Reaching the Indonesian People

I feel like my life, especially these past six months, have simply been a story of God’s grace. Grace surely is a powerful thing and I think even now I don’t completely comprehend its strength in my life! I think the best way to shed the often-used, nearly-cliche phrase “God’s grace is sufficient” is to experience it as a reality.

I am a missionary in the country of Indonesia, the largest Muslim country in the world. The Lord has called me to minister to the Sundanese people—the largest unreached people group in Indonesia. Living life as a missionary is a dream come true for me—a dream that started when I was an eleven year old girl. The Lord allowed me to attend West Coast Baptist College and I graduated in May of 2014. I began deputation immediately after; my travels took me to over 100 churches and covered about 40,000 miles. January 16 of this year was my first big “grace test.” That was the day my precious family drove me to the airport to bid me farewell as I left America for Indonesia. Honestly, more than anything else in the world I was terrified of saying goodbye to my family! But that night was so different: while it was definitely hard to leave my family, that goodbye was unlike anything I had ever experienced. It was grace. God’s grace came to my rescue. I had such a peace that I couldn’t explain. God proved Himself to me in a powerful way that day!

It was such a thrill to finally be able to settle down in the country I had dreamed about for so long! I started language lessons right away and began to help in the church. The adaptation process has been quite an adventure—from making embarrassing language mistakes, to getting lost on the way to the grocery store and to throwing up more than I ever have in my life! But through it all God has given me grace and I couldn’t be happier!

The month of June in particular was exciting here in Bandung, West Java. We held VBS at our church and it went smoothly with a really sweet group of kids! Kid’s ministry is definitely a passion for me and I loved being a part—though it was a challenge being in a new language. Then shortly after our VBS I had my first experience teaching Sunday School in Indonesian—without reading! That was a big milestone! I am excited to start teaching in Indonesian more frequently now. God has been helping me so much with the language and I am so grateful.

God’s grace is always sufficient! As I look toward the future here in Bandung and the new ministry opportunities around the corner, I know God will make a way—a way paved with grace. He always has, and He always will.