From Korea to Singapore to Indonesia and Back

So, I realize it's been a while as always! Over Spring Break, our school sent out 8 teams to different parts of Asia in order to share the Good News with others. I was part of a team made up of 70 middle school students and 17 adults that went to Singapore and Indonesia. This trip was a very interesting trip, and the purpose of it was much different than any other mission trip I've been a part of. The theme was "Ready to Serve." As chaperones, we had a little bit of a different mindset as far as ministry was concerned. This trip was designed to disciple young believers and to encourage them to grow in the LORD by teaching them that Christ has called us to serve others in order to glorify HIMself. It was really neat to see affluent students leaving their technology and gadgets behind and experiencing God's love for them through nature and the people of Indonesia and Singapore. This is the 4th year that our school has taken this trip! God really showed up and used these kids, who are used to being served, to serve those in need on the islands of Indonesia.

Before we left Korea, the school held a joint commissioning service for all 8 teams. We broke into mixed small groups to pray for each other.
Here's my small group of 8th grade girls at the airport in Seoul before flying to Singapore! They were an awesome group of girls, and I feel so blessed to have been able to be their leader. All week other leaders kept saying, "You really do have one of the best groups!" I was one of the only leaders that is not a middle school teacher. It was great having the opportunity to get to know some of our middle schoolers.

In Singapore at last!! Getting ready to explore and go to church. Don't we look cute in our matching shirts? haha

We went to the Singapore Zoo one night and met this special "friend."

We went with 4 other groups on the Night Safari at the Singapore Zoo! Here we are having fun. Can you pick the 5 teachers out? I didn't think so!

This is the ferry we rode from Harbor Front Ferry Terminal to Batam, Indonesia. It was about an hour long ride.

My friend Julie and I sneaked out of the exhaust-filled ferry to get some fresh air. We got "caught" later and sadly went back inside for the rest of the journey. I guess we were supposed to stay with our groups! OOPS!

At the boat "terminal" in Batam. We rode in these fine boats for 2 hours to Telunas Beach.

Here are my girls getting ready to load the boats!

I have no clue what I'm doing, but we were finally on our way to Paradise!

Our fabulous home for the week!! I highly recommend vacationing here. The staff is amazing and the resort gorgeous!

Telunas Beach jetty!

My house for the week! Absolutely amazing!

Welcome to my pad! Each suite was named a different island.

My bed on the left (I'm a selfish leader.) and 2 of my girls' bed on the right! There was no air conditioning and an open roof. Good ventilation, but we did have several little creatures visit us during our stay---wasps, mosquitos, ants, beetles, lizards, etc...

Our bathroom! Cold water only, but who cares when it's 90 something degrees and no air conditioning.

The beach view from my house.

View of the sunset from the main dock.

Break time on the beach! I had life guarding duty while the students and other adults played some Ultimate Frisbee.

me, Kristen, and Julie---These 2 girls rock! They're a ton of fun and incredible athletes!

On our way to the jungle! Yes, I'm for real!

Houses along the way. The children were waving! We're almost to the mangrove alley!

Making our way through the mangroves.

Out of the boat and into the jungle.

Through the jungle our girlies went! We had a guide at the front pointing out different things and sharing survival tips. Very interesting! We also had a native survivalist bringing up the rear on our tour---5Ks to the falls and 5Ks back out. Our girls did amazing! It rained for about an hour, which cleared the feasting mosquitos out for the first part of the trip but made the trip back pretty rough with tons of thick, red clay/mud and more hungry mosquitos! My shoes were covered in about 4 inches of mud. I completely walked out of them several times and then proceeded to "ski" through the mud. Talk about a workout!! I had a huge, disgusting blister to show for my effort! My camera only worked for like 10 min. the whole trip, so I was unable to capture everything I wanted to on film. However, I have some amazing friends who willingly took tons of pics for me.

Group shot at the falls.

My "family" at the falls. The water was black. The shallow area we're in almost looked like Iodine. It was super cold water though so very refreshing! Many of the girls jumped from the rocky cliffs. My legs were so swollen and felt as if they'd explode. I didn't trust my clumsy self to rock climb and jump from slippery edges!

We ran into some termites along the way. Just pick 'em up, squeeze 'em, and eat 'em! I did eat one just to participate in the survival process. Kind of bitter! Disclaimer: All termites are not edible. Well, I guess they all could be edible, but they're not all safe to eat!

Stick: my trustee friend Julie's walking stick; Branch: my trustee mosquito whacker;

Mud on the Face: my attempt to feel at home and just for fun;

I look tough don't I?

We went to 2 schools on different islands to do community service projects. At both schools, some students prepared a welcoming dance, and the heads of school and local government officials came out to welcome us with an informal ceremony!

The photo above is the welcome dance from the first school---an elementary school. The girls taught the children English, and the boys did some tough, manual labor digging and building a retaining wall behind the school.

We were about to sing "Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes." We also played some other games.

Kristen and I with several of the precious students. In Indonesia, the students go to school Monday through Saturday for half a day. There are over 500 tribal languages on the islands of Indonesia. Student learn their tribal language at home, Bahasa Indonesia (national language) in elementary school, and English in different doses throughout their education. By the time they are in college, they are trilingual! Amazing!

Welcome dance at the second school---a middle school. Half of our group taught English and the other half painted an athletic court.

Our students and teachers with some of the Indonesian students and teachers.

My group went to 2 new schools this year---new to our group that is. We are not allowed to verbally share the Lord with these people unless they ask us a question. However, we shared Jesus with them through our service and actions.

Our group of 87 was able to visit 6 schools and donate computers and school supplies to each one. The LORD really opened up some doors and is beginning to break down some barriers at the schools that have been visited every year by our team. Strong relationships have been built, and the schools and islands are very encouraged by our service and desire to come back. My prayer is that the LORD will continue to pave the way and that HIS light and hope will one day reach the hearts of those who were encountered on our trip, bringing HIS salvation to a dark, dry, and thirsty land.

Our team leaders with the Telunas Beach Indonesian and American staff on our departure day.

Our whole team getting ready to board the boats home!

This trip was an awesome reminder of what a wonderful Creator we have! I can't describe to you how HE revealed Himself to me through HIS creation, whether it be the thick, vast greenery and plant life of Singapore; the endless waters of Indonesia; the numerous islands with majestic mountains and breathtaking beaches; the unique faces, skin colors, accents, and backgrounds of our group members and the people of the countries we toured (no two people looked the same); the amazing animals we encountered in the jungle, in our rooms, and at the zoo; the warmth and brightness of the sun; or the sound of the thunder and waves at night during the storm. All of those things and many more are specific testimonies of the greatness and power of our GOD!

God is definitely alive and at work in the lives of many of our students. It was so neat to meet with them for times of prayer, praise, and Bible study right in the midst of God's magnificent creation. It was encouraging to hear their hearts for the nations and to hear how they're growing in their walks with the LORD. There were several students on this trip that openly admitted they were not believers. However, I'm praying that their lives will never be the same after what they experienced on this trip. God's word never returns void, HIS beautiful creativity is undeniable, and HE will make Himself known to each one.

Thanks to those of you who prayed for and encouraged me throughout my preparation for this trip and as I was gone! What a mighty God we serve! He loves each of us so much! May you see the hand of God through HIS creation this week!

Love and prayers to you from Seoul!!

"In the beginning GOD created the heavens and the earth." Genesis 1:1