Dear Co-laborers,
November 2009
"My help cometh from the Lord," is the theme for the
month at Shalom
Independent Baptist Church. As I read the theme verses from Psalms
121:1, 2
on November 1, little did I know how much those verses would mean to me 42
hours later. At 11:30 p.m. on Monday night, November 2, power went
off all
over the city of Jakarta and most of the surrounding areas. The
monsoon
season was just beginning but it was still very hot. I didn't think
I would
be able to sleep, but eventually I did. At 3:00 a.m. my neighbors
banged on
the gate and rang the doorbell to let me now that there was a fire several
doors up from my house. Houses in Jakarta are built with adjoining
sidewalls to conserve on space. If a house catches on fire, the fire
can
easily spread to a whole row of houses. Without any electricity it
was hard
to see to get dressed. The flashlight I was using fell onto the
floor and
rolled under the bed. Not knowing how much time I had, I hurriedly
grabbed
my purse and the laptop computer then ran out the door along with the two
Indonesian girls who live with me. Lestaria, was still in her
nightgown but
she managed to bring her wedding dress and the Sunday School offering.
She
is planning to marry one of our graduates on January 9, 2010. Both
Parni
and Lestaria helped me get to the car and get it moved down the street far
from the fire.
Then on the side of the street in the wee hours of the morning, the three
of
us formed a huddle and lifted up our voices to the Lord from whence cometh
our help. After we prayed, I remembered all the Vacation Bible
School
materials we had been working on for the past few months. Since the
fire hadn't spread any further, I ran back into my house to rescue the
flash
drive which contained all the VBS materials. Then we stood on the
side of
the road, waited, and prayed. It was a very frightening experience
to see a
fire so close and not know whether it would spread or not. The
flames,
which reached at least 10 feet above the house where the fire started,
completely consumed it. Thankfully, after almost one hour, the fire
department finally was able to put out the blaze so that it did not spread
to any other houses.
Although we were totally exhausted as we returned to the house, we
rejoiced
in God's help and protection. In spite of all the smoke there was no
damage
whatsoever to my house. Praise the Lord! We are celebrating
Thanksgiving a
little early this month! I am also grateful for your continued
prayers for
my safety and the ministry here. God heard and answered your
prayers. Thank
you also for your faithful financial support that allows us to train
pastors
and Sunday School teachers and to provide teaching materials for them to
use
in their ministries throughout Indonesia. May each of you have a
very Happy
Thanksgiving.
His for Indonesia,
Karen L. Werth
