We have some forward progress!
We have been places we never imagined we would see in the last 8 months. To recap: We left the states to do Earthquake relief in Nepal. We witnessed to many people and gave one family their first Bible! The volunteer groups we trained and coordinated saw a new church start in a remote mountainside village! We saw the beautiful snow-capped Himalayan mountains which even at their extreme height are just a footstool for our God!
But, we eventually realized we could not stay in Nepal and were told India was off the table too. Things that seemed so comfortable and familiar begin to feel foreign again as we unconsciously distanced ourselves from our surroundings. We struggled not having a 'permanent' home and vowed that our next move would be forward - Nothing else temporary - it added too much stress...
So, of course, next we took another temporary role in Bangkok. (Never say never!) Bangkok has just about everything! Air conditioning! McDonalds! Malls! Skytrains! And of course there is also Traffic! Red light districts! Traffic! (Wait did I say that one already?) We have been privileged to be a part of a unique pilot program project that places Thai students in weekly online video conversations with believers in the US. We have ministered and prayed with persecuted Christian and Muslim refugees from Pakistan. We have heard stories about what God is doing from colleagues around the world.
But, no matter how hard you try - there is a switch in your brain that flips when you know "this place is temporary, it is not my home, I don't have to fit in here long-term, I just need to survive"... and suddenly, culture shock is much worse. We stepped into both Nepal and Thailand wondering 'could this be our home?' and almost to the day of when we discovered we would have to leave things began to get harder. The language is harder to acquire, the smells are worse, and the culture begins to grate on your nerves worse than before.
But then, we saw a light - a guiding towards a job. Long-story made short... we are not sure this particular job is going to work out due to various factors playing over the last few weeks. But in the midst of this we committed to moving to Bandung, Indonesia for language school. The Bahasa language prepares you to work in both Malaysia AND Indonesia, and by moving to Bandung we are stating our intent to work in one of these two countries. Moving to Bandung is a resolute narrowing and limiting of our options and choices.
Honestly, we are feeling good about this part of our move: despite the uncertainty that comes from not knowing our future city or job quite yet. We are confident God has been guiding this process and will help us find where He can use us best.
As for the need in the area where we are going? Indonesia is a country of 250 million people... (200+ million Muslims) and Malaysia contains over 28+ people (20 million Muslims). The need is so great and the harvest is plentiful everywhere. Join us in praying as God guides us towards a home..