NTM - New Tribes Mission | Planting Tribal Churches

Now that [home] school is out for the summer, we decided to visit some of the villages that we serve.  This was the first time Sarah and Seth have had an opportunity to see first hand the remoteness of these villages, the people, and our where our missionaries live.  It was also nice for the family to see all the duties involved in flying, loading, and operating the airplane.

Our trip took us as far as 1 hour by airplane, to a remote village here on Borneo.  We enjoyed swimming in the river, an evening fellowship time, and good food with our missionary co-workers who live there.  The next morning after the fog lifted, we headed to yet another village to visit the work and missionary there.  The major project here is translation.  Although we only spent a couple of hours there, we observed some of the process required for translation.  Then, we left just before a rainstorm came in.

Finally, our last stop was a village only a few minutes away by air.  I asked how long it would take by motorcycle and was told it can take a full day to get there.  It only took us six minutes.  Boy were we glad for the airplane.  We stayed three nights in the guest facilities and really enjoyed our time visiting, hiking, and fellowshiping together.  (One of the team members has a NTM Blog, click here.)  On Sunday, we attended the little church there and even had an opportunity to share our testimonies.  What a blessing.

(Click on the “Photos” tab above for the “Family Trip Interior” album.)

Because the opportunity popped-up on a weekend (i.e. not busy homeschooling the kids), Jodie had an opportunity to fly with me to one of our interior locations. We were given a heads-up that there was a wedding going on that weekend, so immediately after we arrived we were invited to eat.

Eating with your hands isn’t so bad. A little nervous about the food, we both ate what was offered to us. Pig fat, rice, veggies, and other assorted UFO’s (unidentified-fried-objects). Afterwards, we received a tour of the little village. During the tour, we stumbled upon the rest of the wedding ceremony. This was the officiating portion and was very interesting. Although Jodie and I were not able to understand, we got the jist of what was going on.

After overnighting and experiencing the full sounds of the jungle at night, along with the fact that it is very very dark where there are no city lights, we returned home the next morning. What a blessing to serve our fellow missionaries.

This month Lawrence was able to get checked out on two more airstrips here in West Kalimantan.  Last week three carpenters were flown in to work on building a meeting place.  This was the first time he has flown solo into one of the more difficult airstrips here.  Bad weather prevented bringing these guys and supplies in the first day, but the second day the weather was great.  We’ll have to wait and see how the building went for a couple of weeks.  Stay tuned…

Praise the Lord we have contracted a new place to live.  This means no more moving for our family every 6 to 9 months.  This location is also closer to town and co-workers.  For Lawrence, his drive to the hangar is now almost 30 minutes.  For Jodie, stores are a bit closer for supply buying.  Also, electricity seems to be a bit more stable in this area.  This helps to not interrupt homeschooling Sarah and Seth.

Our co-workers, the Odwyers, have returned from their home assignment.  This means we have returned the house to them.  We have our eyes on a great house that will become available the end of September, just a month away.  The only hitch is that we need to re-contract it.  The owners have stated that they wish to contract it again, but we are not sure of the price.  Please pray the price will stay the same as we renegotiate next month.

Where are we now?  Staying in a nice little house that our interior families use when they come out to town.  It even has AC.  Praise the Lord.  This makes doing homeschooling much more comfortable during the day.

Sarah and Seth started school last week.  They are both in high-school now.  10th grade and 9th grade respectively.  The Lord provided through various means, people, etc to get the homeschool materials and DVD’s to Indonesia.  Praise His name!

Our flight program is still down to one airplane, the Cessna 206.  It continues to serve us well as we service our missionaries, and provide medical flights as called.  Please pray for the exportation process of the Cessna 185 though.  We still can’t find a shipper to send it to the United States.  This needs to happen so we can sell it before the Cessna 182 is shipped to Indonesia.

Jodie is now not only providing a wonderful home & meals, but is now busy grading Sarah and Seth’s homework and administering tests/quizzes.  On top of this, she is doing some of the supply-buying for our interior missionaries.  I think she is superwoman, but she doesn’t think so.   Sarah and Seth have been very helpful also and have had many opportunities to serve the Lord.  Sarah with babysitting and Seth helping out at the hangar.  Please keep them in prayer as they start the school year.

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After much planning, we enjoyed spending time with many of our co-workers from interior.  This was a good time for us to catch up on the various works and their progress.  Now we can know how to better pray for them.  We will be sharing some of these items with you.

While the “grown-ups” were meeting, Sarah and Seth played an important part in watching the younger kids and helping with a VBS-style “program” for the younger kids.

Don't cross a tired mother!

One evening, shortly after falling asleep the dog started barking.  Hoping he would stop, we decided to wait it out… but the barking continued.  He was barking at this little guy on the front poarch.

Not wanting to mess around and get back to bed, Jodie wasted no time getting some gardening cutters and decided to move in close enough to snip its head off.  Being quite dull, they just crossed over the head, like a child who can’t cut paper.

Well, I don’t think this guy would have hurt us much but he is NOT a keeper.  Just another day in Indonesia eh?  Also just a reminder to all you men and husbands out there — “Don’t mess with a tired woman!”

Finally, after much prayer and impatience, our fuel order arrived.  Thank you Lord.  We quickly stored each red barrel.  As you can see, no heavy equipment here–just push it off the back of the truck (yikes!)  Although the barrels get “beat up”, we are thankful none of them broke.  I guess you could say we now have gas.

There are other red items besides barrels.  How about “red tape.”  The continuing saga of my mechanic and pilots license seems to elicit extreme frustration.  Although the forms have been turned in and all written tests taken for my mechanic and pilot tests, we still have not seen the progress we were hoping for.  Apparently, the flight department in Jakarta has “lost” my written pilot tests.  After much talking, the only solution seems to be to take another trip to Jakarta to take them again.  We are at our wits end because a trip like this is just way out of budget, especially with our visa renewals coming due next month.  Yet, if I dont go and take them again, it could be months before a flight test is scheduled and I actually have my pilots license.

Finally, we did receive news that the mechanic tests have been passed and are currently being processed.  I need to have my mechanics license in hand before the end of the year.  Please pray for quick processing again.

(Note, if you haven’t heard – Jodie has made a complete recovery)

We headed for Jakarta, blue skies and a clear plan.  Believe it or not, our flight was actually on-time.  Our goals were to renew the kids passports at the embassy, shop for new clothes, visit some close friends having a baby, and get Sarah’s braces removed.   It was great seeing some friends and just “getting away.”  Not far from where we stayed is an “Outlet Store” where we purchased some school clothes and even a bit for Lawrence & Jodie.  Sunday, we attended a expat church in Jakarta.  What a blessing to worship in english.  Monday, our family visited the Jakarta Embassy and were finished renewing our passports in less than 30 minutes.  Then we splurged and watched the new “G-Force” Disney movie and ate out.  Tuesday, Jodie and Sarah flew over to central Java to visit the orthodontist.  Sarah got her braces taken out and an impression made for her retainer.  By Wednesday at lunch time Jodie wasn’t feeling well.  This is where things went downhill…

Sarah had an appointment at the orthodontist that evening an hour away.  Jodie toughed it out, but was very sick.  She wanted to get home, but there were no somewhat affordable flights until the next week.  We didn’t know it but she had dengue fever and was much sicker than expected.  She decided to fly to Jakarta on Saturday where she could be with friends until the Monday flight home.  She rested at the mission home and waited until Monday to fly home.  On Monday, she was so weak but desperately wanted to get home.  She arrived at the airport before noon, but the airline decided she was too sick to fly.  After giving her IV’s, they finally allowed her on the 6pm flight.  Wouldn’t you know that flight was 1hr late, so Jodie and Sarah didn’t return home until Monday evening.

Ever since Tuesday afternoon she has been improving significantly and is eating and drinking well.  Still very tired though.  Doc says it usually takes 2-3 weeks to get back to normal.  So Lawrence has been playing “Mr Mom.”  Getting food, doing laundry, cooking, cleaning, etc.  Seth and Sarah have been so helpful.  We thank the Lord for two great children.

p.s. click the “PHOTOS” link above, we finally have some!