Today, I am sharing a blog post from a young lady named Laura.  She grew up as a missionary in Papua New Guinea with her mom, dad, and two older brothers.  She is currently attending Bethel college and for 5 weeks this summer, felt called to a short-term mission trip in Indonesia.  Below is her most recent blog about what is happening in her life.  She is a young Christ-follower that impresses me and I wanted you to read what she wrote and pray for her and with her.    

Thanks!

Pastor Mark 

Cravings

JUNE 5, 2016 / MISFITSANDMIGRANTS

Have you ever craved something so much that you felt it in the marrow of your bones? Been so completely consumed by desire for something that you felt like the last fleck of paper combusting in a fire?

I have never been so consumed by my craving for pancakes.

Buttermilk pancakes. Heaps of butter. And enough syrup to swim in. That’s all I want. But at the end of the day that craving goes unsatisfied because I have yet to find a good place to get pancakes in Surabaya.

On a slightly more serious note, this week has been one of craving health, home, and change. Let me break it down –

Health: for a few days this week I’ve felt horribly nauseous. The nausea contributes to the exhaustion I already feel from the heat every day and really knocks me out when it’s time to sleep and unfortunately at every other moment throughout the day.

Home: though I’m not 100% sure where home is, I’m sick for it. This past week friends in PNG attended “prom,” friends and family in the USA got engaged, others celebrated birthdays, and still others started jobs for which they felt unprepared but excited. And, though I am thankful to be in Indonesia, part of me wishes I hadn’t missed out on all those special and uncomfortable moments in the lives of those I love.

Change: this week I spent the majority of my time with kids and communities in poverty. I traveled to different places with the Smart Car, helped with courses in English, helped with events at an elderly home, and visited with a woman who is being kept in an insane asylum. I’ve seen a lot this week. And I’ve felt a lot too. Part of me is excited to be participating in all the activities run by Pondok Kasih. Part of me is sad and frustrated that I can’t do more to help. I long and even crave being able to see these families walk out of poverty and into a “better” life. But I’m not sure I even know what a “better” life looks like for them and I certainly don’t have the steps for how to get there. So at the end of the day, that craving goes unsatisfied.

And today I’m just not sure what to do with all these cravings and feelings except offer them to the you so you can help me offer them to the Lord in prayer.

Next week I’m starting to help out at the orphanage run by Pondok Kasih. I’m excited, I’m nervous. I mostly hope I can remember all their names. And I’m hoping the Lord gives me an extra measure of joy and hope to share.

Prayers and praises:

• Monday begins Ramadan. A month long fast for our Muslim friends. They fast from sunrise to sunset, and I’ve been told Pondok Kasih has events where we break the fast with Muslims in our community. Prayers appreciated for events, relationships, and the Holy Spirit’s presence.
• Continued prayers for my stomach and also my throat would be appreciated
• Praise that I’ve made it almost 3 weeks!