If this had happened in the US, I could retire after litigation...

Just a funny story to recount. It's not even too funny yet, but undoubtedly will be soon. No doubt now for the rest of you.

Last night we set out picking up a few friends and relatives by car in order to head off to a family dinner at a local restaurant. After an hour or so in the car making the rounds, it begins to rain. By this time it is also dark, and by the time we get to the restaurant, the rain has become a heavy downpour. After we park, since we do not want to wait forever, we venture out of the car. We have only one puny little umbrella for the 7 of us (5 seat sedan, mind you). And since I am the only one who can actually get out of the car, thus how tightly we were parked, it was my task to shuttle persons one at a time from the car to the covered sidewalk via miniature umbrella . By the time I am done, I am near completely soaked. Nevertheless, we have made it, so we head down the sidewalk to the restaurant.

Bemoaning my soakedness, I do not notice that the sidewalk is holy. I mean holey. One small step out into thin air, and I plunge 5 ft down into a hole in the sidewalk. What it in the world! I don't know what it was, maybe a trash recepticle or wannabe sewage dump. Fortunately the bottom was relatively dry, though a little squishy. I pull myself out and begin noticing the pain. I have a huge cut on one leg and numerous scrapes and bruises to boot. Ten minutes after being treated by many helpful hands and a first aid kit, we proceed to our quite enjoyable dinner of all-you-can-eat steamboat.

Fortunately, it wasn't one of the kids who dropped in. Even more so, Lucy, eight months pregnant. Lesson learned: Some days are really good...

In Jakarta

Well we made it. After 35-40 long hours of travel. Thank God for strength. Thank you for your prayers. We are still recovering from jet lag. Today we each took an 11 hour nap. And naturally we'll be up most of the night. Now it's night and we are up playing far too loudly and typing this blog. So far we've just done the usual Jakarta kinds of things: sweat and swat mosquitos, as well as watch American TV and eat some pretty good foods. Thanks to Lucy's brothers and sisters who have been feeding us. The kids are adjusting fine, though Livi has been extra fussy with everything. Sammy is in heaven playing with his two cousins and their toys...particularly toy swords and about 10 toy guns. Guess we all have to get out the aggression somehow.

Some of you may be wondering if Jakarta is being affected by all the earthquakes that have been happening in Indonesia. Lucy's sisters have felt some minor tremors last week. None since then. We are all doing fine though our hearts are breaking for those who have been affected by the quakes & tsunami.

News of the Week

This week, we are working on getting in touch with an ob/gy so that Lucy can have a check-up. Jay will be getting together soon with the senior pastor of an international church regarding an open position nearby. Lucy's dad has needed some medical attention in Singapore. Lucy's mom is, of course, accompanying him. We all hope that they will make it home to Jakarta end of this week.

No pictures on this post. We don't have a camera right now. Thanks to so many for the kind emails and comments. We have appreciated and feel encouraged hearing from you.

Please Pray For:

• Recovery from jet-lag
• God's hands on Lucy's new ob/gy
• Jay's meeting with a local pastor
• Those affected by quakes and tsunamis in Indonesia
• Lucy's dad's medical condition

More later.

To our Friends and Family:

Farewell to California!

Jay is graduating from Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California this summer (2006). It is God’s unfathomable faithfulness that carried us through the last 7 years of study, work, and building a family. Thank you, Lord! We also thank so many of you who have walked alongside us, providing the support and encouragement we needed in times of struggles. You are God-sent.

Resting in Ohio!



It has been a wonderful time of visiting with Jay’s family in Ohio for the last 5 weeks. Sammy and Livi have had such fun with cousins, Grandma & Grandpa, aunts and uncles. We feel encouraged, refreshed, and strengthened by all of you we have spent time with in Ohio, especially the Thompson family. Thank you so much for your special touch. This has been good for our souls as we prepare to leave for Indonesia. You are blessings from above.

Heading to South East Asia!

By God’s intervention, all our travel documents were taken care of within a week. Thank you, Lord! Finally, the time has arrived for us to leave for South East Asia. We fly on July 19. Our first destination is Jakarta, Indonesia where Lucy’s family resides. We are excited to spend some time with Lucy’s family, and have our third baby there (due mid Sept.). At the same time, we hope to continue networking with other Fuller alumni/ae and friends in the South East Asia region to explore work and ministry opportunities. Jay already has had a couple of leads for ministry opportunities. It is such an assurance that the Lord is going before us.



We need your prayers:

• Strength for and safety in travel – July 19-20
• Adjustment to a new culture and language
• Baby due mid-Sept.
• God’s leading to the work He has for us
• A Christian community
• God’s protection overall