Piling into our taxi cab with 8 people and our luggage packed to the roof, headed to the ferry after a flight and a trip to the hospital (no worries we all good here). We step into a hand built boat, full of beautiful people of all ages, livestock, fresh food. The boat is so full that you would question how it still continues to float on top of the water. Surrounded by people and chickens, I sat on a piece of cardboard, surrounded by big piles of baco and smiling warm faces. Not knowing the language, we sat in their warm presence as we moved across the beautiful blue waters and the bright, green, endless mountainous islands. The muffled loud engine noise made it difficult to hear anything but was quiet in the midst of the breeze as we crossed the ocean. The light breeze and warm sun, paired with mist and waves touching my hand as I couldn’t help but reach down into the water. We all sat flat on the ground and just smiled with eagerness at what awaits. I bet you’re wondering at this point, how did we even get here? And trust me, we were confused also. It’s a wild story, but isn’t life with the Lord always wild and adventurous? It’s so good.
I am on an all girls team, the sisterhood of the traveling backpacks to be exact, and as we finished our first month with the entire squad in Australia, and then having debrief and training for the coming months as we are expecting to step into the heart of the unreached and darkest parts of the world, we prepare for our first time out as a team. We prayed for where the Lord wanted us to be for the remainder of our time in Indonesia. As we prayed, the Lord unified us in a crazy way and it was powerful. The Lord brought to mind different people, places, things. We had pink flowers, pink beaches, Islamic region, children’s ministry, children everywhere, three islands over, south, and opposite direction of where we were suppose to go. As we researched around us, it brought us to the remote island village of Komodo. None of us had any idea what or where this place was. Didn’t even know it existed. This place though… was three islands over. It was south of us and in the opposite direction. It had one of the only beaches in the world that was pink. It was Islamic and full of kids and from what we felt by the Lords guidance and presence as we searched in prayer- that’s exactly where we were suppose to go.
Sitting on the boat I was struck with awe and amazement of how we were even there headed to a place we didn’t even know existed a few days before. Wow, the Lord. So good. As we sat there crossing the ocean for 4 hours, we had no idea what to expect. Only God knows why He brought us here on this journey to Komodo but I’m here for it! This is my deepest desire and dream to go to a remote village on an island to spread the love of Jesus and the Lord knew the joy this brought me!
We got to the village and stepped off the boat, instantly greeted with warm smiles and tons of children running the streets of the village. Welcomed into a home of one of the local villagers with his family, they cared for and served us from the moment we stepped in the home with their kind smiles and loving hearts. We grew in such sweet relationship and became family over the course of the next two weeks there. We walked under pink flower trees as the mosque prayer call went off. We were met with joyous spirits and beautiful smiles as we played sports with the kids at the school. I say all this to bring us all to this point…
the Lord brought us here.
I’ve been completely off the grid in a remote village with no service, with no stores, no restaurants, no cars, no running water. The most beautiful little remote village hidden in the islands built on top of the water. Having no idea this place existed, the Lord knew His children here needed to be reached by His truth and light, and we just happened to be close and listening to be used as vessels in this place.
And do we have some stories to share from this place on how the Lord moved.
Tune in for more blogs and updates coming from ya girl, and check out my teammates blogs and stories! God is wild!
Will copy and share with the church prayers for safe travels
MG, so great to hear from you and that you are doing well. What a wonderful experience you are having and how the Lord is using you. Been praying and thinking about you and pray that you stay well and I know that the Lord is using you. Love you, Aunt Marsha
Can’t wait to hear the stories (:
“remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose,’…I have spoken, and I will bring it to pass; I have purposed, and I will do it.”
??Isaiah? ?46:9-11? ?ESV??
Mary Grace, this is the verse that came to mind after reading your blog! You waited, listen, discerned, and stepped out in obedience to what the Lord spoke to you guys. Do you want a great adventure? As Francis Chan said, “make disciples.” And that’s exactly what you guys have set out to do. Co- laboring alongside the savior of all men and the shepherd and Bishop of souls, and plant seeds by doing, living, and of course speaking the gospel!
I’m stay tuned and waiting for the next update. Proud of y’all
Thanks for sharing these words MaryGrace. God definitely provided even though things changed. Psalm 46:10 says “Be still and know that I Am God.” Who was the person in your team came up with the name Sisters of the Traveling Backpacks? This is a cool name for a group. It was my son Joseph (Joe) who came up with the name of The Kooks. May God continue to bless you and your team as he leads you into Southeast Asia. May God provide his guardian angels to keep watch over your team. Prayers are going out on a first name basis for you and the Sisters of the Traveling Backpacks.
Praying Jesus remains your comfort and abundant joy, that you feel safety and courage in His direction for you! He’s just getting started!