Hello from Indo!

Hi from Senggigi, Lumbok (Indonesia). We "have arrived" :)! We are enjoying a new country, cheap prices, friendly people, humidity and jungle... sand and sea, ok monkeys too (because they are amusing not polite). Kami decided it was a good time to catch the flu on our last day in Australia, so she spent the first few days in Kuta, Bali bonding with our 10x10 hotel room. At least we had English TV! Once her lungs were all "coughed up" we explored Kuta on foot. Crazy traffic, American stores, great shopping, cheap local food, interesting culture. It's a bartering country and "Special price, just for you!" is everywhere we turn. Hello Mexico! Sunday we found an evangelical Presbyterian church in Kuta (recommended by someone we met in Australia) and met many wonderful people. Some who are in ministries (orphanages, World Relief), some from the persecuted church with stories we have yet to hear, some who (can you imagine?) want us to come over so they can tour us around. We plan to go back. Right now we are on the island of Lumbok, staying at a place for about $12/night, rented a scooter (Honda) for our time here for about $4.50/day (fuel is 20 cents/liter) ... Wayne has caught on to "no rules" driving quite easily! Now we are independent and have a beautiful island to explore! We are fascinated by the jungle. Thick, lush, massive mountains, volcanoes, rain forest. amazing. The culture seems more advanced (skill and motivation-wise) than some 3rd world countries we have visited. It is all very interesting. Lumbok is predominantly Muslim... About 20-some mosques around our "block" our hotel-owner tells us. We hear the call for worship on the loudspeaker every morning at 4:30 for about half an hour and again in the evening. So far we haven't joined this out-of-bed call ;). Last night we went to the local (VERY local) market... in search of mangoes. We stuck out like white beacons... but we enjoyed being in the midst of local life... Yes, interesting for sure. Too bad pictures don't capture smells! :) No, good thing they DON'T. We pray for God to use us, wherever we are. We want to be willing, even if it is just to encourage someone... pray for us in that. He has given us wonderful opportunities. The other night we had supper with 2 travelers we met from the US & Switzerland. It was a neat time of sharing & laughing. We love the adventure of travel, not knowing what today holds or who we will meet next... exploring little "nooks" of God's creation, thrilling! Even changing plans. Like today, we are set and ready to explore the south of the island, but... as we sat here having breakfast, a local stopped by and invited us for a boat tour of the nearby islands... Wayne thinks that would be a good idea and has been musing at their boats... so our plans may change. We love that. We are very glad that we BOTH enjoy day-to-day living (or one of us would go crazy)! All for now. Us