Field Fellowship 2013

 - originally written October 15th but didn't get posted -

We just wrapped up a couple of fun but long days here. Every year about this time we have our annual Indonesia team meetings. This is a chance for all all of my WorldVenture teammates to get together to share and debrief, as well as make plans for the upcoming year.

We started off our time with worship and prayer for several hours on Friday evening. What joy and power there is in praying together! We also had a pastor from the US (he was the pastor for 31 years at a sending church of one of our missionaries) share with us.

Saturday each missionary "unit" (mostly married couples as I am the only single on the field right now) had a chance to share about what was happening personally and in their ministry. Several of these teammates were here when I left in 2006, so I know them. It was good to get reconnected and get updated on what is happening. There is a lot of transition in our team right now! One couple has moved to a new area of Indonesia, one couple is looking at how the Lord can use them after finishing a doctoral degree and in the next 10 years before retirement, one family is transitioning back to ministry in the US, and my teammates who serve at the hospital are splitting time living on two different islands in Indonesia as they balance the needs of their family with the ministry. After each unit shared we spent time praying for them and their ministry.

We also had time to discuss team business and financial matters. For example, we have three new families from the US preparing for ministry here in Indonesia in various locations and ministries and one family on home assignment right now. Finally, we take time to play during our Family Fun night. This year our three youth planned the night, so we had games where you had to chew up but not swallow three Ritz crackers and whoever could whistle first, won. We also played a game that is variation of Telephone, except it uses alternating sentences and drawings. When you have several players from several generations and two different languages, it gets even funnier than when I have played it with my family.

All in all it was a good time and too short! Here are a few pictures...

Praying over teammates, Paul & Becky Geary

Worshipping together as a team

Game Night! They are trying to whistle with mouths full of Ritz crackers :)

Celebrating teammate, Carl Reed, finishing his doctorate