is a huge praise. He is faithful.

our new administration team, Pete and Charity, could use your prayers for strength, wisdom from Him, and energy this year. it is proving to be a busy and tough one early on. they are a phenomenal team. we are grateful for their humble, godly leadership. david and i have partnered with these guys in prayer and accountability.

david is going to need your prayers for wisdom, strength, and energy as well. he is so excited about his role this year. he is so energized to be offering spiritual leadership to staff and students. pray that God will bless him with wisdom and godly counsel.

kim is working as the school nurse and teaching health. this is not quite the stretch of teaching ESL (English as a Second Language) was last year. :-) she is enjoying teaching the class. she so loves to be in contact with the students and engaging them in conversation about their lives and thoughts. pray for good relationships with the students.

the kiddos are having a great beginning of the school year. new friends, new classes and new teachers. we are so blessed to have such flexible children.

thanks so much for all your prayers and your financial support of the work that goes on here at the school. it is such a blessing. we could not do what we are doing here if it were not for you. thanks for being a most vital part of what goes on in our work with these kids at this school.

we are humbled and honored to have you as friends!!!

We got this idea from some friends of ours in Bolivia:

We are reading:

kim: Crazy Love by Francis Chan....highly recommend his podcasts as well.
The Shack by William Young...jury is still out/have not decided what i think yet
My Bible (ESV) daily.....my favorite book
Cost of Discipleship by Deitrich Bonhoeffer...tough read/convicting
Peacemaker by Ken Sande....CONVICTING and awesome

david: Mars Hill Classified Series by Austin Boyd
The Warriors by Mark Andrew Olsen...go Mark, man this is awesome stuff.
Spiritual Leadership by J. Oswald Sanders
Peacemaker by Ken Sande
My Bible

grace: Black by Ted Dekker
When God Writes Your Life Story by Eric and Leslie Ludy
The Chase by Jerry Bridges
My Bible

emma: The Silver Chair by CS Lewis
Her Bible

jeff: Holes by ?
My Bible

abi. my first Bible by Kenneth Taylor
anything by Dr Seuss

love you guys
have a great day
reflect Him in all you do

david, kim, grace, em, jeff, and abi

Shine Brightly

Ok so that is probably not the greatest picture of shining bright but i think it will actually be better for a point that was shown to me earlier (besides the fact that i have not infringed on any copyrights :-) )

So anyway, i was sitting at starbucks (surprise, surprise)  i was sitting in one of the comfy chairs (another surprise because they are usually taken)  and i was doing some prep work for a Bible study on conflict management that i am doing with a new friend of mine.  i am also listening to my ipod in order to drown out the starbucksy music.  then i look up from the Scriptures and the book, and i see this poster; it says “Shine Brightly” and another one that said “Find Your Glow.”  i was intrigued. so i read on (squinting because i am getting older and finding hard to admit that i need stronger lenses in my glasses....again) and it says “Find Your Glow ... with our new tea lattes.” and  “Shine Bright...while trying a new tea  latte.”  Ok, all of you should know that i am a true starbucks fan, but something really bugged me here.  starbucks was advertising for great teas by getting us where we live.  Everyone wants to shine bright.  There is not one person out there that is not looking for their glow.  it is just that most do not know what it is they are looking for.  and i am sorry starbucks, but it ain’t tea.  we are made to seek, to search out that something more that will make us warm, peaceful, and glowing.  It is Jesus.  It is Him.  Nothing and no one else.  Not one thing this world has to offer can cause us to shine bright or glow.  we were made to worship.  our sole purpose in life is to reflect His glory right back to Him. 

sitting in starbucks was a wonderful insightful moment.  i loved it, i felt like i had some kind of epiphany. the Lord spoke, i listened, i responded.  it was awesome.  but just as i was thinking how wonderful it was i began to realize even on the “angkot” ride to starbucks i was not showing His glory.  i was frustrated cuz i could not sit near the window therefore it was hot and humid and a little smelly.  i was irritated when i walked into starbucks because my favorite chair was taken (one, by the way, if i had sat in i would not have seen the posters).  i had fussed at grace for something she had no control over right before i left for starbucks.  i had let my glow, my ability to “shine brightly” be dimmed by my own interests, my own desires, my own moods.  

as soon as i put my focus on myself or even others there is no glory to be reflected back to God, instead i often hinder His plan and most definitely hinder His glory. BUT, when i am putting my focus where it belongs, on Him..abiding in Him, and imitating Him, then i am giving Him what He wants, what He deserves, what He demands. i am giving Him His rightful worship.  i am reflecting Him back to Him.  

emma had told me before. “mom, be the moon”  meaning be the reflection of the Light, not the source.

"I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly." John 10:10

such a familiar verse. one that i was reminded of by reading another blog. i have forgotten that recently. i have been living my life real small lately. i have been forgetting to ALWAYS live it through Him and His power. aaarrrrgggghhh i am so amazed He has not shaken His finger at me and fussed at me good, but no He oh so very lovingly, patiently, and faithfully shown me that i am falling flat on my face at every turn.

i am so glad that He lovingly disciplines us and does not allow us to stay in our path of destruction. what a pity that would be, because then we could not live our life abundantly.

this week is Week Without Walls at our school. this is a time when the students divide into various groups and participate in acts of service or cultural experiences. david is taking part in a group that teaches ESL to young adults here in bandung. he is experiencing joy in this as he sees how relationships are being built. grace is going overnight to an indonesian boarding school which is interested in bridging the gap between their cultures. we are excited to see grace interested in this. emma is participating with a group working with a deaf school and she has learned a lot of sign language and is looking forward to building friendships. jeff is in a group that is going to be interacting with some kids that go to various indonesian schools. he gets to play with them and go out to eat with them. jeff is geared perfectly for this group because of his love for playing and his love for people. abi is helping to cook and fill up "boxes of love" we are so blessed to be a part of a school that serves its community.

please pray that we will "live large" but not in, of or for ourselves but for God's glory and His renown.

please continue to pray for us regarding housing. we need patience, wisdom and a quiet spirit to know what it is God wants for us. (as opposed to simply wanting something for ourselves)

please pray for the school. we are building a new school campus and are praying that the funds will continue to come in for that and that all the builders will be safe.

please pray too for all the changes that will occur because of the move. many families have lived in this current community for years and it is difficult to think about what to do regarding schooling and housing. pray for peace for them.

please continue to pray for our health. this does seem to always be where satan likes to get us. nothing serious, but just nagging, frustrating and tiresome.

we again are so grateful for your prayers and your support. we thank God for each of you.

with much love and appreciation

david, kim, grace, emma, jeff and abi