A Few Things

Hello Prayer Warriors. This is such a beautiful, exciting, crazy time of year isn't it? I know you all pray for us so I wanted to write an honest, from my heart email of specific things we need you to pray about. 

1. Our water situation- For weeks we have been  having trouble with the water system here. There have been several leaks and they have been difficult to find resulting in us not having enough water. Now we are getting trucks of undrinkable water brought in everyday for showers, dishes, and laundry and then Garth and I take jugs down to MAF base to fill up with drinking water. It is a pain to say the least. Ten of our kids were sick because of our Indonesian helper using the bad water in the ice cube trays. Pray for this problem to get quickly fixed.

2. We are Hostel 2. Hostel 1 will be closing down so the parents can teach at the school.  We have a shortage of teachers and they are needed. Some of the kids from there will be coming to live with us and some will move in with people in town. That will be a transition for all of us. Pray for it to go smoothly.

3. This is a big one for me - We need to decide when to come back for furlough. MAF will pay for us to come this summer or next. Emma graduates in May and is planning on doing a gap year at Timber-lee. Wyatt has a possibility of a job this summer in Wisconsin, maybe Emma and Sophie a job at a camp in Wisconsin as well. If we come home this summer it would give the kids a chance to work, gain some money and independence, all of us to see family and friends, etc. That's one option. Or we wait until next summer after Emma finishes her gap year so we can be there to help her settle into college. There are pros and cons to both. Financially, we have no money to pay for anything this summer. Most of our money is going into Wyatt's schooling and his loans. So if we had another year to save, that would be helpful. But, Garth's step Mom is very ill with brain cancer and we want to make the most of any time we can have with her. Please help us by praying for this. We need to make some of these decisions in the next few weeks.

4. Praise-HUGE praise!!!  I am so excited I can hardly contain it!!! My parents Bible study and some of our family has paid for Wyatt to fly home for Christmas. My heart has been aching and longing to see my boy. I need to hold him and squeeze him and fill him with food. Please pray for safety. It is such a long trip.

5. Praise- our safety here has been much better. We did have a guy jump the fence and was walking around naked at 9:30 at night several weeks ago but nothing else since then. 

This time of year is full of joy as we think of what our Savior did for us. The parents of two of our dorm kids have just translated the Gospel in their village and have been teaching the villagers about Jesus and His great gift. It is so amazing to watch them as they hear for the first time. That is the Good News, the Gospel story. That is why we are doing what we are doing. Christmas for them will be different than any Christmas before as they realize that HE is the reason for this season. He is doing amazing things. Thanks for being a part of that.

Merry Christmas to you all.

Find joy in the little things.

love,

Rachel

What's Going on

Well, hello. Sorry it has been ages since I have given you an update. I feel like every semester we go through different levels of stretching and this one has been particularly difficult. We are learning and we are growing. God is good and we are always thankful for His comforting arms.

The dorm kids are on holiday right now. This is the first time our family has been together without dorm kids since July 18. That is a long time. A really long time. And we don't even have Emma here with us. It is Sophie, Cale, Garth and me. Emma went into a village called Tarup for the break. Tarup is just getting the Gospel in their language for the very first time. It is super exciting.  Please pray for the people to have open hearts. There have been a lot of obstacles, with weather, sickness, a septic system blowing up, the government sending people in etc. But the missionaries there have persevered. I can't wait to hear all the stories Emma brings back.

The volleyball season just ended. Garth was coaching both Boys teams and both Girls teams and Emma and Sophie were coaching the C team. Wow! That made life a bit crazy. The kids did great, and Emma and Sophie enjoyed having Garth as their coach.

I am teaching a Food Prep class at school. It is for Seniors so Emma is in my class.Those of you who know me know that I love food and all things food related. So you can imagine that I am loving teaching this class.

The dorm took awhile to get into a routine. We had two girls that came about 6 weeks after school started. They are having trouble following our rules and we are quickly learning that they don't always tell us the truth. They are sisters from PNG and their parents are in America for a year.  Pray that we have wisdom how to handle this.

Wyatt is doing ok in Oregon. He is on the soccer team and is trying to juggle school with all of the games and practices. He is homesick and we ache from the hole his absence leaves. We are all so close and with him gone it always feels like something is missing. He is trying to save up money so he can come home for Christmas or summer. Emma is in her Senior year and is feeling the sad "bite" of all the lasts... "This was my last retreat, or Fall concert etc." Pray for her as she makes decisions about her future. And for us. I am not ready to say good-bye to another of my "Babies". Yikes! It is hard being all the way on the other side of the world away from your kiddos. Pray for us as we pray about how long God wants us to stay here. Also pray for teachers. We desperately need more teachers, administrators, librarians, computer teachers, technicians... Everyone is doing the job of two or more because we have so many holes that need to be filled.

This morning was nice and lazy. We all slept in and then did a puzzle while we listened to Christmas music. The kids try to remember what it feels like when the weather gets crisp and the leaves change color. I love it when you all send pictures of the changing seasons. Continue to do so. Write if you can. Pray whenever you think of us.

Love you all

Rachel

Attack

Hey. I need to let you guys know what is going on here. Last Sunday, Garth was on his way back here from America and I was home with the kids. (Just the Erickson kiddos. The dorm kids hadn't come back yet).   At about 1, Sophie took a chair outside to read a book. She was right next to the Hostel in the back. I was running around getting last minute things done before the kids all came back from their summer holiday, but then Wyatt called on a video chat so I sat down to talk to him. I joked about how cute Soph was sitting outside like that and showed him on the video and then sat down where I could see her through a window. Next thing I know there is a Papuan guy standing next to her chair. I yelled and ran out to her. As I was running to her, he walked over like he was going to come in the house. Sophie yelled at him and he came over and pushed her back in her chair and then went over to try to get her in a choke hold. She jumped up, yelled "Mom", smacked him with her book and told him to go home. I burst out there yelling (screaming) and he took off, jumped the fence and ran into the forest. Since then we have had several other incidences where there have been guys in trees looking in windows, or walking by the fence. Today there was a guy trying to climb over our fence. We have guards but they never seem to be in the right place at the right time.

I need prayer to trust God in this and not panic. All of these incidences happened in broad daylight. Now we have a dorm full of kids. I am paranoid to let them outside unless they are in groups. It is our job to protect them and keep them safe. Pray for Sophie as she processes through this. Pray for those in charge to know how to handle this. Pray for the guards to see what they need to see. Pray for peace. Pray for safety. Pray for calm.

Thanks you guys.

Rachel

Full Swing

Our dorm is back in full swing and boy is it hopping! God has graciously given us 6 girls this year and 3 boys. Garth was in America for a quick trip to get Wyatt settled at Corban University. He just got back on Monday. The school year, also, started on Monday, and all the kids are here except for two. We have two girls from PNG that will be moving in in 3 weeks. Otherwise, here is our "family"- Hannah and Hajun Kim from Korea, Seun and Sara Lee from Korea, Morgan and Daniel Dinkelmann from South Africa, Daniel Schley from America and Anne and Pearl Kave from Papua New Guinea. I will attach some pictures from the first day of school.

I am excited to be teaching a Food Prep class for the Seniors this year. That is right up my alley and Emma is in the class so I am happy.

I am also in charge of planning the high school beach trip that is coming up next Thursday. Beach trip is always an exciting time of bonding and togetherness. It is one of the highlights of the year and we are all looking forward to it.

Garth was forced to get over jet lag quickly and he has done a great job of jumping right back in. He had such a sweet time with Wyatt and the separation has been excruciatingly difficult. Please continue to pray for Wyatt as he adjusts to his new life and for us as we continue on without him. 

Thanks.  I greatly appreciate you.

Rachel

​

Wyatt's Trip

My heart is heavy as i write this. My wonderful son who I love and cherish will be gone in less than 46 hours.  Life is going on, Garth and I are subbing classes, picking kids up from the airport, taking sick kids to the clinic, shopping, making meals etc. all the while this sense of sadness is looming in the pit of our stomach. My head knows this is a great opportunity, and that God has flung the doors wide open for this adventure, and that I will hopefully get to see him at Christmas... but its hard. It is really hard. Cale was crying at breakfast, Emma and Sophie are quiet, Wyatt is giving extra hugs and telling me lots of thank-yous, but none of us are truly prepared for what this will do to our family. So pray for us. please. Wyatt leaves on Saturday. The kids still have another week and a half of school and finals. We need God's comfort and peace. He is so faithful. I know He will be there.

Pray for Wyatt as he is traveling by himself. It is a bit tricky in Jakarta. He has to get his bags and go out from one terminal to another and recheck in. And in Chicago airport going through Customs/Immigration can be confusing by yourself.

In Chicago he will have about 8 weeks of travel with the Chicago Eagles ministering to kids in the inner city and in Brazil. He is excited about that. This is what he is gifted for. He has such a heart and love for kids. I know this is where God wants him. It is selfish of me to want to keep him for myself. I need to share him with the world. Pray for God to get glory in this ministry and for hearts to be saved. Please also pray for all the extra things Wyatt will have to do: get a drivers license, debit card, supplies for school, get a broken tooth repaired...

After the Eagles he will travel to Oregon to start school at Corban University. Please pray for that transition. It is another culture, different food, and language/social interactions and environment. So many new things at once. 

God has the power to do what He has promised, and HE has promised that He will go with us. And that He will never leave us or forsake us. Deuteronomy 31:16."There are so many comforting verses- "So do not fear, for I am with you, Do not be dismayed. for I am your God." Isaiah 41:10 "...Though he stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with His hand." Psalm37:24

I just need my head to gently start reminding my heart that it is all good. It is all going to be ok. Soon after Wyatt leaves, June 5th, he will have his 19th birthday.  If you feel like loving on him, you can shower him with cards. You can send them to my Mom:

Wyatt Erickson

c/o Carol Vyskocil

233 Oak Hill Road

Williams Bay, Wi. 53191

Once he is established at Corban I will give you that address. That time in his life is when he will really need to feel loved and remembered.

Thanks you guys. Thanks for caring and always showing love.

Rachel

Easter

Hello! I hope your Easter was happy!! The dorm was closed and it was the first time many of the kids saw their parents since Christmas. It was also the first time we were able to be together as a family of Erickson's since Christmas. It was the last time we will be together just the six of us before Wyatt leaves. So, I tried to enjoy every single moment and not get too emotional. We had such a great time. We made a bucket list of things we wanted to do, games to play, food to eat etc. and we did it all! I feel incredibly blessed to have a family that truly enjoys each other. We have so much laughter in this house and it fills my heart to overflowing.

Back to the topic of Wyatt- we bought his ticket back to America. We have been searching sites looking for the cheapest flight and finally found one. Because we are short term with MAF they don't cover these costs, so we wanted to purchase wisely. He will be leaving Indo May 20. That is exactly one month from today. Even now, I am holding back tears while I write this. UGH! He will be in a different country than us. That is CRAZY! But I have a great, big God and I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that I can trust Him with my Kid. But please, PLEASE pray for us as we make this adjustment. 

Until the end of July, Wyatt will be traveling and playing soccer with the Chicago Eagles. This is an awesome opportunity and he has raised almost all of the money he needs for the trip. He only needs about $1,000 more. After that, Garth will fly to Chicago to get him and together they will travel to Corban University in Oregon. There are so many details to take care of: teaching Wyatt to drive on the right side of the street, car insurance, medical check ups, he has a chipped tooth that needs to be taken care of, showing him how to open a bank account, and use money, and getting him settled in college... my head is spinning.

I will be back here with the kiddos while Garth is there visiting family, getting Wyatt settled, going to a missions conference and possibly a wedding. It is never fun to be split up and we will be separated for quite awhile. The end of the summer and into the beginning of the school year I will be here and he will be there. So keep praying.

God never disappoints and He is always faithful. I know I can trust Him in easy times and in difficult, for small things and big things. This is going to be the biggest thing I have ever trusted Him for: my kid. My firstborn son. On his own in a country that he doesn't call his own. He is Indonesian through and through. It will rip his heart out to leave, and mine to send him. But this is clearly the path God has for him. We are 100% sure of that. I know that God will take care of him. It is exciting to see all the ways that God shows up in his life. God is awesome and so full of surprises. He loves to bless His children.

Thanks for all of the prayers you send up on our behalf. If you think about Wyatt and want to send him an email to let him know you will be praying for him, feel free. I know it would encourage his heart and mine.

Love you

Rachel

Emma's Event

Hello! This week is just flying by. There is an exciting event I want to tell you about. Emma is in a band and they have been invited to participate in a Youth Event on Saturday at a large sports stadium. The sponsors are expecting 2,000-3,000 students to be in attendance. It will be broadcast on a local Papuan TV channel as well as on the radio. This is not a Christian event, but Emma's band will be singing a Christian song in Indonesian. Originally they were going to do three songs and a short testimony, but their time slot has been bumped down to 5 minutes. Not much time, but it will be enough to shine the light of Jesus!!!  We are so excited. Emma is nervous and could really use prayers. This is such an amazing opportunity. Seriously! SO cool! Pray that the power doesn't go out, (that happens all the time here), pray that they get their 5 minutes and don't get bumped again, and pray that they are a fantastic witness to all there. 

On a much sadder note, pray for Wyatt's friend Jenni. She needs Jesus. She tried to kill herself last night and didn't succeed. She ended up at the hospital for a few hours and then was sent home. Wyatt has been investing so much time into this family and they desperately need the hope that only God can bring.

Also, Wyatt is having trouble getting his visa to go to Brazil this summer with the Chicago Eagles. Please pray for all of the details regarding that. He is still trying to raise money for this ministry and is excited about this opportunity. We know that if God wants him there it will all work out.

Thanks guys for caring enough about us to read this and take these requests to heart. We appreciate you.

Rachel

Reflections

My time on OE always gives me plenty of moments to reflect. One theme that runs through my head most days is how grateful I am. How absolutely, and completely grateful I am for all that I have. God is so very good. I can't believe how good He is to me. I have so much that I don't deserve. The people that we serve in the villages have a totally different life than me. What would my life look like if I was born there? Would I be as happy as them? So many of the villagers have lived in darkness, they have seen the power of the devil, they have lost loved ones, they have felt like there was no hope. And then, they hear about Jesus. They hear that He gave His life for them. That He loves them. That He has a plan and purpose for their lives. No wonder they walk around singing and dancing. They now have Hope. And that Hope can be seen pouring out of their faces. That is why I love being around them. It's contagious.

And those that are still walking around in darkness need to see us caring and loving on them. Some days that means pulling out rotten teeth, or giving a shot. Other days it might be painting a church or building a road. Actions done in love speak louder than words.

I am thrilled that God is using me here. Even back home at the Hostel I have opportunities before me. Whether it is talking to my house helpers or ministering to the families at the bottom of our hill, there are people that need to see this Hope. I am praying that I don't miss out on a chance.

Wyatt has developed a great relationship with some of the Indonesian families that live by us. I have had the kids up several times to make cookies with me, or play, or read books. There is a lot of darkness with them, and I am praying that when they are here they see something different.

For my birthday they made me a banana cake and bought me a shirt. The little they have they shared with me. I was greatly moved. Keep praying for their salvation.

The dorm is in full swing. We are getting ready for our bball tournament, a band concert, Coffee House performance, Emma's band has two concerts coming up, ACT testing, and Terra Nova testing. But it is all good.I love these kids and I love this ministry. I know God has great things planned for the next weeks ahead. Thank you for remembering to pray for us.

Rachel

Back from OE

Yahoo!  We are back and it was awesome! Awesome isn't even a strong enough word to describe it. OE this year was in the village of Ibele up in the highlands. We were at 5,900 ft. The people are always a highlight for me. I love hanging out with the ladies and the kids.  There was a total of 85 of us that invaded the village and tried our best to make a difference. We had some work projects like painting, building a road, installing water tanks, fixing the runway fence, and planting over 100 orange trees.  We opened a medical clinic and saw 100 patients, and opened a  dental clinic where we saw 80 dental patients. My team of 8 pulled out 17 teeth. We had 8 days of Kids Clubs and 5 Gospel presentations where over 50 people came forward! Guys, this is what you were praying for!!!  It was so super cool. God showed up and He did amazing things.

Our group hiked up to 8,000 ft. to another village called Sinema. It was cold! I haven't been that cold for a LONG time, probably last year on OE. Haha. We played games with the kids, did crafts, hung out in their houses, slept in their huts, ate their food, sang and prayed together. I wish you could have been there. It was an experience like no other. In Indonesian we would say it was "luar biasa." Outside of normal which translates to extraordinary!

I have seen such spiritual growth in the kids since last year. So many volunteering and serving with joyful hearts. It was a privilege for me to be there with Emma and Sophie and observe them from afar. They love these kinds of things and really shine.

God is so good, you guys. And we are so very blessed. There is an abounding number of things we have that we should be thanking God for every day.  Our lives are so easy compared to the people here. And yet joy is so much more evident here than in America. These people are happy with so little. Spending time with each other is what is important. Not stuff. So that is what we did. Every chance we had we spent time with them, holding their babies, playing with their kids, playing guitars and singing songs, talking, sitting, listening, being. For two weeks, life slowed down. And I loved it. 

Now we are back. Everyone took multiple showers to try and scrub off the gallons of mud caked on our skins, and we all slept in our own beds. Life will go back to normal, but none of us are the same. God has moved in our hearts. I can see changes already. And it makes me smile. What does He have in store for us next? Who knows, but we are ready. And you had a part in all of this.

Thank you! Your prayers were very needed. There were a lot of hikes up the very slippery mountains, and treacherous rivers to cross, and cliffs to shimmy over. So thank you for praying.  Keep praying for all of us. That God would continue to move.

Love you

Rachel

Final OE Update

This is the last update I will send.  Thanks for praying.  As I write this, it is 10:00am on Thursday.  I'm sure they have already departed to head to Wamena.  Please pray for a safe trip home and pray that Wyatt, Cale, and I can clean the house. ;)

Dear OE follower:

Today’s OE update just arrived: 

From Mr. Berg – Groups 5 to 8 are back!!  Praise the Lord.  So much prayer was surrounding them as they hiked.  The stories are flowing in and it sounds like people had an amazing time with the amazing people of this area.  The hikes were indeed up & down, & up again.  We are thankful that everyone has returned safely to Ibele. 

Please continue to pray for our kids.  We want to finish well!  Now that we are close to the end we are feeling a bit run down.  The cold and sniffles are zapping strength.  But praise the Lord people are persevering.  So neat to see how the HS supports and encourages.  We continue to learn how to rely on God for strength.  Today we are thankful to be back as a HS again. 

Tomorrow we will hike out of Ibele to the road and then get on buses to bring us back to Wamena.  We will sleep in the MAF and Helivida Hangars.  Then Friday morning groups 1-4 will be on the first Wings flight.  Groups 5-8 and some of the adult helpers  will be on the second wings flight. (No changes to the email information sent earlier today.)    Praise the Lord for all he is doing!  Sending love from Ibele. 

From today’s daily OE devotional: 

Divine Disclosure, by Jordan Adams

God’s wisdom is hidden,

A mystery we cannot fathom.

Yet it has been given

To free us from the chasm.

Kings and rulers of this age

Could not understand it,

For knowledge-filled pages

Are not compared to the Spirit.

Destined for our glory

Was to know Christ fully,

His life a living testimony,

Walking in perfection.

Only to pay for your debt

He was God’s selection.

Who freed you from all regret

And now you live in relation to your Lord.

His Spirit alive in you,

You are now made new.

God searches your heart

And knows you by name.

His plan is a work of art,

Run hard in the game.

You have won,

Because of God’s son.

OE Update from Rachel

Oh yeah!  Finally!  An update from Rachel's group.  Thanks for praying.

Update 9

Dear OE follower:

Today’s updates include a message from Group 2 and also Mr. Berg:

OE update group 2 “A.R.M.Y.”  LEADER Rachel Erickson reports:

OE is so stretching for us.  Not to the point of breaking, but shaping us to be more of what God desires us to be.  We are having a great time together as a group to best reflect this light.  God is good – even when we are slipping in the mud, or shoveling gravel.  He is here and we can feel his presence.  Thanks for your prayers.

Helen Smith:  I had a great time interacting with the people in our small village.  They loved to laugh and I enjoyed trying to communicate with them while doing crafts.   My favorite part was listening to the ladies sing and pray for us while we were staying in our honai.

Lydia Ahn:  Pulled out teeth, painted church, dug clay to make road, hiked to small village, did kids club, hiked to small village, did kids club, hiked to church, ate bakar batu, hiked to school. 

Cameron Gordan:  some of us are sick, but overall doing good!  Looking forward to real coffee…

Alyssa Brown:  OE this year has been really fun.  I love doing kids club and seeing them have a great time and laugh.  This year God has taught me patience with the hikes, people and even myself.  I loved our small village, it was so pretty there.  Miss you all back in Sentani.

Megan Brown:  OE has been a huge growing experience, it has challenged my faith in different ways that I am grateful for.  I have enjoyed being with the people not only in Ibele but also in my small village, Sinima.  I found the 5.5 hour hike there challenging but thinking back on it now I found I enjoyed it and was a good test of my attitude.

Jalen Berg:  OE is going well!  The small village was good.  When we got there we got to stay in a church and they brought us food right away.  They were extremely generous.  The next day for lunch we got to watch them kill a pig.  Then we ate pig together.  We are learning a lot from Uncle Dan’s talks on the Ten Commandments.

Now from Mr. Berg: 

A Valentine’s OE update – We have heard from groups 5 – 8 and they have made it to their small villages with some rain while hiking.  We continue to pray for them as they minister there until tomorrow morning and then hike back.  Tomorrow afternoon we plan to have a carnival with as many people who come.  Hopefully it can be a time of fun.  Groups 1 – 4 are working hard in Ibele to get painting and oiling completed.  As well as rocks hauled for a road that right now is all mud.  Currently group 3 is down at the SMP school performing their kids club. 

Last night Todd shared that during the weekend services people came to the Lord.  A kepala desa (village head) of a surrounding area has three wives and two of them accepted Jesus.  The wives would like to be baptized.  Praise the Lord!  The Lord is moving and we get to participate in His work.  What an amazing opportunity.

Doctor Wijnanda from Wamena arrived yesterday and is running clinics for the local people with our students learning beside her.  Again what an opportunity for our students. 

Sick bay update:  last night a couple people began having some stomach issues.  We have a couple students who are taking it easy this morning.  Sore throats and coughing also continue.  But overall it seems like we are healthy and able to continue doing what God has for us to do.

Sun is shining and spirits are up and we hope that some of the mud disappears today!  Thanks for your prayers and Happy Valentine’s Day everyone.  Leaders are missing their spouses today! 

More OE Updates

I've received a few updates since I last wrote to you.  I'll try and put some explanations in parentheses where needed. Sorry the updates have backed up. I'll try to keep up with them as they arrive.  Thanks for continuing to pray.

Garth

Update 5

Dear OE follower:

Further update today from Debbie Adams (Todd and Debbie Adams are the host missionaries.  They've been in Ibele for many years now). Even though you already received some news today I thought I’d pass this along since there is an update on the hike:

Groups 1 – 4 are back in Ibele having arrived at about 12:30.  They had hiked since 7am. Debbie said they are in good spirits but those groups, joined by all other groups will need to hike  for about a half hour tonight to reach the big Youth Meeting. (You may notice that Rachel is in Group 2, so she had just returned from the hike.  I will also highlight in the table below, all of the kids who live in our dorm.)

Tonight is the Big Youth Meeting.  Please be in prayer for that. Ethan and Abbey are giving their testimonies, and 6 groups are doing their skits.  Todd Adams will be preaching and Patti Jordan will be doing some translating. 

Update 6

Dear OE follower:

Today’s update is from Group 7.  Leader Peter Seow starts with:

Group 7 NAMED “SWAG”  (Saved with Amazing Grace) is doing fantastically well.  All members are extremely  cooperative and have a great attitude even though the work can be difficult and schedules get changed because of circumstances on the ground.  It is a pleasure to lead Group 7 on OE 2017.

David Mathews:  Still alive! OE is going great! I have been able to spend quality time with each member of my group.  Thanks for your prayers.  God bless you!

Joella deJong:  It’s so beautiful here!  It has been fun so far on OE and I love hanging out with the locals here, especially the kids!  I think I have become a babysitter (ha ha!)  Anyway, I miss you all very much and also my warm bed!  I will see you soon.

Jordan Adams:  It’s going good! My group is great!  Kid’s club and youth night went great.

Josiah Lewis:  So Fun!  I have really been enjoying OE.  My Group has been great.  We have really been working well together.  Sleep has been sad but definitely not bad!  And I have not gotten sick.

Kenneth Kosasih:  It’s Bagus Sekali!!  I have been enjoying OE. God is really working in me, my group, and the Ibele people.  Thank you for your prayers.  I am very healthy.  Please continue to pray for us and me.  Can’t wait to tell all the stories.  Sleep is a bit rough but its ok. 

Morgan Dinkleman:  OE is going really well.  There are some days when I felt a little sad but I talked with God and asked Him to be with me and its going well.  I love this baby I am holding in my arms right now.  I love talking to friends, working on projects and helping people. 

Manin DeVries:  Ibele is a beautiful village and the sun shines most of the time.  The Lord is good.  Tomorrow groups 5-8 leave for the small village – this includes me.

Sophie Erickson:  I’m having a great time and don’t really miss anything (except my brothers and my Dad!)  OE is the bomb and I NEVER want to leave.  I wish I could stay here forever!

Yali Wilson:  Surviving and enjoying OE.  I have lots of stories.  I can’t wait to be home but then I will miss the beauty here!

One of today’s OE devotionals follows: 

Just to start things off, I hope you are having a wonderful time on our OE trip so far. What I want to talk about is anger. I heard overwhelmingly positive stories of people going to OE, but I also have heard some negative opinions as well. Clearly OE is mentally, physically, and spiritually exhausting, and that will lead to some people feeling fairly agitated. If you are agitated, or  you know somebody who clearly is getting angry, would you please look at Proverbs 15:1. “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”

                Everyone runs into setbacks in their lives, but the problem is that we let the emotions that come forth from that ruin our day. God does not want us to be angry, because we so easily let that get in the way of our path with him, and we proceed to bring down those around us as well. The path of Christianity is a narrow one, and anger can easily make us turn away from God. This is where you need to sit and calm down. Remember, Satan wants you to fall off of the path.

                Instead of having our heads hang low, and focusing on what is going wrong, you should look at everything positively. Rejoice in things that do not go your way, for they are just trials God put before us as a test of your faith. Be honored, God is giving you a test, and an opportunity to honor him. Keep your heads held high, encourage those around you, and take comfort knowing that God has it all under control. ~ Joshua Larson

Update 7

Dear OE follower:

Today’s update is from Group 4.

Ethan Martin writes  --  I am having a blast.  Learning lots.  Hanging out. Small village was amazing!  The kids here are so fun and they speak good Indonesian. That makes having fun a lot easier.  Praise God for all he is doing in Ibele.

Grace Holsten writes – The bakar batu (a "bakar batu" is a big feast where they cook pigs in hot rocks.) after church was really pretty good. The Chicken, ferns, ubi (ubi is a vegetable like a sweet potato) hit the spot.  It was fun to hang out and eat after the 3.5 hour service.

Atalee Brown writes – today we were at church which is around a thirty minute walk away.  In church I sat by this really cute little girl.  Half way through the service I found out she is kind ofnaughty.  It was sort of funny.

Ryan Sitanggang writes – Today was a special day of spiritual growth.  I also had my first bakar batu which was crazy!  I miss you guys.  God bless.

Elisha Lewis writes:  I sat next to Peran at the bakar batu andhe also hiked with us from Butliam, our small village. He carried my back pack. I am glad he got to go back  to his family after taking the six hour hike. 

Daniel Dinkelmann—we went to church today and we ate bakar  batu and now I kind of feel sick.  I am happy and surviving.

Micaiah Elliot – today I hiked up from the same trail for the fifth time.We went to church then had a feast.  It was good.  Special happy birthday wishes to Noah!

One of today’s OE devotionals follows: 

We have been tasked with a commission, a great commission. We have been asked, by God, to go out into the world and make disciples of all nations. Oftentimes, when we read or hear about it though, we discard it saying, “That’s for when I’m older” or, “That’s what my parents do”. We say we’ll make an impact on the world “when we have a chance to”. Well, here’s our chance. God has put us in this place today where we can make a difference. How many times will you have this opportunity? Chances are that most of us will never come back here. If we don’t take the risk and step outside our comfort zone, we are wasting the chance that God has given us. OE is that chance. Don’t ignore it because others are better at talking with people, or interacting with kids, or spending long amounts of time with some people they just met. I found out on my first OE that even something as simple as throwing a Frisbee can make a difference in peoples’ lives. God will do the work, you just have to step forth in faith and let him use you to do great things.

                On that note, I give you (and me) a challenge for this OE. I challenge you to ask God to work through you and then talk (or listen) to the local people (groups are fine) for at least an hour or more outside of the times required by your OE schedule. Let God do great things with your life.  Here are some helpful verses. 2 Timothy 1:7-8, Matthew 28: 19-20, Mark 16:15  ~ David Mathews

Update 8

Dear OE follower:

Today’s second update is from Group 5 and Mr. Berg.  Here is the Group 5 update:

On Saturday Group 5 started with painting. We had a great time working together and we formed stronger bonds. We were able to welcome the hikers from Thursday with songs and cheers.  This was followed by a hike to the church for the youth outreach. It was a physical uphill hike for 35 to 50 minutes but everyone kept a good attitude. The youth outreach was especially exciting.  Many young people, perhaps 40 from HIS and here locally responded to God’s call for salvation or to give Him more of their lives. It was a memorable day where we saw God at work. So keep praying for us that God uses us even more.

And another update from Mr. Berg himself:

It’s a new week on OE 2017 and what a weekend!!!  Groups 1-4 returned safely Saturday afternoon and the reports from the small village were amazing.  God is working!  Students did a great job on the trail and ministering.   After a couple hours break all groups left for the youth ministry meeting (45 minutes hike.)  At the youth meeting some of our groups did character skits.  Tammy Wisley and band led worship, Abigail and Ethan shared their testimonies, one Ibele youth shared a testimony.  Todd Adams used English while Patty  Jordan translated.  Todd spoke on the kingdom of heaven.  He challenged the youth to repent and believe.  At the end of the service there was a call to come forward and many of our students as well as Ibele youth went to the front.  It was an emotional time.  We prayed and sang songs.  Then while Peter Seow set up the movie, groups 1-4 returned to base camp to get some rest while groups 5-8 watched a movie with the youth.  Sunday we hiked back to the same church to be part of their service.  Dan Wisley spoke on purity while Todd Adams translated to Indonesian.  Service was around 3.5 hours long with singing and sharing and announcements.  Students did a great job of staying engaged.  More Ibele people went forward after the service.  And Dan’s talk is still being discussed amongst our leaders and students.  After this we  had a bakar batu and returned.

This morning as I write, groups 5-8 are preparing to depart for their hikes.  We can see their villages from here and they are at a higher elevation which will mean some climbing.  Please be in prayer for them. 

As a large group we continue to learn about unity and what it means to put the needs of the group before our personal needs.  Unity is always a huge part of what we try to accomplish on OE.  Community living can be difficult but the students and staff are really stepping up to this challenge. 

Sick Bay report:  Runny noses and coughs are going around and this is causing some to feel weak.  Again I am so impressed with your children.  No major injuries.  Praise the Lord.  Please pray for the groups hiking (groups 5-8) and for continued safety.  God is moving and teaching. 

(Mr. Berg is the high school principal.  He is the main leader and organizer of OE.  Two weeks before OE began, Mr. Berg tweaked his knee playing ping pong at my house, of all things.  One week before OE, he traveled to Singapore to see a knee specialist.  He was hoping to get surgery to fix torn meniscus and damaged tendons.  The doctor examined him and decided that he didn't need surgery, just some good physiotherapy.   So, Mr. Berg hobbled his way to Ibele a few days late, hitching a ride on an MAF supply plane.  He really didn't want to miss his 12th OE.)