What's Next - March 2019 Ministry Update

Thirty years ago, my family and I moved to Indonesia and my life was forever changed. During the years we lived here in Sentani, when I was 10 to 18 years old, God built into me a love for living in a multicultural and cross cultural setting. Many of the skills and talents that I started to master in those years are foundational in my current ministry to missionary kids. Since returning to Sentani and Hillcrest in August 2018, I've enjoyed watching again how God is continuing to use the traits and skills He built into me all of those years ago.

Thank you so much for your prayers for me as I've pondered the next steps in this ministry and life of serving missionary kids and their families through education. At times I feel alone in this journey, but I know that I have many fellow sojourners who are lifting me up and supporting me and I can see, in little and big ways, how God walks with me. So, I'm excited to share that God is leading me to stay here in Sentani and continue to serve as a teacher at Hillcrest in Indonesia. Life is often harder due to the lack of some conveniences, but I feel at home and I can clearly see how my role of teaching the children of the Christian workers furthers Bible translation.

The four-hour hike to this small village while on OE was both beautiful and exhausting.

March has been a BUSY month. First, the high school students left and most of their teachers went on a 10-night trip called Outdoor Education, or OE. We traveled to Nalca to serve the people by doing some repairs on their airstrip, teach kids about the Bible, and showing the Jesus film. We also learned more about them, their language, and their culture through a 4 hour hike to a smaller village, participating in two traditional pig roasts, and asking anthropological questions. My small group worked really well together and showed growth throughout the trip. I’m proud of them!

Then, while we were gone, Sentani got lots of rain, and three days after we got back on Saturday night there was a LOT of rain (almost 6 inches). This triggered landslides and flash floods that ripped through neighborhoods sending people running up the hill to our school for safety and killing around 100 people. Both our gym and indoor soccer court were filled all day with refugees who had lost their homes. At night, the population increased with those that were afraid to sleep at home as the rains (20 inches over 5 nights) and landslides continued. The school staff and teachers were stretched thin as we worked to care for, feed, and serve around a 1000 people until responsibility could be effectively passed on to the local church and government. Please continue to pray for the displaced--including co-workers whose homes are severely affected--and all of us as we adjust to a new normal and process all that has happened. Thank you for the prayers and encouraging words you have already given.

The indoor soccer court is where I spent a lot of time serving refugees.

May the peace of God be with you on that side of the world and with us on this side of the world as we continue to serve even amidst hardships. I am so thankful for His presence in my life!

Tidings of Sadness and Joy

On December 22, a fire started on the third floor of the NCCC Mall in Davao. One of my former students, Maryjoy whose wedding I attended just before I left Davao in August, was trapped on the fourth floor. All day (which was their night) on the 23rd, I waited along with many others to hear news, praying and checking Facebook every free moment with high hopes that plummeted with each passing hour. "No survivors." was the cold announcement as the snow began to fall here in Nebraska. How do I process this grief when I'm so far away, in a often foreign environment? A poem:

Tidings of Sadness and Joy

by S. Farlin

Here, a blanket of cold and white

There, you were wrapped by inferno.

Now black tints our world with grief,

Sorrow piled on top of joy.

Last we met you were clothed in white

A resplendent bride.

Dimples and hugs, kindness and love, 

Hope was embodied in Mary.

Waiting for confirmation,

Waiting for His advent.

Anticipating the Good News,

Fearing the worst.

For unto us a Child is born

And from us a daughter was taken.

Death I feel your sting, 

But the Son came and brought victory.

Jesus be the center as we journey

Through all these extremes.

First 30 Days in Nebraska

Transitions are a regular and repeating part of my life. They come and go in waves and sometimes overwhelm me. As I was wrapping up things in Davao and preparing to live in the US for a year of home assignment, I wanted to prepare my heart and mind as well. I decided to post a small insight or observation from the day on Facebook to record my journey for my last 30 days at home and then for my first 30 days in Nebraska. Here's a collection of what I wrote: #first30days

Day 1 of being back in the US: Glad to be able to help my sister mow the lawn. Almost feels like I've always lived here.

Day 2 in NE: It's impossible to instinctively know what time it is when it's cold (< 80 F) all day and the sun doesn't go down til almost 9 pm...oh and you're jetlagged.

Day 4 of furlough: Hanging out with siblings is nice!

Day 5: Belly laughs that end with tears in my eyes

Day 6 in NE: According to a local, Haiti and the Philippines are the same place. LOL!

Day 8 at "home": Craft night helped me to settle in and not feel like I'm living out of a suitcase.

9th day of furlough: Helping siblings with yard work, they're sweating and I'm enjoying myself.

Day 10 in NE: Who knew that you could buy a fishing license online while out on the water?

Day 12 aka Day 42 of transition: Connecting my phone isn't as easy as buying a SIM card load at the sari-sari store. #imissglobe

14 days since I left Davao: Finding a daily or weekly routine is harder when you don't have a class schedule.

15th day in NE: It's so quiet here that I can clearly hear my stomach growling.

16 days since I left Davao: Each day there are moments where it feels like a friend from the other half of my world should be by my side or I should be by their side. Time and distance don't negate those connections but they do make my heart hurt.

Day 18: Saw a partial solar eclipse in Davao in 2016 & a total eclipse in NE today. Living globally does have perks!

Day 20 away from Davao: I miss the warmth of the tropics.

Day 23 back home: I do love the beauty of a big sky!

Day 27: Today I cleaned out the kitchen...oops, she doesn't belong in the trash!

Day 29: It's so refreshing and comforting to spend time with good friends from my other life on this side of the world.

30th day in NE = 60th day of transition: At the State Fair viewing the animals and walking around in a SEA of red t-shirts...yep I'm definitely in Nebraska.