Dear Friends,

Janice and I once again send you greetings from Jakarta. These past two months have been a busy time for us. We are thankful that we are able to be a part of the ministry here in Jakarta, and we are especially thankful for you folks who faithfully pray for the success of this ministry. The ministry here continues despite the creeping introduction of sharia inspired bylaws that are allowing the more fanatical Islamic groups to close down more churches. Yet, even though the government passively seeks to hinder the spread of the gospel, the gospel continues to get spread. As Paul said, Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound. We want to give you folks a report on the various ministries we are involved with in getting the gospel out here in Indonesia.

Our churches here in Jakarta continue to proclaim the gospel. Not everything is rosy in all of the churches where we help out, but there is no sign of retreat. We especially would ask you to remember Pastor Hadir and the situation at the Sunter Jaya church, nice church building, no folks! Likewise please remember to pray for the Pelumpang church (Pastor Munjait), and the Cibubur church (Pastor Yusuf). Both of these works are struggling, but not like the situation at the Sunter Jaya church. The other works, Cileduk, Cipulir, and Cijantung, are doing really good. Don't forget to pray for these growing churches as they are facing many challenges. As usual, where there is no growth, there is little opposition, but where the churches are reaching new folks they are facing intense opposition.

Our Bible school is turning out young men and women who faithfully proclaim the gospel. On June 15, nine men and three ladies graduated from the Bible School. Three of the students (Edy, Neli, Pardi) are headed to ministries in Kalimantan (West Borneo); one of the students (Arthaban) plans to open a new ministry in Kupang, Timor; one of the students (Ezer) will help in a ministry in Medan, North Sumatera; one student (Yudika) will return to help in the ministry in Soonegeu, Nias; five of the students (Evans, Joni, Sherly, Simon, Yonatan) will continue their ministries in their churches here in Jakarta; one student (Mariana) plans to marry. Each semester our Bible school continues to prepare young people to preach the gospel throughout this vast archipelago. Please continue to pray for the Sekolah Tinggi Teologia Baptis Independen Jakarta (Independent Baptis Seminary of Jakarta).

Following our graduation services, Pastor Raso invited me to visit one of the Bible school graduates that his church has sent to minister in West Kalimantan. Although weary from the graduation services, Pastor Raso and I flew to Pontianak, West Kalimantan, where we were met by Serpulus. Serpulus, who graduated from our Bible School in December 2005, has only been in Pontianak for five months. However, in that time he has started two small works. One work is located in Pontianak, while the other work is on the outskirts of Pontianak. Pastor Raso , myself and Serpulus spent two days visiting contacts made by Serpulus. During that time one man openly professed Christ. On Sunday, two young adults were baptized.

Folks, Sepulus, is not our only graduate starting churches in West Kalimantan. Several of our other graduates have well established churches in West Kalimantan. While Pastor Raso and I were there we were able to visit one of the other graduates who has a good church started. These graduates get together once every two months for an all day fellowship meeting to encourage each other. Pray for these young men as they face many obstacles in their ministry.

In the mist of natural disasters the gospel is being spread. On May 27, a terrible earthquake hit the Jogjakarta area of Central Java killing over six thousand people. Several of the buildings used by our Independent Baptist churches in that area were badly damaged. Amazingly, none of the members of our churches in that area were seriously hurt, however, many of their homes were either destroyed or seriously damaged. Our churches here in Jakarta quickly responded by sending aid to help the folks who had lost everything. Also, Operation Renewed Hope sent Dr. Greg Waller with enough medicine to help 700 patients. By God's grace Dr. Waller was allowed to enter Indonesia with his medical supplies. Brother Larry Quinlan took over the responsibility of making sure Dr. Waller's trip would not be in vain. The Quinlans (Larry, Nancy and Kenny), helped by Pastor Yakup (a pastor in Jogjakarta), the Rosses (Dave and Carole) and Christine Hawthorne, were able to run medical clinics in several of our churches in the Jogjakarta area. Dr. Waller was able to provide medical treatment for about 400 patients. Also, during that time, six people came to know the Lord as their Saviour, and hundreds of contacts were made. There is still an enormous need to help the folks that were affected by this disaster. However, due to political factors the folks who desperately need help are not getting the attention they really need. Pray that our churches here will continue to use this opportunity to show God's love to a suffering people.

A note on our graduation this semester. The students that completed my computer class this semester at the Palmerah campus presented a multi media program for the graduation. I sweat bullets over the whole thing, wondered why I had let myself commit to such an undertaking, and totally exhausted myself by the time graduation arrived. However, the men did a good job. They prepared six modules, and the whole program using two screens and two computers came off nicely. A special thanks to Lowell Maxey of Bible Baptist Temple, in Stonewood, West Virginia who sent me some jump drives. I used the drives for gifts to the students who had worked so hard on the graduation program.

On a personal note, Janice and I are fine. Our visa has just been extended until August 28, 2011. We are rejoicing over that! Yesterday, we talked to the owner of our house about extending the contract on our present house. We have asked her to allow us to use some of the rent money to make needed repairs on the house. Yes, Janice still has a long list of repairs! We appreciate your prayers in this matter as the house really needs quite a bit of work. We also trust you will remember to hold Janice and I up before the Lord. It is our desire to continue to serve the Lord wherever He places us.

For your faithful prayers and financial support over these past two months, we are truly thankful.

In Christ,