MAF Blog » Sarah DesJardine

The Blessing of Family

Sarah DesJardine — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 18:56:59 +0000

A familiar smile and the embrace I’ve felt hundreds of times, but have missed so much in the past year and a half, were mine to enjoy for the past three weeks as Chris and I had the privilege of welcoming my Mom into our jungle home for a visit. It was fun to show her both the extraordinary and the everyday things that are a part of living on the other side of the world. She rode on the back of my motor scooter to the traditional market for vegetables and looked at Batik fabrics at the store, visited an orchid farm and went to another island to snorkel and swim with sea turtles. She helped an old Indonesian woman with a sewing project during a craft group at a local community center, and flew along with Chris to see how God allows MAF to serve the people of Borneo using the airplane. It was so special to be able to not just try to tell her what life is like here, but to have her actually experience it.

Throughout the year and a half Chris and I have been in Indonesia I know my parents have gone through so many thoughts and feelings as they have watched us experience the ups and downs of making a new life together in a very foreign land. Through elation and tears they have remained supportive, loving, and encouraging. They have truly been wonderful “senders,” a role that is often unrecognized, but is such a blessing to those that leave for the mission field. I believe that those who willingly send their loved ones to serve are fulfilling a calling as much as those who go to serve. Both roles take sacrifice, trust, and perseverance.

As my Mom returns to the States, I pray she understands in an even more real way how her and my Dad’s willingness to send Chris and I helped us to go forward into the journey God has for us.

Where You’ll Find Me This Year

Sarah DesJardine — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 16:42:30 +0000

I’m the type of person who makes resolutions…you know, a (usually unattainable) list of all the things I want to accomplish, bad habits I want to break, good habits I intend to start. I recently dragged out my list from last year and went down the annual shame spiral as I realized how many lofty goals I consistently did not meet. I think this year I will narrow it down to one…

Be here now.

Kalimantan Indonesia

That’s it. Just be present at any given time. Not thinking of where I’ve been or wondering (worrying) about where I will be in the future; just actively participating in the moment . . . the now. In the midst of power outages and sweaty afternoons, laughs with friends, crazy moments that I will probably only experience while living here (a family of 5 using a single motorcycle like a minivan, the rooster that sneaks into our side yard and startles me several times a day when it crows, kids yelling out “Hello Mister” to me whenever I go out), quiet evenings and weekends with my husband uninterrupted by the hustle and bustle that usually accompanies life in the States, and so many more things, important and mundane. I am resolving to be here in those moments now.

I think so often being fully engaged in the moment God has brought me to is all He asks. If I’m there and keep my eyes and ears open, He can show me how He’s working and what part He wants me to play.

So this year, I’m going to be here now, wherever and whatever “now” means, and let God take care of the rest.

Want to join me? How is God calling you to be in the here and now?

The Difference a Year Makes

Sarah DesJardine — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 19:57:41 +0000

Sunset on the island of Tarakan, my home now. Praise God for moments of beauty.

One year ago I had tears in my eyes, OK, pretty much running down my face, as I said good-bye to family and friends and the U.S., knowing I wouldn’t be back for almost 4 years…

Now I still cry sometimes because I miss friends and family and home, but by daily choosing to see the good––and with God’s help––I am learning little by little how to be content here in this new life. I’ve been blessed with an excellent Indonesian “family” of MAF friends to give me some of the love and support I miss from home.

Praise God for providing family away from home.

One year ago I had butterflies in my stomach thinking about what our little house would be like…

Now I love our friendly little place and feel at home here. It’s been a long road to get to that point, with a few “potholes” along the way, like the unwanted rodent guest in our toilet, sewage woes, and a cobra in our yard.

Praise God for comfort across the world.

One year ago I knew how to greet people in Indonesian and introduce myself, but that was about it…

Now I am done with formal language study and can carry on a conversation reasonably well, as long as the other person talks slowly and doesn’t mind repeating things.

Praise God for understanding, humility, and a sense of humor.

One year ago I was horrified by the little black ants that are absolutely everywhere. I was constantly stopping to kill them as they interrupted my food prep time…

Now I ignore them, mostly flicking them off whatever I need to cook. After all, there are much bigger and scarier bugs to worry about, like huge spiders, creepy millipedes, or big red fire ants. I just can’t worry about those little ants anymore!

Praise God for teaching me little by little how to adapt.

One year ago I wasn’t sure if I would make it through my first year in Indonesia…

I have and it was hard, but I did it with lots of help from God and those that love me both here and in the U.S.

Praise God for carrying me through the journey.