Thanks, everyone!

Sunday, November 3, 2019
It's Volunteer Appreciation Day - we invite all the BIC volunteers over for a BBQ after the Gathering.

Josh and Ish whip up a fine stand of steak and chicken. There's nothing like having South American chefs when it comes to meat! Ish jokes that the real miracle is to see an Argentinian and a Brazilian cooking together.

Many guests bring a treat along to share. One long table outside groans with savory food, while the dining table inside is heaped with fruit and sweets.

It's amazing to see how many people are involved in making an organization thrive. We love and appreciate the talents and gifts each one shares. Probably 60 or 70 show up, including some happy kids. The kids run upstairs to raid the toy box and make the space their own.

"Help, we're being invaded!" they cry when a few adults go up to check things out.

We celebrate each other and the good times we have working together. Each one is an important part of the community.

The rain holds off until we've eaten. Then the heavens open up and the water gushes down. Everyone moves away from the garden half of the porch. The roof is about 10 cm (4") too short so the rain falls in streams onto the edge of the porch. It splashes onto furniture, tiles, and everyone in its path. The ledge where people have been perched is suddenly deserted.

"I can help," Daniel offers. He can? With movie night later this week, we would love to get rid of the waterfall!

One group leaves with the first pause in the rain, but most stay until a second downpour subsides. The last guests close the gate about 4pm.

I go into the kitchen and thank God for the helpers who are cleaning up. With that many guests, it would take W and me until midnight to wash and put things aways. The women take leftovers home for their families.

Monday
Our first guest arrives at 6:20 while the rest come around 9:30. The porch is a great place to hang out and rest, especially for those who live in the middle of the crowded, polluted city. "It's like being on a retreat," said our last houseguest (who lives in a small apartment). We agree - it's the gift of God to everyone who enters.

The study is wonderful as usual. This one's led by DrHanna, who always researches the topics thoroughly.

Dennis from Uganda remembers climbing the trees at home for fruit. Before we know it, he's leaped onto the trunks of the big tree beside the porch (above) and is plucking guava. His smile says it all.

W and I have lunch at Maxi's before heading back to work, he at home, I in the office.

Tuesday
Out the door at 6:30, I drop my gear off at the office and walk around the neighborhood. In the morning sunshine, a lot of motorbike riders are already taking kids to school and shuttling others to work. GOJek is a big brand here - most people will call a motorbike to get them from point A to B, unless they use the little angkot (shuttle vans).

W comes to the office from his breakfast meeting, laden with the cutest boxing gloves ("Playtime with grandkids?") and another treat bag from the 1-yr party for Patricia that we missed on Sunday. Happy Birthday, little girl - may God bless you all your life and make you a blessing.

After a team meeting in the morning, I zoom over to the next hill to pick up a small, almost-new sectional sofa for the hall stage. We were looking for seating for Christmas selfies, but also for regular weekends. This one's almost a steal. (Almost.)

I'm back to the house for a late lunch, though the helpers weren't expecting me. I like to make my own lunch anyway. I boil and drain spinach noodles, glop some plain yogurt, a mashed avocado, and savory spices into a bowl, and mix it all up with a few leftover steamed green beans. Unexpectedly delicious.

On the porch are 4 big bags of fruits, picked this morning: 2 huge rice sacks are full of avocados; 2 are filled with parkai or "stink bean." Instead of asking for money from the local pickers, we have arranged to keep half the harvest for distribution between two households, our neighbor Jez and us. The crew take the rest.

 Jez, always concerned about nature, has asked that fruit be left on the trees for the wild animals. "I watch the civics, squirrels, and monkeys play in those trees every morning," he says. "They've been checking if the fruit is ripe."

They're waiting for the free harvest, just like we are. It's win-win: everyone is happy. The helpers, yard workers, and their friends will all benefit.

Daniel's here today as well - he's extending the lip on the roof over the porch. (See him way up there?) The extension will make the outdoor seating useable during the 6-7 months of rainy season. Usually when we hear the rain, we push all the furniture away from the yard, pop up the cushions, and rush our guests inside before we get soaked. As the water gushes off the roof-tiles, onto the ledge and the concrete railing, it floods the floor tiles.

This will send the run-off from the enormous roof into the garden. The house is built Dutch-style: it has a huge sloping roof that wicks the heat into the high gable of the upstairs to cool down the main floor. We save a lot of electricity by not using air conditioners, even in the hottest days of summer. (Mind you, on those hottest days, everyone walks barefoot on the first floor where the old stone tiles  can cool our blood.)

 The flowers from Sunday are wide open. And drop-dead gorgeous.

On the street, the enormous trees and hedges are in bloom, too. 

Read more:
*For we are aliens and transients before you, as were all our ancestors; our days on the earth are like a shadow, and there is no hope. 1 Chronicles 29:15 

*Jesus said, “In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places.” John 14:2 

Moravian Prayer: Alpha and Omega, you are always with us. You have set a place for us on earth and in heaven. We praise you as we remember that one day we will be in our heavenly dwelling place with you. Amen.