No news is good news, right? I hope so, because it’s eerily quiet around here. I’m “between projects” so to speak, or really, am just trying to figure out what I’m going to launch into next. I have a lot of ideas, so just pray that I have direction and drive for what to avidly pursue. Only a few exciting notes to share at the moment, though…
The clips from the tsunami anniversary coverage that I took part in are now online, so I finally got to see the results of what all the hard work was for! You can watch them online, too, or download them for easier viewing.
There are four clips available, that you can click on each to link to – First, a piece on the island of Pulo Aceh that I’ve written about numerous times, followed by a piece on children in Aceh. I’m actually in those. The other two feature our program coordinator Dellaphine (who I lived with when I first arrived), and one focuses on overall relief work, and the other is about the impact of the tsunami on children.
Enjoy!
In other news, my household has expanded here. No, not babies, but new fun roommates! Sharmila and I have been by ourselves in the “Yellow Palace” for a few weeks and our colleagues/friends Sujata and Elzat had been wanting to move in and were finally given permission. They both moved this week (bringing along a ping pong table and a cabinet-full of delicious Indian spices). Aptly so, we’re hosting a party tonight to celebrate…. there is indeed fun to be had in Banda!
I have loved the emails and endless array of cards and care packages everyone has sent! Thank you so, so very much. You may never know this side of heaven what a difference a card or a phone call makes when you find yourself living at what seems sometimes like the end of the earth … So, thank you!
Much love,
bonnie jean
8 comments:
Dear Bonnie:
NO, no news is NOT good news! All of us here go online every day to read your latest update. I realize you can't do it every day but PLEASE try to make it more frequent. We don't have anything going on here so we live through you!
Your dad brought the tape of your interviews to church Sunday night and after church several of us watched it. It is so amazing how poised you were during the interview. When we started watching the children, I knew at one point I would see you holding a child.
Isola news-Angie has finally figured out what she wants to be when she grows up. I'll leave her to post that news. She is working with us on Wednesday night in G-Force. If you don't know, it's a program for the children. She helps Steve Painter with the audio/video equipment. I think next time, we're going to draft her for one of the actors.
Today is Friday the 13th. While I know this is the day that the Lord has made, I'm still not going to take any chances. You know how lucky I am. It is a beautiful day, the sun shining, the weather cool. It started out with thunderstorms in the early morning but they have gone, leaving us with abundant sunshine. The only way things could be any better is if my two girls (you and Hope) were here getting into something!
Gotta go to work. Please take care of yourself. I know that God will take care of you because you are certainly to precious to Him and us for anything bad to happen. We'll keep you in our prayers.
I love you,
Sherry
Bonnie, I just looked at your pictures. How beautiful. You're such a talent. The more I see of this, the more I know you're exactly where you're supposed to be (even though you are sorely missed back here at CBN).
Love ya! Keep us posted on your vida loca.
~Jennifer E. Jones
Bonnie,
I lost your blog link and posts for quite a while after leaving my job and getting married. Needless to say, I was so pleased to see it in my in-box this morning. It's amazing how time goes so quickly and how things change when you are not paying attention. I'm sooo glad I've been reconnected and can catch up on all your adventures and life in Banda. What an amazing experience you are having across the world and how you are handling each moment. I was sooo excited to see that you were able to taste food you enjoy and experience some western culture in the movie theatre of Jakarta.
Mike and I, can you believe, have been married for one month now and getting settled into the hustle and bustle of New York. It's a great time but I'd forgotten the somewhat harsher life of the city.
I will keep posted on this site and try not to lose touch again. I hope you were able to see the wedding pics.
Thinking of you...
Love, the new Becca Barber
Bone - our sweet Bonnie Jean - oh my gosh you're beautiful - you get better and better with time - i have so enjoyed reading your blogs and looking at your pictures - tears my dear - i wish that i could be your "photographer assistant" and Luis could carry our water - some day - some sweet day - until then, our prayers and our "special" hugs are sent your way - we love you and will continue to pray God's joy and protection over you and your team -Love you!!! Superfly Is
Hey, Bon!
I watched one of your clips at school, but can't view them from here (computer too slow). Like everybody keeps saying....you looked great! But mostly it is just exciting to actually SEE YOUR FACE instead of these printed words on a computer screen. (I'm not complaining, words are great...it's just a whole different emotion, though, to actually see you and hear your voice.
I figured out how to post a picture on my blog. I put one on there of Grey in his new navy blazer and tie. He feels so big! Did you get your Christmas card yet?
Lots of love,
Cindy
I'm glad you have two fun new roomies moving in with you. I know that is just what you need... :-)
You will have to let them sit with you on the Southern girl's veranda on the side of the Yellow Palace and the four of you can watch the sun set over Banda while you sip some good ole Southern sweet tea. (Do you have sweet tea in Banda? Maybe I should send you some.)
I'm glad that life has settled down to a slower pace and that you have some good friends to share your evenings with.
I enjoyed the clips. Thank you for sending them to us.
Have a good week.
Love,
Ang
I don't know why I generally forget how much I really love the book of Isaiah. It just has little treasures in every chapter.
Anyway, I was reading in Isaiah today and I came across a few verses that made me think of you and this posting.
Isaiah 58: 10-12
"And if you give yourself to the hungry, and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then your light will rise in darkness, and your gloom will become like mid-day. And the Lord will continually guide you, and satisfy your desire in scorched places, and give strength to your bones; and you will be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water whose waters do not fail. And those from among you will rebuild the ancient ruins; you will raise up the age-old foundations; and you will be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of the streets in which to dwell."
My prayer for you today is that as you are between projects and feeling that you are at the end of the earth that you will remember God's promises toward you. He has promised to continually guide you, and to satisfy the desires of your heart. He has promised that your gloom will become like mid-day and that your light will rise in the darkness. He has promised that you will be like a spring of water whose waters do not fail and He has promised to give strength to your bones.
Yes, you are on the other side of the world and you are disconnected from all that is familiar. But, God is there with you. He is your ever faithful, ever present, and ever familiar friend.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your path!
Have a good day!
Love,
Angie
Sitting here at my desk at work trying not to let these tears leak out of my eyes. Thank you for recognizing this simple encounter with a friend as an incredible reminder for all of us of how precious life if. I have been catching up on all of the family news... looking at the picture of Sierra's baptism on Angie's site (and showing it to everyone who passes), reading Cindy's latest post on recent trials and wisdom gained from the same, and now checking up on you and your latest. Dad always keeps me informed when he talks to you, but its always so good to hear from you, no matter what you post. I am so thankful for you and all of my dear family. Therefore, celebrating life WITH you, Today!!!... physical, and Eternal!
Love you Much,
Cris
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