Upcoming Move and New Twists in the Plan

We are nearing the end of our time here in Salatiga and there have been a couple of new twists in our plans that we would like to share with you, as well as some prayer requests for the upcoming months. We have about one month left here as we finish up our last unit of language school. Originally the plan was to move directly to our base in Tarakan, Kalimantan, an island northeast of here, and for Matt to begin flying. Because of my continued low back pain, it has been decided by us and MAF management that we will spend some time in Jakarta first, so that I can get some much needed chiropractic help. I am functional, but longevity in our new location is a priority and we want to get all the help that we can before we settle there. There is less available in Tarakan for those needing specialized medical care, and the capital city of Jakarta has some excellent chiropractors. Initially we were disappointed to delay moving to Tarakan, but we are thankful for the opportunity to get some needed care and can see God's hand in this situation in some pretty awesome ways.

Our bosses in Jakarta had recently taken over a guest house there, but were hoping to make a trip back to the states to see their daughter graduate from nursing school. Not knowing about our need to live there around the same time frame, they prayed for a solution and for someone to run the guest house while they were gone. So, as you probably guessed, we been asked to take over the guest house while there and will be staying through July. After that we will move to our base in Tarakan. This will give us plenty of time to explore options to help my back, and will give our bosses the opportunity to be there for a huge milestone in their daughter's life. Win-win! Thank you Jesus!

As we prepare to leave, we have definitely been feeling the pressure of this upcoming transition. We have been dealing with illness cycling through our family for almost three months now and it's really starting to take a toll on us. Right now both Blake and I are sick again, and we had a scare with Eva last week when she was having some respiratory distress. I feel like I've had a crash (reminder) course of almost every infectious illness in the last several months....and not only our family. We could really use prayer for health as we near the end of our time here, and for healing for my back.

In addition to the stress of illness, we still need to sell our car, prepare and pack a container of furniture and appliances, finish up unit 9 of school and write a ten page paper in Indonesian, and all of the extras that come with preparing for a move.....to a city that can only be reached by boat or plane. Please pray that all of these things come together smoothly, and for peace in the process! (Trying not to hyperventilate as I write this ;).

Lastly, please pray for the transition itself, for us and the kids, that we would feel God's grace and peace in each new place.

We praise God for the relationships that we have built here, that we have learned the language enough to carry on conversations with people relatively easily, and that we are almost to our final base! Thanks to all who support us in prayer, finances, and encouragement!

We are currently on the island of Java. Tarakan is where we will be headed in the beginning of August.

 

This is me at my first neighborhood women's meeting. As you can tell I don't have a uniform yet ;).

 

 

The neighbor kids like to come over and play in the yard.

 

We have made some wonderful friends here. It will be hard to leave.

 

 Blake at one of his swim lessons at a local hotel pool

 

Such a good older brother!

 



 

Easter!