Procedures

Most schools have set procedures in case of fires and tornadoes, right?
At least where I'm from they do.
But, boy... at this school we have:
Fire procedures
Earthquake procedures
Violent storm procedures
Intruder (pre-hostage) procedures
Hostage procedures
Bomb procedures
Evacuation procedures
Any my personal favorite.....
Demonstration on road in front of school procedures

Wow.
That's all I have to say about that.

Home

So here I am. Indonesia. Last night was rough. As soon as I got dropped off at my house, I realized how incredibly, incredibly alone I was. I knew only one person in the whole country - Hannah, who was gracious enough to pick me up at the airport. I don't speak the language. I don't share the religion. Everyone else was in bed. I couldn't use my phone to call anyone. I couldn't use my computer to write anyone. It was me and only me. So I decided to unpack to take my mind off things. Even that was hard. I didn't want to unpack because once I did, it would really mean I was home, and who wants home to be such a lonely place? I did it anyways. Set up house. Moved things around. Went to bed. And was hit with the loneliness all over again, there in the dark. I needed someone to talk to. So I prayed myself to sleep. Good choices.

Today was much better. There were no clocks in my house except for the alarm clock I brought, but I managed to guess the time difference, set my clock accordingly, and wake up in time to walk to church! I went to church on campus here, so it was mostly teachers and missionaries serving in the area. A family took me out to lunch at an Indonesian restaurant, and then Hannah took me out for the rest of the day. In typical girl fashion, we went shopping! On Hannah's motorbike, of course. I got shampoo, a clock, fruit, kitchen supplies, and a cell phone! Picking out a cell phone here is no easy task. Here, one's cell phone is a status symbol. I would be content with the cheapest phone on the market... But that's not such a hot idea. I would never get any respect. So I went midrange. I like my phone. And it wasn't all that expensive. (~80 USD) Then we rode home through the alleyways. I met a lot of new people today. I made home more home today. And most importantly, I FEEL more at home today.

I have seen God work in so many little ways, even on my flights.
For example, I have had window seats the whole way.
The lady I sat next to on my first flight was a great lady who teaches in an international school in Papua New Guinea. She was encouraging.
In L.A., then again in China, I met a girl from Jakarta who teaches English there. We're friends now.
On my second flight, the seat next to me was empty so that I could sleep comfortably.
I have had absolutely no problems with security or being comfortable or not being able to sleep.
I got to see the sun rise above the clouds.
What could be better than that?
I'm almost there!

oh, the horses of instruction

every time
i say goodbye
to someone
i ask myself
if i really
want to do this

i see God in people

Mega
- She is my Indonesian contact and my friend. She has helped to secure me my visa, she bought me a plane ticket from Jakarta to Semarang, she has taken care of other arrangements, and she reminds me on a near daily basis how much she is praying for me.

The ladies at the nursing home
- They have decided to adopt me as their prayer project for the time I'm gone.

Brian
- My "cousin", who drove all the way out here to see me before he left for Cali.

The woman
- She came to my yard sale and bought nothing. She handed me five dollars anyways, because she knew she wanted to be a part of something bigger than herself. As she left, she turned back and almost whispered, "Keep your eyes on Him, and He'll take care of you."

Joanne
- She owns the building in Chicago where the Indonesian Consulate (who apparently never answer their phones) is located. Dad dialed her number on "accident", after exhausting all the consulate extensions, to no avail. She gave us the fax number of the consulate, advised us that they answer faxes quicker than phones, and she also gave us the phone number of her personal security guard in case we need further help, since she herself is on vacation next week.

Martin and Gerald
- My Kenyan father and brother, who prayed blessings upon my life and ministry while we all stood in their living room together on a sweltering day.

Nathan
- Who prayed over me in a gas station parking lot in Michigan.

Jim
- Who has hired me on as a girl on his farm (among all the big boys) to provide me with a job to earn money before leaving. He also tells me how much he prays for me and reminds me often that whether or not I believe it myself, I am a missionary, sent by God.

Marty
- The 66 year old woman I tutored this week, who had me give her my name so she could put me on her church's prayer list.

Katy
- Who is driving all the way out here to be with me the weekend before I leave.

Mom
- Who is making special meals for me all week, since I won't get any of my favorites for 3 years.

Dad
- Who has done so many "dad" things for me, like calling the Indonesian Consulate while I was at work and printing off CDC pages on what vaccinations I need.

Bellwether
- The boys in my band, who have promised to dedicate many songs to me in their concert the night before I leave.

And so many, many more...

Leaving has made me realize how loved I am...