Jellyfish & Flying Hamsters

Greetings from Pamulang, Indonesia!

This first week in Indonesia has been quite the adventure, full of new experiences and new acquaintances. We are staying in a village just south of Jakarta, in a family's home. I honestly have to say that Indonesians are the most generous and hospitable people I have met in all of my travels (I've been all around the world). Every time we go anywhere we are treated like kings. It's almost embarrassing because I feel we don't deserve it! And it’s not only because we are foreigners and teachers, but simply because we are guests, and it is how they treat guests here.

Summary:

We've already been able to speak in 5 Churches! We've given sermons and testimonies; we've led worship multiple times, and done lots of teaching--all in the first few days of being here. The lady we are staying with, Ayun, is extremely well connected and knows all the pastors and leaders of the churches in the area, which is a huge blessing and advantage for us. She's also a very fast-paced person, and feels we should be too, so she has given us a very full schedule of speaking and teaching and visiting. Our teaching has been new for quite a few people, and has been well received so far.

A Couple Stories:

Yesterday, after speaking in a Chinese church in central Jakarta, the pastor took us out to one of the nicest Chinese restaurants in the city. It must have been very expensive! We couldn't refuse because it would be extremely rude. We ate some amazing food, including many things I've never tried, like JELLYFISH TENTACLES and ROTTEN DUCK EGG. It was actually really, really good... as long as I didn't think about what I was really eating! All of the new tropical fruits they have here are great too.

I'm sure you are curious about the flying hamster in the title, so I'll tell you that story. The first day, our host took us to a super market. There was a section with some small pets, including a glass cage with a white hamster. I think the hamster had some issues already because he kept standing up on his hind legs to sniff the air, and then kept falling backwards. It was hilarious.

Well, I reached into the cage (it had an open top) to try to pet the hamster. As soon as my finger was in range, the thing BIT me! I reacted instinctively and yanked my hand back. But unfortunately for the hamster, it didn't let go of my finger in time, and so the hamster FLEW up into the air about 6 feet, in a beautiful triple-axel-like move, and then landed perfectly with a loud PLOP into a nearby fish tank! We all stared at each other in shock, and then all rushed to the tank, where we found him swimming around in a not-too-bad breaststroke! I scooped him up and put him back in his cage. Then we all looked at eachother and started laughing hysterically! I mean it was so funny, I have never seen anything like it. The thing just flew!

Amazing:

We also have had one (M&M) girl give her life to Jesus in what was probably the most beautiful moment I can remember since being involved in missions. I don't want to give the whole story here (maybe later on I will) because it was too precious, and emotional, and writing it down would kill it. But her name is Renie, and please pray for her protection and growth. We will try to see her again soon.

Us:

The three of us are having a good time together. We are safe, healthy, well fed, and working hard. The heat is difficult, and makes us feel really tired all the time, so please pray for that as well.

Upcoming:

On Wednesday we begin the first session of a seminar we are giving to a group of theology students about the inductive study method. Pray for Martijn and myself, as we will do all of the teaching.

Thank you so much for praying for us!

SPF