Journal - September 6, 2008

(written on September 7th) – Woke up to a beautiful sunrise through my balcony window. Talked with Tami Byrd and my family through Skype. My breakfast was an apple; Ron has been raving about them for days, so I finally tried one. It was pretty tasty.

The schedule at the retreat has been VERY flexible. So we’ve been a little short on time for rehearsals. The two praise bands have done great, especially with little rehearsal time. They loved worship and participated enthusiastically. Their favorite songs this week have been “Hail to the King”, “Mighty to Save”, “God of this City” and “Who Am I”.

As our meeting time began, I began to get a little queasy. I started the Ciprofloxacin and Pepto right away.

The students were sad to see the retreat come to an end. By noon I was on my way down the mountain in the Java Dorm bus. After lunch at KFC in Salatiga, I took a nap in the afternoon.

Then in the evening, we all went to Casey and Sharon’s house for supper. There we met 6 Indonesian college-agers and shared a meal of chicken and goat sate (chicken and goat on a stick), two kinds of rice, and lasagna. For desert Sharon made a chocolate chip cheesecake.

The conversation after dinner centered a lot on US politics. The students were interested in who we were going to vote for and why. We also talked a little about New Orleans, Ramadan, and the Islamic faith. It was a good conversation.


You can find more trip pictures at my Facebook Page (http://www.new.facebook.com/profile.php?id=504321719).

They are also posted at my Flickr.com Page (http://www.flickr.com/photos/curtisferrell/)

Thanks for reading!

Journal - September 7, 2008

1:05 pm – This morning I woke up at 5:00 am wanting to put the finishing touches on my message and talk to my family on Skype. The dorm was all locked up, so I had to go on battery power in my computer. This was pretty scary because my computer is old and when the battery gets too low it doesn’t warn you, it just shuts down. Anyway, it worked long enough so that Cheryl and Emily and I could talk. Kaitie was babysitting.

The church was packed today. I only recognized two songs this week; “I Give You My Heart” and “My Redeemer Lives”. Instead of a worship trio leading like last week, this week there was one man who led worship. The praise band played both weeks: drums, electric guitar, bass guitar, keyboard.

Before my message, I gave my copy of Shaped By God’s Heart to Pastor Mariono. I preached from Philemon verses 3 through 7a and encouraged them to use prayer to develop a passion for God and compassion for people. Casey translated and hopefully God spoke to hearts. One young man, probably 11 or 12 years old, took very extensive notes and had me autograph his notes!

After preaching, they asked me to sing, so I sang “Thank You, Lord” about Indiana, the dinosaur tree, and my thankfulness to God for His many blessings.

After eating brunch at Casey and Sharon’s we were supposed to go to a rice farm. My stomach started turning flips again so I took a nap while Ron and Tory went with Casey and the boys, Nicko and Ryan. I feel a little better now but not 100%. I’ll be going back to the church in a few minutes for the second worship seminar.

9:36 pm – Ron and Tory said they really enjoyed the rice farm. I’ll try to get pictures from them to share. This afternoon’s worship seminar was a lot of fun. People were a little bit freer in sharing, and asking questions, and joking.

After the worship seminar concluded, the church gave each of us (Ron, Tory, and myself) a gift so that we will remember Indonesia. Tory opened his tonight and it is a batik map of Indonesia and a batik placemat/coaster set. Ron and I liked the paper so much that we decided not to open ours yet.

I didn’t eat supper; my stomach was still feeling funny. But one of the Indonesian grandmothers insisted I eat one of the fried puffed rice chips. It tasted a little like rice crispys. My stomach feels basically the same. I think I just need some sleep.

You can find more trip pictures at my Facebook Page (http://www.new.facebook.com/profile.php?id=504321719).

They are also posted at my Flickr.com Page (http://www.flickr.com/photos/curtisferrell/)

Thanks for reading!

Journal - September 5, 2008

4:48 pm – Today was the only full day of the retreat. I woke up at 5:30 am like everyday here in Indonesia. The morning was hectic.

I connected to the internet and it was INCREDIBLY fast. I uploaded some pictures and video, updated this blog and tried to connect with my family on SKYPE. By the time we figured out how to do it, it was breakfast time and I had run out of my internet time.

11:11 pm – When I realized it was time to go to breakfast, I also realized that I had some corrections to make to MediaShout. In addition, Jeremy brought the Nooma video “Lump” to show and I had to figure out how to make that work. So I missed breakfast.

During Jeremy’s message, the Nooma video froze up (I had already determined that it wouldn’t play in MediaShout and had switched to Windows Media Player). So while everyone was waiting, I worked on the laptop and finally got it to play on another program (Nero). Other than that, morning worship meeting was good and Jeremy closed with a call to salvation and rededication. Several students made commitments; hopefully I will receive more details later.

I worked with a small group of 7th graders and discussed 2 Timothy chapter one. Later, for lunch, we had chicken sate – chicken on a stick (see goat on a stick post earlier in the week).

I took a few pictures by the pool, walked down to the camp ground where the students are staying at night, and worked on making more room on my computer. While my computer was copying files to a memory card, I laid down on the bed and woke up 1-1/2 hours later! I guess I was more tired than I thought . . . or maybe it was the trip down the mountain to the campground and then up again.

I still wanted to talk to Cheryl and the girls on Skype, so I went to the Merapi Room early to get on the internet. After I had signed on and was busy connecting, I was informed that our supper was moved up by 30 minutes and that meant that rehearsal should be starting . . NOW! I was able to talk to my family for about 5 minutes and see what Thursday morning “bed-head” looks like from half-way around the world.

During supper I sat at a table that was deep in conversation about war and Christian service and should Christians serve in the military. This was made even more interesting because of the diversity of the countries represented around the table; these students had family ties to Africa, Afghanistan, Indonesia, Korea, Indonesia, Pakistan, and the United States. A lot of thorny issues were suddenly even thornier. Should a good Christian serve in the military? Does it make a difference if the country they are serving is Pakistan or the United States? What if Indonesia and the United States went to war; what would the missionaries from the U.S. do?

This evening’s meeting time was interrupted by a time of thanksgiving and encouragement, as each student was given the opportunity to express, before the whole group, gratefulness and appreciation. Students have really caught on to the songs, “Hail to the King”, “God of this City” and “Mighty to Save”.

After the evening meeting, many of the students stayed in the Merapi Room and held their own impromptu worship time. After a while, everyone wandered down to the campfire where we roasted marshmallows (Yes, I walked down the mountain – even further this time – and walked back up). Jeremy is staying in Salatiga tonight so I have the room to myself. It’s after 11:30 and I have a busy day tomorrow.

More later . . .


You can find more trip pictures at my Facebook Page (http://www.new.facebook.com/profile.php?id=504321719).

They are also posted at my Flickr.com Page (http://www.flickr.com/photos/curtisferrell/)

Thanks for reading!

Journal - September 4, 2008

10:16 pm – Talking with Jeremy after worship. Today was a busy day. I started by fixing the setup of a new flat screen TV for the school. There are still a few bugs to work out. A new DVD and an old VCR plugging into the latest technology in TVs. Hopefully, we can get them set up so all they have to do is press POWER and PLAY.

At 10:30 Ron and I joined the 11th & 12th Grade Leadership Class. We had a good discussion with some future leaders in the church. Hopefully, we imparted some insight and wisdom . . .

For lunch we had KFC – Indonesian style. Food here has been really good. Nothing too strange. Toward the end of lunch I was interviewed by Annalise, a journalist for the school newspaper. After the retreat she wants to interview me again to get my reaction to the event.

After lunch, I walked back to the dorm and packed for the retreat. Then I walked back to the school and worked a little on the laptop in the lunch area getting ready for tonight.

At about 3:30 pm we loaded into SUVs and the school bus and headed up the mountain to the Salab Putih (White Cross) Retreat Center. After finding my room and setting up for this evening’s worship, we had supper – chicken and rice and noodles and something that looked like thin slices of dried bread (they had the texture of Styrofoam but tasted pretty good).

The evening meeting started at 6:50 and 130+ people piled into a room the size of a small ballroom in a hotel. We were packed! The kids sat on the floor and the adults sat on a handful of chairs that were in the room. This retreat has students from 7th grade through 12th grade.

They seemed to respond well to worship. Jeremy introduced 2 Timothy to the group and was well received. By the end of the meeting it was very hot in the room. There is no air conditioning, just open windows on one side of the room. I think morning meeting times will be much cooler.

After our evening meeting, I purchased 2 hours of internet time for 30,000 Rp (about $3). So if you are reading this before September 6 that’s how I posted this journal entry.

One of the questions in the interview I had during lunch echoed a comment I had heard a couple of times before. The students want to know how long I will be here, and seem disappointed that I will be leaving the middle of next week, even though they barely know me. Apparently, many people come to visit, but few stay, or even return.

It must be hard to invest in relationships when people are coming and going so frequently. At the praise band rehearsal Wednesday night, the students told me I should come back and bring my family with me. I think they would love the country and the people, like I do, but I’m not sure they would survive the 24+ hours in the air – ONE DIRECTION!

More later . . .

You can find more trip pictures at my Facebook Page (http://www.new.facebook.com/profile.php?id=504321719).

They are also posted at my Flickr.com Page (http://www.flickr.com/photos/curtisferrell/)

Thanks for reading!

Journal - September 1, 2008

3:48 PM - Trying to update everyone before I rest. I have a praise band rehearsal tonight at 6:30 PM.

We went to the open air market this morning. Very interesting! (I'll post some pictures later). Raw meat (beef, chicken, fish) sitting out in the open - no refrigeration. People walking, riding scooters (sepeda motor), riding bicycle powerd carts, and driving horse (kuda) drawn carts.

At 11:00 am we went to the local mosque. This was very exciting because it is the first day of Ramadan (Islamic month of fasting). The professor of the English department of the university located at the mosque gave us a tour. His name is Hamam. He guided Ron and Casey and me, along with three of his students through the university/mosque complex. One male student will attend a university in Oregon in March. Another male student will study in Arizona in January. A Female student named Okta also accompanied our tour.

Pray for Okta; I believe that the Holy Spirit is working in her life and she would be open to a presentation of the Gospel. Pray also for Hamam; he is wanting to travel to the US for his Doctorate.

After the tour, we returned to Hamam's office and sat around a table covered with green indoor/outdoor carpet. We asked and asnwered questions about Chritianity and Islam. I believe we shattered some of their misconceptions about Christianity.

Afterwards, we went to another local resaurant and had rice and spicy chicken. They had cucumbers and lettuce too, but we have been instructed not to eat the local vegetables unless they are from Sharon and Casey's home and have been washed in bleach water.

At 1:00 PM we wnet to a gamelan instructor. He introduced us to several traditional Javaneese instruments which, when played together but 5 to 18 people, is called gamelan. They are all percussion instruments. Some are drums, some are like xylophones, and others are like upside-down brass pots with one big "bump" sticking up from the bottom". The gamelan plays while a traditional shadow puppet play is performed.

Then we discovered that this gentalman, named Gideon, uses his gamelan as a way to share the good news about Jesus with people. They modify the traditional shadow puppets and replace the "white monkey king" and the "evil king" with characters like Jesus and Peter and Paul, etc. The people in the communities they go to, welcome them because they are bringing traditional Javaneese music and musical instruments. Then Gideon and his crew use puppets to thell them about Jesus! What an exciting way to communicate the gospel!

Well I need to Go rest before rehearsal. More later . . .

Sept 1 - 10:17 pm - Rehearsed with Praise Team A at 6:30 pm. Trying to get people excited about worship is a recurring theme among worship leaders here. I think what they are really saying is, "I want people to be passionate about God." So how do you develop passion? Do you cast a vision & hope they see? Do you remind people about what God has done? Is passion a gift FROM God or a gift FOR God?

Journal - August 31, 2008

Aug 31 - 8:39 PM - Day began at 7:00 AM with morning worship in Salatiga. Pastor preached on the truth that God knows everything (Psalm 139). After lunch we attended the most extravagent wedding reception I have ever seen! then in the afternoon, I led a worship teaching time for about 30 people.
As soon as we said, "Amen" the power went out at the church (all over town really). It's been spotty ever since.
Had roast beef and potatoes for supper (by candlelight and battery powered lights)
Quote of the day . . . Annual theme for church in Salatiga:
Rumahku akan disebut
rumahdoa bagi segala bangsa
My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations.
Oh, that all churches would make this their theme!
Ramadan begins tomorrow . . .

Journal - August 30, 2008

Aug 30 - 9:30 pm - Getting ready for bed. Had a waffle for breakfast. Drove part way up the mountain to Ketep Pass to look at the volcanoes - Merabi & Merbabu. Too many clouds to see the summits. Visited Salab Putih (white cross) retreat center where I will be ministering next week. Had a picnic on the mountain on ground that had been terraced for farming. Toured the school grounds. Ate at a restaurant overlooking a rice patty. Had fried chicken & rice. Saw some beautiful flowers today.

Journal - August 29, 2008

Aug 29 - 10:27 am Tiawan - Flying over Manila. Flight attendant says to turn off Palm Centro.
11:53 am Taiwan - Close to crossing equator.

(Too busy to journal. we landed in Jakarta, went through customs, boarded a domestic flight to Semarang, got in the car and drove to Salatiga!)

8:55 pm WIB - Finally horozontal! My room is small with two twin beds, tall ceilings & a connected bathroom. Can't get internet service in room. Will try at breakfast in the morning. Took a shower and brushed my teeth. Feel much better now! Open windows and ceiling fan should keep me cool tonight. There is a rotweiler at the gate to the dorm, who looks scary but is really lazy and has arthritis (which came first, the chicken or the egg?). The locals are afraid of him so I guess he accomplishes his purpose. Going to sleep now.