Eid al-Adha and two churches

Sunday, September 27, 2015
We're getting ready to tuck into bed after a long and lovely week.

Time for a quick online chat with the grands

We have our regular studies and obligations. It's a special week though. Thursday, Muslims celebrate the annual feast of Eid al-Adha, commemorating the willingness of Abraham to sacrifice his son Ishmael (Isaac, according to the Bible: Genesis 22). Goats for sale are tied to stakes at main intersections. Pickup trucks drive by with cows tied in the back.

A woman strolls past the goats for sale.

Neighbors or neighborhood benefactors may buy and slaughter an animal, eating together as families and communities. It's a big deal in the city. A goat costs about $80; a cow more like $500.

We are due for another mandatory visa run to Singapore; we combined it with a two days (6 hours each) of teaching. My class has 7 Master level students, always a pleasure.

One of our good friends Cheryl has just landed: she'll teach for 2 weeks. She takes us to the airport straight from my final hour of teaching - it's the only way we have time to connect.

Pomellos in the market

We land in Jakarta at 7pm and are whisked to our host's house - a beautiful home full of warm hospitality.

Enormous 3-D murals in the house
make it feel like we're in nature

In the morning, we speak at two churches - first at 8:30 and then at 10. At the first, our translator is Dr. Joseph - who we met in Seattle at the Indonesian church.

Worship together

The second service is just minutes away and it's completely in English. We share Mark's account of Jesus healing the woman who touched his robe and raising the daughter of Jairus from the dead. Kirsten shares her story of how she copes with chronic illness and keeps her faith strong.

Celebrating 67 years

The church prays over her, a great encouragement to us all. And there's a birthday cake and food provided by the celebrant's family. We leave with a piece of delicious chocolate cake.

New friends and great food

Dr. Joseph's family and another couple take us to Warung Sunda in southwest Jakarta, a restaurant with delicious food.

"Here's looking at you, kid!" = fried gourami fish

The wonderful sweet-soy barbecue fish,
with rice smoked in a banana leaf

Afterwards, we meet dear friends nearby - at the IKEA cafeteria. We're swapping something their daughter brought along with a treat the parents are sending for their daughter.

Fresh spicy sauces: sambal being made at the restaurant

Then we head for Bandung and home.

What a treat to close the gate, pull the dirty clothes from the suitcases into the laundry hamper, and begin to relax. We call our parents to say hello and check how they are. Since we have a busy week ahead, we welcome the night and rest.

Hope all is well in your side of the world!

Read more:
*Who is like you, O Lord, among the gods? Who is like you, majestic in holiness, awesome in splendor, doing wonders? Exodus 15:11 ESV

*The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is clear, enlightening the eyes. Psalm 19:8 ESV

*The Lord confirms the word of his servant, and performs the counsel of his messengers. Isaiah 44:26 NKJV

The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying, "I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness." Jeremiah 31:3 NIV

*These Jews (from Beroea) welcomed the message very eagerly and examined the scriptures every day to see whether these things were so. Acts 17:11 ESV

*There are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone. 1 Corinthians 12:6 ESV

*Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. James 1:12 NKJV

Moravian Prayer: Omnipotent Lord, you made all things, rule over all things, and provide all things. Every gift you give us is from you and is meant to work in concert to your glory. Help us celebrate the diversity of gifts we see in our communities. 

Confirm your word in us, O Lord, as we set forth into the world to proclaim the good news of your salvation. Counsel us as we seek to follow your lead, guiding our steps to those who need to hear of your grace and love. Amen.