Updates

It’s the beginning of the month already here in Medan. It’s hard to believe how quickly time passes in weeks and months and years while at the same time dragging by in terms of seconds and minutes.

When we last heard from our intrepid heroes….no wait, that’s the wrong update. Never mind.

Word has it (lots and lots of words, actually) my work visa should, at long last, be ready on June 21. This work visa (called a KITAS here in Indonesia) will allow me, my wife and our youngest son to live in Indonesia. We can travel freely in and out of the country and no longer will need to worry about visa extensions and all manner of other issues every month or two. Instead, God-willing after I receive the KITAS we’ll be set for the next year or so. Until next May when our son turns 18 and is no longer covered by my KITAS, and we’ll be renewing it for the first time.

We may also be visiting the US about that time as well, but more on that in future posts.

I’ll leave Indonesia a few days earlier in order to remain compliant with my existing visa, and I’ll visit Singapore as well as Kuala Lumpur. It’s extremely exciting to think of finally having the KITAS after waiting a year for it. In the meantime I’ve learned a lot about short-term visas and the blessing it is to be a guest in another country. We’ll still be guests here, but the KITAS means we’re recognized as slightly more dedicated guests.

One of the benefits of a KITAS is that we’ll be able to open up a bank account in Indonesia. That will make a lot of things much easier as well rather than relying exclusively on our US checking accounts and credit cards.

Thank you for your prayers and notes of concern. We’re all doing very well. Gena and the kids will complete their language program at the end of June and they’re excitedly (and wearily!) preparing their final presentations – 10-page essays (in Indonesian!) and an oral presentation. What an amazing learning experience! May God use their efforts towards his glory and the furthering of the Gospel!