Well, here we go--a little tired, but ready to rock and roll! We're online and ready to start sharing this crazy journey with you--our closest friends and family. We've already received a few emails and comments wondering what it's like here in Batam, so here's an update...
HOUSING: We're staying in the "Golden View Hotel." Our room is small, but larger than we expected! It has 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, and a sitting room. We've got a fridge that tilts a little to the left, but is still a blessing. The "Golden View" name comes from our bedroom wall which is made entirely out of glass. We wake up every morning to cargo ships hauling goods into Asia. How ironic that so many boats are bringing so many things into a nation, yet half the people here are walking around without shoes.
FOOD: Tea, tea, and more tea. To me the food is fantastic! It's like eating LeeAnn Chin for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Missy, on the other hand, isn't so keen on that idea. We eat big for breakfast and then have a light lunch and dinner--mostly in our hotel's restaurant. You can get a full meal for the equivalent of under $10 dollars. It gets a little lonely eating dinner in a hotel restaurant when no one's around. Imagine going to Applebee's on a Friday night and you're the only family there. I guess it makes for good service though! Oh, and Brooklyn loves the rice!
SCHEDULE: As of right now our schedule is light. Most of the ministry won't start until late December/early January. We're wide awake around 5:45am and hit breakfast at 6:30am. Then we spend time walking around the hotel and playing with Brooklyn. After we get ready for the day around 8:00am, we get in our Word and confessions. (By the way, Brooklyn prayed for Jason, Brie, Kaylee, Michael & Brie, PS Jeff and PS Jim today--without our prompting.) Around 10:00am it's time for some more play time with Brooklyn outside and then lunch at 11am. Brooklyn naps at 12pm while I "work out." Then comes ministry...
MINISTRY: We just received our ministry schedule from James our contact. Here's what it looks like: Mondays-praise and worship workshops. Tuesdays and Wednesdays-teaching at cell groups. Thursdays-ministering at factory services. Fridays-free day. Saturdays-youth services. Sundays-church services. Our main goal here is to create some sort of youth ministry for 5 different churches, as well as develop the music ministries of 6 different churches. That's all mixed in with teaching/preaching at the cell groups and church services of 6 different churches. We're so excited--and scared--but excited!
BROOKLYN: Brooklyn had an excitingly major change in his tiny little life yesterday, but I'll save those details for our next blog.
We love you all so much and think about you daily.
13 comments:
I'm so glad that all is going well! And what a busy schedule - WOW!! But Praise God for opening so many doors for you ALL to be an influence to these people!
Brooklyn definitely looks like he's enjoying himself!
Thanks for sharing all the details - we miss you guys and continue praying for you!
I LOVE feeling like a part of your ministry in Batam.Thanks for the peek into your lifes;so far from ours in the natural;)
We think of you guys daily and are praying for you,too.
Kisses for Brookie and a big hug to you both....
~Christine
Happy Thanksgiving guys!To Brooklyn,Brandon and Missy.Happy birthday soon Brooklyn.And I love you Brooklyn.And..um..Brooklyn?I really want to sleep over at your house with you and laugh with you and do funny stuff...one more think...and Brooklyn I just want to play with your tractor with you.Remember that all the presence of the Lord will protect you...Merry Christmas.This is Caleb and I love you.bye.
~Caleb
I'm so happy for you guys and that you made it there safe. We pray for you every morning on our way to school. I know God is going to do BIG things in your life while you are there. Love you guys!!!!
hey guys this is Aaron and Stephanie Tuott - I just read your blog and i just loved the update and the pictures were just so cute! So yes i do think of your wonderful family and you all are in our prayers. this is going to be such a life changing time in your life - i can hardly wait for all the little nuggets that you will get from God just from being there and following Him. I hope that you know that you will be dearly missed these next four months. Much Love and warmth in Jesus to you
Kisssssssssssssssssssss
Great update! We'll keep praying and thinking of you daily.
The photographs are adorable!
I am so glad you guys are updating on what's going on!
Oh, and if you get a chance, it would be great to see a photograph of your view from your room. It sounds really cool!
Much love and prayers sent to each of you.
Heather
PUJI TUHAN!!! So glad to hear about all the details and to see God's faithfulness in everything!!... Thought of Brookie today singing itsy bitsy spider and wispering "spout!"- made me miss that little bugger! Keep the updates coming! LOVE YOU LOTS!!
I want to know Brooklyn's change!!! Post your next blog. Oh Missy, the fries aren't so bad at the hotel that is what I lived off of:) I am thinking of you and hope that you guys go play ping pong in the big room by the pool, it's something to do xoxo
It's great to hear the smiles in your notes and see Brookie's big smiles. I miss you all!! All of us are praying for you... and Missy, Gigi has enlisted all her prayer warriors!! Please tell Brookie that Mimi LOVES him! Take care, I Love you
Girly - you are coming through this season in an amazing way. I love your spirit of adventure and ability to step out and OBEY!!! I'm so proud of you. You and your family are in my prayers. I miss you in your cube but know that when I miss you it causes me to pray!!!!
Love the pictures!! We're so proud of you guys and well the GUTS you have. It's like being a camp for 4 months...busy with something every day. I'm crying right now thinking about all your doing (which, as you know, is big for me since I rarely cry) and how much God is going to use you and continue to prove Himself to you as He uses you! Love you guys!
Absolutely amazing. I'm almost without words. To pick up your family and re-plant is such an awesome experience.
This will make you a stronger family unit. This will make you stronger in the Lord. This will make you more sure of your heavenly calling. I'm totally in awe.
And seriously, Brookies looks like he's about 5 years old in these pictures. He must have grown on the trip over? ;)
Hugs to you from Christian and Ellie (and us too!). XOXOXOXOXO
Hi from snow-covered MN (the big cottonball kind of flakes today; such a contrast in weather). We have both been praying for you; glad to have your list of specifics now! Your notes & photos make it seem like you are close. Close in spirit! May you minister each day with the steadfastness of your faith in Christ!!
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