God never ceases to amaze us, with all He does and where He takes us. Gospel Coffee just returned from Indonesia, where we were for 12 days. This trip was unlike most of our trips which are able to be completely ministry directed. Indonesia is predominantly Muslim and Hindu and proselytizing other religions is not allowed. This means that the work of making disciples has to be underground.
For me, this was a first. I’ve never been to a place where you couldn’t be blatantly Christian or share your faith. It is beyond a blessing to be able to live and work in a country where I don’t have to watch my words or use code words in conversations, where I can share about Jesus and who He is and all that He’s done for me without fear of repercussions from the government.
While in Indonesia, we island-hopped and visited several coffee farms, farmers, sellers, and coffee shops exploring the world of coffee and marveling at the tastes and potential. Because this trip couldn’t be directly ministry, we were able to experience more coffee-related things. We also used coffee as a tool to go places and minister to people we wouldn’t otherwise have a reason to visit. One farmer we visited had a small-scale farm which we toured and learned about coffee growing. He informed us of a fun fact that they intentionally grow another plant next to the coffee trees to help the trees. However, if there is too much of the other plant it makes the coffee taste like a leafy green. After touring the farm, he ground and brewed us some of the best coffee I have personally ever tasted. Much to our dismay, because he has such a small farm, he sold out of his coffee before we bought any from him. But don't worry, the coffee we brought home is pretty bomb too.
On another day, we went to a roastery and coffee shop. Here, we were able to cup four different Indonesian coffees, including the one we brought home. We are excited about how Twelve Gate roasted it and pulled out all the bright notes! It is so delicious!
After taking a ferry to another island, we stayed at a homestay, which is like an Airbnb/ hotel, and saw seedlings for a new crossbreed of coffee seed - an Arabica that’s heartier and can be grown at lower altitudes. Here, we also were able to cup several local coffees and we bought… Sumatra! If you know anything about coffee, you've probably heard of Sumatran coffee, so you can imagine just how ecstatic we are about it!
One last coffee place that I’ll mention was neat for several reasons. We were able to travel, stay in a village, and specifically with a family that grows coffee. Here, some missionaries are working to prevent child marriage in these small villages. Previously, but especially during Covid, there was an increase in child marriages. And I do mean, marriages between children, not arranged marriages. I was talking to one of the missionaries and asking why the kids get married. She said it was mostly due to a lack of other things to do and not having any goals for their future. Their mindset is that desire to get married someday and since they don't have any other plans, they might as well get married now. To enable the teenagers to wait to get married, the missionaries are going into the villages and providing education, and hobbies, and encouraging the kids to have dreams and goals for their future. While working in the villages, the missionaries have been able to share the Gospel with several families and have been able to pray with and for the locals. The people have been impacted and at least one teenager has come to know Jesus as her savior. The Gospel Coffee Crew stayed with a family, slept under the Beruga, joined them for dinner and breakfast, and drank the family's locally grown coffee. On top of all that, Matt was able to teach the teenagers about coffee and the process from bean to cup, giving these kids hope for their future. Many of them are involved with coffee, either through their parent's farms or simply by being surrounded by trees. Educating them about potential jobs and even giving them perspective about the world and how big it is, was a unique experience we pray impacts these kids and their families for generations to come!
And one more amazing testimony of God. One of the days, we went on a tour of a waterfall, a very touristy thing. We did this because the missionary was connected with and trying to gain favor with the woman who took us on the tour. We agreed to go in support of the missionaries and what they believed was wise and would assist in furthering the gospel. We spent nearly the whole day with this woman and her family. First, she made us breakfast, then we traveled to her relatives' house and chatted for a while. Finally, we went to the waterfall. We had lunch and swam in the pools that cascaded down the rocks. It was absolutely breathtaking and simply magnificent. Her son's girlfriend also came with us and Eden loved this young woman. At the end of the day, our team prayed for this woman and her son's girlfriend. We didn't get to talk to them that much due to the language barrier and the nature of the work we were doing. But we prayed. That God would do what He wanted with this connection. That He would plant and water seeds in their hearts. And that He would bring an increase into the Kingdom of God.
Praise the Lord! After coming home, we heard from our contact missionary and she told us that her other team members just baptized the woman and her son's girlfriend. We are so blown away by God. And we are so thankful for how He can use anything to minister and to impact someone, but it is HIM that changes lives and HIM alone that saves.
Overall, Indonesia was pretty special. We feel extremely blessed to be able to have this adventurous life with the Lord. Just about every day, I would remark to God in amazement that I got to be there, that I got to have these experiences, and that He was with me through it all. We are so so thankful. And continually amazed at how God provides for us, to go on these trips, and to continue spreading the Gospel, making disciples, and encouraging the Followers of Christ all around the World.
Shalom from the Gospel Coffee Crew
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