The past few months have been very different and exciting. Most of you have partnered with us for many years on our mission journey. In the past, I have shared our long-term goal of helping Omekulel a Biblia gain a vision for reaching our Samaria (nearby Indonesian islands). You may remember that in 2013, three Palauan’s and I made a brief visit to a few nearby islands about 650 miles Southwest of us. The islands are part of North Eastern Indonesia and almost completely Muslim. Since then, we have prayed for direction, and in the past 2 years, we have attempted to make 3 trips – each cancelled due to Covid. BUT…this past January, Jamie and I were finally able to make a visit for the purpose of building relationships, learning language, and developing a plan.
What? Why? How?
Many people are asking us, “Are you leaving Palau?!” The answer is…NO! We truly believe at this time, God still has work for us to do here. As we have mentioned before, we are getting to the place in Palau where men are stepping up and beginning to take leadership in the church. Therefore, in the past few months we have shifted our responsibilities here from leading to coaching. This transition enables us to leave Palau for a few months at a time and then return to continue working through various needs and projects. Our teammates, the Clapps, are continuing full-time in Palau and are working diligently to train our local leaders. It is a joy to see God raising up godly leaders from Omekulel a Biblia, as well as our young men who are completing their education at Harvest Baptist Bible College in Guam.
Our current plan is to make 2 or 3 trips into these islands of Indonesia each year seeking to establish a tea farm as a non-profit business. When Jamie and I visited in January/February this year, it was so obvious that people were praying. I wish we could share all the amazing stories of how God ordained our path. He obviously guided our steps in every way. We are so thankful for His hand in helping us find the perfect place for housing in a community that truly embraced us with their kindness and openness. We were able to establish a close friendship with a couple who were so kind to us and helped us truly start to learn about the Islamic culture, language and way of life for their people. Please continue to pray that
God will open the hearts and minds of those we met and allow us to establish many more relationships in the days ahead. Please also pray for Jamie and I as we are currently in
Indonesian Language School (online) 5 days a week. Our current plan is to return to Indonesia in August with our daughter Ali…(she will help Jamie teach English classes for a month).
Meanwhile…back in Palau…
Things are going great here in Palau. Although it is a small island that lives on “Island Time” there always is a lot going on!
You may remember praying for the proper signatures for the land to build lodging for our young local pastors. We finally got all of the signatures but just recently found out that the land will require much more backfill than we originally thought. We know that God is guiding and protecting us…and so we continue to depend on Him for direction in this process.
Back in 2019, many of you helped us to purchase a “Church In A Box” trailer that has all the essential things needed for a church service. This has truly been used by God to deepen the commitment of our church family and enable many more to hear the Gospel and be saved. Palau Community College continues to allow us to use their buildings for our Sunday morning services and the location is very central and spacious. The fact that we are a “mobile church” has truly drilled home the truth that the church is not a BUILDING…but a group of believers who are gathering to hear from and obey God. This mobility keeps us on our toes and looking to God for encouragement and provision. We still would ask you to continue to pray for land that our church can build on. But…until then, pray we that we will stay positive and able to continue finding appropriate worship places for our different activities.
Easter weekend is always a highlight for our church…we have a Good Friday Communion service, and then on Easter Sunday, we set up our portable church under the KB Bridge and have a full day by the ocean. Easter begins with a sunrise service of prayer and worship followed by a Baptism Service, then our Easter Service is followed by an island barbecue and fellowship for the afternoon.
Then the first week of May, Jamie and I will be flying back to the States. We will be visiting many of our supporting churches in the Midwest and Southeast – so maybe we will see some of you in the coming months.
Towards the end of August, we are planning to return to Indonesia until October and then back to Palau. It is an exciting time in our lives…empty nesters…which enables us to be more flexible and travel a little easier. Please pray with us as
we prepare to travel throughout the summer visiting our supporting churches and “rallying the troops” towards missions. Please pray that
God will help us be effective in each of the different locations and people we will be ministering to over the months ahead. We desperately
need His wisdom and
complete guidance in every decision.
Again, we thank you for your love, care and support for us.
John & Jamie
*** Please do not forward or post this online. Thank you.
