Movie night returns

Monday, October 12, 2026
I catch a half-hour nap before an evening meeting. It takes me hours to unwind enough to sleep, this time until 10:30. With friends and mentors in opposite time zones, getting together is not always convenient. But staying in touch is important.

Tuesday
On the walk, I notice a strange flower poking out of the gardenia hedge at the Padma Hotel. When I bend over, it flops down. Someone has tucked it between the leaves.

W and I agree: it's too soon for him to be prepping such a big event. He's stressing over tech, not speaking, and more. We'll evaluate before the next scheduled gathering. "Shall we cancel?" I ask. He's done enough work on getting the screens running that he doesn't want that. 

Mid-morning, I make a final shopping trip for movie night: eggs, fresh fruit, vegetables, and dairy. I come home at noon and cook lunch, a curry with leftovers. An hour later, we're working on the seating layouts.

W decides on a screen layout that's easier for him to set up. The tradeoff is more furniture and rugs to move. I point to the new locations but being understood takes a while - or doesn't happen. I don't care enough to maximize the space, which we have in abundance anyway. We have lunch outside, meeting a friend who shows up after W leaves.

Wednesday
I'm cooking by 5AM. I scribble the menu on the fridge whiteboard, making sure everything is covered.

It should be an easy 4-hour morning, wrapping up before my 9AM meeting. Except that our two air fryer ovens keep overloading the circuits. It takes me at least an extra hour, running back and forth to the breakers and resetting the temperatures and time. Instead of wrapping up before the call, I restart the kitchen after the call ends.

The helpers arrive at 3 while I'm napping. They have their own checklist but it's slow going. They're so far behind that I pitch in for the setup. We have to be ready when the movie night crowd shows up.

The helpers keep an eye on the buffet with me, restocking the containers from a table to the side.

There's enough left over for takeaway food for the helpers and a few meals for the house. "I don't have to cook for 2 nights and my grandkids are looking forward to this food," says one.

At intermission, the young people enjoy baked goods and fruit cups.

We ask how many places of origin they come from: 14 countries! Students from the -stans (former Soviet Union satellites) and Africa are especially appreciative of lots of food and the chance to make new friends.

The consensus is that guests love the movie. They ponder two questions afterward: "Who is my shepherd/?" (Who am I following?) and, "Am I a good sheep?"

They rev their motorcycles away or call motorcycle taxis to take them back to their homes and dorms. At the end of the night, all is quiet.

Thursday
Neither W nor I get enough sleep. We're hiking in the mountains for a change of pace and to de-stress. On the way, we pass groups of military recruits carrying weapons and heavy packs up the slope.

The hike has mixed terrain. Parts are very dusty as the dogs run ahead.

Parts are gravel and rough trails. There are as many dogs (7!) as humans. It's short (7km/4 1/2 miles) but steep.

We pass several bundles of grass and ferns moving above legs (below) or motorcycles. In dry season, men cut and haul heavy loads from the forests for livestock.

Bruno stays at the car with PakG, going on his own walk. When we return to the car, he snarls as the other dogs try to jump into the back. I put a quick stop to that, twice. We're having NONE of that = no fighting on my turf. My reflex is a smack which surprises him out of his violent growling, and then a comforting chest rub.

He lets the others in after the second correction. They lay down together, resting in the back on the bumpy roads home, a pack at peace.

We decide on Sideng Reret for lunch. The food is plentiful and tasty.

Wax candles are wrapped in table napkins so they burn with a bigger flame. Ours are practically flamethrowers, keeping the flies (mostly) off the food.

Lew takes us to supper at Miss Bee nearby. The new menu includes a cauliflower salad, complete with pomegranates, feta cheese, and young greens. It hits the spot.

Read more:
* The LORD is good to those who wait for him, to the soul that seeks him. Lamentations 3:25

Listen! I am standing at the door, knocking; if you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in and eat with you, and you with me. Revelation 3:20

Moravian Prayer: Lord, we thank you for entering our world and our lives. Let us continue to hear your knock on our door so that we may open it to allow you in. May we join you, gracious Savior, at the table you set before us, to quench our thirsty souls and fill our lives with good gifts. Amen.