ROLE THE CREDITS!

The Indonesia team is getting on a plane tonight! We have a long journey ahead of us, but the team is excited and ready to return to the U.S. for debrief. The past four days have been full of unforgettable moments! On Monday morning, the team had to say goodbye to the staff, students, and fellow team members in Wonogiri. There were lots of tears, lots of hugs, and many heartfelt goodbyes. Although there was a significant language barrier, the team somehow formed amazing relationships with the Indonesians. It was impressive how everyone found creative ways to communicate, laugh together, and build genuine relationships despite not speaking the same language. The team had no idea what Monday had in store. They thought we were simply beginning our 12-hour bus ride to Jakarta, but they couldn't have been more wrong! After exchanging more money, we made our first surprise stop: McDonald's. I don't think I've ever seen teenagers so excited about McDonald's in my life! They were cheering and celebrating over Double Big Macs. After spending nearly three weeks eating rice for (sometimes) breakfast, lunch, and dinner (as is common here in Indonesia), it felt like a little taste of home. I do have to say, though, your teens have been incredibly adventurous eaters. They were willing to try all kinds of new and unusual foods throughout the trip, much more adventurous than I was! Little did they know, an even bigger surprise was coming. After about an hour-and-a-half drive, we arrived at our destination, parked the van, turned around to their confused faces, and said, "We're not actually going to Jakarta yet. We're staying at this resort for the next two days!" The reaction was just about what you would have expected, pretty much ecstatic! We spent two incredibly relaxing days enjoying a beautiful pool, eating lots of delicious food, taking hot showers, appreciating Western toilets, and simply enjoying fellowship with one another. After weeks of hard work, it was a wonderful opportunity to rest and recharge together. On Wednesday, we traveled back to BMW Tangerang, just outside Jakarta, where we would spend our final two days before our flight. Along the way, we had the opportunity to stop at an ancient Hindu temple that dates back to before Christ. On Thursday, we visited Mini Indonesia, which is exactly what it sounds like, a miniature representation of the many regions and cultures of Indonesia. It was a bit like an amusement park, although much quieter than we expected, with cultural exhibits, museums, and even a zoo. It ended up being much more interesting than any of us anticipated! We finished the day by sharing one final meal with the Indonesian staff. Today we'll spend a little time at the mall to do some last-minute shopping before heading to the airport Saturday afternoon. Be on the lookout for phone numbers you don't recognize, they may be your teen calling to let you know we've made it back to the United States! We'll do our best to make as many calls as possible during our layovers. However, our layovers in Los Angeles and Denver are fairly short, so if you don't hear from your teen on Saturday, you should definitely expect a call on Sunday. This summer has truly been an incredible blessing, and all of us on the leadership team feel so grateful that we had the opportunity to spend it with your teens. We've watched each of them grow in unique ways, learned so much about who they are, and, most importantly, had the privilege of seeing God work in their hearts. We are so excited for you to see how your teen has grown spiritually over the course of this summer. From all of us, thank you for entrusting your teens to us. It has been an honor to serve alongside them. While we only have one more week until the team is officially home, we still ask for your continued prayers. Our ministry isn't finished yet. There are still many opportunities between now and the end of debrief to encourage one another, share the gospel, and continue the work God has called us to do. Please pray for safe travels, good health, boldness, and that each team member would finish the summer faithfully, bringing glory to God in all they do.