Buka Puasa

Selemat Pagi!

Recently we have been able to break fast with friends pretty often. This means that when it is about 6pm people who have been fasting all day will line up at the local food markets and buy food. These foods can range from chicken satay, freshly caught fish, squid, seaweed, rice on a banana leaf, all kinds of fried breads, even fried bananas!

After food is bought, people will go out to a place near the water or find an empty table in the market to sit at and just wait until it is about time to begin drinking and eating for these people for the first time in that day. 

For us, we have been able to meet friends that we have made at about this time to join them in eating and breaking fast. During these times, we have been able to share the Story, talk about the Father, and even lift up these people while we are together. We have found this to be a great time to just talk and sit and learn about our new friends as we share with them also.

Just the other day we were able to meet some local university students while we were out during the day. That same night, we were able to go out and break fast with them. We were able to talk with them a lot, as they were excited to practice their English with us! We got to share with them the Story. This was the first time they had heard. They were all interested to learn more. We were so happy to get to spend time with these new friends.

Please lift up these university students as well as all of the other friends we have made that we are getting to break fast with. 

He is Worthy!
 -Courtney

A Tale of Two Hearts

After an exhausting day trip and a long night, we slept in a few extra hours. Every Sunday, an incredible, bustling market magically appears on a closed off street in the city. Blue tents and foot traffic span as far as the eye can see. Our last time there, I met a guy selling traditional clothes that we had been looking for. He was really welcoming and fun to talk to. He even gave me a discount for attempting to learn and speak his language to him. I hoped to see him again this week to thank him for his generosity with a J-film. But, in our stupor, we forgot to grab a DVD and assumed he had already packed up his gear. By this point, the market was only half full so we didn't even bother to walk out of the way to where he was last week. As we walked toward our destination, Stephen saw another team member and took a detour to tell her the lunch plans. It just so happened that our friend

had set up his tent in a new place and was still there selling clothes. He remembered me and we began to talk about his merchandise, language, and Ramadan. To my astonishment, he actually has the Bible app on his ipad and can read it in his language. On top of that, an American had shared with him before and one of his coworkers encouraged him to read the Word. Finally, to make my jaw go all the way to the ground, he told me we was seeking true religion and kept talking about our beliefs. I had his number from last time and we talked about meeting again to talk. After parting ways, I asked when we could meet he told me he would text me when he is free to learn more about my religion. Clearly, the Father has been pursuing and softening this man's heart. Meeting us was just another step in the process of him finding the truth. 

Later that afternoon, as we walked back towards our lodge, a man selling something stopped us. This was fairly common so we said hello, exchanged names, and grabbed a seat to talk with him. We had already seen great things in the morning so this encounter would surely be even better than the last one right? Wrong. Actually, he was selling alms cards for the mosque. He explained them and then said they weren't for us which made me wonder why he stopped us in the first place. But, we didn't want to skip over a chance to share. After a long time of listening to him explain things to us, we kindly asked to share our beliefs with him as well. As Stephen began to tell the story, the man interrupted and talked for a while again. Stephen smiled and began again. Just as before, the man interjected and ranted even longer. This cycle continued for two hours and of course people walking by gave plenty of odd looks to us. Several times I wanted to leave because it felt like we were getting no where miserably slow. All I could do was lift up the situation asking for wisdom and patience. He wouldn't answer our questions or listen to us. Finally, after so much frustration, we decided to leave and say goodbye. I doubt that he really wanted to see us again and honestly I felt the same way towards him. He was rude, we were mad, and for a long time I couldn't stop dwelling on the conversation. 

As I reflected on the entire day, I noticed some things. Two men heard the same story from us. But, we experienced vastly different responses. One was receptive and inquisitive while the other was brash and domineering. I remembered that we are not in control of how people react to us. We are only in control of our attitudes and willingness to share. In one man, we could see a chain of events in which the Father was working on his heart. Others had already pulled weeds and planted the seed and we watered it. The second man is loved by the Father just like the first but in a far different place. That difficult encounter was the first link in the chain of events drawing him to the Father. We must trust that others will be put in his path to water the seed and pull weeds. Both hearts need Him and we are thankful that now both have heard and we ask you to lift both of them up.

Request for the first man to continue seeking truth and being willing to meet with us. 
Ask the Father to soften the second man's heart and open his eyes.
Lift us up to keep sharing and meeting people in need. 

June Highlight Reel Part 2

Chelsea and Charlsie, aka Gumbar Gumbar, meeting a store worker!

Day hike to a secluded beach with the team.

Courtney entertaining some local kids before the hike.

Charlsie getting ready to climb the wall and trust Courtney with her life! This was a great place to meet people!

Stephen beginning his climb. "Sikit Sikit lama lama jadi bukit"
Little by little the ant climbs the mountain.

Courtney with some new friends and the sweetest baby in the night market. This is a regular place we meet and share Isah!

Courtney enjoying arts and crafts with kids at a school.

Courtney teaching the kids a song and " creative movement".  

Courtney and Sam telling a story to the kids.

The beautiful sunsets are a daily reminder of the Father's goodness and faithfulness.

Group picture on the dock at the islands from our second trip out there.

The team enjoying a professional futbol match! Go rhinos!

Every week we venture into the Sunday Market to meet and share with people! 

Roasted seafood table to "Buka Puasa" or break fast with the locals!

June has been as incredible as this picture. Lift up the team and the people we meet! Ask for the Spirit to move in this city!

June Highlight Reel Part 1

Pondering the deep questions of life on the boardwalk. "What's for dinner?"

Fresh seafood spread in the night market. We wish you could smell it.

Too many mangoes to pick from in the Mango Market.

Boarding the boat to go to the islands!

"My name is Courtney and I like long hikes on the islands"

Mosque on the edge of town.

Stephen getting ready to eat his first fresh, raw clam.

Stephen not enjoying his first fresh, raw clam.

Courtney's nervous selfie with the monitor lizard!

Post island hopping group picture!

The island mosque a.k.a water mosque.

Prayer rugs prepared inside the mosque.

Charlsie learning how to make Teh Tarik! Our favorite local tea drink.

Stephen making Teh Tarik, literally means "pulled tea"... like a pro!
Profile pic material right? What a man, what a beard.

The girls with our patient pulling tea teachers!

Be looking out for June Highlight Reel Part 2!
Bye Mr. Monitor Lizard!

Ever Given a Gift at the Gift Shop?

Hello from Southeast Asia Adventure girls!

The mornings have been so nice here. As we seek out the Father, He fills us. As we cast our burdens on Him, He continually sustains us. His words are oh so vibrant to me here in this place.

There is darkness here, and brokenness in the hearts of the people, yet there is hope and we are carriers of the light in this place! How wonderful that our Father would choose to use us!  He has a plan for these people, may our hearts rejoice!

Last week, we met three new friends who all work in a local gift shop. (Great for us, since we are three as well!) We were able to begin getting to know them, learn about them and the culture here. 

These girls do not know Jesus. I could tell in their eyes that while sharing about who He is with them, they hadn’t ever heard this before. So we stayed for about an hour in this little store that day learning from them as they were listening to us and so eager to hear more. We shared the good news, we shared about what grace means and they were so happy that we had come and that we wanted to befriend them!

As we left that day, one of the girls told me that she “had an experience” in her heart that she hadn’t had before. I knew that this was because of the Spirit, and not anything that I said or did. 

Just yesterday, we were able to go back and visit our friends, bringing them drinks and snacks for sharing while we chatted, and they had gotten snacks to share too! We told them stories about Jesus from the word! And they were so excited to hear. 

When it was time for us to leave, they were pulled out their calendars and filled all their free time and off days with spending time with us while we are here. We are so overjoyed to be able to be friends with these three girls from the gift shop.

Please remember to lift these girls up. Lift up us and our friends of faith here as we are getting to share the good news and the love of the Father here in Southeast Asia where knowledge of who He truly is, is very scarce. 

He is worth it!

Sanctify Your Hobbies

Growing up, I was never discouraged from hobbies. I played several sports and participated in activities. But, I never realized how useful simple hobbies can be in serving the Father. After almost two weeks in SE Asia, it is obvious that He has given us all interests and skill sets designed to reach all nations. Our team's goal is to meet people and share the Story with them. Walking the city and markets is one way to do that but it had not really been an effective method for us at first. Mainly, because people at the market or in the mall are on the job. They are trying to sell merchandise, please employers, and just get the day to pass by. We actually kept a guy from getting business one day accidentally and didn't even realize it. People at work are harder to get deep into conversation with.

A couple of days ago, we went to the sports complex for a fundraiser. It was a rock wall climbing event and we just wanted to go have fun. The event was a blast but it ended up being the best atmosphere to meet people, share, and make connections. All of us there were doing something together, sharing our interests, and naturally making friends. It all started with two team members who love to rock climb. It ended with two people getting to hear The Story.

Rock climbing is just an example of a useful hobby. All sports like soccer, basketball, tennis, ultimate frisbee, or even cheer leading (if you consider it a sport) have been helpful ways for us to meet people. It's a fun way to spend time and at the end people have opened up. Something as simple as throwing a frisbee has opened up four people to hearing the Story on separate occasions. Sports aren't the only useful hobbies either. Virtually, anything that is a way to spend time, has a community of participants, or is present in most cultures is a way to make a connection with someone. Video games,  musical instruments, skate boarding, puzzles, crafting, and a million other things are legitimate ways to share The Story and make friends in a new culture.

On our first day here, we were told to go do things we enjoy and meet people. How great is that? Serve the Father by doing things you like to do with the goal of introducing them to him. He has made us the way we are on purpose. So, unleash your talents, skills, and hobbies on the culture around you and spread the good news.

Expect the Unexpected

We have learned that every interaction is unpredictable and plans don't always work. Every conversation starts with a smile and Ello! Beyond that anything can and will happen. While walking through the city, most conversations are brief or stall out. But, we have to press on through those to the unexpected ones that last. It may feel like an endless stream of random greetings and then finally someone says an entire English sentence back. Those moments where communication occurs are so encouraging and intoxicating. We never know what will come of each simple smile and hello. But, we are learning to be faithful through the difficult ones and seek out the persons of peace.

Last night was a rare night in that we had a plan. The guys were supposed to go play frisbee on the boardwalk with a group our supervisors usually hang out with. After about 20 minutes, no one showed at all. We sat down and decided just to lift up the city and situation again. A few seconds later a rare white guy said hello and asked what we were up to. He and a national sat down with us and both of them heard the story through us. We didn't see it coming and actually thought about just leaving the scenario. However, we paused and sought the Lord and He showed himself faithful.

Sharing Under the Sunset

The journey to Southeast Asia went well for us. We made all of our flights and made it through airports and landed safely in our city. We never knew that feeling so much excitement and tiredness was possible. However, it didn't take long for reality to settle in and the Father to show us why He has us here.

After we finished settling in, our supervisors took us to a string of restaurants down by the water. There was a nice walking track that ran parallel to the beach and boasted an incredible view. While the others got a table, the guys took a stroll to take in the view and check out a potential way to meet people. The sun was slowly settling and the sky began to change from blue to bright orange. The ocean was glistening and a picture didn't do it justice. We all agreed it would be great to meet someone who could take us fishing one day.  At the end of the track, we saw a guy about our age resting and decided to ask him about it. Naturally, his name was difficult to say but we can call him H. He was very friendly and spoke decent English and shared about his city. He told us about his family, education, and even his beliefs. We learned about his view of God and the afterlife and sin. He told us about his practices and customs. Thankfully, he was willing to listen as a team member Shared the Story from scripture. It was beautiful to listen to and H smiled along the way. At the end, he told us that was the first time he had ever heard The Story of Isah.

He had lived his entire life without hearing the Story or knowing someone who would share it. Honestly, he probably never would have in his own culture. He did not make any decisions that day but finally he heard. All of the statistics and talks we knew about the unreached transformed into the face of a guy by the beach. We no longer knew the numbers but saw the faces of thousands who have yet to hear the Story.

• Lift up the seed sown in his heart to grow. Also, lift up the team for this summer to meet more people and have these opportunities.  
• The Father goes before us and we are excited to be here. He is doing great things and please remember us and the task at hand. Difficult days will come but it is all worth it.   
• Ask for us to have boldness and discernment as we live in this city for summer. In only a short few days, we have began friendships and shared with several people here. 
• Ask for the work to continue and be fruitful.