76 hours later… WE MADE IT!!!

Settle in, and settle down—this is going to be a long one. On Monday, June 29th, the Indonesia team got on a bus in Merritt Island, Florida, knowing that our travel would be a long haul. However, knowing and living... are very different. Our first flight departed Orlando Airport at 12:40 p.m. From there we went to Chicago O'Hare Airport, where we stayed for about three hours. From Chicago, we flew to LAX, where we needed to get all 25 bags and walk them all the way to the other end of the airport to recheck them. From there, our team had their last meal on American soil, provided by one of our team members' families, which we were all very grateful for! At 11:40 p.m., our long-haul flight left LAX to head to Seoul, where our team spent a long 11-hour layover. However, for just $7, you can take a shower in your own private bathroom, complete with shampoo, conditioner, body wash, a toothbrush, and toothpaste. That right there is a steal! We all indulged in this luxurious experience thanks to one of our leaders' families. Thank you! From Seoul, we finally arrived in Indonesia with all 10 team members, all 5 leaders... but only 23 bags. Praise the Lord, neither of the missing bags contained anyone's personal luggage. Our travel did not end there. From the airport, we drove to BMW Tangerang, where we were served dinner and got to (finally, after many hours) sleep horizontally! In the morning, after breakfast, we loaded onto a bus and began a 12-hour journey to BMW Wonogiri. The Lord blessed us with a very uneventful road trip, where we got to experience CFC (California Fried Chicken)—the knockoff KFC. After lunch, we were back on the road. Most of us slept the entire drive, which was probably a very unwise decision. However, jet lag won the battle. Seventy-six hours later, around 10:00 p.m. on July 2nd, we finally made it to BMW Wonogiri. We were welcomed with tribal dances and ceremonial Papuan greetings. It was really cool... but also kind of scary because they came up and screamed in our faces while holding spears! It was, however, an amazing cultural experience. Afterwards, we had dinner and finally got to settle into bed. Friday, July 3rd, was a relaxing day where the team got to catch up on laundry and finally take a bath. Originally, we thought we would have showers. However, we were wrong—bucket baths all summer long! Your team members will come home with a new appreciation for running water and a Western toilet. On the Fourth of July, we didn't do too much celebrating. However, here in Indonesia there are two Teen Missions teams on the property. In the morning, we woke up bright and early and ran the Wonogiri OC with the national team, which was a really enjoyable experience. Mr. Will taught some of the team members how to slaughter a chicken. Helen M. was very interested in the whole process, and Julia H. took a video of the entire thing. Personally, I didn't really want to witness it, but they were rather jazzed about it! For dinner, we used that same chicken to make chicken and dumplings, and it was delicious! The day ended with a collaborative devotion time between our team and the national team. Ruby R. led devotions and did an excellent job. Sunday morning, we woke up at 6:00 a.m., had a quick breakfast, and headed to church, which was a two-hour drive away. The team was able to give a presentation in front of the entire congregation, which was very exciting, and Mr. Will shared a message on the Prodigal Son. Afterwards, we visited the palace of the Indonesian royal family and got to learn a little bit about Indonesian history. Starting tomorrow, we will begin our project, and the team is very eager to get to work. We love you, and we miss you all! Until next time.

“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases his mercies never come to an end. They are new every morning grade is your faithfulness“ lamentations 3:22-23. During this time with TMI, I’ve experienced the love of God. Throughout my walk as a Christian, this is something I often struggled with in times of pain and trials, I was filled with doubt and loneliness. I realize that in times of suffering, I discredited God. “His love, never ceases” he has been there in the lowest of valleys and in the highest of mountains, no matter how much I mess up and betrayed him. Nothing can separate me from his love and mercy. This is my God. Cohen K.