NTM

It’s hard to believe but we’re almost done with our language school! I have 1 ½ weeks left and Janalyn has one more month. After I’m finished with school I’ll be taking a test to determine my language proficiency. If I reach the recommended proficiency level, we will be able to begin making plans to move to another island. If not we will stay put for a while until we reach the recommended proficiency level. Please pray that we would reach that level and that we could begin making plans to move to another island.

PRAISE:

We were able to get the first of Andy’s immunizations in Indonesia.

Janalyn is learning to ride the motorcycle!

For me (Jonathan) graduating from unit 5. Janalyn has started unit 5 Monday, and Jonathan will start unit 6.

PRAYER REQUEST: 

Pray that the Lord would use the language tutors to help us pick up the language more quickly.

One of the major blessings here in Indonesia has been our language helpers. While it’s ideal to be able to go out in our neighborhood and with friends sometimes you need some extra help with the language or with homework from school. That’s where language tutors come in! We have several language tutors that usually come for about an hour at different times during the week and charge a small fee. During our language sessions they can talk about anything you want from grammar questions to homework, from school to questions about Indonesian culture, etc. We meet with our tutors up to three times a week. As a result of all the time spent with language tutors we’re able to build some significant relationships with them.

PRAISE:

For our driver’s licenses, both for car and motorcycles!

For good health for the whole family so far.

For being able to get back into language study.

PRAYER REQUESTS:

For finances, as the costs here in Indonesia have risen and traveling, getting our visas, and setting up our house again have taken a drain on our budget.

For perseverance in language study, that we would work hard not just to get our time in each day but to truly make the language stick in our minds.

For protection from mosquito born diseases. Since our return we have noticed an increase in mosquitoes, we recently found out why; our neighbor has made a catfish pond right next to our backyard!

This weekend we finally received our driver’s licenses. At first it looked like the police would not give foreigners motorcycle licenses. Later it was changed so that we could get them but we would have to go through a lot of paperwork and travel to another town an hour away. Finally the laws were changed again so that we could get them as we have in the past. Last weekend, with the help of an Indonesian friend we went down to the police station and picked them up. It’s another step in helping us adjust to life in Indonesia and another thing to Praise the Lord for!

PRAISE:

For Andy’s adjustment to Indonesia.

For good health and safety while traveling and getting back to our house.

For time to get things Andy settled adjusted and to get the house organized.

PRAYER REQUESTS:

That we would remember the language that we have already learned.

For opportunities to build relationships with our Indonesian neighbors and friends.

That we would be a blessing to our colleagues and coworkers here who are also learning to adjust to a new country.

We’ve now been in the country for about two weeks and are now back in our house. It’s been awesome to see the Lord’s blessings. We have felt your prayers throughout the last couple of weeks. Specifically we have been blessed with Andy’s adjustment to Indonesia. We asked you to pray that Andy would adjust well to the new culture and climate. Praise the Lord that He has been handling everything really well. We also asked for prayer for safety and good health. Despite us all coming down with a minor cold we’re doing well and have all now completely recovered it. Overall we have been blessed with extremely good health.

I have already completed my first week of classes at school! Janalyn will be taking a month to focus on taking care of Andy and getting the house settled and organized before returning to school. In the meantime she has hired a couple of language tutors to help warm up to the language again and review what she learned before.

PRAISE:

That we’re able to go to Indonesia.

For being able to attend the Family Reunion in Minnesota.

Andrew’s good health — he seems to be growing everyday.

PRAYER REQUESTS:

That we would be able to get a good deal on airplane tickets both for Nevada and Indonesia.

For good time spent with our families.

We’re ready to go to Indonesia! It looks like we will arrive in Indonesia in about a month, depending on ticket prices.

Last weekend we were able to go to my (Jonathan’s) brother’s wedding. I had the honor of being the best man and Janalyn got to be one of the bridesmaids! Andy even got dressed up for the wedding! What a blessing that we were able to be here for this occasion.

We have also been getting some good opportunities to share about what the Lord is doing in while we are in NE & also MN. We are also finished with the US paperwork. Our goal is to return to Indonesia in late July.