Dear Friends,

Janice and I send greetings from Jakarta. After eight months of visiting our stateside churches, we are back in Jakarta. Ah, back to the smog, grid locked traffic, multiple problems in the ministry and the crushing fatigue of trying to decide where to start pecking away at the enormous ministry needs. However, much of the culture shock is offset by the joy of being back with our fellow workers and our dear Indonesian brothers and sisters in Christ. Let me share the joys of being a missionary in Jakarta!

The churches that we work with here in Jakarta have done fine over the last eight months. Although our hope of seeing a lessening of the attacks from the fanatics has not materialized, the churches just keep reaching people for Christ in their communities. The Cipulir and Cileduk churches are doing good. Both of them have new folks in their church that they have reached over the past few months. Their Sunday schools are growing, and their support of missions has grown. So far, we haven't had the opportunity to be with the other churches that we work with here in Jakarta, but the reports are all good. Pray for all the Independent Baptist churches here in Jakarta as they are facing a lot of opposition.

Janice and I recently had the opportunity to participate in the dedication of a new church building in the town of Singaraja, Bali. Pastor Wayan and his wife Eni, who are graduates of the Bible school here in Jakarta, have done a good job in starting a church among the Balinese people in the town of Singaraja. The church in Singaraja has been a joint effort with Brother Bill Cunningham and his wife, who have worked diligently alongside Wayan and Eni to develop a good ministry in Singaraja. Brother Cunningham's pastor, Mike Frazier from Canton Baptist Temple, was the guest speaker for the dedication. I provided the services of an interpreter (or perhaps interrupter) for the dedication service. Pray for Wayan and Eni as they seek to build a strong church in Singaraja, Bali.

Right now the computer systems at both branches of our Bible colleges are down. The students want me to help, but I find the job a bit overwhelming. Right now, I have the main server from our Palmerah school sitting in my office, and it is pretty much ready to go again. However, I just haven't had the energy to finish the job. Part of the problem is the transfer of knowledge. I have tried over the years to teach my students how to not only use computers, but also how to use them creatively in their ministries. What I need is somebody who can develop and maintain a computer system, not just use one. Alas, so far, I haven't been real successful. I think it is this lack of success in this matter that brings on my apathy!

This prompts me to ask that you pray for my ministry here in Indonesia. I want to develop men who not only know how to function as pastors, but men who know how to start and maintain churches on their own. I have done this in the past, but presently, I wonder if I have the energy and drive to do it again. It will take time and there will be many problems. I know the Lord will use me and I do want you to pray that apathy will not win the battle! O God, thou hast taught me from my youth: and hitherto have I declared thy wondrous works. Now also when I am old and grayheaded, O God, forsake me not; until I have shewed thy strength unto this generation, and thy power to every one that is to come. (Psalms 71:17-18) Also, pray that I will get these computers up and running for the students!

Lord willing, the 11th of June, I will go to Nias for a couple of weeks. It is easy to get apathy over the situation in Nias, but the opportunities there are tremendous. I will visit several of the churches while I am there. Pastor Markus plans to go with me as his church has sent several men to Nias to start churches. We will gather the pastors in Nias together for a time of teaching and fellowship. Pray the Lord will give wisdom and strength to say and do the things that will help the churches and pastors in Nias to grow spiritually.

Then there is pastor Andar and his church on Batam island. You folks helped him with his building. It is getting close to being done, and I will continue to help his church finish up the building. He and his folks are doing a good job on Batam. Please continue to pray that the Lord will protect and grow the work there.

Janice and I are doing fine. I have struggled with fatigue (or is it apathy) since we have been back. Janice says it is because I haven't been getting enough sleep. She continues to dose me with vitamins and all sorts of other foul things. We had a good, but tiring trip, back to Jakarta. We had a 17 hour layover in Frankfurt, Germany. We slept a few hours and then traveled by train into downtown Frankfurt and took a walking tour around the city. Needless to say, by the time we reached Jakarta, we were exhausted. I would ask you pray for Janice's hand that she hurt while in the States, she is still experiencing a lot of pain in her wrist.

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

 In Christ,

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