1st Village Happenings

Waduh ("WOW" & a lot of other surprising expressions in Indonesian)! It seems like it's only been a short while since I have arrived in B, but surprisingly already 2 weeks have flown by! Orientation prepared me for many different situations and praise Him that I was able to bond so quickly with my teammates and those on the rest of the village teams. We have 4 total village teams that are going out through some of the darkest places. My team [me, a national partner, and 2 other American girls] was actually the guinea pigs of the village we went to for the past 10 days. Haha, man has it been an adventure! We have been able to see Father's sense of humor, beautiful creation all around, and the terrors people live with because of Enemy's grip on the village. We know that they are definitely fully aware of the darkness without J.C. in their life because of the way they live and what they spend day in & day out doing: attempting to please their gods & ancestors, attending numerous ceremonies, and spending lots of money for their offerings. My team leaders warned my team that they weren't too sure of what we will experience but that the village was the heart of black magic. God opened our eyes, definitely, but we are still praying for Him to open these people's eyes and show them His Light! We have had few moments of breakthroughs where some villagers have commented on the joy they noticed we have and the light and love they see among us. Unfortunately, they didn't seem completely interested in finding out more of how they could have it. Pray for them. Pray that God would reveal Himself in more than just this beautiful nature surrounding them. Now, hopefully, since we're here on this island, it can be through us. Pray that Father will loosen the Enemy's grip here and make evident what they need for their eternity. We have a 2 day break right now on the southeast part of the island and we are praying we will head back out to that same village, Lord willing, for the next 2 and a half weeks.




Okay, I'm done on the internet for now--I want to thank you again for all of these promising prayers you are sending up for me and my teammates and those that are lost here.

His,

Stephanie

Getting Ready...

Here it is... Time is finally coming to the crunch, where I'm gonna walk on the plane to take me to the other side of the world in about 10 hours. I've never been before. Never flown towards Australia before. Never been in an Asian country before. Nor have I seen many different people groups all at one time. I have to say, I am experiencing some kind of crazy emotions right now; but one thing is certain, Father is good. He is lookin' out for me and all of you, so be encouraged! Seek out, and have hope! I am surely pr that relationships will be established & the seed will be planted in so many hearts it will be hard to count them all!
I'm packed up and stomach is feelin just a tiny bit queezy, but my heart is ready for this more than ever. Father's good like that. :) He has prepared me quicker & better than I ever could have by myself. If I were to tell you I was going on this trip two years ago, I would have said yes, but I would have been so nervous & worried for the majority of the time that my heart would not have been in the right spot. But praise Him that He got me to this point & He is fulfills His promises always & forever. I'm in love with the One who loved me first and it's pretty glorious. Gotta go. Pr for the team that I meet up with when I get to ATL and our arrival to Denpasar, please. I'm pr for y'all.