News...

As I'm sure you've heard/seen on the news, there was a large earthquake in Padang this week. MAF has sent a caravan and three pilots there to assist in any way they can. The airport is fully functional, but in the city things are a mess. The phones are ringing off the hook with various aid agencies asking for MAF's assistance in bringing in aid. Please pray that this may be an opportunity to show the love from above.
Just this morning I went into town and at the stop light there were young people collecting money to help out the folks in Padang.
I haven't seen Ice today but the other day she was doing better. I can't help but wonder if the whole tragedy involving the girl who was killed and the proceeding fallout has had an effect on Ice. In spite of the fact that she is a Christi*n, she still very much believes in black magic and the like. I wonder if this is making her feel as though she is under a curse and it is effecting her health.
On Monday Rita's sister's boyfriend's family paid her mother 10 million rupiah. This 10 million is supposedly a fine levied on the family of the boyfriend so that the two could date. There is no precedent in their culture that calls for this kind of thing so it is baffling how this could have happened. Upon receiving the funds, the mother proceeded to inform the family of the boyfriend that she was taking the girl. As you can imagine, the family was not impressed and made it clearly known that since they had paid the money, the girl had to come with them. So she did. It's not an ideal situation since their house is rather small and there are two other married couples living there in addition to the parents. She was however, given her own room with a door that locks (thankfully). But she would rather just get married but apparently that would require more money again and all the money is gone because of the fine. The boyfriend has actually purchased a home in a government housing complex but it is not finished yet. The girl is rather worried about what people will think. Even though she has her own room, people will think the worst. In the meantime, Rita is on her own with the two girls. Her brother is gone a lot becuase he doesn't want to take the chance of meeting his mom. They have made up a letter saying that the mom is no longer allowed to bother them and if she does they can go to the police. Everyone signed the letter so lets pray that she will stop being a hindrance in their lives.