We passed through Bulgaria and arrived in Turkey. From Turkey we flew to Indonesia. Indonesia wasn’t originally on our route, but for logistical purposes it was added, and off to Indonesia we went. I had no clue what the month was going to look like, but I did know that the logistics of the month would be taken care of by our team leaders so I sat back, relaxed and enjoyed the ride.
We arrived in Indonesia after two of the best flights I had ever been on. Shout out Fly Emirates, hopefully our flight paths cross again. We were now starting our Asia tour and it was a lot different than Eastern Europe. We drove about three hours outside of Jakarta to the outskirts of Bogor.
For the next three weeks we lived in a refugee community and it was amazing. We stayed in a rundown villa. In its heyday I’m sure it would have been something, but its more modest estate treated us just as well. The girls enjoyed the pleasure of rooming with some rodents and some fun bugs. We were introduced to bucket showers and hand washing laundry came back into the equation and looking back at it, it was a blast.
The community we stayed in is a very special place and is near to my heart. I often think back to those days and remember the smiles, laughter and soccer we shared throughout those weeks. During our time there we worked at Hope Learning Center and Refugee Learning Nest. We helped teach English, Math, Science, Art and a couple other classes. After school was done for the day, we spent a lot of time getting to know those in the community and playing with the youth and for me it meant, endless soccer. These kids never stopped. I played so much soccer, I’ve had to take the next couple months off to recover.
The community we were staying in was made up of refugees from the middle east and Africa. They fled their home country due to religious persecution and dangerous living conditions. Many of the refugees from the middle east fled because of the Taliban and the violence that was occurring in their country. They had to leave their homes, schools and lives behind when they fled. Once they arrived to a country that would accept them, the wait begins. They have to wait for a country that is open to refugees to accept them. This process can take years, 5 to 10 to 20 years. During this wait, they aren’t permitted to work in the country they are living in and they cannot go to the country’s schools. This process is extremely difficult for them, because they have to put their life on hold. They have to manage the money they had from their previous jobs or money their families send them to make ends meet. The hard truth is for some the money runs out and they have to live on the streets. The two schools that we worked at are taught by refugees and volunteers who come through. These schools bring hope and allow the students to continue learning.
My favorite part of our time there was the relationships that were made. Our second night Christazia threw my soccer ball in the pool. We got it out and I left it outside to dry off and that got the ball rolling. The kids seeing a ball outside came over and started playing. A couple of us came out and started kicking it around with them. From then on, the kids would come over everyday and play soccer, cards or to hang out.
I spent the majority of my afternoons with the middle school and high school age guys playing soccer. We played on a concrete volleyball court and used shoes for goals. They were insanely good. What blew my mind was some started playing when they arrived in Indonesia. Some of the best kids had only been playing for a couple years and they were out there making me look like a fool. Somewhere along the line they mastered the art of playing soccer in flip flops. If you’ve never done it, give it a whirl. Its different. They were running circles around me in flip flops. Others played barefoot and I took that route, it was a lot easier than trying to run around in flip flops.
My favorite part about playing with my new friends was the joy they had while they played. Many of them mentioned to me the reason they loved soccer so much was because when they play, they can forget all the worries and problems and enjoy the game with those they are playing with. A couple of ways they enjoyed the game were with megs and making each other look silly. The laugher, smiles and joy they would get from schooling each other and myself was so refreshing. I couldn’t help but laugh after they would get me good.
Before the race I had a very narrow minded view on the refugee crisis and refugees especially those from the middle east. When I was in the states and heard about refugees coming to America, I didn’t think it was safe or wise due to what I’ve heard on the news about those from the middle east. I stereotyped them into all being bad and dangerous. Now after my time with them, I saw how wrong I was to think that. I love these people and my narrow mindset has been broadened and there is now love and compassion toward them. My heart breaking for the refugees is evidence of Jesus, I experienced how His love can change people, especially me.
The generosity of the refugees blew me away. They gave so much and their hospitality was incredible despite not having a lot. One night we were sitting around the table playing Uno with some of the neighborhood kids. There was a young girl around 4 to 5 years old, she was notoriously known for biting people. And she ran around in a Luis Saurez jersey and soccer fans, the irony is pretty funny. Anyway, for this blog we’ll call her Lui. As we’re playing Uno, Lui climbed up on my lap, then to my shoulders at sat there. Being a human jungle gym for the kids was part of our ministry during our time there. She then told me she wanted to go home. I thought to myself, good for you, climb on down, head home and see you tomorrow. But I realized that she wouldn’t be getting down and she wanted me to drop her off. I walked a couple houses over to her home. She got down and went inside. Her father saw me and invited me in. I sat down next to his friend and he offered me some tea and cookies and candies they were snacking on. I said heck yes and dove in. We spent the next hours talking about ourselves and getting to know each other. There was a little language barrier, but thankfully some of my soccer friends happened to be Lui’s older brothers so they helped translate and keep the conversation going. It was cool seeing God open doors through the relationships we built with the kids.
Later on during our time there it was Lui’s birthday. We were in town for the day, but on the way home we stopped at the store to get her some gifts. My idea of gifts were sweets and snacks so thats what I went with. The next time we saw her, we gave her the gifts and she was very happy. I had gone back into the house for lunch after giving her the gifts. About ten minutes later, Lui walks into the house and grabs my hand and takes me to her house. Her mother offered me a bounty of food. Leaving her house I was stuffed, but during the time with them, Jordan and I talked to the family and enjoyed each other’s company. I was so honored being invited into their home and was blown away by their generosity.
As I lived with the refugees so much of me wanted to fix all of their problems for them. I wanted to google what the refugee crisis was and how I could help, but we didn’t have WiFi for most of the time so that was not an option. It was a little frustrating and sad because only after a couple days I had grown to love these people. We ate together, danced together, played soccer together, laughed together. My heart and perspective toward the refugee crisis and situation had changed completely. Not being able to become knowledgeable about the crisis at that moment or solve their problems was a difficult thing to walk through. But what God was doing in this time was reminding me to love them and entrust them to Him. He does love them more than I do. I wanted to be God for them, I wanted to solve everything for them, but He gently reminded me that He’s got it under control and continue loving them. I learned to trust Jesus with them and their lives.
It was hard hearing my friend’s stories and how stuck they felt. There was a moment of a celebration when one of the HCL staff told me he was going to Australia in less than a week. I was so happy and excited for him. Five years away from his family and living in a foreign land, he was finally off to a new start. I pray more and more of my friends get the green light and continue to a new life in the Lord’s timing.
Having so much ministry going on was great, and I also learned the importance of taking time to be still with the Lord. By constantly pouring yourself out to others you eventually become empty. I didn’t want to be pouring out emptiness, so I would take some time to be with the Lord. I was able to have quiet time and reenergize by taking intentional time to unwind and relax in the Lord’s presence. I took time to read, pray and worship. It was sometimes hard taking that time and I almost felt selfish in doing so, but I knew that I can’t just keep going and going without being poured into. At some point I needed to stop and spend that time with God.
During these times I read a new book called Everybody, Always by Bob Goff. Its a great read and I would recommend it to everybody. I’d probably plagiarize half of it in this blog if I had it in front of me. The biggest take away from the book for me was the title. Two simple words, but a very big challenge. We’re called to love everybody, always. For me thats a challenge. There are times when I have bad days and nobody is feeling the love. Or there are those people who are hard to love, and instead of loving them, I treat them with respect but keep them at a distance. Its been interesting trying to walk through life with that mindset of loving everybody, always. Bob says it better than me, thats why He’s the writer… “One thing has remained the same. Every time I wonder who I should love and for how long I should love them, God continues to whisper to me: Everybody, always.”
The day we left to return to Jakarta was very sad. I said good bye to the after school soccer crew and the friends we made. When I said goodbye to Lui’s family, I thanked for everything and prayed for them. The goodbyes were sad, but I left with hope for their lives. I look forward to returning and continuing the relationships one day.
Hope Learning Center signing day…
Some members of the after school soccer association…
After school soccer…
Last one, best one…
