Feels like ... a lot of friends working together

 Friday, November 19, 2021

I thought I had nothing but sleep to look forward to. More nights than we want to admit, we're meeting people around the world. Australia is between 1 and 4 hours ahead of us; parts of Europe are 6+ hrs behind; the West Coast of Canada is 15 hours behind. It makes for interesting scheduling. And a lot of odd hours awake.

Before bedtime I glanced at the day ahead. No such luck. I signed up for a meeting from 2:30-4:30 a.m. I don't set the alarm, figuring if I'm supposed to be there, I'll wake up (and I do.) I'm a few minutes late, trying to find the Zoom link that I forgot to put on the calendar.

It's well worth it. The speaker's insights on engaging the hurting are priceless and rare. It's a new perspective for me. Plus I get to join some of my favorite people, even if it's online.

I sleep for 2 more hours before heading for the office with W. Alice has recruited more than a dozen volunteers and some paid helpers. We also have 3 small dogs running around. Casey, the tiny boss dog, lives at the conference center. She's already friends with Vieira's "Cookie" and our "Bailey."

First we have to clean. W brings a shop vac so we can blow the dust off the artificial trees and rattan furniture. The baubles get washed by hand, maybe for the first time. They were so dusty that our hands got dirty just touching them. Now they shine again.

Claudia scrubs down the keyboard while our helpers work outside. Suddenly the rain pours down so there's a rush to bring everything under cover.

The second task is straightening out the crumpled mess of garlands, wreaths, and tree branches. New ribbon is swapped out for the sagging red bows. We don't have to buy much beyond replacements for burned-out light sets, LED candles, and a few garlands. We toss the few ornaments that we can't put new hooks through.

No one complains though it's not the most exciting work. We're just all happy to be together.

Liana and other volunteers attach pine cones and gold ribbon to the garlands. The dogs enjoy the attention, going from one person to the other.

Next is hanging the garlands, banners, and lights. Lucky and Sanny made the banners two years ago. It's nice to unroll them again but Josh washes down the grimy surfaces. Vinyl sure attracts a lot of dust and dirt. W strings new "coconut" rope through the upper roll and the guys work together to level them on the wall.

The ladder is carried here and there as things settle into their spot. W gave me my Christmas gift early, a beautiful macrame that fits between the banners.

The top area is done first, ready for the selfies Bandung residents and visitors are famous for.

The old stage has been transformed from this,

to this. Well done, everyone!

The main stage is ready for next steps next week: set-up by the media crew. Slowly but surely we check off the projects.

Della has packaged a delicious lunch so everyone chills out and eats together.

Before long, the  are finished. The sectional sitting in our office for a few months goes back to its place, a relaxing spot under Della's wreath and Eki's garland.

The crèche is clean and waiting on the other side.

Even the advent candles have been polished and dusted.

Daniel repairs the 9' tree that is listing after decades of being hauled in and out of storage. Della, Maddie, and Max help string 10 strands of lights and tuck thick gold mesh around the truck. Then they hang the ornaments, topping the tree with a star.

One of the special things about a faith community is its traditions and history. Over time, BIC has collected the ornaments that its kids make. It's fun to unpack and place them on the tree each year. The teens and older kids recognize their past handiwork with delight.

Daniel, Max, and Waldemar hoist the whole thing onto a table so it's tall enough for the hall.  Daniel tucks the IKEA packing paper around the base. He also hangs the 30" wreaths. Once the chairs are in the hall, we hope the plethora of nail holes will disappear.

And slowly the tools, extra ribbons, and lights get stored away in boxes. The hall is swept a few times ...  it's coming together. "Many hands make light work." Thanks everyone!

After lunch, the volunteers head upstairs with Alice to assemble homemade cookies for the BIC Advent gift packets. They'll be sent along with candles, a devotional booklet, kid activities, and more.

Whether you are a regular part of the BIC community or an occasional attendee, make sure we have your address if you want an Advent package.

The diversity of footwear at the door shows the ages and activity-levels of participants (more wear and tear on some than others.) What fun.

I heat up some food when I get home, enjoying the batik on our dining table. It's a beautiful country.

Saturday

W and I take the dogs on a quick walk around the neighborhood. Someone's getting married at #NaraPark.

The flower boards are absolutely stunning. Few wedding cards here - people give an envelope of money and if they are friends, buy flowers for the family of the bride and groom.

W's class starts at 7:30 and runs the whole morning. Melvina, Alice, and a helper are hard at work in the office, assembling the Advent bags. Danny's sending his driver to deliver them next week, which is when the cookies will be added.

What an awesome community we have - everyone gives what they have, does what they're good at, and works with heart.

 

"Take time to be still," is my main takeaway from my morning meeting. I plan to take that seriously the rest of the day ... after I make some calls and write.

Read more:

*As a deer longs for flowing streams, so my soul longs for you, O God. Psalm 42:1

*Our God is a God who saves; from the Sovereign Lord comes escape from death. Psalm 68:20 NIV

*Since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have died. 1 Thessalonians 4:14

*God said, “To the thirsty I will give water as a gift from the spring of the water of life.” Revelation 21:6 21:6

Moravian Prayer: Lord and Savior, while we are eternally grateful for your sufficient, saving grace, remind us of the need to offer grace to those we feel have wronged us. For in claiming your salvation, we must also lean into the act of forgiving others. 

Life-giving Lord who provides us refuge, you have led us to the stream and washed us in the water, not only for our own sake, but so that we may quench the thirst of others. May it be so. Amen.