Susan Hoover

It’s been so long since I’ve written that I’m almost confused what to write.. there has just been so much!

A few weeks ago I started teaching in our bible college. And I’ve been teaching almost every day. This is very new to me.. and honestly quite challenging.. but I LOVE it!

At first I was teaching on Evangelism. On the last day of that course I took some time with the students to pray..  within just a few minutes I could see how God had placed a burning desire for the lost in each one of them. Some began to weep as the fire within them burned stronger and stronger.. It was a beautiful time. And since then our students have been out every week spending time on winning the lost. Even on the very first day they brought in testimonies of their Muslim neighbours receiving Jesus!!

One of students has changed drastically since he joined the school. I’ve known him for a long time and I’ve never seen him so happy and so excited to follow Jesus. “I used to feel like it was hard to preach the gospel to others”. He told me, “But now I realize it’s good news.. it’s easy to tell others! Before I even realize it it’s already coming out of my mouth.. I can’t stop myself!!” He has already started his own ministry each week to reach street children.

Please pray for us; Next week as an entire school we are taking two days out of classes to go into a slum area in our city. We will be bringing food and most importantly.. the good news of the gospel!

Since the Bible school started I have been living in the city of Medan to be close to the school. Medan is one of Indonesia’s largest cities with a population of about 4 million. It is my first time ever living in a city like this. And living in a country where there are no written bus routes, street signs, traffic rules, etc just ads to the adventure! But by the grace of God I’m adjusting ok.

God has a wonderful, perfect plan in everything. After we moved into our house in Medan we realized we were in the right in the centre of the Muslim neighbourhood of the city.  And not only that.. but they are the from the Melayu people group.. one of the unreached people groups that I have had on my heart for years!! From the roof of my house I can 9 mosques surrounding the house. So at prayer time we have a symphony that is so loud we can barely carry on a conversation! But the neighbourhood is full of wonderful people! It’s so much fun to make friends with them.  And we’ve already been invited to our first Muslim Wedding for next weekend!

There has been so much happening in the past month beyond just the bible school: (festivals all over  the country, more work with my youth team, children’s festivals in villages, outreaches, working with local churches, ministering in Malaysia, looking after my youth home, preparing for furture events, etc etc.)  .. it’s been insane! Haha.. but it’s been great!

And..  some wonderful good news!: I got my “kitas” (my temporary stay/residency in Inodnesia). This is such an answer to prayer! I now can stay for one year, instead of renewing a visa each month. When I had to go to Malaysia to get my kitas I had some major issues…I was stuck in KL one night with no one, no money, and no hope to continue my travels.. So i just sat there and said, “God.. this looks impossible.. I can do nothing.. If you want this to work out You will do it.. just do what you want to do with this.” Within an hour the Indonesian Counslor’s representative went to the Embassy at 10pm to open up the embassy and give me my passport! It was such a miracle that all the police helping me were overcome with disbelief that I had such favour! It’s all because God’s love and grace is so faithful..in every situation, in every moment, in every country of the world!

Thanks so much for your prayers in support in everything I do!

If you would like to support the work here financially you can now can contact Rev. Taina at Celebrate Jesus International at (905) 646-0970 or email her at tainak@peteryoungren.org and she will be happy to give you options of how you can give.

Thanks!!!

Always a joy to work together with you,
Susan Joy

Just a few pics below:

Looking out behind our house in Medan

Having fun with some students from the Bible College

What it’s like to travel during rainy season here