We hope you are well!
Within the last few weeks things have seemed to spiral out of control globally. We hope that you are feeling peace and comfort during this time and able to trust the One who is still control! Let us know if there is anything specific we can be lifting up.
Here are a few updates from the last month:
Jake's studies at Brawijaya are now being done online after one of the students on campus tested positive for the virus. They are hoping to start instruction in person again soon, but it is of course hard to predict.
Amber has started teaching in a few new places: at Brawijaya University, with Arab refugee girls, and at "Conversation Club" at Rumah Bahasa
At the weekly "Gathering" of Amber's refugee friends slowed down recently mostly due people traveling and issues with the virus. They are hoping to start up again (consistently) once our city is no longer under lock down.
You may be curious as to how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected Indonesia. Indonesia actually did not have a confirmed case of the virus until the beginning of March, but there are now over 300 confirmed cases with many more under observation or awaiting test results. We suspect that the real number of cases is higher than this. With Java being one of the most densely populated areas in the world, the Indonesia gov has been stressing early and often the importance of "social distancing" to slow the spread. To support this, the gov has imposed relatively strict policies on international travel, is strongly discouraging domestic travel, and has mandated that all education (elementary school all the way to graduate studies) be carried out through distance learning, and is asking restaurants to close. Large gatherings, events, and meetings have been canceled as well. From what we are hearing, these policies are becoming pretty standard worldwide.
Brawijaya Update
It's probably time for a more detailed update on Jake's life at Brawijaya. This second semester of the Master's program is still primarily coursework. Most of his classes this semester are electives, meaning he has the opportunity to be taking courses like "Ethnobiology and Conservation" and "Techniques of Quick Soil Testing".
He has also started preparing the proposal for his thesis project, to be started next semester. The working title of the project is, "Development of a novel soil suitability index for the underutilized 'Loka pere' banana variety in Pamboang District, Majene Regency, West Sulawesi". Basically, this means trying to figure out why Loka Pere bananas grow so well in certain places, and creating a tool to identify other places the crop would grow well. This could help to guide sustainable agricultural practices in the area, including increasing production of this banana. This in turn has the potential to prevent the extinction of the plant, protect local crop biodiversity, and support current and future efforts to improve the local economy and human well-being in villages in West Sulawesi.
The program has also provided opportunities for Jake to develop deep and meaningful relationships with classmates. One of these friends, "Andy", has been working in agriculture here for a number of years, and has tons of wisdom to share. Another of these friends, "Isaiah", is a gifted encourager who often brings a positive attitude and motivation to any relationship. He has been open to discussions about spiritual things such as prayer, righteousness, and loving others. Jake, Andy, and Isaiah usually grab coffee together after class to talk about the lesson, about life, or about faith.
Teaching update
Before everything started to get shut down, Amber started teaching in a few new capacities. She is teaching twice a week at Brawijaya University at an event called "English Zone", and has been encouraged to come in occasionally as a guest lecturer as well. She has continued to teach the refugee girls as well, and loves to see their motivation and desire to learn! There are now two classes. The Level 2 class is made up of 10 intermediate level students whose first language is Arabic. The Level 1 class is made up of five Arabs who grew up in Indonesia, so their first languages are Indonesian and Javanese. It has been a joy for Amber to get to know all these girls better and expand her influence in the Arab community! Amber has also been running a weekly "Conversation Club" at Rumah Bahasa, helping Indonesians who have recently graduated from college grow in their English skills so that it will be easier for them to find employment.
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