Some Background
Since coming back in 2000, I have started and finished college and kept a job in the "real world" for almost a year. It's been a desire of mine to go back to Asia, but I didn't know when God would allow me to go back. I've felt called for a while now, but I've been in a sort of holding pattern for a while.
When the tsunami hit Southeast Asia I was heartbroken. During my year in East Asia I had spent a month of that time in Thailand. My favorite place in the whole world is a tiny little island called Phi Phi Island, Thailand ... it is absolutely breathtaking. And the best part is that it's so secluded. You feel totally disconnected from the rest of the world and it was an absolutely wonderful place to vacation. Well, it was nearly completely destroyed in the tsunami. The owner of the hotel I stayed at was even quoted in the New York Times as saying his hotel was gone as well as most of his staff.
Every day I would spend hours reading anything and everything on the tsunami. I told people that I wanted to go help rebuild, but I didn't know if God would allow me to go back.
One regular old Sunday I was walking to the 11:15 worship service at The People's Church and a friend of mine stopped me in the hall. She said, Laura, you have got to go to the service today. There is a video of Ken Morris (missions pastor) visiting the tsunami-hit areas of Indonesia.
I cried watching the video that day and I stood when Pastor Rick asked for people who felt called to go to Indonesia to stand up. God was telling me that I would be going. I went to the information meeting that night and I applied for one of the 30 slots. I told God that it was in His hands and I would go if He wanted me there. I had asked to go on the last week, but Ken Morris called me two days later and asked if I would go on the first trip, a mere two weeks away. I agreed.
I didn't know a single person on my team, but God knew what He was doing. Our team was amazing! We became family over there and I have built what I know will be lifelong friendships from that trip.
The time we spent in Indonesia was amazing. I was only supposed to be there one week, but I stayed two weeks along with two other women from my church. I bawled the day I had to leave because I didn't want to go home. Being there was so hard because the destruction was so great, but it felt like home to me. God was telling me that Asia was to be my home.
When I did finally get home (after 48 hours of traveling) I started to talk to my friends and family about going back. One thing lead to another and I found out that my history teacher from high school had been in Indonesia visiting a classical school at the same time that I was there. I spoke to him the next day and told him that I felt the Lord calling me to Jakarta, Indonesia. He said that we needed to talk because they had been praying for someone to go over and teach at this sister school!
How cool is that? I felt the Lord calling me to a city I'd never been to, and there was a need for me there!
I met with several people and got connected with the people at the school in Jakarta. Everything is coming together: my church is behind me, the school is behind me and I have a peace that God wants me there.
Right now I am in the process of raising support to leave for Jakarta in August. I need about $15,000 for the whole year there. This will include a $625 monthly salary and $7,500 for airfare, insurance, visas, travel to get my visa renewed, supplies, etc. If you are interested in being a part of my support team, please e-mail me at lmwinn@gmail.com.
In June I will be going to a teacher's conference with some of the teachers and administrators from Jakarta. I am excited to learn more about teaching since I've never done it before. I've asked that I be allowed to teach grammar to the younger students (elementary ages), because I think I will be most comfortable with that subject and age level.
I am excited to see what the Lord will do in my life over the next year. And I'm excited to see the things that He is doing in Jakarta. What an honor that He has called me to be a part of it!
Grace and Peace ...
Laura
oh laura, i love this story@ it sounds so famliar! who ever thought mine would lead me to africa.
but when i read about thailand and indonesia, and the like, i want to be in asia so badly. maybe one day. but for now, africa has my heart!
i love you and admire you. please keep me updated always! you are a dear person!
Posted by:ashley lovell | September 29, 2006 at 03:43 AM
Laura,
Patsy gave this computer to daddy and I just got the internet hooked up. He's had this for a year or so.
I cannot believe how grown up and pretty you are. My,my how time flies especially when you get older.
I would love to hear from you.
Love,
Lorna
Posted by:Lorna Thompson | December 28, 2006 at 11:14 PM
Laura:
I can't believe that you've been over for such a few years. I know it will be sad when you start another chapter in your life.
Aletha is planning on home schooling Abbie this year is the Becca course as good as any? She'll be in K.
We are very excited.
See you soon!
Oh yea, I had a total knee replacement 2/14/07 and just wished I had done this years ago. I went to Vanderbilt and Dr. Ginger E. Holt performed the long surgery. She could not believe that I was even able to walk on it. Doing GREAT with it.
See you soon.
Your cousin,
Lorna Thompson
Posted by:Lorna Thompson | April 25, 2007 at 05:05 AM
it is really beautiful, amazing journey of your life, God always bless you
maybe sometimes you can visit Indonesia again especially makassar city
Posted by:alfonsus | October 05, 2007 at 01:20 AM