Hurrah! It's my first time in months to walk the Bandung hills. The hills of Baguio (Philippines) were good training for high elevations and steps. We have to make a video for one of our sponsors, so we pause to say hi before we get all sweaty and hot.
This morning, the air is clear and hot. The lookout is spectacular - we perch over several valleys and enjoy the view.
We are very slow this morning, walking 5 km in 2 hours. There's a bit of up and down - a few steep sections and the obligatory getting lost. Overall, it's a chatty slow stroll. The dogs run off leash. They love being in the hills.
A man and his dog: Cocoa is firmly attached to W.
We eat at a noodle place with a good reputation. $3-4 a dish? not bad.
In the evening, we participate in a study of Joshua 16. The group has a good discussion about the way God leads and guides us. It's 9 before we get home.
Friday
We walk the dogs down to the grocer, where squid and ice cream sit side by side. Organization is just different in the shops. (I'm happy when I see a freezer or fridge for meat and seafood, though.)
I marinade 6 chicken breasts for tonight, get the vegetables cleaned and the potatoes peeled, and into the slow cooker it goes. Cooking for under a dozen seems like no work at all.
W and I go over a talk we're giving Sunday. Then we then take Cocoa to the vet to get her spayed. (All our dogs get neutered or spayed: there are so many unwanted half-breed dogs and cats around that I can't bear to add to the number.) We don't want street dogs bothering Cocoa, either.
The vet remarks on how calm Cocoa is and what a lovely dog. She rests for a while in the waiting room - so different from the luxury accommodations of western vets' offices, where animals have better post-surgery rooms than humans.
A tech watches her and keeps her on a sterile pad until she's had enough IV fluids. She's flat as a bag of bones - so relaxed. When we carry her to the SUV and home., she sleeps most of the day. I nap as well.
For supper, nine of us sit around the dining table, chat, and catch up. "This is so different from Indonesian meals," says one. "We are used to people coming and going, not sitting to eat together. Usually we hold our plates in our hands and move around the room." I hadn't thought about that, but it's accurate.
We start with pumpernickel bread, hot from the oven (thanks, Christine!) "We like it best with dill dip," she says.
What do you know? I made a tofu-dill dip this morning for crudités and crackers. The bread is perfect with it. Our guests have also brought delicious tofu and black beans, vegan mushroom "meat," and yummy desserts.
I've made mashed potatoes, a salad like one I enjoyed in the Philippines, chicken in lemon sauce, and a few more foods. The apple pie is a fitting ending, thanks to Ibu A's baking skills and the freezer left by a Canadian working team 2 years ago.
We pray for each other before we get up from the table. Two other guests arrive about the time others are leaving and stay for a few more hours. We enjoy their conversation. W, who thought he'd rather wash and tidy up instead of having a helper around, misses much of their visit. But we'll have them over again. The local young man excels as an English teacher and his Chinese student is quite fluent ... after just one month of conversation and lessons. Amazing.
Saturday
It's a short and interrupted night - we didn't get to bed until 11 and listened to the scriptures (YouVersion's ESV reader is best) in the middle of the night. I pull on eyeshade and pop in earplugs and sleep until 8.
We start on a short walk but Cocoa is lagging behind so we head home after a few blocks. She sprawls on the porch and snoozes.
We work on mail and tomorrow's talk before I make mac and cheese for lunch. While W wanders down to town, I rest. It's my first real Sabbath since traveling to teach a few weeks ago, and I recharge best when I'm alone and quiet. Do I feel another nap coming on?
Read more:
*How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of hosts! Psalm 84:1
*Lord, in your great mercies you did not make an end of your people or forsake them. Nehemiah 9:31
*Where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them. Matthew 18:20
*But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: with the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:8-9 NIV
*In our prayers for you we always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Colossians 1:3
Moravian Prayer: With our brothers and sisters in Christ, together we sing our praises louder, and can share in our joys to you, Lord. You have led us through our highest and lowest times; we give you thanks. In Jesus’ name we pray.
Merciful Father, you are always giving to others. The least we can do is give thanks and pray to you. May we remember to pray for those who give and rarely receive. In your name. Amen.
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