One of the hardest things about living abroad is missing family events. Our lovely daughter had a birthday Sunday and we had to wait until Monday to call her - we're 12 hours apart on the clock. Our Sunday schedule was packed during her waking hours. Getting "best wishes" at 3am is not good, right?
At 6, W and I are walking the dogs. By 7, Martha and I chat, then Tembi and I talk online - and then ... well, it's date day. Sort of a day off?
W runs a few errands while I'm getting things ready for the afternoon and sorting out chores. W buys barbed wire for the yard man to string on one side of the fence. Our neighbors have had a few break-ins in the past weeks. "Please be careful," Dr W cautions us.
The garden is bare and dry - the yard man stripped out all the little flower seedlings I planted and clearcut down to the soil while I was away. It can be hard to communicate what we want to people with strong assumptions of what things should look like. (When I'm gone, it goes back to what he wants.)
He knocks 12 jackfruits from the tree in the driveway. He puts one aside for himself and the driver. The helpers take two, and the rest are put in the neighborhood for all to share. Dr W sends a WhatsApp to the neighborhood women, who send their helpers to get them. They'll be cooked with egg, meat, and spices and served at tomorrow's feast.
One part-timer is cooking 3 jackfruit today. Technically she's cooking them for movie night next week, but she uses our spices and stove to cook a huge portion for her household as well. From 9-5, she strips the gluey flesh of its skin, cuts and boils the fruit, and then spices the results in three big pots. The final taste is like peppery pulled pork.
We fill a few bags for neighbors. The helpers take two huge bags home for their family feast tomorrow. The other helper is stuck with ironing (good to get the bugs out) but makes lunch for everyone and sets up tea.
The Bandung Book Group comes for tea and talk at 2. We discuss a funny novel about A Man called Ove, who reminds me of our dear Scandinavian friends. Since I hosted this month, I'll present a book next month. I'm inclined to How Women Decide, an eyeopener by Teresa Huston. (I sat in on Huston's book signing in Seattle last year and found her and her research interesting.) The women leave at 4.
The dogs have taken over the yard - we know if anyone looks in the gate or appears on the only balcony overlooking our place. Coco chimes in to bark along with Gypsy. She also chases away the many roaming cats. We find out that she's not afraid of firecrackers - though Gypsy is terrified. When the pops and bangs start, we open the big crate and both of them lie down inside together. Good dogs. (I've never heard of dogs sharing a crate before.)
At 4:30, W and I finally get into the car and head out for our date. En route, we visit 15-mo-old Ben in the hospital. He caught the virus that's going around and was dehydrated after severe nausea. Hopefully he gets to come home tomorrow. He's adorable! and so well-behaved.
His parents are sweet and caring. Lucky boy.
The restaurant where we planned to eat is closed. Tomorrow is the Muslim "Feast of the Sacrifice." Many shops are closed early so women can cook and families can travel to be together. The Koran mentions Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son at God's command but doesn't specify which son. The Bible tells the original story of Abraham and Isaac (Gen 22). (Muslims assume it is Ishmael as they celebrate Abraham's obedience to God.)
Neighbors will buy a goat together. The amount of forgiveness purchased is specific to the animal. Cows are a very expensive option but have greater merit.
The driver has complained that the goat price has almost doubled this year to $200-280. At the main intersections, the bleating accompanies the sales. The animals will be ritually slaughtered tomorrow morning.
We finally find a place to eat, walk over to make an appointment with the nearby vet to have Coco spayed on Friday. We get into our driveway before 8pm. When the sun goes down, I'm ready for bed. I've been ready for a while.
We've had a houseful coming and going today, with about a dozen Youth Alpha members attending a film and discussion while we're gone, led by Scott and Sarah.
At sundown, the chanting has started. All night long, there's high-volume singing, chanting, and general noise. Firecrackers go off. Drums roll. It's noisier than I can ever remember. I put in earplugs.
Wednesday
We walk the dogs as usual. In the next few weeks, we're speaking together and traveling, so there are arrangements, study, and writing. Most of the morning, W and a young man from another place sit on the porch to talk about how church should function - the affirmation of a healthy body and sound leadership. They overlook the garden, where many flowers are blooming.
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| A Golden Shower orchid, hidden on the guava tree |
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| A 2' fern on the garden wall |
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| "Oh, you have alpine ginger, which won't grow below 700 meters," according to a book club friend. |
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| In a bowl on the porch, the fish swim round and round. |
*The Lord your God you shall follow, him alone you shall fear, his commandments you shall keep, his voice you shall obey, him you shall serve, and to him you shall hold fast. Deuteronomy 13:4
*Lord, you alone are my portion and my cup; you make my lot secure. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance. I will praise the Lord, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me. I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Psalm 16:5-8 NIV
*By day the Lord directs his love, at night his song is with me—a prayer to the God of my life. Psalm 42:8 NIV
Jesus said, “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.” John 15:12
Moravian Prayer: Gracious Lord, when your spirit came upon our forefathers and mothers, you transformed our lives and helped us unite as a church. May we recognize that spirit in the world today and always. Amen.
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