Independence Day

This month this country celebrates its Independence Day. Night before last our neighbors spread bamboo mats on the street behind our house, and we all sat in a big circle to eat together, sing the national anthem, and remember the day that this country was born. August 17 also marked another anniversary for me (Jennifer), one year to the day since I last saw my family. Homesickness still comes and goes, and probably always will, but we’re very thankful to be here where God has called us to be.

Thanks so much to those of you who prayed for our trip to the capital city. It was a profitable learning time for us, and we did manage to rest up some while were there too. It looks like we will be moving there about October 18. You can see pictures of our trip and of the mission guest home we’ll be managing at:

http://www.ntm.org/dj-searcy/photos.php?category=Jakarta

DJ is in his last month of language study right now, and I (Jennifer) am in my second-to-last month. In class we interview our teachers about culture topics, read and discuss Bible passages and newspaper articles, and give presentations on culture topics. Studying Bible passages with our teachers gives us an opportunity to share some things from the Scriptures with them. All of our teachers are Christian in religion, but it has become very clear to us that at least one of them is trusting in his good works for salvation. Pray that we’ll have opportunities to share the Gospel with our teachers in a way that they can clearly understand. Sometimes that is hard to do in our own native language, and trying to do it in a different language is even more of a challenge. Pray that the Lord will give us clarity when we share, and work in our teachers’ hearts to show them the truth.