Thursday, August 10, 2017
We thought we'd get into the swing of things at home by walking this morning. And a great walk it is through the hills. It's the first time we've walked on roads the whole way, rough though they are. The sky is overcast so it's a cool (78o) 8 km (5+miles) walk. Nice.
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| Snake in a cage |
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| Woven walls |
The new paving is the same width: 1.5 lanes. In some places, sheer dropoffs and cliffs lie within a foot or two of the edge of the road. So when half the narrow road is being refinished, there's no way for traffic to go both directions. The paved areas are 6-8" high, a raised lane of solid concrete, which would make a nasty scratch if touching the side of the vehicle.
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| 10 crammed into our minivan |
There's barely time for a quick shower before leaving at 3:30 for the study at the Bamboo Shack. We have a wonderful reunion with friends coming back after holidays. And the conversation is uplifting and warm. We pray for each other -
and then go to dinner at Josue and Claudia's. They offer a warm welcome and a wonderful spread, Brazilian food and some noodles brought by Dr. Hanna and her daughter Alice. We're home by 8:30 and fall into bed.
Friday
The day starts early at 4. Our bodies haven't quite adjusted to our time zone so when we walk at 6, it almost feels like noon. We are catching up and preparing for the upcoming classes. We need groceries! We make a quick run into the store on the way to a massage ($10 for 1.5 hours) that kneads the kinks out.
I run a bath. There's no impromptu soak though: it means submerging a heater for 1.5 hours as the water from our tap isn't warm enough. But wait! the water is green. And I can't see the bottom of the tub. Is that because the air is warm and there's already algae forming, or is it just dirty water? (It's dirty and smells like swamp.) I shower and crawl in anyway - I'm craving a good soak and I have textbooks to read.
In the evening, we have an unexpected treat. We eat at Miss Bee with Kamlesh and Eri, a couple on holiday from IESJakarta. We walk back together to the house after and chat - it's a delight to get to know them better, beyond the occasional staff meetings we get to attend in Jakarta.
Saturday
A father and son ask if they can drop in at 9. After our 6am walk, I bake 3 dozen cupcakes and a dozen scones. W and I don't know if our guests have eaten: Indonesians get up early, usually at 6, so they eat early. Maybe they'll be hungry. I asked W to buy eggs yesterday - and then didn't see him in that section of the store so picked up 10 eggs as well. We were in a rush; we got to the register with 30 eggs - his and mine. Yikes. Well, I do have to restock my baking! I toss some in the scones and hard-boil another 8.
I make breakfast for W and me - scrambled eggs and sausage. Our guests arrive before 8:30 as we're about to eat. We put everything on the table: fresh baking, eggs, sausage, and coffee. They bring pastries from a famous downtown bakery, too.
It's hard to anticipate the time of arrival here. Some people show up early, like this morning. (Our study participants often arrive an hour early as well.) Others arrive a half hour or an hour later than planned. It's a bit disconcerting for meal prep, but we are in constant adjustment mode anyway. Time is just another flexible factor.
Sunday
Yup, we start with a 6:30am walk around the neighborhood. This morning, W's back to teaching his class in Christian Thought. We discuss the full humanity and deity of Christ - and the enthusiasm and presence of God is palpable. Then it's lunchtime at Bumi - we are so happy to have friends to share life and lunch with.
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| It's not uncommon to see overloaded trucks. This little motor-tricycle is heaped with recycling. |
Our first friend shows up at 8:30. Several others arrive by 9:15. It's our first week facilitating the Monday 9:30 study in a month: others have been taking their turn, learning to lead and ask good questions. As often happens, questions lead in unexpected directions - this time (in Luke 11:14+), we talk about how we can build unity in our families and communities. The group comes up with 1) value others; 2) show respect; 3) extend love; and 4) focus on pure and good things. And they repeat these 4 items until everyone has memorized them. I love the learning style - and their participation.
Simon, a regular attendee, asks us to meet him at an international school at 1. When we show up, he introduces us to the principal. She extends an invitation and W agrees to teach the non-Muslim religion class for 45 high schoolers each Friday. (Muslim students have religious training every Friday, so non-Muslims generally have an equivalent mandatory class, too.)
We have a date - and drive up the mountain to Lembang. One street is lined with garden nurseries. You can't imagine the colors and shapes: there's an abundance of flowers like coleus, gardenias, frangipanis, bougainvilleas, geraniums, orchids. There are also citrus shrubs and green plants and trees of every shade, shape, and size. They grow all year in the tropical heat. Their abundance and beauty is renewing for people like us who sit at a desk much of the day. We walk up the street, admiring, smelling, and touching the foliage.
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| Frangipani |
We choose a few fragrant plants, including the funniest-looking frangipani tree. It has a clump of yellow blossoms, a few leaves, and bare bark branches. We add 11 vines into the back of the car as well. Those will grow to shade and curtain off our teras, providing privacy from the neighbor who overlooks the yard. The huge Vanda orchid ($15) scents the air - it's my sweet date's bouquet "splurge" on this date night. The back of the car is full, but all the plants cost about $25. A green bargain indeed, for my garden-loving soul.
Our dinner is at the Valley, the "best" restaurant in town. The city spreads below. The view is stunning, Someone has strung white Christmas lights through a 50' pine tree.
The risoles (breaded vegetable dumplings) are great. The rest of the meal is a shock: my lamb curry is a finely-chopped tough stew in a screaming hot sauce that almost chokes me (and I usually like heat.) I gulp a few spoons of rice to cool my burning mouth. Our only light is from two candles so I can hardly see what we're eating. That's always a bit scary. But the ambiance is great, and my companion is handsome. It's a good date night.
Read more:
*God said to Noah, “As for me, I am establishing my covenant with you and your descendants after you, and with every living creature, that never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth.” Genesis 9:9-11
*Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6 NIV
*Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. Colossians 3:1–3 NIV
Paul wrote: God was entrusting the message of reconciliation to us. 2 Corinthians 5:19
*Be very careful, then, how you live-not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is.
Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 5:15-20 NIV
Moravian Prayer: Watchful and caring God, pour into our hearts, our souls, and our minds a strong love for you. This is our prayer today. Amen.
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