Andrea - (2007-08-14)

Another update from Andrea:

Hi friends and family..
It has already been 2 weeks since I've been away. I apologize if I am slow to replying because I only check my email about once a week. Anyways, I just got back to Berastagi from Rantauprapat. Another city in Indonesia thats about 7 hours away by train. I went with Ps.Ezra and his family. Him and his wife were invited to speak at a church over there. Anyways, the 7 hours journey was not so bad, but even though we sat 1st class, but the a/c barely kept us cool and the pillows that were provided are definitely questionable. Anyways, I love the pastor and his family in Rantauprapat. Although they're Indonesian born Chinese, but they were educated in Canada, so I"m glad I could finally hear some good English. I shared my testimony in the youth and chinese service and taught some English in a local school. Oh, and I got a love offering from them! I seriously didn't expect them to give me any money, but I thank God for it! The principal of the school even invited me to go back and teach whenever I'm bored of Berastagi. How sweet. Oh, the weather in Rantau is VERY humid. Also, the air pollution is pretty bad. If not for the weather, I would totally visit Rantau again. On Monday, Ps. Janice was supposed to preach in the women's service. The invitation is open to all women from the neighborhood churches. Her topic was "Women, God's secret weapon". Strangely on Monday, I woke up with a bad ache in my left arm. I couldn't bend my arm without feeling any pain. I had to keep my arm up at an angle, because it hurts to put my arm straight down. It was hard to shower, change etc. Ps. Janice thought it might be a spiritual attack so she prayed for me and anoint my arm with oil. On that night, the women's meeting was powerful. Everyone there were hugging one another, praying and crying. Alot of them came up to Pastor Janice and said how blessed they were from her sermon. At night, we prayed again for my arm. The next morning, the pain was about 90% gone. And by evening, my arm was completely healed. Praise God.
After another 7 hours in the train, we arrived in Medan at 3pm Tuesday afternoon. We left for Berastagi after dinner. In the middle of the journey, 3 trucks broke down in the middle and since there's only 1 lane to go up and 1 lane to go down, we were stuck for about 1 1/2 hours. We were soo tired and all we wanted was to be able to go home and sleep, but we didn't reach home till 11.30pm. The journey from Medan to Berastagi usually takes around 1 1/2 hours, but yesterday it took 4. But its good to back home, I miss the nice weather.
The kindergarten is good, except we're having a hard time controlling the boys. We're currently practicing for a little performance this Sunday, hope they kids stay in control. This Friday is Indonesia's Independence day, and the Chinese cell group will be going for a picnic at some beach, but I think I"m gonna stay home with the girls, go watch the school's marching band, picnic and games. This Saturday is also the Youth fun night, so i'm excited. Because I need to apply for a visa to stay for 5 months in Indonesia, I need to leave the country for 1-2 days at the end of the month, so please pray that everything will be alright.
Anyways, thanks for all the love and prayers. I miss you all.
Love, Andrea p.s: sorry for the rushed letter and unchecked English. =)