New friends meet and "family" returns

Wednesday, September 11, 2024 - Movie Night, finally

Help arrives at 3:00 to cook rice, cut salad and fruit, and bake cheese balls. Last movie night, we skipped the cheese balls. It was funny to hear the many complaints: "Where are the cheese balls? We love those!" 

IbuS learned to bake the Brazilian recipe from Claudia. She and IbuA are loved by the students for their friendliness and hospitality. The rest of the food  is heated up after this morning's cooking marathon.

The students and young professionals are excited to be back, though W and I can't figure out how they hear about movie night. Word of mouth? It's only the fourth movie night of 2024. By now, we'd usually be on #8 or #9. Instead, movie night has been bumped by travels, flu, and teaching. There's only so much we can jam into the calendar.

We're reminded why we love this evening. The movie is Thelma and the questions are about limits on who we are. W checks the movie for language, violence, and sexual content since few modern Western movies are appropriate in this culture.

Before we run the movie, we ask them to consider: "How are you limiting yourself? And in what ways are others trying to limit you?" In this grandson and grandma caper, offensive words are minimized by the mild language of the Indonesian subtitles. Whew.

Guests look forward to familiar and new food options. They go back several times to load up. For many, it's the biggest meal of the month.

It's Laurel's last movie night before she returns home to the USA. We'll miss her!

Shall we sit inside or outside?

It's good company in a safe environment. New friends and old meet in laughter and noisy conversations.

This shy crochet artist creates flowers. People are hanging out. Eating together. Doing life together. It's good. 

The house is filled to capacity even with the least-even number of countries-of-origin: 7 nations. Where are our Africans? And Turkmenistan is the only -stan country today? With unrest in many places, it's harder for foreign students to take advantage of Indonesia's generous government scholarships.

Bella met us as a student years ago. She brings her baby (one year old next week!) and her husband so we can stay in touch. Sigit, we prayed for you for years, that Bella would find her true love. And here you are. We love this young family.

Our last guests depart at 11:00 p.m. We shower, fall into bed, read a while, and thank God for these lovely younger-s who hang out with each other and us.

Thursday

What a good hike, short at 5 km but with a lot of ups and downs. We start a half hour early as the weather is warming up. Dry season is cooler without night-time cloud cover. Once the rains start, we have a warmer start to the day. In wet season the sun comes out after a rainy night so it can be cooking-hot and humid. Luckily, it's often breezy in the mountains of Bandung.

We're detoxed by the beauty of nature, even after a short night's rest. It's a forest and meadow walk, mostly shaded. 

Water droplets are still evaporating from the moss-covered pines.

We find pods with a cotton-like fiber inside.

Lichens and mushrooms cling to bark and decaying branches. These are massive (10"/20cm) above our heads.

Even plain brown mushrooms on a fallen tree have pretty rippled striping.

A few trunks are covered in white fungi.

There's wild ginger.

The grass is twice as tall as we are. No using a lawnmower for it. The stalks are chopped by farmers wielding machetes, bundled, and hauled out on backs or motorcycles to feed livestock.

In some sections the trail is more visible than in others. The trail hugs the side of the mountain for a while. We stick close to the upper bank as mini-landslides take the mud downhill from under our feet. The dogs run ahead, the clatter of their feet warning snakes and other creatures away.

New 4"(9cm) fiddleheads of the ferns poke up 3-4'(1-1.5m) above the ground.

A startling red 5"(12 cm) flower sits flush on the natural compost. There are no leaves in sight. Perhaps it's a bulb?

Ah, what a relief to get to the car and pull off our trainers and socks. Back into flip-flops = comfort.

It's Daniel's first Thursday hike; we met yesterday at movie night and he's come along in our car. We enjoy a Balinese-style lunch before heading home.

Sigit and Bella brought us a pretty batik for our anniversary. No use waiting to wear it; as we restore the furniture and accessories in the house, it spruces up the nook table.

This coming Sunday, IbuA marks 10 years with us. She can throw a party with her family or fund a project with her 10-year bonus. We sit together in the nook. I ask the annual questions, "Do you want to keep working here? Is there anything you'd like to ask me?"

It's rare to have such valuable long-term employees. Each person who works here is greatly appreciated as God's gift. Their assistance makes it possible for us to teach, launch community projects, and lead IES teams.

There's one last meeting at 9:00 p.m. I haul out my notes but feel barely awake for the committee that is reviewing my book topic. They discuss what would be most useful to them and most supportive for cross-cultural workers. They share personal stories and offer advice on creating a survey to collect data.

They invite me to return as I make progress. I'm slowly writing the book chapters. The process? Browse the outline that sits in plain sight on my desk. I fill some pages if I feel inspired and then tuck it away until next time. 

Writing is the least difficult part of any project. Focus and energy seem the most limiting with our current obligations. I send an email reply: "Sure," as a university press asks me to edit an academic article. I'll be turning one of their dissertations into a book over the next few months, too.

Curiosity drives me. I wonder what people are thinking and experiencing. Editing is one of the easiest ways to do a deep dive into trends and ideas.

Friday

Pink cowboy hats? Well, the neighborhood exercise class seems to have a Western theme this morning as we walk by.

At #NaraParkBandung, the tortoises are strolling, eating grass as they go. They are huge.

This one apparently wants a proper breakfast.

Just a moment ago, this man was standing upright, pulling sacks of garbage onto a pickup truck at the local dump. Talk about good balance ...

W points out another deceased insect. The colors of nature are mind-boggling. God spends this much effort on bugs? Think of how much he cares for you!

Ibu A and IbuS worked tirelessly at movie night Wednesday. Yesterday they reset the furniture while we were away. Today IbuS calls in sick; a molar is infected and her whole mouth is swollen. OUCH. Get well soon.

There are only hot and wet seasons in Bandung. We're in a seasonal transition now. Last month, the old leaves were pushed off the branches by young growth. It felt like autumn as dry leaves heaped up and were swept away each day. But no chance of grey branches. The new red or bright green leaves appear within days.

When there's a seasonal change in the northern and southern hemispheres, I switch out our interiors. I'm reading about spring arriving in Australia and fall coming in Canada.

Today we go from summer greens to autumn browns by swapping pillow covers. Let's pretend we're not 6 degrees south of the equator.

Even the pillows on the "retreat chair" in our bedroom get neutral covers. The fold-out chair was a "steal" 10 years ago when we arrived. We've used it as a daybed once, as a chaise a few times ... but as a reading chair many times. The broad arms are perfect for setting down a book, a mug of tea, or a snack.

I make  lunch for everyone from leftovers and noodles, do the dishes, write for a few hours, and then call it a week's work. The house is back in place, IES Bandung hosts a guest speaker this weekend, and there's a team meeting on Sunday. Other than that, not much is going on. haha

"Don't worry about tomorrow. Each day has enough trouble of its own," Jesus tells his followers (Matthew 6:34). So true.

Read more:

*Maintain the right of the lowly and the destitute. Psalm 82:3

*In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!

Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

*May the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all. 1 Thessalonians 3:12

Moravian Prayer: God, we know you are the defender of the weak and those in need. Lead us not to do them injustice but to share your love with them. As you provide for us, may we be good stewards and provide for those in need as well. Amen.

Chaos included: flat tires, cooking for 70, and an amputated finger (not mine)

Saturday, September 7, 2024

It's been a staycation week for our anniversary. We have regular work and meetings while hanging out and eating at new places. Such are perks of being at home instead of traveling to celebrate.

This morning, we walk by a new group of eateries a few blocks away. Dozens of flower-boards from friends, suppliers, and businesses acknowledge the startup. We receive an invitation to the grand opening, so we plan supper there later.

 

The leftovers from last week's bouquet are lovely snapdragons and purple filler flowers.

I'm responsible for hall flowers tomorrow but the garden has been cleared. Nothing seems to be blooming. Go another direction, maybe?

I arrange clumps of fake greens and a stem of peonies in a huge vase.  PakG takes it to the hall. In a tropical home, we use faux plants. Strange, isn't it? (Please don't bring real plants inside; ants, roaches, and other creatures move into the soil and from there, into kitchens and bedrooms. Ugh.)

A contractor comes by to assess a future project. After a few hours of poring over plans, both sides are clearer on what's worth investing in and what we can live without.

It's hard to communicate across cultures. Sometimes we hear one thing when another has been said. And we assume people know what we've explained, but they walk away with another idea. Oh well - we do our best listening and speaking. Prayers for clarity and progress are appreciated.

"My delivery boy says you are moving soon," says a neighbor. Really? There are no secrets around here - but a move is far off in the future, if it happens.

As we walk to the final celebration of the week, the trees are up-lit by parking spotlights. The grey undersides of the leaves glow against the dark sky.

#Karnivor.02 is open for business. We order a few items to sample the supper menu. The poutine (fries with cheese and gravy, a Canadian invention) is particularly tasty.

When we get to the cashier, the manager won't let us pay. "My treat," he says. 

Thank you! Good thing we didn't order expensive items. The restaurant is known for good steak. They live up to their name with a beef salad and a beef tender (below).

The DJ gets the crowd moving while we stay in our seats. Indonesians love music so loud that it shakes your body as well as deafens your hearing. I put in earplugs and enjoy it my way.

Sunday

After the morning IES Bandung Gathering, the Hangout on the Porch is crowded. It's Laurel's last Hangout before she returns to the USA. It's fun to see new faces among the regulars. Laughter and conversations flow.

W orders #NaraPark mushroom pizza for lunch, which we spice up with Turkish leftovers from last week: hummus, baba ghanuuj, and muttabal.

Monday

It's nice to talk to our daughter and my mom after a few days away. We pray for those we know and those who know us. I write some proposals for soliciting volunteers to teach English. The plan is to recruit faculty and students through their deans at local universities.

We pick up a "jewel-beetle" exoskeleton and pop it onto a 1' (30cm) leaf. Can you spot it?

The "black-lipped orchid" (coelogyne pandurata) is blooming again in the yard. 

The shack on the side of the street where someone sold gas canisters and water? Gone. It's been dismantled by the property owner. Someone will set up a cart, then a shed, then a shack, then add a room to live in behind it. Those little places constrict traffic and but host the livelihood of a family that keeps growing - people have lots of kids.

In this case, the bank property gave notice that the many-years squatter has to move. The man takes his goods and sets up right across the street. He joins another pop-up that's a snack store, fruit stand, and teen hangout. (Looks like part of it is also a home.)

IbuS is baking chocolate banana bread. W sends out a movie night invitation for Wednesday. The responding texts start flying in.

Meanwhile PakG picks up a homemade teeter-totter that is being moved out of a schoolyard. I send an envelope with a bit of money in it - but 'hear' another number: "Give this amount," so I tuck in a bit more. Turns out, that's the exact amount the school needs to pay its bills today. God knows.

IT'S RAINING! The yard sorely needs the moisture but Gypsy-dog hates the thunder that rolls over the hills. He hides in a back room until it's over and then reluctantly goes for a walk with the other dogs.

Our friend Laurel is shedding a countertop oven as she wraps up her stay in Indonesia. I google how to clean an oven. The trick is to leave a 2:1 paste of baking soda and dishwashing soap on overnight? We give it a try. The helpers wipe it clean in the morning! Wow. That was easy. And no harsh chemicals.

Tuesday

I have my first university dean appointment at 9:00. When I finish, PakG and I go back to the car but the front tire is flat. I head upstairs from basement parking to find a bench. Nothing nothing. I read. I catch up on emails. Nothing nothing. At 11:15 I return to the car to see what's happening.

It's almost a comedy. Because our tires are oversize (from the last owner) and the jack is regular size, it takes PakG a while to find a stable base to raise up the car so he can change the tire. Then the spare is flat - from disuse? 

At 11:00, a student named Andrew walks by the car in the almost-empty parking garage. He asks PakG how he can help and offers his bicycle tire's electric pump to fill up the flat spare tire.

Andrew's pump does the job but is smoking hot when there's enough pressure in the tire. His pump is probably ruined. I invite him to tomorrow's movie night so I can ask for his name. We want to replace his pump.

"We're good," says PakG, looking at the spare. We make it a mile or so to the grocer before the spare gives up. We have another flat tire. Clunk Clunk.

The parking attendant at the grocer says there's a repairman close by, so PakG coasts to the far corner of the block. Ka-thunk ka-thunk. Sure enough, there's a little shed with equipment to fix tires.

While the men are busy, I hop out of the car and walk back up the hill to the grocer, We're short a few items for tomorrow. The helpers need eggs to bake cookies for movie night, too.

It takes another hour for the guys to be done. Turns out the regular tire had a spike in it the size of a little finger and the spare had a nail in it. PakG comes to the grocer for money (80.000/$5 for both tires) and tells me to wait. We'll load up when he brings the car.

Why does it take so long? The tukang (workman) is working very slowly. Pak G says the guy amputated his finger at the first joint 3 days ago when an unstable jack dropped a car on his hand. WHAT? He's already working today?! with bandages on. Bet it hurts!

We're home in time for a late lunch, having spent 4 hours for a half-hour appointment. PakG and I agree that God's been at work: he found a stand for the jack. Someone had the pump he needed in the empty parking lot. Andrew has a story to tell his friends. The tukang was at work in his spot. And we're safely home. Amazing.

The living room furniture moves into my office. Two long library shelves (cleared yesterday) go into the hallway to our room.

Oh oh. Someone has tossed a bunch of stuff across my workspace. I can't access my office chair or desk for our team meeting on Zoom. The laptop runs out of power during the Zoom meeting which means a switch to my phone. When we're done, I feel ready for a nap.

W and PakG drive to the wholesaler for meat and vegetables. Those wait for morning in freezer bags in a corner of the kitchen. What a day. 

Before bedtime, I pull serving bowls, trays, plates, cutlery, and other things from storage.

We alternate 3 different dessert plates in a stack. Otherwise the plates stick together and people grab several at a time. I already feel bad that we create so much garbage, never mind carelessly using doubles. The dinner plates are rattan, with disposable paper liners. We recycle cutlery, cups, and whatever else we can. Most extra food goes home with the helpers, though some is refrigerated for the days ahead.

Wednesday

Cooking starts at 5:00 a.m. W puts gallons of water in the biggest pot and turns on the gas burner. It takes ages to boil (3/4 hour, usually) before we toss in 2.5 kg (5 lb) of spaghetti noodles. After the noodles are cooked and drained, they are stirred with olive oil so they don't clump. I cover them so they stay warm. Next into the water are bakso meatballs. While they boil for 20 minutes, I start roasting sausages and make a curry sauce for them.

Meanwhile, W sets up the tech. He synchs a screen on the Porch with one in the living room. He also brings down the warming trays and hotplates from upstairs storage.

I glance at the list on the fridge every once in a while to make sure I'm on track. Every time a wooden spoon is used, I rinse it in the cooking water. Soon there's a rich broth. After the broth cools, it fills 5 bags for the helpers to enjoy with their families.

A few trays of baby potatoes roast in Laurel's oven before a tray of spicy chicken wings goes in. By this time, the other oven has done the sausages and all but one tray of wings. It's nice to cook everything at once.

Spaghetti sauce. (Check.) Spinach in cream sauce. (Check.) Reheat the Sundanese-style jackfruit. (Check.) Meatballs marinated in pepper sauce. (Check.)

More than 2 appliances plugged into the circuit? Bang. The whole house loses electricity. W unplugs the water heater for the kitchen sink. When the little ovens finish, I plug in the slow cooker for the meatballs.

I'm done by 9:30. We cover the food with towels to keep it warm until it's reheated at 5:00 pm. Company is coming at 6:30.

I wash or rinse as we go. There's a stack of "last things" when the helpers show up at 3:00. They cut fruit and salad, cook rice, and haul down the final serving items from upstairs. 

We remind ourselves, "By Friday, when all is packed away and the house is back in place, all this work will be a distant memory." But time with friends? It is precious and not forgotten.

Read more:

*We do not present our supplication before you on the ground of our righteousness but on the ground of your great mercies. Daniel 9:18

*Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me. All this I have spoken while still with you. 

But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14: 23-27

*By grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God—not the result of works, so that no one may boast. Ephesians 2:8-9

Moravian Prayers: Gracious Lord, we may fail sometimes, but we find comfort in your great mercy. Help us to live lives that are pleasing to you, for we are redeemed by your grace. We pray this in your holy name. Amen.