Adapting to the Virtual World

When the pandemic struck nearly a year ago, my role in ministry was focused on encouraging media teams through a workshop experience in a single location. Much of that has now changed. Virtually (literally), workshops today are being held online with participants coming from any corner of the globe. As long as there is internet access, a common language, and reasonable time zone differences, learning can occur.

Exploring Media Strategy for today’s virtual environments

Such is the case for me during the month of February. The past few months have been spent transforming the Content in Context workshop to a virtual environment. This required much learning (and I’m still not done yet). Now I’ve reached the point where the first Media Strategy Workshop will be conducted with selected ministry teams interested in incorporating media into their strategies. The workshop consists of 8 modules, 2 a week over one month. Pray for an uninterrupted experience for the teams that join so they can focus on the workshop itself.

Working virtually has become the norm for us these past months. It has become clear that as my ministry expands to many different parts of the world, my location becomes less of an issue. This expanded role no longer fits the visa requirements here in our current country of residence. As a result, Barb and I have made the decision to return to our home country. I will be continuing my ministry in developing media teams from this new location. We anticipate arriving back in April 2021.

The gospel understood in the human story

Over the past few months, I’ve continued to compose songs that help communicate the gospel. There is now a four-song suite introducing the Gospel Story available for listening on SoundCloud. The lyrics to the songs are also available in PDF format here. It is my prayer these will give listeners a deeper appreciation of the gospel.

More Transitions

There have been a number of changes to our ministry situation here in Indonesia over the past several months. These changes have required some adjustments on our part such as learning how to adapt to the new normal of ministry interactions online. Zoom meetings, Skype calls, and other video conferencing have become increasingly common for us.

Working from home in
a stand-up office environment

As a result of the ongoing efforts here in Indonesia to get the COVID virus under control, we have found it more prudent to work from our home rather than going to the office. After a few months of commuting from the breakfast table to my computer, I realized it was time for a different arrangement. So rather than sitting at my desk all day and engaging in online conversations, I switched over to a standing desk approach. I used some existing furniture at home to create my stand-up environment. The arrangement can quickly be converted back to a seated desk. This works well when Barb and I are doing online meetings together.

Working from home was further confirmed by ministry developments across FEBC. The ongoing travel limitations highlighted the need for FEBC members to rely on local staff for ministry expertise. So I was encouraged by FEBC to explore media opportunities with other ministries, of which there were several. With the onset of the pandemic, more ministries are turning to media in digital environments as a means of reaching those exploring answers to life’s questions.

One such ministry, Operation Mobilization (OM), is developing media resources and services to support their ministry teams working among many of the least reached people groups around the world. Following a series of contacts with the director of this initiative, I’ve been loaned from FEBC to serve as media strategist, consulting and equipping ministry teams to apply media to their ministry strategies. Already I’ve been interacting with several interested teams.

The Content in Context workshop that I developed fits right into my new role with OM. However, there are significant adjustments to be made. In the past, the workshop has been conducted in specific locations where teams can gather together. The lack of travel and restrictions on gatherings due to the pandemic further illustrates the need for this workshop to be available online. So my first major focus over the past few months has been shifting the concepts and applications of the workshop into a module based format for teams to access virtually and at their own pace. This requires adapting to available platforms and modifying team activities to accommodate this. I would appreciate ongoing prayer for wisdom and focus to enable the workshop to deliver its objectives in today’s virtual environments.

I suspect the transitions are not yet over. We’d appreciate ongoing prayer for wisdom as we discern the Lord’s direction in light of the many adjustments to the pandemic.

Life in Jakarta with CoVID-19

Instructions for preventing CoVID-19

Life in Jakarta continues to be affected by Covid19 restrictions.  Educating the public includes signs encouraging us to wear a mask, wash our hands and keep our distance from other people.  After nearly two months of the “stay at home order”, only grocery stores, drug stores, gas stations, and restaurants (take away or delivery only) remain open for business.  A few small shops have opened up recently, but life is still fairly quiet.  We continue to work from home, do church and Bible studies via Zoom, and exercise in the neighborhood instead of the gym.  We are both patiently waiting for the hair salons to open. 🙂

Social distancing during Friday devotions

Even though much of life is on hold, ministry still continues.  The staff at FEBC Indonesia are working from the office, and holding devotions every Friday morning.  The devotion time is broadcast live on YouTube so the FEBC staff in the provincial stations can also participate.  Care is being taken to social distance and wear face masks.

Just before the stay at home order, Barb talked to a couple of friends from church to see if they would be interested in getting together once a week for a Bible study.  She switched to a Zoom format that helped them continue to meet each week to study God’s word together.   The first study on prayer was very timely as they learned to cope with the uncertainties of Covid-19 and it’s impact on life.  Now they are studying Ephesians—looking at a believer’s identity in Christ and how that enables us to live out our lives in a manner worthy of our calling.  They have been so encouraged to meet up each week- even if it is via Zoom.

Please pray for the FEBC Indonesia staff who are faithfully broadcasting God’s word during these uncertain times.  We are thankful that many people are listening and responding to the broadcasts.  And pray for the women in Barb’s Bible study, that they will experience a closer walk with Jesus.

Stepping Out

Barb and I have now returned to Indonesia and are settling back into our ministry roles. The flight back from the US was uneventful as Barb handled the return very well. Her mobility during flights was not an issue as she was able to get up and move around on a regular basis. While she used a wheel chair to get around the airports, she had no difficulty with her hip and could walk around with very little assistance.

Live in Heartline Studio during Coffee Morning

Once we landed in Jakarta, it was time to pick up ministry where we left off. In addition to sharing with the staff upon our return, I was invited to join our local morning talk show to share some music as part of the program. There were some lively conversations among the guests that day as they explored how to live harmoniously in today’s environment.

I also returned to my role of ministry in our local church in Jakarta. Recently I was invited to join the church leadership team with an emphasis in worship and the performing arts. I’m inviting members of our congregation who have an interest in these areas to consider being involved in our “Worship Community”. Together, we’ll explore how to use the arts to encourage conversations and build relationships among our members and their networks where the gospel can be discussed. Our first event will be a series of Christmas encounters in which we use music and the spoken word to introduce the essence and relevance of that first Christmas. These encounters will be held in homes and other neutral venues in the vicinity. Our members will be encouraged to invite their friends to an enriching evening of  music and conversation. Please be praying for church members to catch the vision and for those who will be invited, that they will explore with us the significance of that first Christmas.

Planning is also underway for two Content in Context workshops to be conducted here in Indonesia in the next couple of months. It will start with an introduction to the workshop for the station managers of the Heartline network followed by the two workshops at locations outside of Jakarta. More updates on these as the planning progresses.

Restoring Mobility

Barb and I made a medical trip back to the US earlier this month. We are currently in California awaiting a procedure for Barb. She’s been suffering for several months with pain in her right hip. We thought upon returning to Indonesia last January, she would be able to manage the arthritis, but that did not turn out to be the case.

Barb enjoying our visit to an authentic Thai coffee shop

So after my trip to Singapore for a broadcast and media conference, it was time for us to come back for her hip replacement surgery. We have seen a doctor and scheduled the procedure for July 18. Please be in prayer for Barb’s surgery and her ongoing recovery. There will be several weeks of exercises and careful maneuvering while the new hip joint gets settled and she heals from the procedure.

With a successful procedure, we anticipate she will be more mobile than over the past few months. We were grateful she was able to travel with me earlier last month but it’s been increasingly apparent that we needed to take some time to have this problem addressed.

Thanks so much for the many who have been praying on her behalf for her surgery and recovery. We appreciate them and your messages of care and concern.

US Re-entry Whirlwind

Even though we returned to the US in the third week of September, there’s not been much time to slow down. Following our arrival and brief time in California, our next stop was Colorado. I was invited to join fellow FEBC colleague, Guy West, at his church’s men’s retreat. We enjoyed the beauty of the Colorado Rockies while meeting new friends, members of Guy’s church family. The view of Pike’s Peak did not disappoint.

Fall colors at a MN rest area

After that brief 4 day visit, we quickly found ourselves in the upper Midwest of the US. It was an enjoyable time meeting friends over the past few weeks. We met several of our supporters and churches near our home area in west-central Minnesota as well as in North Dakota. We were able to get a glimpse of the fall colors as the trees in the region dropped their leaves in preparation for winter. We were even able to squeeze in a few days along the north shore of Lake Superior with some close friends and former colleagues in ministry.

Our visit to North Dakota included an extended time with my family who still live in the state. We were glad to be there for a few days as we worked through a variety of issues that needed attention. While our visit perhaps raised more questions than answers, we have a better idea of my family’s circumstances. We will appreciate prayer for my mom and brother as we work through the adjustments that are taking place.

Our next month looks to be filled with a variety of experiences while traveling through the central US visiting churches and supporters along the way. Our current schedule includes:

• Oct. 29 – Immanuel Lutheran Church, Springfield, MO
• Nov. 5 – St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Napoleon, OH
• Nov. 11-12 – Autumn Ridge Church, Rochester, MN
• Nov. 19 – Crossroads Church, Fergus Falls, MN

For those of you who may be nearby one of these locations and would like further details, please contact me via this blog. If you wonder if we could be passing near your place, please let us know. We’ll see if even meeting for a coffee somewhere might work out.

Discovering Truth in God’s Word

Barb is enthusiastic about helping others study the word of God. I’ll let her tell you about what’s happening:

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“Why are you here studying the Gospel of John?”  “What do you hope to learn this year?”  These were some of the questions discussed at the first Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) class a few weeks ago.  Last year was my (Barb) first experience with BSF, when we studied the book of Revelation.  This year, I was asked to be a group discussion leader.  I am thrilled to be able to serve God in this way – to encourage other women to study God’s word inductively.

Barb encouraging a number of women as they study the gospel of John

Each week we each do individual study in the Gospel of John, then gather together as a group to discuss the things God is teaching us through His Word.  After the discussion, all six groups gather together to listen to our teaching leader, Viska, share from God’s Word.  Throughout the week, I pray for the women in my group and contact each one to encourage them in their spiritual walk.

What a blessing it is to get to know these women!  And what a blessing to study afresh the life of Jesus Christ as told by the apostle John.   God has revealed Himself to us through His Son Jesus Christ.  At times, the world that we live in can appear quite dark and oppressive.  When we see the crime, terrorism, and social changes around us, we may wonder what the future holds for us and our children.

John 1:4-5 reminds us, “In Him (Jesus) was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.  The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” 

The life we have in Christ brings light to our individual lives, to our families, and to our world.  His light is continually shining.  The darkness around us will never overcome the Light.  God calls all followers of Jesus to shine His light to the world around us.

As you pray, please consider these:

• Pray for me as I lead the BSF discussion group. May each woman grow closer to Jesus as we learn from Him.
• Pray for Nathan as he continues to look for a full-time job in Orlando, FL.
• Pray for us as we make preparations to host our International Service Team mid-year retreat here in Jakarta Nov 7-11.

Renewing FEBC Connections

January 2015 marked some new beginnings in our family and ministry. The beginning of that month found us in Texas for the wedding of our daughter, Emily to her new husband, Alex Yamamoto. The day after the wedding also ushered in the next chapter of ministry for Barb and me. I began my new role with FEBC as Project Management Team Leader for the International Service Team (IST). We quickly ramped up our involvement in preparation for FEBC’s annual International Council Conference that was held in Bangkok, Thailand, at the beginning of February.

At FEBC Indonesia, Jimri (l.) will become the next director following Pak Samuel’s (r.) retirement in 2016

As Barb and I boarded the plane from Minnesota to join the conference, we were looking forward to meeting so many of our FEBC friends and colleagues who are still ministering in Asia. Although we arrived at the hotel in Bangkok 18 hours later than planned, we were just in time to prepare for the events of the week. In addition to leading worship for the delegates, I was invited to present the process of project management as applied within the FEBC family. We were warmly greeted by many friends and colleagues we had met over the years during our earlier time in Asia. We also met some new leaders who will be instrumental in guiding FEBC through the coming years.

Following the leadership conference, the members of the IST met to discuss our plans and roles in the months ahead. With the dispersed nature of the team, living in a variety of Asian countries, Europe and the US, it was important to discuss how we work more effectively together. Barb’s role was clarified further during our discussions. She will be joining the Admin Team of the IST part-time, that helps manage the internal business and communications process for the team as a whole. Upon our return, she was appointed as its Team Leader while working closely with me to monitor and document projects throughout FEBC.

Guy West (l.) with the new 10 kW transmitter for Family FM

From Bangkok, Barb and I accompanied several members of the team to Phnom Penh, Cambodia where a major project had just been completed. The local station in the capital city, Family FM, was upgraded with a new 10 kW transmitter further extending its broadcasts. This is FEBCambodia’s first and, at present, only station in the country. While we were there, the transmitter completed its test broadcasts and began regular operation at full power. Already, the station is receiving reports from listeners of a clear signal more than 200 km (125 miles) from the capital.

There is still more development work to be done in Phnom Penh. The country continues its growth following its recovery from the difficult years of the 1970’s. FEBCambodia needs to take steps now to prepare itself for even greater ministry opportunities as today’s technology opens doors through social networking and internet broadcasting. The next project will involve a complete remodeling of their existing office facility to better engage with listeners and provide an efficient working environment for the staff. I will be involved in this project as the Project Director, working closely with National Director, Sopheary Hem, to ensure the rennovated building will meet the needs of future ministry.

A memorial housing the remains of many Cambodians executed under the Pol Pot regime

Part of our time in Cambodia was spent learning more about the country’s recent history and struggles. We were introduced afresh to those difficult years of 1975-1979 when the Khmer-Rouge attempted to set up a totalitarian regime. Fortunately those days are long gone, but the impact of that experiment still lingers today. We were both moved by the atrocities when we visited one of the “killing fields” where thousands of Cambodians lost their lives, executed during a time of purging under that regime.

For now, Barb and I have returned to Minnesota. Unfortunately, at the time of our visit to Asia in February, our visas to live in Jakarta, Indonesia had not yet been approved. We still await that approval before we can make further plans to relocate. Please join with us and pray for that process so that we can make this ministry move. In the meantime, I am fulfilling my projects role from the US. This is not ideal, as travel is difficult and costly. The time zone difference means sometimes working in the evening when our colleagues in Asia are beginning their work day.

Our financial support situation has improved since returning to the US. However, we are still lacking regular monthly supporters to cover our salary and other employment costs. Please continue to pray for us as we trust the Lord to meet our financial needs fully so that when we return to Asia we can keep our focus on supporting our Asian ministry teams. Your partnership with us has great potential to impact listeners across Asia with the gospel in the years ahead. If you would like to support us monthly, you can do so online at FEBC’s web site.

A Ministry Summary

One of the challenges we often face is finding concise ways of describing our media ministry to friends and partners. It’s often repeated throughout our travels, but it is very helpful to have a short explanation of what our ministry will be when we return to Asia in early 2015. The following video will give you an overall picture of what our new role in ministry will be.

If you would like further information or have any specific questions after viewing the video, please comment below. I’ll be happy to respond here or privately, if need be.

Thanks so much for your interest in our ministry as we return to Asia.

Farewell Africa

Over the past few months, our ministry situation in Africa has grown increasingly unsettled. Something in our spirits was telling us there was another change coming our way. TWR was encountering change in the way it would be handling its ministry in Africa. The vast majority of these changes would not require my involvement any longer. At the same time this was happening, some significant changes were also taking place in FEBC. One result from these changes is a request that I join FEBC’s Internatlonal Service Team and consider returning to Asia, where our ministry got started more than 25 years ago. While we aren’t quite sure where our next home will be yet, we do know that the time has come for us to say farewell to our time in Africa. 

As I reflect back over the 7.5 years we’ve spent on this rapidly changing continent, it’s become apparent how God has been shaping and molding us. We’ve learned a number of important lessons about shifting cultures around the world – how change, often considered universal, impacts culture uniquely in many different ways. I have noticed here some similiarites in the approach to relationships in Africa when compared to Asia, but, by and large, there are some stunning and significant differences as well. All of these things have served to shape us and help us become more aware of the people who are impacted by our ministry. 

A spotted hyena greeted us on our final visit to Kruger National Park

Africa, with its wide open savannahs and more temperate climate, brought us many new experiences we never would have encountered in Asia. We’ve learned to appreciate the fine art of the “African Safari”, getting up close and personal with Africa’s unique wildlife in their habitat. We have greatly enjoyed the visits to Kruger National Park to explore the drama and reality of uniquely African species surviving in their own environment. We’ve also adapted to the South African version of the barbeque, called a braai, which has its own unique traditions when it comes to cooking and preparing meat. There were aspects of our life in Asia we missed when we came to Africa. Now as we depart, there will be other aspects of African life that we will also miss. 

Special friends we’ve made in Africa. So glad we could share together before we leave.

Amid all of the details of relocating, perhaps the most difficult part of the process is the loss we feel in the many different and close relationships we’ve developed during our time in Africa. We will take so many people with us in our hearts as we leave at the beginning of September. Whether they be the people with whom we have worked every day at Feba Radio or TWR, our church fellowships, members of the various Bible studies Barb has led, or the musicians and artists with whome I’ve been privileged to collaborate, we take with us a host of memories and valued relationships just as we have done from the US and the Philippines. While it is painful that these relationships have to change, they will endure in our hearts. We will treasure the memories and remember them in prayer as the Lord brings each to mind. I’m grateful for Facebook and other platforms that keep us informed about one anothers’ lives.

So we are in the final weeks of packing up our home and preparing for our move back to Asia via the US. We will leave South Africa for the final time in early September, right around Labor Day back home. There are still several uncertainties to sort out before we settle in our new home sometime around the March 2015 timeframe. In the meantime, we’ll be back in the US, meeting up with many of our good friends based in the upper Midwest and elsewhere. A part of that visit will include our daughter Emily’s wedding. Please pray for us as we travel back through Indonesia and seek God’s direction concerning whether we should relocate to Jakarta following our home assignment. More details on all of that once we get back to the US.