Dear Friends,

Janice and I want to once again send you greetings from Jakarta. Over the past few weeks there have been several things happening in the ministry that we want to share with you folks. We do want you folks to enjoy the fruits of your faithful prayers and financial support for the ministry here.

In August, two of the pastors that we have worked with extensively were ordained by their churches. Pastor Supriyanto of the Cipulir Baptist Church was ordained the first week of August. When Pastor Supriyanto took over as pastor of the Cipulir Baptist church, the church was going through a difficult period. The original pastor had passed away, the young pastor that followed was unable to face the many challenges that the church presented and quickly resigned, many members had moved from the area, the church was run by a small click of old members, and sadly the church was not growing as their was no vision to evangelize. Seven years later the church has grown spiritually and numerically. The church is full of young couples and children and they just finished totally refurbishing their building. The church folks decided that they wanted to ordain their pastor and they worked up their own ordination program. As the ordination program was a bit different than we have normally had in our churches here in Jakarta, the men of the church consuluted with me about the program. I was thrilled at their zeal to tell the world that they believed Pastor Supriyanto was called of God to lead their church. It was a wonderful service, albeit long. I wish you could have been here and enjoyed the day with us.

The last of August the "Kasih Karunia" Baptist church in Batam organized itself as an independent church and ordained Pastor Andar. Six years ago the Cipulir Baptist Church sent Pastor Andar to start a new church. Pastor Andar has done a good job in Batam. Over 40 adults have been saved and baptized into the work. They have their own building and Pastor Andar has a nice home that he was able to build nearby the work. Janice, myself, Pastor Supriyanto, and three deacons from the Cipulir Baptist Church flew to Batam for the services. We had a wonderful day, albeit another long one. I do wish you could have been there to enjoy that day with us as well.

We have started the new semester in our Bible school. We do have some new students, although the total number of students is down. Pray for the Bible school and for me as I have a heavy teaching load this semester.

We especially want to keep you up to date on the Nias Bible Project. Our aim is to provide a complete Bible for every junior high school student on the island of Nias. This last month several of my churches sent in offerings, some more than once. Amen! It is our desire to see the children and young people in our Independent Baptist churches in America catch the challenge to be involved in getting these Bibles to the junior high students in Nias. Also, we do appreciate the churches that sent in nice offerings. Please continue to pray for this project. When you send funds for this project please mark them, "Nias Bible Project."

Janice and Sue

On the personal front, Janice was able to help Simon and Lenni adopt a cute little girl. They named the baby Sue, as Sue Crittenden from Midway Baptist in North Carolina provided funds to help with the adoption costs. Janice and I are fine. We are planning on a trip to the States at Christmas time. All of our children with be stateside and we plan to get together for Christmas in New England. I personally hope there won't be any snow!

We do appreciate your faithful prayers for the ministry here in Jakarta.

In Christ,