Merry Christmas!

The Queen’s Message

Every year, the Queen of England makes a public Christmas speech to the countries of the Commonwealth. I thought I’d take after dear Elizabeth and do the same; however, mine goes out to other countries in the world and it’s not nearly as insightful. Plus, there’s no British accent.

This year marks a special Christmas, as I am in a context that is completely different than one I’ve ever been in at this time of year. I am in Indonesia without my immediate family, there’s no snow, I’m wearing “summer” clothes, the songs I sing are mostly in Indonesian and I haven’t eaten one candy cane yet! As assumed, I am missing my family a lot (when I give in to thinking about them). For the first time, we’re spread out in four different time zones around the world and are relying on Skype to see each other’s faces. It’s strange not to have them here with me and I know the others feel the same.

However, this is a positive message because I believe that Christmas is a time of hope. The meaning of Christmas, peace for all and hope is the same wherever we are in the world. As I’ve been reflecting on this, I’ve realized what makes Christmas, Christmas. I naturally associate it with those things listed above, a real Canadian/Austrian Christmas. I do enjoy listening to Michael Buble’s renditions of classic carols and picturing downtown Kamloops with falling snow and Christmas lights. But that’s not what it’s really about. How amazing is it that the almighty God came down to Earth, subjecting himself to humanity and brokenness? The Jewish people at that time were expecting a Saviour to save them from the injustice and oppression that the foreigners constantly exhibited. Jesus came to give people life, but first as a baby born in obscurity to most of the world. I can’t imagine the shock, surprise and eventual joy that people experienced in the Saviour’s coming!

But what a message of hope. And that’s what we’re waiting for now! The Lord came then to bring the Kingdom of God, the Helper (Holy Spirit) and the promise of his return. We need this message of hope just as much as the people did two thousand years ago. It seems that every year there’s more and more brokenness, injustice and oppression in this world. Christmas is a time I usually reflect on those as well. It’s happening everywhere and my heart is burdened by what humans do to each other and the earth. Let us wait in anticipation for the coming of our Lord! And while we wait, let’s be active in seeking the Lord’s will in our lives, that we can better serve him and our brothers and sisters.

I praise the Lord for the opportunity to celebrate Christmas in Indonesia, as I have experienced his goodness, his grace and his love through others here. I am blessed by my host community and the MCC family. I love being part of the global family of God that can come together in every context and share what unites us all: Jesus Christ. May you experience his hope and peace this Christmas and look ahead to the New Year with eager anticipation of what God will do in and through you.

I wish you all, my faithful supporters, a wonderful Christmas and blessed New Year. You are a wonderful gift to me and I am so thankful to have you working beside me as we all partake in God’s mission together.

Peace,

Elisabeth

Hal terbaik dalam hidup dibakar: roti bakar, ikan bakar, ayam bakar, pisang bakar, etc.

First, translation of the title: The best things in life are grilled: grilled bread (a delicious night-time snack of chocolate/jam-filled sandwiches), grilled fish, grilled chicken, grilled bananas (placing a banana on top of coals to heat it to perfection), etc. Mmm!
Second, check out the latest pictures on my web album!
https://picasaweb.google.com/101166710549137784356/LisiInIndonesia?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCIrU983np_eOqgE&feat=directlink

Another month has gone by and now I'm a third of the way through my SALT experience. Crazy! These past weeks have been full of the usual things: activities at UKDW and my church, enlightening and fun conversations and daily lessons in culture. I am clearly a student of Intercultural Studies; in my mind, the reason behind most actions is related to one's culture, their experiences and their worldview. Crazy! I really, really like what I study.

Some highlights from the last month:

• Hiking Mt. Ungaran, a 2050 metre mountain close to the village of Srumbung Gunung, where one of my fellow YALTers is positioned. I went with my youth group from GKMI, so I got to know some of these folks a little better. I also got to see this YALTer and her home, which was a wonderful surprise! The views from the ascent and summit were awesome, at night and during the day. I finally got to see a sunrise from a mountain summit. Check this off my list of things to do! What a great experience.

• Having a packed weekend in which I stayed the night at the home of my coworker's fantastic family, went on a short trip to a village nearby to do some surveying for the PPBA- the fun part being that I was with three guys that always make me laugh, and I went to the university choir's Christmas performance. I got to sit in the 2nd row, as a "special guest".
• Being a moderator for a session in an international symposium at UKDW, the theme being local service learning. If I didn't ask all the questions that I did, I wouldn't have known what to do! I was so nervous. But I sat all lady-like, spoke clearly and people seemed to appreciate my efforts. 
• Going on a small cultural bicycle tour of some temples and village areas surrounding Jogja. My YALT friend from Salatiga was visiting for the weekend and we had a great time. Free entry, freedom to clamber around 9th century structures (with care, of course) and free food? Yes please! And all before 1:00 pm. 

• An afternoon visit from another YALTer and his visiting fiancee! We're all ICS interns at CBC (she's in Thailand) so it was so nice to catch up and have a conversation in informal English. There's nothing like the feeling of being a tour guide in a country that's not my own! 
• English Camp finally happened last weekend, an overnight event to end the semester's English Club. The PPBA also held a teacher workshop and the Christmas party. It was a full schedule and quite enjoyable. The students played a lot of games and had to do 5 push ups if I caught them speaking excessive English. Three highlights from this highlight: teaching the students "Sardines", the awesome version of hide-and-seek I love; having a conversation about Indonesian vs. Western culture with the students; and teaching a session on Cross-Cultural Understanding, using the fun game "BAFA BAFA" to finalize my points. 

• Understanding more Indonesian spoken around me. I still have my days where I can't understand a word... But I am able to take more application from discussions and bible studies, which really helps the spirit! 
• Receiving mail from home! I've hung up my Christmas cards and pictures, my room is more festive now. 
• Eating dragon fruit for the first time. A red one at that. SO good! I'm a bit paranoid with tropical fruits, thanks to my mango allergy, and half expect the awful symptoms to come. It's a real blessing when they don't! 

A few "low-lights" from the past while:

• Getting sick with a bad cold - twice. I'm still recovering now! 
• Missing Canada, family and friends. 
• The injustice, violence and lack of care that is happening in our world. 

I have learned many things lately. Every day is an opportunity to experience God and serve him in a new way; it's also a new opportunity to learn about the culture around me and the culture that makes me who I am. Like I said before, I love this kind of learning, although it's not always easy. Some days the Indonesian worldview and ways are hard to handle and I really miss being surrounded by things I'm used to. I had the chance to listen to an American professor that was visiting our university last week. In her talk on cross-cultural trips she said, "When I enter a different culture, my first thought isn't always 'Diversity: I love it!' Usually it's 'Why are they doing it this way??'". I can relate to this. As long as we continue to learn, we can serve with our brothers and sisters better :)

A verse that has helped me lately, as I sometimes struggle to find purpose or find myself just "going through the motions" of life, even abroad: "Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourself fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labour in the Lord is not in vain." 1 Corinthians 15:58

Thank you all for your continued support and love. Let us all, in our various contexts, continue striving to serve one another and bring glory to our God!

Peace, 

Lisi