So, during the time of eating amazing fish and crab, snorkeling, scuba diving, and finally surfing in Bali it became evident that there are difficult matters in our faith, but Christ is the central all encompassing point that we have to hold our identity in. And it shouldn’t take a literal rice harvest miles in each direction for the rest of you to realize that the world is dangling by a string(as it did me), and we have the Hope that they so desperately need. So, whether we are riding through rice paddies on a public bus that hardly fits on the two lane ‘highway’ or sitting in starbucks in the middle of Riverside California, it would be wise of those who claim to have been crucified with Christ to heed the wisdom of Whitefield and act as those who ‘have true faith.’

A true faith in Jesus Christ will not suffer us to be idle. No, it is an active, lively, restless principle; it fills the heart, so that it cannot be easy till it is doing something for Jesus Christ.
—George Whitefield
To those of you that have been telling me I should really blog in reflection over the summer, it was a long summer, I had to process. Anyway, I came across this quote as I was browsing the wonderful world of wireless internet, and decided it was quite applicable to my learning experience this summer. Twelve weeks in Indonesia really caused me to think about a lot, but at the same time not as much as I thought it would. It seemed to me that the Lord was speaking a message of simplicity. A proclamation that its not about all the extra religious stuff we do, do not get me wrong seeking after truth and knowledge are deeply righteous endeavors, but there is a simple message of first importance. As I reflect on the summer and its messages I realize we are not meant to be in the business of religion, we are simply and absolutely in the business of the person and work of Jesus Christ, whom without we have no forgiveness, no righteousness, no hope, no glory, and no identity.
continued…

I have been reflecting on this trip the last few days and all that has happened so far.  We came out of the villages over the weekend and have been taking our break here in Malang.(Which started with a trip to McDonald’s; amazing how a place that is very low on my list at home climbs so far up in other countries)  The first two week trip out to the villages brought a lot of thought, reflection, but also some frustration as I already blogged about.  I mean we traveled to two villages in which only one person really spoke English so it was hard for me to know why we were there.  However, the Lord did put a message in my heart that He is God and the one true salvation for mankind.  That combination of feelings left me expecting a lot, but not a lot at the same time for this past trip out to the villages.  During this trip we stayed in four seperate villages this time in peoples houses the whole time, drinking local coffee three times a day and eating fresh fish almost everyday.  We were also a little more prepared with three long language classes immediately preceding this trip.  A small fisherman village named Popoh brought a tremendous amount of encouragement for this entire trip.  Not only did we spend a day out on the water with the fisherman seeing a whale and attempting to net some fish, but we were able to build a strong relationship with Rudy, a guy who spoke English in the village.  It was quite obvious that the one true King of the universe was working in his heart because he continually asked us questions about our Bibles and why Jesus died.  To which I responded, “well let me tell you…”  That was the highlight of this past trip and made me realize in a comforting way that we are here for something, not only something, but someone.    And the last village we met a lady who had come to Christ because of a dream in which she saw a man who she recognized as Jesus and knew she had to go to Church the next day to find out why he was sheltering people from the rain.  Now her and her entire family have stopped praying to a God made with human hands and turned to worship Him who is the only Soveriegn.  The other two villages didn’t really have anyone that spoke much English, though that lady didn’t either.  We were able to go to an English class at a local high school to answer the typical questions like: what is your hobby?Where are you from? and well you get the picture.  So in conclusion,  please continue to pray that we would continue to grow and find the freedom that we have in Christ.  Also, continue to pray hard for Rudy, and the people that we haven’t met yet.  Our God is mighty and has power over dreams, visions, demons, and all that we could ever ask or think.  And here is the link for our other blog where you can see all our pictures.    http://artandzach.blogspot.com/

So tonight we went to a soccer game here in the city.  I guess the Jakarta team has to play here because there stadium is being used for the presidential election.  Regretably, the fans weren’t quite as wild as expected since it wasn’t the city team.  But, that does not mean it was not a wonderful international experience.     

As we arrived the riot police were just finding there seats because the fans from Bandung had attempted to cross the field to fight the Jakarta fans.  The first half passed with no score but shortly into the second Bandung scored on a rebound ball that might not have been there if two inches of rain hadn’t fallen on the field, that’s a complete guess.  Jakarta answered fifteen minutes later when a lofty cross from mid field met the head of their big and bald striker, interestingly with the name Lopez.  And I thought we were in Indonesia.  However with a few minutes to go Bandung scored defeating the team we had decided to cheer for and their fans headed back to the busses for the 18 hour ride home.  Maybe later in this trip we can see the team from Malang play and see the real fans. 

I have been viewing emails and blogs of all our friends this summer and it is quite a blessing to see what we are all doing.  Curtis is in Japan, Ryan, Sarah, and there team in India, zach and me in Indo, the isp trips with Steve Searer teaching English in Korea, and even Kyle found his way to Europe.  One of those people is simply touring, but that is cool too.  I think this is one of the many things that proves the blessings that our Lord pours out on us.  I can’t wait to get back and here the stories; we all know there will be plenty. 

   This past week was another interesting one.  The Lord answered prayers by giving us someone that spoke English, though he was quite weird.(I doubt he could ever find his way on the internet or even access to it so we’re ok)  Two minutes after stepping of the mini bus and getting cheated by the payment guy this man walked up speaking English and invited us to stay at his house.  We ended up staying there from Monday to Friday touring around his village: in a cave that supposedly was 3 kilometers long, up a mountain, to a couple school English classes and down to another beautiful beach.  The Lord is continually teaching me things that I hope to remember for the rest of my life.  As I received in an email from my Dad, we have to continually remember the Lord is in control of His work and like Paul says in Corinthians, some plant, water, but God causes the growth. 

But for now some highlights for the last two weeks, and sorry hopefully we can get to a computer to upload pictures soon.  Hiking through the farms in Watu Karung past the most beatiful beach I think I’ve ever seen, over a small, suprisingly clean, river pouring into the ocean and up to a shack with a man and wife there.  The man proceeded to glide up the tree to cut some Coconuts down for a drink.  Next highlight was riding from the mountain village down to a beach on the back of a moto for about an hour.  It just seems closer to the world around when the wind is in your face.  So ofcourse there are spiritual highlights, but i spoke of those in the last blog. Hope this gives you a picture of what is going on here.  Continue to pray; it looks like we might get some language training this week.  “oh praise the one who paid my debt and raised this life up from the dead.” Some song don’t remember by who. 

We spent the last week in a village called watu Karung.  The beauty was amazing, but we were out of touch so sorry.  The pure beauty of His creation is awestriking, but there is a sad feeling when we hear the call to prayer in the backround.  We are in a small internet cafe in Paciton so I can’t upload pictures until we return to Malang next week.

Being here in Indonesia in a little fishing and farming village named Watu Karung has produced many different and opposing feelings in my heart and mind.  The first few days I was discouraged because we were sent straight to the village with two young Indonesian guys who can hardly communicate with us in English, let alone translate.  So the last week was different than expected in the sense that we are trying diligently to learn the language, but realize we are not able to converse.  God has been declaring who he is quite impressively in encouraging ways though.  One day, I think Wednesday, we played volleyball with the village, making our way down to the beach after the game.  After reaching the white sand i looked up to see one of the most beatiful sunsets I had ever laid my eyes upon.  Our King is beautiful, gracious, and glorious.  That is why we are here; I do not know specifically why, but we are because God is who He says He is.

The Gospel claims that we are dead in our chains of sin praying to deaf, lame and dumb gods who cannot save.  But GOD is mighty to save, and He has decided in His infinite soveriegn plan to poor down mercy on undeserving souls, bringing hope to otherwise hopeless lives.  This is why we are here, not completely sure practically that means, but it is encouraging to know that His name will not be profaned and His glory not given to another.  He has collided my heart with the truth that He is mighty to save this week and I pray that He will continue to do so in ever increasing ways for the rest of my life.

Please continue to pray that the eyes of there hearts would be enlighted so that they would know what is the hope of His call.  Probably broke some security rules here, but oh well.

The first flight was long, but we got to sleep more than I expected.  Continue to pray we will need it this whole trip.  It is not a light work we are going to do.  I have begun to grasp, but still not fully(cause I never will)  We need to realize that power is perfected in weakness.  Thank you for your prayers; I do love traveling though.  Augustine says something like, “Command what ever you wish, but grant what you command.”  I hope He will grant His work because I cannot do it on my own power. 

We will miss you all