*Ants*

*TOTALLY*RANDOM*BUT*WAY*COOL...I just learned this from a friend today that if you put * around your words in facebook chat your letters would be bold. amazing.

Today our bathroom was attacked for the second week in a row. Maybe it was our amazing towels that have the Texas stars all over them, or possibly the floral scent of the fabric softener.

Here's the scene:
We have two towel racks in our bathroom. One, which happens to be mine (Amber), is directly under a window which allows a little bit of sun to come into the room. This is where the army of ants made their entrance. The came down and attacked my towel from Texas. Oddly enough, they left the local towel virtually untouched even though they were right beside each other.

I carefully and delicately grabbed the towel and put it in a laundry basket. Our sweet helper calmly took the towel outside and shook it out. I figured it would be unwise for me to keep the other towel there that had a few stragglers on it. So I shook it out. This all took maybe five minutes. When I returned to the upstairs bathroom to spray those ants with bug spray, they had disappeared! Maybe only a couple were left... I let them live, showed some mercy.

But, seriously, if they decide to attack my Texas towel again... they're going down.

Here's the photos:









Returning about 5 minutes later:





I guess this goes to show that everyone, even ants, love Texas :) OR they don't and like to aggravate those who do.

These Days...

These days I'm missing home more and more.

These days I'm watching new movies with new friends.

These days I'm wondering when and if Kraft mac and cheese will ever come back to Sentani.

These days I'm wondering if I'll go home before my last stick of deodorant runs out.

These days I'm more thankful for the rain.

These days I'm pondering what it means to have joy in all situations.

These days I'm resting in the Truth of God's word that He is faithful.

These days I enjoy laughing with my six 6th grade boys (no girls).

These days I don't seem to mind walking in the rain.

These days I value family more.

These days I hope to update this blog more often... no promises, but no excuses either.

These days will soon be those days, but I hope these lessons will always be things I'm pondering.

Flight to Bias

The other day I was able to fly a national language helper into his home village called Bias. Bias is located in the interior of Papua. It is about 90 miles directly south of the airport we are based at. The Reynolds family from the States recently started the process of learning the Yetfa language in Bias in the hopes of translating the scripture one day into the native Yetfa tongue. The process has just started, but the Reynolds already have a home and they are making friends and quickly learning this new language.

This is a picture Of Sion. He is the Reynolds national language helper. He is a native speaker of Yetfa and is fluent in Indonesian.



Some of Sion's buddies that came along to Bias.



Proof I was there:)




Some fair weather rain over the mountains just to the North of Bias. My camera doesn't do justice to the beauty of contrasting the heavy rain against the blue sky and green jungle floor.





We are required to overfly all interior runways before landing so that we can verify the surface conditions. This is an overhead view of Bias.




Here is a picture out of the left and right side of the airplane from the pilot seat. Nothing special, but this is pretty much what it looks like when I land at an interior runway. Some villages are a little more animated than others, but the plane is always greeted by someone.







The Reynolds weren't in the village, but here is a picture of them in Bias at a different time.

Summer!

Summer is finally here! One of the perks of being a teacher almost anywhere in the world are the breaks. At HIS, we get almost 3 months of summer vacation, a month for Christmas break, four days to celebrate Easter, and many more holidays throughout the year. By the way, HIS is in need of teachers :) But, seriously, summer break comes with many mixed emotions. Friends leaving, friends returning, and a chance to build better relationships with those that are here. Here are a few things from my "hope to do" list.

-I hope to start running again.
-We hope to move into a new house next month.
-We hope to make new friends.
-To do the above, we hope to be bold to ask people to hang out or have families over for a meal or game.
-I hope to get to know some of the highschool girls that are here this summer a little better.

I'm sure that list will continue to grow as I get further into summer.

We returned from a week vacation in the beautiful, world famous, Bali. If you're on the other side of the globe, chances are you have never heard of this place. Don't feel bad, we had no clue what it was when we got here. It was great! We stayed in a hotel, ate at western restraunts, watched two movies in theatres, ate ice cream at mc donalds, went to a bookstore that sold books written in English, and read those books by the hotel swimming pool. It was fantastic! No, we didn't do very many touristy things. No, we didn't go to "waterbomb" (the waterpark that all my 6th graders said that I HAD to go to!). I started thinking about what a vacation is. Is a vacation where you run around trying to squeeze all the sights in during your stay? Is it going swimming every single day, all day long like it was when I was a kid? Is it relaxing by the pool reading a good book? Is it doing nothing at all or is it doing everything you want to do (which might be nothing at all)? Is it a time for renewal or refreshment? Yes, to all of the above. Vacations can be all those things or none of those things.

So, we returned to Sentani on Sunday afternoon. Josh went on a flight today. His summer is shaping up to be a busy one. He is busy with work and partnering with our potential new landlord to design and build this house. He's doing a great job and working really hard.

This summer I'll be a helping hand wherever I'm needed. I started scanning some of the stories that have been translated into Indonesian that teach about health issues like providing sufficient food for a baby. It's really cool to read some of the stories and see the pictures.

So I leave you with this- Take a vacation for whatever reason you want to. It'll be good for you :)

Comings and Goings

***Random sidenote*** Because we live in Asia, blogger.com automatically assumes that we speak/read Indonesian. This makes me feel really good, because I know which buttons to push to make it continue to think that :) It also makes me feel like I'm fluent, while in reality we're waaaaaay off from that!

It's that time of year where most of the people are "going" instead of "coming". They are going on furloughs, summer vacations that last anywhere from 1 week to 3 months, and some are going home with no plans of return. It's the last group that I'm sad to see go.

It's strange, because we have many aquaintances and a few that we would consider friends. We don't live in a place where all of us are in the same spot. We are spread out all over town... and even though our town isn't that big, it's kinda scary to brave the traffic... and by traffic I mean motorbikes coming the wrong direction on your side of the road, wait what side of the road is that? right or left? Exactly...

The school year is winding down. This is great, because ALL of us are ready for a break :) Some of my students are already on vacation, and while I want to slip into that mindset, it's my responsibility to remind them "not yet" over and over daily.

Students are going on furloughs, too. Friends are going home for good. I think this is one of the most difficult things that I have had to/am/will continue to face during our time overseas. Nothing is permanent- duct tape melts, liquid evaporates much quicker here, even permanent markers can be rubbed away. People are no different. Last year when we arrived this had no effect on me, because we didn't know anyone. How can you be sad when you have no relationships? This year is different. Our closest friends are returning and not coming back. Strange enough, they are in their late 40's and early 50's, but they like the same things we do... same tv shows, same movies, same jokes, same foods. So, for this reason, I'm not looking forward to summer.

It's intimadating inviting new families for dinner, because I have no idea how much to cook if it's more than 2 people. How do you entertain children when you want to get to know their parents but you don't have toys or kids of your own? Seriously, we might be the only couple in the province without kids by choice (at this point in our lives, and we are happy :) ). This makes it difficult to have that instant connection.

This summer could change all of that. We want to have people over for dinner and to play games more often this summer. We want to make ourselves more available to hang out. I want to build up enough courage to say,"Hey, want to hang out even if it's at your house?"

So pray for us, because I believe summer can be an exciting time but it can also be very lonely. No one likes to feel lonely.

We're going to a going away party tonight. I made a video of our friend's 18 years of service here. I've never made a video before, so it was fun to learn something new.

Life = Busy

When we get into our "grooves" or "routines", it can be REALLY easy to think that no one cares what you're doing because it's the same everyday. I think that's how I've been feeling as of late. I get up, get ready, teach for a few hours, have lunch, take a nap, read a book, make dinner, watch tv, read, go to bed. This is my daily "groove" with minor changes depending on what day it is. Even tough the day-to-day might seem mundane, there are many "Wow Moments" (for those of you American Idol fans).

-Wow Moments in the midst of routine-

1. Many of you received our newsletter introducing you to a family that was near the end of their project. At the end of the month of March, they had their NT dedication. We just saw the video that was put together of the dedication with some really amazing photos of those that were once in darkness being introduced to THE Light in their heart language. WOW!

2. Josh is very busy with his different duties at the office. He's pilot, accountant, and in charge of making and maintaining correct info on ALL the runways that we fly to. Who knew what he was capable of! It's interesting to see how God will use you (if you're willing!) to be apart of what He's doing in many different ways. Josh recently got checked out at four different strips in one day! Wow! :)

3. School is almost over for the summer!! (That in itself is a "Wow Moment", but I'll continue.) My class is special to me in many ways. I think they'll always be important, because they're my first students. Yes, it was hard! Yes, I had to be flexible. Yes, I had to deal with things that I would rather ignore. Yes, I cried. No, no one was hurt. :) God shaped my small class of 6th graders into a close group. I was thinking of this just the other day. It's not unusual for some of my students to meet up with me and talk after church, at the Friday night game, or after a meeting. This past Friday, we had a movie night. The movie was their choice, not mine (although, I confess, I love this movie!) The Sound of Music. It was full of popcorn, sing-alongs, ice cream, and a tooth falling out. I can really see how God has used this time with my students to gel with missionary kids (MKs). It's not just with my class either. The high school students and I connect too. Yes, I'm here supporting the work of Bible Translation, BUT my target, my focus, my goal is working with MKs. Wow, what an adventure :)

4. Summer is comin' around the corner! I think at different times throughout my life I have dreaded summer. What will I do, what friends will be here, will I be at home by myself all day?? These things I asked when I was a kid, and I find myself asking them again as an adult! Life here is very transient, not many people spend more than 2-4 years here at a time before they return home for a 6 month-1 year furlough. This is the first summer that people we've gotten to know will go home for a furlough or permanently. This is sad for me. I make quick acquaintances and slowly develop deep and meaningful friendships. It's hard for me to say see you later. It's hard for me to think about what this summer of upcoming year will be like without those friends. God has provided something for me to do! :) There is another woman who has been here since the mid-70's (wow!) and she is overwhelmed with paperwork. I am going to help her scan documents and file things. It's not the most amazing thing ever, but it's helping someone that really needs it. I'm also hoping to take some online courses to help me with the renewal of my teaching certificate. So, although people are coming and going, God has provided an opportunity for me to get to know people that are out of the routine that I'm involved in. I'm very excited, because I can't wait to hear the stories :)

5. This is a moment of honesty. I like where we live. I love what I do. Yes, I do miss you. At times, I miss you more than you'll EVER know. I miss your during the tragic times- unexpected deaths, cancer, divorces. I miss you during the times of rejoicing- new relationships, marriages, babies. I miss just hanging out with you. This "Wow Moment" happened just the other day during the "read before bedtime" part of my routine.

18 And a ruler asked him, "Good Teacher, what must I do to(AF) inherit eternal life?" 19 And Jesus said to him, "Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. 20You know the commandments: 'Do not commit adultery, Do not murder, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother.'" 21 And he said "All these I have kept from my youth." 22When Jesus heard this, he said to him, "One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me." 23 But when he heard these things, he became very sad, for he was extremely rich. 24 Jesus, seeing that he had become sad, said, "How difficult it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God! 25 For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God." 26 Those who heard it said, "Then who can be saved?" 27But he said, "What is impossible with men is possible with God." 28 And Peter said, "See, we have left our homes and followed you." 29 And he said to them, "Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, 30 who will not receive many times more in this time, and in the age to come eternal life."

How many times have I yelled out exactly what Peter said (just in the last few weeks if I'm being honest)? His words brought peace. Yes, we're missing hospital visits. Yes, we're missing holidays. Yes, we're missing weddings. Yes, we're missing births and birthdays. BUT we're seeing light bursting into and through darkness. We're seeing the advancement of God's coming kingdom on earth. We're making relationships that are eternal with Indonesian believers. Jesus says," Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, 30 who will not receive many times more in this time, and in the age to come eternal life." Wow, what a promise.

I challenge you...
This is a side note, but today I was challenged by a first grader to a game of tether ball.
So, I challenge you to examine your routine or grooves and search out the "Wow Moments" from God. I think you'll have more than you think you do.

We miss you. We think of you all the time.

-Amber (for Josh)


This is the first picture Josh and I took together. It was the orientation where we met. :) Wow!

Adventures in Flying with Josh

I started my flight and maintenance training for the purpose of supporting people like these pictured above. Although being a pilot can be viewed as a romantic occupation, the basic purpose of my position here is to serve the people who are working directly with isolated people groups. Whether I am working in the hangar performing routine maintenance, entering data in the billing department, or flying a load of supplies into an isolated village, I get a chance to serve some of the neatest people in the world.



This picture was taken on final approach to an airstrip located at a village called Okpahik. There is a national mission school in Papua that is training up national evangelists, teachers, and pastors to go into the interior and minister to the many villages scattered throughout the island. Okpahik is one of the locations were people from this missions school go to fulfill their practical experience before they graduate.



One of the people from Okpahik that came out to greet us after we landed.



This is a common scene at the aircraft anywhere we land. It can get a little crazy sometimes as you offload the aircraft, load it up again and brief the passengers. This picture was taken in a village called Obokui. There is a national translator as well as the community that is supported by our aircraft. There are no roads or major rivers that come anywhere near this village.



This is one of our ramp agents from our home base in Sentani helping us get the next load of passengers on the aircraft. We had extra room in the aircraft that day, so we asked him if wanted to come along for the flight. Pius is a great guy and is always ready to help.



This picture of bananas was taken in a village called Pasema located in the central highlands of Papua. Yajasi supports a ministry called Oikonomos. There purpose is to train the people how to grow locally available produce and then sell it at a city in the central highlands called Wamena. Yajasi provides an aircraft twice a week to fly the produce out of these villages to Wamena where it can be sold. The proceeds from the produce goes back into the villages.



These are a bunch of school children in Pasema that were watching us as we unloaded a half ton of rice, salt and cooking oil and loaded up the bananas.



Two Yajasi Pilatus Porters are parked at the top of the airstrip in Koropun. Yajasi flew in two planes full of people for Koropun's Bible dedication. I remember when I was 5 years old two missionaries came to our church at Camano Island Washington. My grandparents took me to their presentation on Sunday night and I got to see for the first time slide shows of what life was like in Koropun Iran Jaya. Their names were Orin and Rosa Kidd. They were the first missionaries that I had ever met. After working in Koropun for many years, Rosa Kidd began translating the Bible into the language of the people of Koropun. On March 16th, the people of Koropun received God's word in their own language for the first time. It was incredible to see the dedication first hand and meet Orin and Rosa Kidd again. My grandparents have already passed away, but they would have loved to have seen the people of Koropun who they had prayed for, progress in the LORD.



Me and a man from Koropun who is all dressed up for the dedication.







Watching the ceremonies at the Bible dedication in Koropun.




Here are some of the pictures of flying in Papua