Lessons from a somewhat larger island
We just got back from our latest trip to Batam to see our friends last weekend. This is our 3rd visit since Covid restrictions were lifted sometime in the middle of this year, and my 6th visit overall, and each time I keep learning new things! As I mentioned in my last blog, I write because it helps me to process my thoughts - so here we go! Relationships matter. And deep relationships can only be built if we care for individuals. Caring for individuals can only be effective with understanding. And understanding can only be grown with time. As I sat down for dinner with the village school teachers last weekend, I realised that for the first time, I remembered all their names without having to be reminded or re-introduced. I even noticed who was *missing*, which is always a good sign that you really remember people. I remembered the teacher who had asked to be prayed for to conceive during our last trip, and she was now pregnant. I remembered the personality of the funny teacher, who