Well, folks! I have obviously been lazy in writing these updates. So even though this will be very brief I decided i better write something instead of waiting till I get around to writing a more detailed one. So here goes.
Firstly, Esther is almost four months pregnant with our third child. The baby will come into this world in mid-November. So please be praying for her throughout the pregnancy.
Our cafe outreach is up and running. We are only open on Saturdays, but it is a hopping place. the majority of the people in the church come out to serve in some form or another. We have English classes (both for children and teenagers), Chinese class, keyboard lessons and guitar lessons. Each of these are free and are used as a way to build relationships with people in the neighborhood. A few of the girls from the church go out in the evening to the area that is the hub of prostitution in the area to share with the "working girls", pray for them and befriend them.
The highschool nearby that has lots of young girls that end up dabbling in prostitution has opened the doors for me to come teach spoken English once a week. I teach in a discussion format so that the students get a chance to practice speaking. I create the discussions to bring up society and moral issues, as well as more personal things like what hopes, dreams and difficulties the students ahve and face. This is causing relationships to be formed so that the students will seek our counsel, and of course our primary advice is, "give your life to Christ". Please pray for this cafe outreach. We are still trying to come up with ideas of how to get the girls that "work" in the neighborhood will feel safe to come spend time in the cafe. They are still afraid, wondering what we are trying to get from them. They are used to being used and dont know what unconditional love is. Pray for God to give us wisdom.
I recently took a trip to Pakistan to visit the one disciple we have there. He is still trusting in Christ though he is all alone in his faith their. He has tried to share with his wife and in-laws and they have been open to his message. They received me well while I was there. Especially his mother in law. But a month after my visit she died. I hope in God that He received her faith though she was limited in her understanding. But this event has been hard for the family to deal with. Their economic situation also has been greatly affected by the last year of bombings and terrorist attacks in Pakistan. The country is crumbling to pieces and there family business has gone with it. Because of this we are presently working on a visa for Mazhar and his family to move to Jakarta. He is a highly educated man with a masters degree in philosophy and experience teaching and working as an editor of an English newspaper. We are trusting that he will be able to find a job hear so that his family can survive the economic difficulties they are facing as well as grow in their faith through the fellowship they will benefit from here. Please pray for Mazhar and his family as they face this time of grief and also that the doors for work open up here in Jakarta.
Beyond these things the church is also making the final preparations to send out a family to north west China in late August. The church has been saving money for a year and we believe the amount we need has been provided. Now it is time for the big leap of faith, both for the family and the church as a whole. Please pray for Yopi, Ina and their three children as we make the final preparations for their move. Also pray for the church to rise up and take over all the things that this couple has been doing in the church.
We hope God is blessing all of you as he is us.
Your Pccf Missionaries to Jakarata,
Chris, Esther and the boyz!!! (+ one bun in the oven)
