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Depok UBF, Indonesia

July 26, 2013

Matthew 28:18-20 "18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

INDONESIA HAS THE LARGEST MOSLEM POPULATION OF ANY COUNTRY IN THE WORLD. THE ENTIRE MIDDLE EAST COMBINE, HAS VIEWER HAS LESS MOSLEMS THAN INDONESIA. 

Over70% of the population follow Islam. The Moslem prayers are broadcast on a loudspeaker from every Mosque. The prayers are 5 times a day : 4 am, 8 am, 12 noon, 4 pm, 8 pm. 

In capital city of Jakarta and in the surrounding area, poverty is widespread. Many houses resemble the small huts shown in the beginning of the movie “Slum dog millionaire”. The desperation of day to day life is stifling. Alcoholism drug abuse are common. Stree venders sell glue and gasoline, that are used as inhalants to get people high.

By God’s grace, UBF Missionaries have set up 6 chapters (Depok Centre, Jakarta center, Cawang, Salemba center, Karawaci Centre and Pasar Minggu Centre). In Depok Centre God is raising many diligent disciples of Jesus, and prayer mothers.  Missioary Peter Lee tirelessly labors in the Lord, as the leader of Indonesia UBF.  His messages are heart-moving, and all the missionaries are a source of blessing.  Currently, there are many great women of God that are at marriage age.  All missionaries struggle hard with this situation, so I encourage any shepherds who want to spread the gospel in a muslim nation, to visit Indonesia as a short-term missionary.

By God’s mercy, God enabled me to have an English Bible Study, every Saturday afternoon.  On average, 7 people attend each week.  I thank God, who saved me from eternal suffering, and sent me as a missionary to Indonesia.  God enabled me to get a part time job, teaching English to children ages 4 to 7, Monday through Friday.  God also enabled me to teach 8 second generation children missionary children English, in private lessons.  I have unspeakable joy in daily life, as a missionary, and in my house church.  The weather, traffic, pollution, and lauguage barrier, are really not a problem, because I am SO  thankful for God’s grace!  

I thank God, who enabled Frida and I to marry by faith, and form a house church.  I thank God for the long suffering patience of so many servants of God, including my parents, Helen Steve, Pastor Ron Ward, Dr. Joseph and Maria Ahn, Pastor Abraham Kim fam, Dr. Mark and Anna Yang , Mother Sarah Barry, The Late Msn. Samuel Lee, Dr. John Jun, Missionary Peter Lee, and man others.

Frida was the fourth of five children.  She came to UBF in 1994 through 1 to 1 Bible study with Missionary Sarah Lee.  She grew into an indispensable servant of God in Indonesia.  Through the years, God trained her in many ways.  2 weeks before her graduation from college, her father passed away.  From this came sorrow, and endless financial problems.  In college, Frida got sick with Typhus for 1 month.  Her bible teacher Msn. Sarah, brought her food everyday, and prayed with her.  By God’s grace, she made a full recovery, learned thankfulness to God, and learned to depend on God only.  Frida served many sheep, that grew spiritually and became shepherds.  But when family problems arose, they would return to their hometown, ending Bible study.  Through this, she learned that her faith did not depend on the result.  Her faith grew, and she became a clear witness of the Gospel.  On January 26, 2013, Frida and I got married in Indonesia.  We are a good match, because Frida is a serious person, who likes math and science.  I tend to be kinda silly, and I prefer English and history.  Frida does not talk too much, but I really enjoy talking for LONG LONG periods of time!!  When I am chatting with our neighbors, Frida sometimes reminds me that I have to prepare my lesson plans.  When she says that, I usually say, "AAAHHHDDO!!" which is Indonesian for "EYEGOO!!!"  which is Korean for “OH MY GOODNESS!!”  Also sometimes when I am laughing, she starts laughing also, and later she says; ”what are we laughing at?”  WHAT??  APA???

Life of faith in Indonesia is not easy.  We struggle financially, and I have a lot to learn about Indonesian culture.  But serving the Gospel in a nation that is being suffocated by islam, we both recognize ourselves as the most blessed people in the world, because of God’s grace and God’s calling through Mathew 28:18-20.  I thank God, who enabled Frida to get a VISA, to come to the ISBC, and meet her extended family, mom, daddy, brother, and all the wonderful brothers and sisters here in Chicago UBF.

Our Prayer Topics are: 

1. TO BE A BLESSING AND GOOD INFLUENCE IN INDONESIA, AND IN THE US
2. I MAY LEARN BAHASA INDONESIAN
3. WE MAY HAVE A BABY SOON, AND 6 CHILDREN TOTAL
4. ARNOL, BENJAMIN, OLIVIA, OMI, OCHA, AND JULIE MAY GROW AND BECOME SPIRITUAL LEADERS
5. INDONESIA MAY BECOME THE HUB FOR EVANGELISM OF ALL MUSLIM COUNTRIES
6. GOD MAY ESTABLISH MANY HOUSECHURCHES IN INDONESIA
7. GOD MAY BLESS THE ENGLISH WORSHIP SERVICE THAT BEGINS IN AUGUST IN INDONESIA

WE BOTH WHOLE HEARTEDLY THANK ALL OF YOU FOR YOUR PRAYER SUPPORT AND KINDNESS!

ONE WORD:SMALL FAITH IS PRECIOUS BEFORE GOD