I didn't go on the boat to Sibolga, and neither did Thoma and Erwin. Vince left last night, along with most of the other foreigners. The Swedish and British Embassy's both sent representatives to this village by helicopter. They came in with their satelite phones and their heads up their asses. There were at the most 11 foreigners here on this island, and embassy representatives came here for us.(I was upset about this because it just confirms to the people that their lives aren't worth as much as ours for some reason. It's comforting to know that our governments are so concerned about their citizens, and it's not a bad thing for them to come looking for us. It's just a little ridiculous that it was more important to find 11 people from another country than it was to feed 3,500 people in the village. I was upset for the people there. Logistically, I'm sure the embassy people probably couldn't have done much to help them even if they wanted to. I just didn't like that we seemed to be more important than the local people we were staying with.) They took down our names and notified our embassies that we are alive and well.
Our embassies should now contact our families to let them know we're ok. The Telkom office in Teluk-Dalam is working now, so we're gonna go in to town and call our families today.
I saw the destruction in Teluk-Dalam yesterday. I can't believe it. There were some big concrete buildings that completely collapsed. I pray for the families of the people that died, and for the people that lost their homes and businesses. I pray that you would be close to them Lord. I pray that you would allow me to call my family today, and that you would allow me to get in contact with Tam.(A friend of mine at YWAM Maui, and the director of Surfers for Missions at the base there) This is a crazy time in my life, and I pray that you would use it to the fullest. I pray that you would continue to put me through the fire, continue to refine me. I pray that I would continually grow closer to you.
Amen
8:30pm
I just found out that Thoma and Erwin are translating for some French doctors in Teluk-Dalam.(They speak fluent Indonesian Bahasa) You are so awesome Lord. I left the boat to find them last night, and I didn't get on it. Apparently they made it just in time, but they didn't get on the boat either. They stayed because they were confused about where I was, and they didn't know what the heck was going on. It was quite a frustrating situation for them, but now they see that they can really help. Thank you Jesus. I pray that they would see your hand working through this situation. I love you Jesus.
I was complaining to you earlier because I was unable to make my phone calls. I didn't know what to do, or why I was still here. I was extremely frustrated. After that I came back to the village and had a nap. When I woke up I read a bit in the Bible. I read about how God used Moses to lead His people out of Egypt. I started to think about what these people could do to improve their beach community. I feel like you want to use me to get these people organized. I feel like you want them to throw out their old lives, and their old homes. And you want to use me to help them build new ones, on a strong foundation. It is a metaphor for our lives. When we build our own houses, life's earthquakes can knock them down. But when we surrender, and allow you to build our house on your foundation it is unmovable. I pray for vision. I pray for clear vision, and I pray for workers. I need construction workers. I pray that the people would listen to me, and that you would come through for them. Let's do it Father. Let's build a new Sorake on the foundation of Jesus.
Amen
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