So yesterday we officaly started our friendship ministry, talking to all of the vendors and their kids. It's kind of cool because the days we are here are the days that the children have off from school. Their parents make them try and sell in this time, but we have been talking with them, playing with them, and making sure they have a good break. I think this idea of really getting to know the people is a new idea for some of the other tourists.

In getting to know the people a bit, they tell oyu that they are Hindu, but I have yet to meet any devout Hindus. Some of us have had amazing oppertunities to share the gospel with these people: one girl talked with a local for about an hour about Jesus, Bronson's tatoos are always a good conversation starter scince the locals are always the first to ask what they mean, yesterday some girls got to pray for a woman who said her husband was in hospital, etc. Myelf, I have been going along with Bronson and Markus talking with the watch salesmen, with Gidi at the store we get our water from and our laundry done at, and eating dog with a tattoo artist around the corner from the hotel. I feel like we have been a positive influence in the city of Lovina and I hope that we can make a real impact tht lasts on it in the short time we are here.

Curtis

Selamat Natal! (Merry Christmas!)

Hello everybody and merry Christmas! It has bee a really great Christmas here in Indonesia. Sometimes the vendors trying to sell you stuff will accidentally say "Happy Birthday to you!" when they really mean "Merry Christmas!". We are currently taking it a bit easy until tomorrow here in the city of Lovina. We were previously in the city of Singaraja also called the "dead city" do to the lack of things to do. But it was still a lot of fun going to different villages, some in the mountains, others in the city, preaching, singing, sharing testimonies, skits, and the occasional Hula dance for the people. Often there were Hindus at these church gatherings because of there interest in Christmas. We tried our best in our skits to show that Christmas has been very westernized and that is not what it really is.

Please pray for opportunities to arise soon, as after January 5th, our trip is still a bit unknown. Please also pray for health and safety in what we do. Thank you to everyone supporting me and the group out here and please continue to pray. Thanks you and Merry Christmas!

Curtis West

A Lesson in Patience

So today I and three others learned that we won't be leaving for Bali this week, but will have to wait until next Wednesday. The Indonesian government is very last minute when it comes to information needed for getting visas. The administraters here said that they have never had a more tuff time getting visas than this time. It's kind of a pain, but at least there are others waiting with me.

On a more happy note, my parents came and visited me this past week on their 30th Anniversary holiday. It was a good time. We even visited the Set of LOST!

That's all for now<

Curtis