This past weekend, I went with my cousin Faisca to a retreat up in Puncak with her youth group, it was about 40 people, and the most intimate, honest youth group I have witnessed. It was entirely beautiful! Beautiful beyond measure! I was so comfortable speaking Bahasa and making friends, along with understanding the messages about intimacy with God and intimacy with others, and i didn't need to understand the last night, where many people broke down to let out their real emotions, it was so raw. And so beautiful- to see God so purely working in His people here in Indonesia :)
While I was away though, Chiqua was sick and admitted to the hospital with Dinghy Fever, her blood platlet count has gone from 60000 to 44000, when it's supposed to be 200,000. We're hoping she'll get out soon, but she's looking so much healthier in the hospital than she was at home! So, that is a good sign :)
Well friends, this is my last week in the Batubara family, I've been thinking about this week, and it's coming- but it's come so fast, when everything was at the peak of normalcy- that God decided to move me. So I have been packing and repacking, as practice for coming back home to America. Since I'm allowed to bring home $800USD worth of stuff. which is 8 million rupiah :) Pretty fantastic, but so far- i'm totally thinking i'll need to buy another suitcase and ship it through Lufthansa for free-since Mama Shirley works there. *Thanks God!*
While with the Batubara's I have learned some intense things with God, including sins of mine that have hindered me from fufilling His purpose for my everyday here! I have also seen some beautiful places and people, such as our family up in Medan, North Sumatera. I have been faced with the challenges of immersing into a culture completely opposite of mine, and learning a language that did not seem like the easiest- at first. I have found a place in Indonesia, people in Indonesia, and God in Indonesia- in this family. And there is no way I could thank them enough to show them my appreciation and gratitude for this time that I've had with them, learning, asking questions, being open with the entire family- it's been beautiful. and I hope blessing and God's favor reigns down on them after I leave, so that they are blessed through the one that can thank them for what they've done for me :) Go God!
I will be moving families and all my luggage on this Sunday- mom and friends back home, thank you for sending packages! because I am using those boxes in packing too so i don't have to buy a new suitcase yet! haha.- and I will be living about 10minutes away from the Batubara's home behind Pondok Indah Mall 2. The town (instead of Pondok Indah) is called Deplu. It's in between Pondok Indah (where the Batubara's are) and Bintaro (which is where Faisca lives). So, I'm surrounded by beautiful people! And I'm kind of excited that God led me the retreat because He provided me with pins for more exchange students, and friends that will live close to me and a great church to go to!
Yes, right now I am still in Morning Star Indonesia, and have been singing there, and the people are beautiful. But I think I will start going there when I am needed to sing, and going to Faisca's church when I am not, because it is closer to home. I want to continue going to MSI because of my friendships that i have made there! People from Papua, Sulawesi, right around the corner- God is amazing :)
Anyway, a heads up for the next couple of days- I'll finish my online course, finish packing, finish loving the Batubara family while living with them, and learn how to make Chocolate Bread and Nastar (flaky cookie with pineapple in the middle) with Faisca, her mom (Tante Tati), Naomi, and our other aunt (Tante Nenda). They are great cooks and I'm so excited to learn and bring the recipes home!
In my new family, I have a dad and mom, and an older sister living at home going to college. The others are older (4 more: 3 boys, 1 girl), and while the girl just got married and the eldest boy is married, the other two are in college and working as far as i know. So they are barely home except for weekends! But my older sister, Cantika, is beautifully calm, and I am excited to read books with her and talk deep- because the first time I honestly met her, we sat down in her room and had about a 2.5hour conversation about exchange students, boyfriends, families, and ourselves. It was phenomenal. She also loves to read, so i'm pretty stoked i'll be able to read with her- which is what i've been missing :) I bought two books and i still haven't finished the first one!
Anyway, keeping this short and sweet.
God is working in me, showing me how to bend to His will, opening my eyes to what motives and sins are hindering me from fufilling my purpose here, and showing me the two most important things in my everyday:
1. to deepen my relationship with Him
2. to deepen my relationship with others
God is good :) Thank you for reading. I have 4mths and then I'm home, and then I'll just tell you stories and show you tons of photos. haha
Please be praying for Chiqua, the next host family, God working in me, trips that are to come here in Indonesia, university in America, and the process of coming home.
I love you all. Have a God-infused day!