What I miss about Bandung

Australia is headed for winter, Canada is enjoying the start of summer, and Indonesia continues its wet season. 

Shooting pictures on walks in the hills

The world is an interesting place.

Bird sellers along the sidewalks

Things I miss about Bandung (some happily absent, while some I long for):

• The guava tree beside the porch; clumps of "houseplants" outside; palm trees; birds of paradise plants so prolific they are chopped to the ground every few months. An amaryllis hedge anyone?
• The smiles that instantly appear when we greet people.
• Shining a flashlight at night before my feet touch the floor. Is there a roach by my shoes?
• Food that is fried. Rice. Potatoes. Vegetables. Tofu. Meat. Dessert.
• Only cold water faucets in the kitchen and bathroom. We boil water for dishes and mix boiled water with cold in a splash bowl when shower heaters aren't working.

A view of the city from the hills above

• Sunrise and sunset at 6.
• Walks in the hills. (Walking up our Seattle driveway doesn't have the same appeal.)
• The constant chatter and subsequent explanations in languages I don't know.
• Studies and friendships that grow more precious each month.
• On and off electricity and water pressure.
• Wondering - as I'm cooking - if 10 or 60 people are showing up for dinner.

Stunning landscapes - a volcanic lake

• The smell of eggs from village chickens.
• Skinny chicken drumsticks (look at your thumb for an idea of size).
• Sambal (ketchup on heat and flavor steroids)
• "Selamat pagi!" (good morning) at 7am by a gardener or 8am by a house helper. zzzz

A gardener sweeps the yard of constantly shedding leaves
(snakes can live in unkempt areas)

• The chaos of traffic. Loose paving and litter along the roads.
• Ant trails. Everywhere. Every dish must be closed or tightly covered.
• Chocolate and chocolate chips in cookies melting on the counter. Frozen food thawing in minutes. Yup, it's hot in the house.
• Checking for snakes before sitting on the toilet or entering the shower.

Vendors sell food and goods along the streets

More another time. I'm getting homesick.

C'mon over, wherever you're from! (Movie night)

Read more:

*But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ. Philippians 3:20 NIV

*Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us. 1 Peter 2:10-12 NIV

The foot-long blooms of this tree
seem to glow in the dark

*The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.

For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.

Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of[g] your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation— if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant. Colossians 1:15-23

Prayer: Dear Father, we are grateful to be your children. Let us reflect your love to everyone around us. Let us do many good deeds - not to try to win your favor, but in response to your goodness and kindness to us. Thank you for reconciling us to yourself through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.