and clips one for our room. Sadly, he can't poke out a root for me to take along.
The food is good. I always choose noodles.
One evening, we celebrate Gigi's 60th birthday with her friends and teammates. Of course, she and I indulged in a bit of pampering earlier in the day.
The views of the city are lovely - we're in the cool mountains of Batu.
We're here for a week-long national conference. Worship is led by musicians in traditional clothing.
The hall corrals thousands of delegates from all over the islands. This is their first meeting in 7 years, since the regular 5-year rotation was interrupted by COVID. The delegates are debating and voting on points of order, bylaws, and a new organizational committee. It's a lot!
The dress code for each day includes matching jackets on the first night. A friend ends up with 2 jackets and gives me the smaller size. It fits my shoulders well but squeezes the breath out of her. One day is formal wear. Another is
batik (traditionally dyed or stamped patterns on cotton cloth.) Each area has its own patterns.
There are various group pictures, formal and informal.
We run into new and old friends.
One morning, I work on Kindle manuscripts. My task is to
finally publish my 3-volume set of
What Made Them Think They Could? in paperback. No luck. I'm an idiot with this kind of thing. W promises to figure it out for me.
I owe three outstanding influencers a copy of the series. They wrote the books' Forewords:
Dr George Wood (deceased, so I'll send it to his son),
Dr Don Ross, and
Dr Charlie Self. At least a dozen libraries have asked for copies. It's time to check this task off an aging to-do list.
I was introduced to this group of adventurers when Gloria Robinett, librarian at the AG missionary files, pulled the records of a dozen outstanding women from the early 1900s. In the files, I discovered cross-cultural courage, mentors, and strong characters who risked everything to share Good News.
I was captured by the accounts. About 40 years ago, someone photocopied and cut out every record of AG missionaries that she could get her hands on. She popped them into individual files = what astonishing reading! The information includes applications, travelogues, and hundred of articles that the women and their acquaintances wrote about themselves and their work.
Book 1 (
Ten Case Studies of Female Pioneers in Pentecostal Missions) contains the stories of 10 women (6 married and 4 single), who worked around the globe in the early 1900s. The women are diverse, but each one fascinates and inspires me.
Book 2 (American Religious and Cultural Influences) explores their heritage. Who were their female mentors and counterparts in the late C19 and early C20? Which organizations sent women around the world as teachers, preachers, and social workers? What did the women focus on and what were their challenges?
Book 3 (
Shaping Theology, Policy, and Praxis) tells the story of the emerging Assemblies of God, and how rules and opportunities developed for female global workers.
Another day, I write 10 book reviews. I'm interested in the trends new books showcase. Reading books before publication gives me a window into culture and information. Lucky me!
On Friday morning, we're on our way to the airport. It takes almost 2 hours via shuttle. We have an overnight layover in Bali (no direct flights home available) before our driver gets us in Bandung.
Along the street, there's a 4' lizard in a cage.
We eat at Naughty Nuri's (Sanur) for the first time. The ribs are delicious - and the roasted corn is good, too. It's the best meal we've had on this trip.
The coleslaw is exceptional because the vegetables are crisp and fresh. Dipping my fork into 1/2 teaspoon of dressing on the side flavors a big plate..
We stop for gelato on the beach, walking back to the hotel.
Everywhere. And I mean everywhere. Shops. Banks. The airport entry. Homes. Street crossings. Everywhere in Bali, there are temples and statues and offerings made to the gods for luck, for fortune, for health, for good business ...
I've never noticed these plants blooming in Bandung, but look at the little openings all along the stem. I break a thin branch off a red frangipani tree and W tucks it into his bag. We'll plant that in our garden at home.
We are invited to a friend's birthday but won't be home in time. We send a box of cookies with a warm "Happy Birthday" in our place.
SaturdayBreakfast is plain and indifferent in the hotel. There's not enough time to go out to the fabulous eateries without the pressure of "being on time" (getting to the airport early). It's peaceful dangling my feet in the small pool.
Our initially booked flight is canceled so we're rescheduled to an hour later. In the check-in line, we meet Zoe from Ottawa, who is doing a semester abroad from a university in Toronto. She joins us in the airport lounge as our guest. We wish her a safe trip home and W prays a blessing on her travels.
The lady sitting beside me on the plane is a first, too. Her lips move as silently reads the Koran, which has a commentary written in the margins. She reads Arabic with Indonesian phonics underneath. What makes her unusual is that most Indonesians aren't readers. Judging from the plethora of covered heads, many passengers on this flight probably came from Lombok or another Islamic area - Bali is mostly Hindu.
I'm read from two books during the 1.5-hour flight: Brene Brown's Atlas of the Heart (on emotions) and Johann Hari's new book Stolen Focus. The first is encouraging. The second was sent to me for review by the publisher.
Stolen Focus offers shocking documentation on how distraction is built into tech and apps. It reviews studies that show how the constant skimming of information is rewiring interactions from the brain and body outward. Everything is designed to keep you scrolling, to keep you online. [PS Many app designers do not let their kids use a smartphone or apps - that's how corrosive and damaging they consider the technology.]
I need both books - and will be considering how to change some interactions because of them.
We finally land in Bandung about 2:00. A quick trip to Setiabudi market for groceries, and we're on the way home. I raid the garden for flowers for the 12 tables at the hall; tomorrow's a potluck at IESB. I'll cook 3 kg of spaghetti and make a monsterous salad in the morning. IbuA's freshly-baked cookies are already waiting in the fridge at the office.
Read more:
*Great peace have those who love your law; nothing can make them stumble. Psalm 119:165
*I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after your body has been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him.
Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. Luke 12:4-7
*Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom. Colossians 3:16
Moravian Prayer: Spirit of truth, your teachings fill us, surround us, and nourish us all our days. We seek to love your truth, and to share it with one another with the wisdom and gentleness that can come only from you. We pray, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
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