Dear Underground
I felt and still feel so privileged to have had the chance to see all that I saw, to hear Gods voice and to be made aware of how he is working in me and probably even more mind blowing, how he is moving in other people, people who are not white, who don't have my experiences, my language or my life.
My God is much bigger than the experiences and life that we try to contain him to, if nothing else this lesson made this trip worth it.
It goes without saying that the work that Open Doors are doing over there is outstanding - that they are giving all they have and that God is using and will continue to use them.
2 Corinthians 8:2-5, "Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints. And they did not do as we expected, but gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us in keeping with Gods will."
The work that Christ is doing is inspiring. The Chrsitians are living a much harder life than many but also being an example of obedience, love and forgiveness to Indonesians and the rest of the world.
The biggest ways I saw that we could help were prayer and financial backing of the church and the work God is already doing there. 2 Corinthians 8:13-15, "Our desire is not that others might be relieved while we are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. At the present time your plenty will supply what they need". Our one dollar will do so much over there in the hands of someone whose heart is in the right place and we have relationship with people like that already.
I thought it was great to have the chance to sit down with the local Christians and be able to exchange testimonies of what God has and is doing and to open His word and share, this and prayer for each other.
There are the obvious projects that need support with money and possibly planning such as schools, teachers, water supply, life skills teaching, boat building, supply of nets and farming equipment,, sargo grinder, land and houses.
The rebuilding of these peoples lives is close to point less if it all gets destroyed again in a year or two. It is important that the conflict is dealt with as well. Definitely God has to change hearts we have to pray for the peace to be on this island but I also think it is important for the Christians to be the ones who are known as the peace makers, the ones in this time of relative peace are out building relationships with all other groups, and breaking the patterns of hatred that have been so evident in the past. This is allowing to children of different religions to interact together hopefully building patterns for the future.
Thanks a lot for the chance to be part of this.
Chrisso
