Tuesday, March 2, 2021
It's been overcast much of the last week. Even in gloomy weather or when you're depressed, there's so much beauty around us that it's staggering. God shares generously.
The Bandung night rains assure that the garden plants are bursting with color. Everything's trying its best to brighten up the yard. This pot reminds me of the African black-and-white pottery my parents brought back in the early 1970s.
W finds a 2-meter-long vinyl map in the back of somewhere. After washing, it fits perfectly across the shady wall near the gate. He tacks the plastic sheet behind a grid holding young ferns. We tip the grid on its side for a better fit.
Hmmm. Guess I'll be retying the ferns in another direction. The wall isn't big enough to have it the original way. (The right side used to be the top.) Let's see how those birds nest ferns grow.
Dr Hanna sends over another assortment of coleus plants. The first lot are in a new 3' border by the old flagpole. The latest plants will go on the "new" BIC balcony. We are due to meet the generous plant donor later this week. Can't wait.
The BIC office is dusty from construction. Most exciting kind of grit, in my opinion. W and I film the Sunday talk on Abraham and how he learned patient trust - and then head home before 8:00 a.m.
When we come back after lunch, the door frame is in. Won't be long and we'll have a working door, an accessible balcony, and a day for clean-up. Most of the office furniture is covered in towels and tablecloth from the storage room.
Meanwhile, in our bedroom, there's some kind of spill and a plethora of ants. At least it's near the door and they haven't tramped across the room. Leave anything - from a dead cockroach to a drop of soda - on counter or floor, and you have nature's cleanup crew come in with their troop. We wipe it away.
Wednesday
When I walk, I look up to see a tree sending its roots toward the ground from 30' above the sidewalk.
The feathery roots are shaved above head height so we can stay on the sidewalk.
We start three meetings with one for international churches - when shall we reopen? Who is doing what in this country? It's a mixed bag. In open areas, communities of faith are unrestricted other than sterilized hands, masking, and social distancing.
The second is a meeting of global leaders, examining trends for the coming years. And the final one is our own local team, planning and sharing what we've been doing. Each is a meeting of minds and heart.
Thursday
There's no room for me in the car up to the walk since we're including a first-time walker. Great - I will catch up on things I've had no time for, things that renew me. I walk a few loops (a few miles) around the neighborhood. Then I sew a new headboard cover in fiery-colored ikat. We picked the fabric up on the same conference trip to Bali last year. (That's also where we visited the pottery factory, above.)
The helpers come to the office to clean the dust from the putting in the new door. We have a new porch for meeting outside.
This is the rough space, along with spray against the hundreds of ants marching along the walls. I'll post the update next week once it's furnished. For now, it's nice to have a door and a clean office ...
Friday
After a walk and a few hours in the office, W picks me up for a special visit. Dr Hanna's friends have created tranquil modern spaces in their hotel, gallery, and home. She has obtained an invitation for Dr Wuri, Alice, and us to join her there. I don't know what to expect.
Pak Dr Nugroho has made a harmonious and breathtaking yard. The rhythms of the plantings - repetitions of coleus, ferns, and fig-like shrubs - sit against vine-covered walls.
The flowers trail from above.
while interesting leaf-shapes and berries shine from below.
Every corner has a focal point.
The 4' concrete paving blocks are beautiful and practical, inside the buildings and out.
Bromeliads bloom from where they nestle in the bare trunks of the plumeria (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plumeria).
Dr. Nugroho's family has been artistic for generations. They created beautiful batiks handprinted or with historic carved stamps like this one).
There are several books written about the family and the artists they support or promote.
The artist's work is on large canvases.
This one captures our attention - look at the detail below.
The gallery is very personal. Each item has a story and was selected by Dr Nugroho or his family. Various other artists are also featured in the Bumi Semilir hotel and gallery: check it out here.
These humorous ceramic figures from Jogja capture our attention.
There are one-of-a-kind porcelains, painted in past centuries.
And there are rugs - from denim patchwork to fine silk weavings.
There is furniture, historical and more recent.
An old wooden bed is complete with carved hooks for mosquito nets.
I love this porcelain figure, amusing and unique in its perfection. It sits under another painting in the restaurant.
This is the menu we choose from in the restaurant.
The rissoles which I always enjoy is one of the favorite relics of Dutch occupation.
We go from a mixed salad that unwinds from cucumber skins to a variety of vegetables and greens -
to the smooth and creamy pumpkin soup -
to the 1/2 and 1/2 meals (2 more-than-half portions because we can't decide) of chicken rice and beef teriyaki -
to an irresistible coffee pudding and crepes (W has chocolate lava cake) -
The restaurant is a socially distanced but intimate space to enjoy great company and good food! We are so honored to be personally taken through the spaces by our hosts. The care and selection feeds body, mind, and heart. We are completely FULL when we leave.
We highly recommend the gallery and restaurant when you visit Bandung. It's in the cooler north end of the city and you'll feel like you're on a special retreat for the soul.
*God says, “I will establish my covenant between me and you, and your offspring after you throughout their generations.” Genesis 17:7
*Do not fear, for I am with you. Isaiah 43:5
*We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed. 2 Corinthians 4:8-9
Moravian Prayer: God of beauty and grace, thank you that you share vision and sound and touch with us. We cannot imagine life without your creation. Yet we often forget how much you love us and how you long to share yourself with us.
O great Comforter, our lives have been overshadowed by economic calamity, social conflict, and the threat of a global pandemic. In faith, we turn to you as you carry us in your heart through troubled waters. Surround us today with the soothing sights of nature and the joy of healthy relationships. Amen.
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