Dear Friends,

Falling leaves, nip in the air, the aroma of fresh apple cider, and the taste of pumpkin desserts- fall is in the air and how refreshing it is.  Well that’s what we have in our minds’ memory of this time of year in the States.   When these things are upon you it’s clear that the changes of winter are on the way.  Growing up in Michigan and enjoying the changes of 4 seasons throughout the year, I still try to help our family enjoy the seasons in small, doable ways here in forever-summer-land.  Apple cinnamon candles burning, caramel for apples(made by pressure cooking a can of sweetened condensed milk) and pumpkin decorations.  It’s certainly a challenge for overseas missionaries to find a balance in becoming immersed and fully embracing the ministry and culture God has you in, while at the same time not all together losing your identity as an American and still celebrating your own culture when possible.  In some ways it’s like trying to stand with one foot in America, and one foot in Indonesia- sometimes feeling like a foreigner in both places.  Praise the Lord we have our true citizenship in heaven and our identity defined by and because of Jesus Christ.  He alone is our HOME and abiding place.

Tim has been busy with mapping, studying, charting, and meeting with Indonesian co-workers regarding the language situation and areas that still do not have a clear Gospel witness here in this part of Borneo.  There are old surveys and maps from the 80’s and then just word of mouth stories of which languages and what people groups have had an opportunity to hear the Truth, but nothing consolidated and strategic for where we should go from here.  In a nutshell those are some of the things that Tim is and will be helping our area with over the next year.  We have needed someone to bring all of this information together in order to have a clear vision of where we still need to place teams and translators here in West Borneo.  That, along with attending meetings with our leadership and also connecting with tribal believers to try to hear and evaluate where their hearts are regarding outreach and evangelism, are a few of the ministry job descriptions we will be involved with for the next term.  As I write, Tim is in Papua (formerly known as Irian Jaya) meeting with other leadership regarding consultant work.  We are the Lord’s servants and are striving to be found faithful in whatever the Lord puts before us.

Due to these ministry opportunities before us it will require us to be living in the town of Pontianak instead of in the tribe.  We are currently working on securing a rental house for our family and look forward to unpacking our bags for a little while.  It’s been over a year since we have stayed in 1 place for more than 2 months.  We’ve done our share of moving around.  We’re very thankful for the house that has come available.  It is within walking distance from several other Western families, which will be very nice for Andrea and the girls while Tim is away, but also surrounded by local people whom we desire to connect with and be a Light among!

For His Glory,

Tim, Andrea, Dina, & Abby