Since leaving Indonesia in November 2020 I could not break through the frustration to write any updates here. Sending out updates via the newsletter and personal conversations left be too discontented and a bit defeated to repeat the exercise again with a piece on the family website.
Such times and displeasures have abated—at least for the time being—so my return to Indonesia warrants a return to The SEAside as well. In the coming day’s I’ll be posting about arriving at the house in Medan and the GKLI general synod, which was held November 26-28.
For now I will just offer a brief update on the experience of travelling into Indonesia during these times of heightened covid-19 protocols.
Kali and I loaded the kids into the car at about 3:30 a.m. on Tuesday, November 15th to get to the airport for my 6:00 a.m. flight out of saint Louis. After saying good-bye to Kali and the girls I checked in for my first leg of a 29 hour trip. Ultimately, I landed safely in Jakarta at 12:00 a.m. on Thursday, November 18. There was a small issue with my quarantine hotel, but after a couple of hours I got it resolved and checked into quarantine at 3:00 a.m. It was as boring as you can imagine.
Entering Indonesia alone has been a helpful experience as I will know more about what to expect when travelling with the whole family. I have also been able to send notes to Paul Nelson and his family who hope to be moving to Indonesia in January 2022.
Early on Sunday morning, November 21 I boarded a plane to Medan, and after an hour long taxi ride I finally arrived at the house one year and five days after our unfortunate departure.
Please give thanks to God with me for hearing our prayers and providing a way back to Indonesia according to His timing. Pray that He would also bless this trip and use it to strengthen his Church and extend His kingdom.
I return to America on December 20th. Our family will be able to celebrate Christmas and then we will be returning to Indonesia together. In light of the Omicron variant of Covid-19 of course nothing is certain. Please pray that Indonesia remains open and continues to issue visas.