After a week that felt like a year, we made it to the country that cannot be named and I am stoked.
This month we are partnered with C3 North Kuta, a really rad organization that is based out of a small village and hosts an english speaking community in some of the most touristy parts of the island.
Despite jet lag and a 13 hour time difference from home, we jumped right into things on our first day. We got the low down from Pak Will*, our host, and learned that we were going to be doing an “active English” class that night. The thing I can best equate it with is a wyldlife//younglife campaigners group.
Let me just say, it was rad. We played games and talked about the creation story. But the best was yet to come.
One of the girls, Jane*, began asking about the bible. She asked when we got our Bibles, where we got them from, and why we read them. All questions that my team and I were literally overjoyed to answer.
You see, 90% of the people on this island actively practice hinduism and these friends are asking questions about the Bible. What in the world. The Lord is doing good, good things here.
The night had only begun.
The girls were stoked to meet us. After class, we all exchanged phone numbers and instagrams, and the girls asked if we could come hang out with them at Jane’s villa. We told them we would check our schedules and let them know.
Jane lives right next door to the office where we were, and they invited us to come over and hear the music that they were preparing for the hindu ceremony they would be attending the next day. We agreed and walked over.
We were greeted with handshakes and hellos and huge smiles. We were welcomed in. It felt really homey.
And then we met Pak John*, Jane’s father. Immediately, he offered for us to stay at the villa that night. We were reluctant, but agreed to go check it out and decide once we got there.
The villa is an actual dream.
Pak John* gave us a tour of the place. He was so happy to show off his place. He asked us if we wanted to stay the night, and then quickly changed his mind and asked us if we wanted to stay here for the next three weeks.
But this is more than just a story about how we got offered a new home for the month. It’s a story of favor and open doors.
Pak John’s* open home is an invitation for us to show him love. To tell him about the greatest love story of all time. To teach him how to get rid of his ‘bad karma’, forever. How to bridge the gap. To be the hands and feet.
The Lord showed us favor when we least expected it, not because we deserve it, not because he wanted us to have a nice home, but because through his favor, we get to glorify Him. We get to make His name known to the nations, and that is a rad thing.
This month is going to be full of stories about how Abba is moving in this country as we get to tell the greatest love story of all time, and I can’t wait for y’all to read them. Pray for this nation. Pray for its people. Pray for our hearts, that the Lord would protect us and Holy Spirit would be evident alongside us.
Abba is good. He favors us so much. I am thankful.
So much love,
Car
*names have been changed to keep these friends safe
