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| Where in the world is Indonesia? |
My dear friend (Martha Ming) passed along an opportunity over lunch in late March, and then her husband Mel shared it with W a few days later. My heart almost stopped when W paused and said, "You know, that may be a good fit for us." [He's never considered anything but NU teaching in decades.]
We're leaving Seattle to become Missionary Associates to Indonesia (initially for 2 years, but we plan a permanent move). Starting date is Summer 2014. We have a year of fundraising and preparation while W finishes out his teaching contract at Northwest U (2013-14). Then we're on our way.
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| Bandung |
This spring I felt a renewed urgency to do TESOL [teaching English to speakers of other languages]. I asked W if NU had summer classes. They did. 4 weeks in a row. I signed up. After which this invitation arrived ...
Many of you have asked me -- some of you more than once :-) -- "Why are you getting a doctorate? Why a missions-focus? What kind of a job do you get with this?" OR more recently, "Now that you're done, what are you going to do with your degree?"
I had no idea. I only knew I was supposed to go to school, that the program was the right one, and that the outcome was God's business!
Our president (Joseph Castleberry) and W's colleagues are excited for us. We'll stay connected to NU and anticipate that its students and alums will join us to do God's work in Indonesia in coming years.
Please feel free to ask us any questions, and please support us financially and pray for us!
My heart's pounding. OF COURSE I'LL BE BLOGGING THE PROCESS!
Read more:
Today the NU provost sent the following announcement:
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Dear Friends,
I want to make you
aware that Waldemar and Rosemarie Kowalski have accepted an assignment
as Missionary Associates to Indonesia with Assemblies of God World
Missions. This assignment is scheduled
to begin after the end of the 2013-14 academic year. So after 28 years,
this next will be Waldemar’s last as a full-time faculty member.
Talk about mixed
emotions! Waldemar has been an incredible force for good at NU. As the
only instructor of our daytime Christian Thought course, Waldemar is the
only faculty member from whom almost
every traditional undergraduate takes a class. He has had a huge role
in defining the NU experience for many generations of students.
Similarly, Rosemarie has been involved at NU in a variety of ways over
their time here, and recently completed a PhD in Intercultural
Studies. We will miss them at NU.
On the other hand,
we are pleased for Waldemar and Rosemarie—with their children (all NU
alums) out of the house, it is exciting to take on a completely new
challenge for the advancement of God’s
kingdom. Their plan is to partner with NU alumnus Dave Kenney in
planting an International English Service in Bandung, near Jakarta. Waldemar will continue to teach in various university and church settings,
including as teaching pastor in the church plant.
They will attend
Pre-Field Orientation in Springfield Missouri this June and then begin
the process of raising their support. We will all have a chance to learn
more details about their plans,
but importantly, they hope to stay connected to NU by teaching online
courses and by providing a place for NU students to have short-term
mission experiences.
We look forward to
honoring Waldemar and Rosemarie over the coming year, both for their
service to NU and for their example of being open to God’s direction.
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*Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory, for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness. Psalm 115:1*Jesus said, “When you pray, say: Father, hallowed be your name.” Luke 11:2Moravian Prayer: O High and Holy One, we owe you love, adoration, and worship for your steadfast love and faithfulness. With Jesus’ help we will honor your name in every act, thought, and deed. Amen.
