November Update

On Facebook we have seen so many comments about yummy delicious food and we’ve seen pictures of people celebrating with family. Although we can’t do either of those things this Thanksgiving, we also have read people’s comments about what they are thankful for. THAT we can do, and THAT is what Thanksgiving is really all about. I mean, the “holiday” is one that is particular to the U.S. and it has certain traditions tied to it (eating turkey, eating a lot of yummy delicious food, watching parades, watching football, etc.). But, it is believed that when that holiday started, it was about giving thanks. And, after all, that is the name of holiday. So, can we still “celebrate” the holiday even when we don’t have a turkey, all the trimmings, and family to celebrate with? Thanksgiving of course, is not an Indonesian holiday. One of my friends said, “Indonesians celebrate Thanksgiving ALL of the time!” I think that what we are all supposed to do. As Paul says in Philippians 4:4-9, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” So, no matter what situation we face, we should always give thanks!




We are really thankful for so many things. We are thankful that God has brought us here and has provided for us. We are thankful for the school we work at and for the work He has given us. I am still teaching two classes (Geography and History for 7th grade). I also teach the teachers English and I read story books to grades 1-6 once a week. Besides that I try to supervise Ryan and Niko’s online course work and I have some students in online Earth Science for Sevenstar. We have still not chosen to hire a helper, so I am still the house-hold cook and cleaner. I am thankful that I don’t get too many people dropping in on me unannounced! I also have been meeting with friends for Bible study once a week. There were 3 of us, and now there are 6, so that is pretty cool. I am thankful for those amazing women and for the encouragement they are to me.




Casey is really busy now. He felt frustrated when he started, because he was not given a lot of work. He felt bad, wondering what he was supposed to be doing. They admitted that they were “easing” him in, and now that his plate is fuller he understands their caution more and is thankful. He does a lot of mentoring of the directors for the staff side of things (security, janitorial, maintenance). There have been some issues with theft he has weighed in on and he has tried to help with their traffic mess. There is a lot to do. He is really enjoying it now that he is busier and he really does enjoy getting to know the people we work with.




Ryan has been working on hard on his four online classes and is doing pretty well with it. It is not easy and it takes a lot of time. He is also taking eight classes with 7th grade. He will not be graded for all of them though. He is auditing Javanese, Indonesian and Mandarin. He hasn’t really connected with anyone yet socially. He does keep in touch with two of his good friends in Anderson and enjoyed Skyping with them.




Niko has had some struggles. He has such a sensitive heart, that he has had a hard time when kids say things or laugh either in class or when he walks to Casey’s office in another building. Some kids who are in the “regular” school (not in all English classes) have called him names and have thrown things at him. We have met with the school administration about it and we have also guarded his coming to/fro from his building to Casey’s more closely. His classmates have said sorry and have explained that they were not making fun of him. It is hard when he does not understand the language very much and then always assumes they are making fun of him. He is doing well on juggling his work although sometimes he and I argue about it. He wants to develop a friendship with a boy in 5th grade who is in the other class. Please pray that they have an opportunity to get to know each other and spend some time together.




Chase is doing well. He loves to watch cartoons and play with the neighbor kids across the street. He might be learning Indonesian the fastest. His brothers have lessons at school once a week, but his preschool is not in English AND he plays with kids that don’t have English. He likes to watch cartoons, go bike riding, and play soccer with the neighbor kids.




We have been going to Salatiga around 2 times a month. It has been fun to spend time with people there. The biggest reason we are going is for the boys to do karate with Pak Bowo. They really like their lessons. Even Chase can’t wait for karate! The drive is pretty exhausting however. We are praying that they will open a new section of the toll road soon. That should make the drive a lot easier on us. We will be able to skip a large portion of the one main BUSY road. The roll road also goes through some gorgeous jungle, the kind of which you could never imagine still exists on this heavily populated island! I was also able to make a quick trip to Makassar in South Sulawesi this month. One of the young single gals we met at the college English fellowship in Salatiga got married. I was able to attend her wedding and reception. I was really thankful for the opportunity to attend that celebration.




For the coming month we will be wrapping up the first semester at school with exams and Christmas activities. We will also have the wedding of one of dearest friends here. Our friend Pita will get married at the end of December. We are excited about that. On the 22nd, Casey and I will dress up in traditional Javanese clothes and will be party of the reception committee. Pit is definitely like family to us and we love her very much. We are excited about her future with Okik, who is a really great guy. We are thankful that the Lord brought them together. Then after Christmas, I will head to the States for a week with my Mom and Dad. I can’t wait to spend time with my Dad---caring for him, reading to him, and napping in the same room with him. I also will try to do a little shopping for some things we need while I am there.




Thanks for your loving concern for us and for your thoughts and prayers. We are thankful for YOU. It is a different feeling for us to not be here under an organization. Although we were the only people in Indonesia for many years with GM of the Church of God, we did feel that we were part of a bigger body. Now we feel more “alone” in our work. We are so thankful that we have congregations who are walking alongside us. We are thankful that you are here for us, and we would love to hear from you. Thanks for blessing and encouraging us.




May God richly bless you,




Sharon, Casey, Ryan, Niko and Chase









For support or financial gifts please send it to us at: Casey & Sharon Bernhardt, PO Box 2479, Anderson, IN, 46018-2479 (through Madison Park Church of God)




You can write us personally at: Casey & Sharon Bernhardt, Jl. Puri Anjasmoro L15/2, Semarang, 50744, Jateng, Indonesia




We have received mail at this address, but it takes several weeks. We do not know how packages would fare, because we have not received one yet. If there is something you want to send other than a letter, please contact us by email first to discuss the best way to send it. Thanks!