SE Asia Trip Update (double click on picture for a closer look)

May 7th Alberta and I boarded a JetStar Asia flight for Singapore where we transferred onto the local subway system. An hour later we were on a ferry for Batam Indonesia where we visited Dirk and Sharon and Dave and Jul. Dave and Jul have already traveled to the US while Dirk and Sharon leave in mid June. It was timely to be able to debrief these two couples before they leave for home assignment. It was fun to bring Dirk and Sharon's kids some special treats and reading materials from the Philippines where three of them were born.

Penang Survey Trip

One of the purposes of this trip was to survey for a new base of operations after our study leave. With Krista graduating from high school this year we feel a greater freedom to consider locations that might enhance the pastoral care we want to offer to SE Asian missionaries. After communicating our interest in strategic locations in SE Asia we connected with a couple who are Asia Directors for their organization and had recently moved from Singapore - finding Penang, Malaysia a more workable location. Expenses are reasonable, visas relatively easy to maintain, a stable society, adequate infrastructure and very strategic to SE Asian countries. We will visit other locations in the future but Penang is a bright start to our search an effective place to minister from.

Serving Christ with You, Steve & Alberta