More sunshine than last week, hurrah

Saturday, January 31, 2026

Today, I must write our monthly update to friends and partners. This is the longest I have ever procrastinated. Usually, I finish the update a week or two before, scheduling it to arrive on the first day of the month.

I am inspired and relaxed by sunshine in the garden, which is coming along after being planted last month. That doesn't make writing any easier. Finally, the letter is sent off.

It's sunny most of the day. What a luxury in this rainy season. While I write, W walks around town finding knobs, hardware, pulls, and mirror mounts. (He puts on the kitchen pulls later in the day.)

The painting I framed earlier today goes in the upstairs hall. And while W is gone, I put up some pictures in the bathrooms.

For lunch, we wander up to check out a new cafe that is opening nearby. It's behind schedule and not yet ready. Trusty #WoerungEthnic is across the street; we decide to go there instead.

Their gardener is excellent. Look at those 9'/3m fronds on the bird nest fern! We sit in the garden, enjoying the sound of the fountains and the landscaping.

They also have a reliably good kitchen. I'm invigorated by the changes in the house. So I order something new-to-me: Chicken Florentine @$5. It includes mashed potatoes and vegetables done just right.

W and I share a spicy eggplant and basil side dish.

W wants stroganoff with butter rice, one of his favorites. He finishes with 2 donuts and a hot latte. "Want some?" he asks. Nope, he'll never have to share coffee or a deep-fried pastry with me.

We walk up the jalan tikus (lit. mouse lane) and take steep uneven steps into the old neighborhood. It's hard to imagine that soon we won't have access to this gate or live under the enormous roof. The house has been a blessing for 11 years.

We load up more items, confirming what comes and what stays behind. I carry off a bamboo ladder that holds towels and W brings one last mirror, which we'll put in a guest room.

In late afternoon, the sun streams in the Project window. The yellow school desk is used for journaling and making calls. A few hours of working on an article brings structure - finally moving forward on this. I like working beside the window. 

Someone with chickens comes by for this wire basket. Someone else takes the dehydrator we got from a friend. And a teacher comes for 3 bags of cardboard building bricks, perfect for a classroom. Things we never use start to leave - yay.

On the new Porch, the orchids are thriving in part-shade.

The variety of blooms is astonishing.

Every bud has opened.

With half the yard left wild (cheaper maintenance), it sometimes feels like we're living in a park.

We walk over to get some dogs for the night. The rest stand guard at the old property.

In the evening, W attends a celebration of achievement for a friend's company. I'm happy to stay in.

Sunday
He's fast. He's big. He's blacker than midnight. When Anton the poodle hears a sound, he'll run across the whole yard or to the gate in a flash. Between running here and there during the night, Anton the poodle has taken out every dog toy and played. He has as much energy as a 14-year-old boy. You know what I mean.

He's been in leash training: I got tired of him lunging ahead. Now, if he pulls forward, I circle or walk the other way. He's a quick learner; after 3 sessions, he has quit pulling. (Why didn't I do this sooner?)

We walk him over to eat and play with the others. He bounces up to Juno (his best buddy), who always tolerates his attention. The dogs are happy to see us - soon we'll all be together night and day. There's only a week until the wedding here, for which we're trying to spare the yard and garden. Hence, we limit the number of dogs at the project overnight.

The volunteers this morning are happy to be serving at IES Bandung.

Titik's second bouquet features a tall stem from her garden. How creative!

We take the main bouquet back to the Project - where it lights up the whole room.

I rework last week's bouquet and set it in the living room.

When we go back at the end of the day, the dogs are sick, throwing up. Maybe they ate jackfruit, which are rotting on the ground. They stink so badly that we plug our noses as we clean up.

Monday

How can it be February? That means rice, sugar, and oil will go in several directions to help local families.

As we're unpacking boxes, I keep sending less-used items onward through the WA group "Yard Sale." This is sold the minute it hits the group.

I put the library in order on the way to hanging pictures upstairs.

Some frames contain wonderful sayings. This one from Brian Andrea is a "story" in a sentence. All his prints make me smile. He has a whole collection of Story People.

The beds are being made up for the next guests, the bathrooms are washed, and the storage rooms are looking tider than when we first flung things inside in our rush to move.

Tuesday
We get heartbreaking news that a dear young man has passed away. We loved Aska and prayed often for him. His mom tells us his funeral is in Jakarta today, too late for us to attend. We pray together and inform his friends. How we'll miss you, Aska. Rest in peace.

Today's the day to complete kitchen storage. The shelves are in place. The Tupperware containers (30 years old?) and small appliances finally get their permanent space.

The contractors are back to fix a pump and a few other small things. Pak Iyan's crew, headed by Pak Bobbi, have been nothing but helpful in renovating a complete ruin into a lovely public/private Project. It's hard to believe that this is what was here half a year ago.

We are grateful every day for a space to share with others. Soon it will host weekly English classes = free for less-privileged neighborhood kids and their moms. (And we don't have to teach! Volunteers run the games and learning activities.) 

Aren't we the luckiest people in the world? If you want to support the Project and the transformation that Tanikota 3 is going to bring, leave your email in a comment or WA me for more information (+62 822 1910 6451). Thanks.

Read more:

* [David] said: “The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation. He is my stronghold, my refuge and my savior—from violent people you save me. “I called to the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and have been saved from my enemies. 2 Samuel 22:2-4

* In response to his people the LORD said, “I am sending you grain, wine, and oil, and you will be satisfied.” Joel 2:19

* Taking the five loaves and the two fish, [Jesus] looked up to heaven and blessed and broke the loaves and gave them to his disciples to set before the people, and he divided the two fish among them all. And all ate and were filled. Mark 6:41-42

Moravian Prayer: Provider, just like the loaves and the fish, you know our needs, and we lift those needs to you each day. Your care for us is tender and beautiful and we are filled with gratitude for your love. Amen.