Yes we have arrived in country and have been here for one week. Wow, so many new sights, sounds, and smells.
We were greeted by the couple who operate the guest home in Jakarta. One of their ministries is helping new folks like ourselves get acquainted to living over here. What a blessing they are. After resting a bit, we were taken to a few stores, and even a very large mall. After exchanging our dollars for the rupiah, it was our turn to make a few purchases. Sarah and Seth had saved their money so they could purchase things here. Yes, they were excited to spend their rupiahs.
Four days later after resting a bit, we took to the skies again flying from Jakarta to Borneo. This time there was very little English spoken in the airport, but we managed a slightly delayed flight and a gate change. Bathrooms are a bit different here than in the States and are hardest for the women to get used to. It was here that home-sickness set in. It is so much easier in our own country. It is easy to let yourself get overwhelmed with the differences between home and here. Definitely a time to stop and pray. After a 30 minute delay and a move to gate “aah dooah” which translates to gate A2 we boarded the 737 and headed to the island of Borneo. A little over an hour later we arrived at the airport. It was raining lightly and overcast. This made the day cooler than normal, but we noticed it was much hotter than Jakarta. The clouds have cleared a bit and now we notice it is HOT here. This will take some getting used to for us
The purpose for being here on Borneo is for immigration, translated “paperwork” for us to be here in the country. We have been here two days and just have to wait until our paperwork is processed. We are hoping it will be done by Wednesday or Thursday, but just have to wait and stay put until it is complete. Two days ago, an ex-dictator of Indonesia died at age 86. As flags fly at half-staff hopefully this doesn’t cause any delays in processing.
We continue to stay with a pilot family here in town. I am hoping to get out to the airport and spend some time at “the hangar.” This morning we took a trip to town and ate lunch at the mission guest home here on Borneo. Sleep is going pretty well, but Jodie is having a hard time with the noises and the “calls to prayer” over the loudspeakers throughout town every few hours. These almost wailing noises start at 4:30am each morning. God is good and we will rest in Him. We are anxious to fly back down to central Java and see our housing there. Sarah and Seth await getting started in school and Jodie and I are ready to start language study. We are anxious to get started with language, but it seems so overwhelming.
For now, we are “staying cool.” Thanks for your prayers. Feel free to ask questions, write, call, or e-mail. We certainly are asking lots of questions!
See our pictures, click here or the "Photos" tab above.
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