New photo

Here are new photos in better focus of two of our kids. More photos will appear in our next KOI-kidsofindonesia.org Newsletter. If you'd like to receive our emailed Newsletter, just send us your email address. Our list is always kept private.

Investments

Looks like yesterday was a good day to invest in stocks. Today is a good day to invest in our kids. It's easy at KOI-kidsofindonesia.org. Just click on the "Donate" button. Thanks in advance.

They grow up too fast, don't they....

It's been so long since I've posted anything new I've almost forgotten how to do this.  Sorry about that. Here's a new photo of 2 of our babies. It's a little out of focus but perhaps I'll have some better ones soon. Things are going well. We may have a new baby around the 1st of November. Please pray for a safe delivery and that we have the funds to continue.

Scott and Tracey Visit Nias June 2015

When we are at home in Nebraska, we, like most Americans, have over-loaded schedules keeping up with work, children, and all the other things that go with family life. A trip to the islands of Indonesia reminds us of several important concepts we value, but find easy to forget in the daily rush of life in these United States. One of these truths is that God's creation stretches far and wide, far past the borders of our homeland, and includes people with whom we, on the surface, would not think we share a lot in common.

Another truth, one that we find we appreciate immensely while we are there, is the simplicity of a less hurried lifestyle, one that invites introspection and communion with God and with others that is vital to emotional and spiritual health, but so often overlooked in modern societies. We work to carve out time to appreciate these things, while some on the other side of the globe have that which we crave, but are lacking in other basic needs. So, we leave with an aching question: what is our role in this area? The Bible tells us to "...go into all the world, making disciples of all nations..."and "...caring for the least of these, you did it to me." We know that we are not just citizens of our home country, but of His Kingdom that stretches beyond any man-made borders. And so it is with this thought that we broadened our trip this time to include a more remote area of Indonesia, and travel this small island to get a greater understanding of the needs of the people there, and discern how we could be of help.

The small island of Nias is home to about 800,000 people. It boasts a beautiful landscape, but many of the people there are not able to appreciate it because for them, daily life is about the basics: food, water, and finding a way to insure food and water for one more day. We met a family, husband and wife, each from separate villages inland on the island. Each had been fortunate to have had the opportunity to get an education and leave the village lifestyle for the town of Teluk Dalam. However, even in Teluk Dalam, opportunities are limited due to a lack of infrastructure and lack of government interest in that area.

Since Indonesia is comprised of 17,000 islands, the area is not only expansive, but difficult to travel at times, and one will find amazing differences in daily life from island to island. We were able to tour two villages, both involving several hours by car, and additional travel on foot. One was more primitive than the other, but both were isolated and dependent on what could be gathered from close by since travel to and from the villages is over difficult terrain.

Despite the difficulties in transportation, it is hard not to love Nias. In 2005, Nias was struck by one of the most powerful earthquakes recorded, measuring 8.7 on the Richter scale. In the same time frame, farther north, Indonesia was also devastated by a tsunami. Aid came from all over the world at the time, which proved to be very beneficial overall for the island. New roads and bridges were constructed, making travel to some areas much safer. However, inevitably, while many were killed in the earthquake, there were children left without parents. There has been church involvement to establish a children's home on the north side of the island, and that is very successful. We were pleased to have the chance to visit there two years ago and participate in a mid-week worship with the young people.

Our most recent trip took us to the southern tip of the island where we are interested in establishing an outreach to minister to the needy, encourage Christians, and be present to travel into the villages to take aid that rarely reaches those areas. We are so excited about this opportunity! It is a fledgling project that has amazing possibilities! Nias is largely a Christian island, without very much government surveillance, so it is very friendly to outsiders. We were greeted very warmly wherever we went. We would like to share some pictures of our trip, and will continue to provide updates and opportunities regarding prayers, plans, and dreams for ministering in Nias. Currently there are 89 churches of Christ on the island, however most are in the remote villages. We are dreaming of ways to be of service to these brothers and sisters who live in difficult conditions.



Donations can be mailed to: KOI - Kids of Indonesia, P. O. Box 1881, Fremont, NE 68026

10,000 steps a day?

I’ve been reading that for most people, there are about 2,000 steps in a mile.

If I walk 6 miles, that’s 12,000 steps for the day. Other studies indicate that the more miles walked the better but I assume there’s a limit up there somewhere.

Another recent study shows that the faster you can comfortably walk is an indication of your general or overall health. My fastest comfortable pace is 3 miles per hour which, according to the studies, is very good for my age and a predictor of several more years of productive life. Of course that’s assuming a healthy life-style otherwise. 

So, in order not to become obsessive/compulsive about exercise, I’ve concluded that  6 miles every day at a pace of 3 MPH is reasonable and my best hope of leading a productive life for most of the years left to me.

By the way, and for your information, I copied this from the internet:

"The origins of the 10,000-steps recommendation aren't exactly scientific. Pedometers sold in Japan in the 1960s were marketed under the name "manpo-kei," which translates to "10,000 steps meter," said Catrine Tudor-Locke, director of the Walking Behavior Laboratory at Pennington Biomedical Research Center in Baton Rouge, La. The idea resonated with people, and gained popularity with Japanese walking groups, Tudor-Locke said. [The Best Pedometers of 2014]” (http://www.livescience.com/43956-walking-10000-steps-healthy.html)

More photos of our babies

Our "babies" are growing up...

Sometimes you want to put a brick on their heads and keep them babies forever; however, it's also fun to watch them continue to discover new things, taste new things, do new things, grow and develop and that is exactly what they are going to do no matter how much we wish otherwise. In today's photos you see our three newest arrivals in various stages of that growth and development. They are precious and we love them dearly and hope you do too. A small donation to KOI - Kids of Indonesia, (P.O. Box 1881, Fremont, NE, 68026) can help us keep them well fed and healthy. Check back with us often to watch them continue the growth process. We are expecting our fourth newborn late this month or early in June. We'll have photos here as soon as possible.