Tidak Abapba
That's indo for "no worries." Well, rumor has it that there has been news spreading around the OC about whats been happening over here. Myself and the other girls here have received a few emails from friends back home making sure our passports arent stolen and were not facing jail time. So.. while your prayers have been extremely valuable in accordance with our safety, let me also squash some rumors and set the record straight. For those of you who have no idea what im talking about... read on.
Let me give a brief overview of the way the orphanage works so that you understand the significance of what's been happening. The orphanage is set back from the street down a small driveway w/ about 6 homes total on it. Almost like a miniture cul-de-sac. One house is the orphange where all the kids and staff live and where i am staying. (That's the picture i previously posted.) A 2nd house in this "driveway" is also property of the orphanage; however, it is used to house missions teams, YWAM outreach teams, surfers... etc. For the last two years, the orphanage staff has been working towards the ownership of this 2nd house in order to help finance both homes. Just recently, that business has finally seen fruition and allowed for the two homes to benefit from renting out the 2nd.
The other 4 or 5 homes in this driveway are occupied by Muslim families. As i said before, 95-96% of Bali is Hindu.. but for whatever reason, these muslim families have become our neighbors.
In short, these neighbors do not like us. Especially the Westerners. So when there were 20 white YWAM members staying in the 2nd house - plus about 5 of us white people in the orphange, they really didn't like us. We've done our best to keep the noise level down and be respectful of them, but it hasnt seemed to make a difference. They've made threats which i wont type out so as not to worry you (bc truly God is trustworthy and there's no sense in sending worry thousands of miles away) and they've complained to the police - i think several times. Despite the Hindu government, they're of course still siding with our Muslim neighbors simply because they're Indonesian. Several staff members have made some trips to the police dept. to interview with them - and they've been very smart about what they've said. The police have also visited the orphanage for a little looksy - but again, everything was fine.
We had until today to clear out the YWAM teams staying at the 2nd house. They left this morning, and it should be semi-smooth sailing from here on out. Scott was in the States for a wedding during most of this, and his return has had to be quiet... but suffice it to say - everything is ok. He's back at the house now, and the kids, the staff, the others and myself, are all doing really well. Tina, the pioneer of this entire ministry, also returned last night. (She's been away at a language school for the last month or so.) I dont want to type out too many more details because honestly i dont know them all and dont even fully understand the ones i do... the last thing i want is to generate unncessary worry or make it easy for my words to be misconstrued. But please know that everyone is doing good. We serve a powerful God. He has and is protecting us.
The biggest results from all of this comes down to the fact that the business that has been built the last two years in that 2nd house was completely shut down this last week. It can never operate again to help finance the orphanage. However, all of this couldnt have been better timing as rent for the orphanage for the next 3 years is scheduled to be due in October. At this point, it seems like God has used this whole thing as a massive blessing in disguise to move the orphanage to a new location before the contract is renewed.
Please pray for God to continue to open and close doors as He leads them into a new location. Please pray for God to continue to provide the finances and resources necessary for such a change.
Following God often silmutaneously involves opposition. The enemy is never going to rest while God is being glorified. Satan will happily use Muslim, Hindu... or any kind of instrument to stand in our way. But Praise God that we're already serving the Victorious King. The battle has been won. It's simply a matter of trusting Him to protect and lead us in this new season. The Lord loves to give beauty for ashes. This new season is exciting.
I hope this website gets fwd to whoever needs to read it so that those rumors can be squashed and the record can be set straight. Thank you again for your concern, but please do not worry. God has protected us and kept us safe and i believe that He will continue to do so. Your prayers have been valuable. Thank you.
love, Melody
Let me give a brief overview of the way the orphanage works so that you understand the significance of what's been happening. The orphanage is set back from the street down a small driveway w/ about 6 homes total on it. Almost like a miniture cul-de-sac. One house is the orphange where all the kids and staff live and where i am staying. (That's the picture i previously posted.) A 2nd house in this "driveway" is also property of the orphanage; however, it is used to house missions teams, YWAM outreach teams, surfers... etc. For the last two years, the orphanage staff has been working towards the ownership of this 2nd house in order to help finance both homes. Just recently, that business has finally seen fruition and allowed for the two homes to benefit from renting out the 2nd.
The other 4 or 5 homes in this driveway are occupied by Muslim families. As i said before, 95-96% of Bali is Hindu.. but for whatever reason, these muslim families have become our neighbors.
In short, these neighbors do not like us. Especially the Westerners. So when there were 20 white YWAM members staying in the 2nd house - plus about 5 of us white people in the orphange, they really didn't like us. We've done our best to keep the noise level down and be respectful of them, but it hasnt seemed to make a difference. They've made threats which i wont type out so as not to worry you (bc truly God is trustworthy and there's no sense in sending worry thousands of miles away) and they've complained to the police - i think several times. Despite the Hindu government, they're of course still siding with our Muslim neighbors simply because they're Indonesian. Several staff members have made some trips to the police dept. to interview with them - and they've been very smart about what they've said. The police have also visited the orphanage for a little looksy - but again, everything was fine.
We had until today to clear out the YWAM teams staying at the 2nd house. They left this morning, and it should be semi-smooth sailing from here on out. Scott was in the States for a wedding during most of this, and his return has had to be quiet... but suffice it to say - everything is ok. He's back at the house now, and the kids, the staff, the others and myself, are all doing really well. Tina, the pioneer of this entire ministry, also returned last night. (She's been away at a language school for the last month or so.) I dont want to type out too many more details because honestly i dont know them all and dont even fully understand the ones i do... the last thing i want is to generate unncessary worry or make it easy for my words to be misconstrued. But please know that everyone is doing good. We serve a powerful God. He has and is protecting us.
The biggest results from all of this comes down to the fact that the business that has been built the last two years in that 2nd house was completely shut down this last week. It can never operate again to help finance the orphanage. However, all of this couldnt have been better timing as rent for the orphanage for the next 3 years is scheduled to be due in October. At this point, it seems like God has used this whole thing as a massive blessing in disguise to move the orphanage to a new location before the contract is renewed.
Please pray for God to continue to open and close doors as He leads them into a new location. Please pray for God to continue to provide the finances and resources necessary for such a change.
Following God often silmutaneously involves opposition. The enemy is never going to rest while God is being glorified. Satan will happily use Muslim, Hindu... or any kind of instrument to stand in our way. But Praise God that we're already serving the Victorious King. The battle has been won. It's simply a matter of trusting Him to protect and lead us in this new season. The Lord loves to give beauty for ashes. This new season is exciting.
I hope this website gets fwd to whoever needs to read it so that those rumors can be squashed and the record can be set straight. Thank you again for your concern, but please do not worry. God has protected us and kept us safe and i believe that He will continue to do so. Your prayers have been valuable. Thank you.
love, Melody
posted by melody joy wilson at 11:28 AM
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