New endeavours and recovery

Friday, February 13, 2026

We clear the children's area and carport for the start of campus 3 of an English program. We have no idea how many are coming; there's no ibu (neighborhood woman) in charge yet. I'm watching to see who emerges.

We haven't seen this floor since a few weeks ago, before we began the final round of moving. We work hard together to clear away what's been dumped in the space.

I toss salad and the lunch leftovers into the microwave and voila. Supper.

I'm about to post to the Yard Sale with a big food-service shelf that we acquireda long time ago and used for storage. Before I hit send, I consider another option. One of our helpers is a foodie. Maybe her relatives want it? I price it at 1/3 of what I'd ask online.

She responds that her daughter-in-law (or granddaughter-in-law?) would like it. Can they come today? Yes please - but bring at least 3-4 men. It's very heavy. I warn them not to put it down on their flipflops or break their toes by dropping it. It's handed it over in good condition. But.

First, they bump the top on the concrete rafters in the carport. They lift it down and drive the pickup truck onto the driveway to load it again. I hear another crunch when they get to the top of the driveway. They've hit the gate supports and have to lift it down one more time to get under them. 

We go from squeezing past the shelf under the stairs to 

suddenly having space for ...? 

Saturday
I walk the dogs before they eat and nap.

They're tied under the trees, away from the kids and moms who will show up for language class orientation. 

The birds need food: we're almost out. Their chirping and singing are pleasant. Other songbirds fly in, pecking the seeds that fall out of the cages.

I check the classrooms and the supplies before everyone comes. Shibli, who arrives first, chooses the conference room as the classroom. Seen through the window of the young kids' room, the mural makes a nice backdrop.

The conference room gets the new carpets (woven plastic) donated by Dina. (Received with thanks!) When the moms and kids arrive, they sit around the edges.

A half-dozen volunteers do the English orientation. A few newcomers understand some English; others are new to the language. After I welcome them, I go back to work.

After orientation, the volunteers take the kids and moms into the nearby villages to recruit more learners. It's a perfect day with high clouds shading the hottest sun. The wind stirs the trees.

After an hour or so, the pat pat of children's feet slaps down the driveway. They grab their things and off they go again. 

A look at traffic from drones reminds us why we don't go into town on Saturdays. (7:42 AM)

This is near the toll road that comes from Jakarta and the Bandung suburbs. No, thank you. Those merges, those 3-cars-in-2-lanes? We've never learned to drive it.

One of the plagues here is that people burn yard waste and garbage. Thick smoke drifts over from the neighbor mid-day, right into the house.

Sunday

The prayer room has verses that remind us of our heritage in God. This one speaks of the unchanging love and kindness God shows his children.

Chandra leads the Gathering. The guests stand to introduce themselves and their hometowns. Some have deep family roots in Bandung.

A few attend sister congregations - Bali, Jakarta, etc. We take pics to send to their pastors.

Titik's flowers anticipate Chinese New Year and Valentine's Day (just past), and the love we celebrate as the Body of Christ.

A closer look is even more interesting. The red pussy willows are a traditional Chinese celebration stem.

#TitikBadudu says roses are expensive this week. In addition to the Chinese New Year on Tuesday, both Lent and Ramadan (a month of Muslim fasting during the day) start on Wednesday. This one-in-a-generation confluence of holidays last happened in the 1990s.

Jenny invites us to lunch in a new art museum. We walk down and meet in the cafe upstairs.

We get a menu, but they're out of nearly everything. They have fries, siu mai, and rawan soup. So that's what we order. Not bad, but the view of the neighborhoods from the top of the museum is spectacular.

I briefly glance at the art, including this runner on the table. The pattern is woven between thin strips of bamboo.

The dogs are happy roaming the yard, welcoming me home with enthusiasm. After some work, it's time for relaxation.

Want a bath? The shower offers a small stream of warm water and the tap in the tub is only cold. For a hot bath, you schlep pails of hot water from the shower at the far end of the upstairs hall, which has a gas heater. It's good exercise. I fill 6 buckets, walking back down with each.

The last pail is reserved as a hot refill when the water cools down. 

The orchids have enjoyed a patch of rain to quench their roots.

A week of work lies ahead. Good thing God mandated a Sabbath rest. It's one gift I like to spend fully. How about you?

Read more:
* The word of the Lord came to [Jeremiah], saying, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,    before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”

“Alas, Sovereign Lord,” [Jeremiah] said, “I do not know how to speak; I am too young.”

But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am too young.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the Lord. Jeremiah 1:4-8

* Looking at his disciples, [Jesus] said: 

“Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.

Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied.

Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh.

Blessed are you when people hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their ancestors treated the prophets." Matthew 6:20-23

Prayer: God, you love us and see us. Help us to trust you. You will take care of us, no matter what our circumstances. Help us to faithfully follow you, loving others as you do. We thank you for your protection and provisions. Amen.