Prayer Letter Archive

November 2008

Dear Ministry Partners,

Greetings this time from back in the United States! My final week in Indonesia earlier this month went well. It was again a blessing to work alongside of our Wana co-workers. The five of us were able to finish up some comprehension checking on the first 9 chapters of Genesis. Along with this we finalized all the 1 Peter lessons on computer and have them ready for printing. Then the last couple of days I worked together with them on the rough draft lessons for 2 Peter. This has been a bit of a challenge for them - they have the translated Indonesian lessons before them, but often they try to follow the Indonesian script too literally when they bring it over into their own tribal dialect, thus it doesn't always read and flow like it should. Little by little it is coming though, and they are more than eager to learn.

My international airline ticket back had me routed through the island of Bali and I spent one night there before heading back to the USA. This is a tourist island and with it being just one week after "Idul Fitri" (Then end of the Muslim fasting month) the streets were still busy with many Indonesians enjoying the holidays. I wasn't much in a holiday mood without Jeanne being there with me - just anxious to get going! From there I traveled to Singapore where I had about a 7 hour layover before making the 25 hour trip which took me up through Tokyo and then across the Pacific into Minneapolis, and then finally down to our State capital of Lincoln, Nebraska where Jeanne was awaiting my arrival. It is good to be home and have the jet lag behind me. Jeanne and I want to thank you so much for your prayers these past couple of months as between the two of us we have traveled many thousands of miles. We are always grateful for the Lord's protection and for His bringing us back together safely once again.

Jeanne and I are looking forward to doing some deputation travel out to Ohio in a few weeks. We are looking forward to spending some time at her home church and also with other ministry partners. It has been a few years since we have been out there so we are really looking forward to seeing friends and family face to face once again. On our way back home we will be stopping at her sister's place in Dayton, Ohio and will plan to spend Thanksgiving with her and her family. This will be the first time we have been to see her since her husband passed away last year, and we know it will not seem the same without Ron there with us.

We do want to take this opportunity to thank you so much for your prayers this past month. Your partnership is sincerely appreciated as we work together to see Indonesia penetrated with the gospel. We trust too that you have a great Thanksgiving holiday as we remember the Lord's goodness to us.

Serving together,

Ed & Jeanne Casteel