"And thus I aspired to preach the gospel not where Christ was already named, that I might not build upon another man's foundation; but as it is written, 'They who had no news of Him shall see, and they who have not heard shall understand. " Romans 15: 20, 21
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David's Report Vol. XIII No. 12 January 11, 2004 David Buskirk Sekolah Alkitab SJK Urei Faisei Pos Waren Serui, Papua 98261 INDONESIA Dear Brethren,
Happy New Year! I pray that the Lord will shower many blessings upon you in this new year. I have had a somewhat difficult month these past few weeks.
I wrote in my last newsletter (December 18, 2003) that I had a bad cold. Well, I wasn't getting better after all as I thought I was. I was pretty sick with a cold and out of it through Christmas. Towards the last week of the year I started feeling better. I finally got over that cold; however just a few days ago I started getting a stuffy nose and coughing again with thick phlegm. I hope it isn't coming back!
As a result of my illness, I haven't been able to accomplish much this past month. Mula and Elisabeth Yusnia were out of town during Christmas and New Year's so I haven't been studying with them. Benyamin Rifu's aunt passed away in Semi after Christmas, so he was in Semi for a couple of weeks and I haven't been by to visit him. I had a couple of studies with Lince Gainau and John who live next door to me. I have continued preaching on the book of Genesis, though there was one Sunday I didn't attend worship because I was too sick to go.
These past couple of weeks I have also been busy trying to get all the administrative tasks at the school finished for the year including taking inventory of everything at the school and closing the school books for the year. I have also been straightening out all of my files and cleaning up my office. It seems that while school is in session I kind of just pile things up around the office saying I will get to it later.
The church here in Urei Faisei also got together on December 31 in the afternoon. We fixed a big meal and ate together and had a devotional. We invited many friends from the community. Nobody took a count so I don't know how many came, but there were a lot of people. There were many visitors. I preached on making a commitment to be a better Christian and to plan how we all can serve God better in 2004.
Today is Sunday and I preached from Genesis 47. There were 26 present for worship this morning for which I am grateful. It is more than usual. We had a few visitors and some other members who have been living in other places have returned.
I am planning on leaving Urei Faisei tomorrow to go to Semi. Then on Wednesday I plan to fly to Biak to process my visa renewal at immigration. Then I plan to go to visit the church in Sorong for a few days. I haven't visited them in about three years. The church in Sorong is not doing very well. Then I will go to Jayapura to visit the churches there. They continue to need follow up and strengthening. After Jayapura I plan to visit Cesar and see his work in Manokwari. Then I will return to Urei Faisei and get ready to go on furlough.
I was also very discouraged to hear that a good brother here, Seblum Salamala, passed away from kidney problems near the end of December. He was working as a teacher in Merauke, but was planning to transfer to Urei Faisei to teach here. The government had already approved his transfer. I was really hoping that he would come and help me out in the ministry here. He was a very good, close friend of mine who often gave me much encouragement whenever I saw him. He was also one ofthe few strong, mature Christians we have in the church here in Papua. He was only in his early 30s. I will miss him greatly.
Well, that's all the news for now. Please keep me in your prayers. I continue to need the strength to persevere here. May God continue to bless you.
Cesar's Report November-December 2003 Report No. 12 Cesar Basantes Manokwari, Papua INDONESIA Manokwari, Irian Jaya Papua Barat With this letter, I, Cesar Basantes give you a greeting of peace full of love, to all the brethren and all the saints in the church where you are. With joy I send you this report to the elders of the church at Meadow View. First I want you to know that I have changed residences. I decided to move to another house for different reasons. A guy who was half drunk came to my house and was making a great ruckus and hitting the door with his machete boldly coming into my office. The second thing he did was to ask me to give him three million rupiahs (about $350). He immediately grabbed my files and began searching through them all. But not finding any money, he began to threaten me with his machete and to hit me if I didn't give him money immediately. This happened on two occasions. Besides tins at the house I was at, I have to share electricity and bathroom with two other families. Another reason is that the available water is not very adequate for human consumption. Continuing, I would like to explain the matter with the Sambuaga family. I invited this family to come to Manokwari to help me in the establishment of the church of Christ in this city. However, instead of serving to help me, they have served to be a burden on my shoulders. For discretion's sake I do not wish to inform you of all of the matters with them. Actually this family has decided to move to the village of Wariori with the intention of living there permanently. Regarding my upcoming furlough, I am planning on taking my furlough in April of2004 to travel to my country and visit my family. And it is possible that I will get married at that time. Before concluding with the present, I would like to inform you about the trip I made to Semi with the purpose of discussing with Brother David Buskirk and Christian Payawa about the matter of the evangelistic campaign and seminar that will take place in Manokwari and the village of Wariori iii February 2004. I have been working to make preparations for this event. Finally, the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all in this coming new year and may each of your goals be realized according to the holy will of God the Father. Your Brother in the Lord Jesus s/Cesar Basantes This report was translated and edited by David Buskirk If you would like to receive this newsletter via e-mail, please send an e-mail to admin@meadowview.org with "Indonesian Missions" in the Subject Line. And we would be happy to forward you a copy. Thanks.
