Research methods: for theology, food, visa runs, and a sunset thrown in

One of many beautiful harbors in Singapore

The second week of class is over. But there's a wrinkle to going home. I glance at my ticket. It looks like I'll be in Singapore until Monday or Tuesday. More about that later.

Weekend: June 2-5, 2017
My job this weekend is to edit a book. It's long (250 pages or so), being revised from a 350-page dissertation. Those of you who've done a PhD know the hoops of writing a dissertation. Each school has its way of asking and answering questions, defining research methods, writing literature reviews, and organizing sections of repeated information from different angles. That all has to go away in a book.

Books take a reader through information in a different way, based on time, history, or a flow of ideas - with few repeats. I worked on this project for 3 weeks earlier this year and sent it off to the author. By the time it came back, I was traveling and unable to tackle the revisions.

Rapid transit at rush hour

But this weekend ... oh finally! This weekend I took 4 days (Friday pm to Monday) and crashed, crammed, interacted with the author and publisher, and whee: it's donnnnnneeee. It felt good to send the completed file. It's checked off my list and I learned a lot about Korean culture and theology along the way.

What good practice for publishing my own work! And Waldemar's.

A city built into the sky - and on land reclaimed from the ocean

Tuesday to Friday
Morning pickup for school is before 8. I get up at 6am to ensure the PPTs, notes, and handouts are ready for the day. We visit the library, look at online resources, and edit work on the board.

The students also share their research proposals, do class presentations, and think about daily takeaways. In 2 weeks, their writing is so improved as to be unrecognizable, compared to their first submissions.

By 1:30, the class is done. If there are no other meetings, I head back to the flat to grade papers and prep for the next day. Sometimes I watch a bit of YouTube before falling asleep.

FedEx is everywhere - I spot a truck from our outdoor restaurant seating

Waldemar arrives Tuesday afternoon. He explains 2 computer research programs to our class before heading to the visa agent downtown. (If the tech expert's in town, have him teach!) When he leaves for home Thursday morning, he has his extended Indonesian visa in hand.

Tuesday evening, our date night starts with supper at Chilliz (not what you might think - they make delicious Indian food.) We share spinach paneer, mutton curry, and butter chicken.

Indian Chilis - a marvelous menu

Our sunset stroll on the beach is just a few miles from the apartment. Since Singapore is a small island, Singaporeans are only a bus ride from the coast. Families cycle, walk, and sit on the benches, enjoying the cooling evening air (89oF/ 32oC). I'm very comfortable in my long trousers and a blazer. (I guess I'm acclimated, eh?)

Doesn't this look too perfect? It's unedited from my IPhone.

Singapore takes its rules seriously. There's a $1000S ($722US) fine for riding instead of walking a bicycle or motorcycle over the pedestrian bridge of the causeway. Most parts of life are mandated - especially orderliness and cleanliness. As a result, Singapore is safe and clean - almost pristine.

Taking disobedience seriously @$1000S a bike ride

There are broom marks at the tidemark in the sand where the sweeper has just cleared away leaves, seaweed, and debris. WHAT? They sweep the shores? Yes they do.

Brush marks in the sand

The fishing boats are chugging into the harbor as the sun goes down The ferries tie up at the dock for the evening.

Wednesday, friends cook dinner for us downtown. It's a precious time with like-minded peers. Susan prepares a fantastic dinner of baked potatoes, veges, and roast (tender Australian beef). Young Anna welcomes us with a personally wrapped present. After the meal, W and Shane disappear into the office for some tech support. Shane drives us home afterwards.

Ribbon-knot gift wrapping - cute! (6-yr-old Anna and the gift)

Thursday after class, Kathleen first takes me back to the flat to drop my heavy computer bag - I run the usual 6 flights (100 steps up to the seventh floor. There are no Singaporean hills nearby so I do what I must.)

Palm trees in bloom overhead

After I walk back down, Kathleen drops me at the mall to mail some letters. It costs less than US$1 to mail overseas letters. However, when I get to the shop counter, a $4 Hallmark card is $11S ($8US. Gulp - sticker shock.) I find a few art supplies and small necessities, too.

Every night, I put color and words in my black "visual journal"

First thing Friday morning, W and I get a most welcome notice: my own Indonesian visa is about to be processed. The hitch is that I have to be in Singapore for it - and there's a time limit for getting it. Our upcoming weeks are crammed. Wait a minute!

I have a plane ticket home tomorrow. I've been waiting and waiting for our special company, two friends who are staying with us in Bandung for the weekend. Shall I go home tomorrow afternoon and fly back Sunday night?

We decide - thanks to many factors, including the generosity of the school in letting me stay in the flat - that I must forfeit the ticket home. Our priority is to process the visa for which we've waited 2 years. (We'll save a few hundred dollars, time, and avoid a problem if Singapore won't let me back in with such a tight turnaround. Their immigration is as strict as every other government department.)

A typically beautiful apartment complex - our faculty home in Singapore

Each teaching break fills up with visa questions and logistics. W and I are on WhatsApp with various team members; I call the Indonesian visa agent and arrange a Monday meetup; Ruth (the college's Wonder Woman admin) walks me to a nearby shop for passport pictures.

W has taken most of our Singapore money with him. How to pay for this? More texts whiz between us. We have several options. One falls through. Another possibility emerges but the online links aren't working. Our Brazilian friends have connections here - can that work?

We'll have to sort it out by Monday morning when I meet the agent. (You can probably tell that the bumps and requirements of working overseas are not always expected. Flexibility is key.)

W and I usually treat our classes for brunch during their final Friday morning break. Today the class heads for roti parata (fried pancakes with gravy)@ Mr Prata's. It's a walk through the shopping courtyards to the back of the complex behind the college ... and  a new place to some. Delicious.

Ooooohh, the fusion food in Singapore - Chinese, Indian, and Malay. My mutton curry sings in my mouth, the roti melts into the sauce. Fabulous food! Singaporeans demand nothing less and guests anticipate the cuisine each trip. Meals from hawker stalls (like the ones in my pics) cost $2-3US. It's cheaper to eat out than to cook.

It looks like a quiet evening so far. I finish grading in time for an hour's meditation, some art, and writing. The sun's going down just after 7pm.

Growing: playing around in my "2-minute journal"

One final class assignment is due in a month; otherwise, I'm done. These masters and bachelor students include pastors, a doctor, a lawyer, and other NGO workers from across SE Asia. W and I consider it a privilege to learn from them and teach them - and those like them in this region.

Read more:
*Bless the Lord, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases. Psalm 103:2,3 ESV

*The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. Isaiah 58:11 NIV

*Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.

The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on the heights. Habakkuk 3:17-19 NIV

*Jumping up, he stood and began to walk, and he entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. Acts 3:8 ESV

Moravian Prayer: Your promises are sure and steadfast and we can rely on you for everything no matter how minute it is. We know that we are protected and even if something happens unexpectedly, we can still sing “Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine.” 

Thank you, Jesus. Amen.

Thriving on a Thursday

Thursday, June 1, 2017
Isaac's second birthday has come and gone. Happy Birthday, little guy. Sometimes his smile reminds me of Timo's (his dad's). The grandkids are growing up while we are away. How we miss them.

It's hard to believe it's been a week since Brandy and I went on our daylong spiritual retreat. We sat in separate rooms, but ate breakfast and lunch together, and snacked as we debriefed in the evening. That one day of listening in solitude and silence has recalibrated our hearts and our serve.

God has reminded me all this week of who I used to be - expressive, enthusiastic, ready to jump into life and new things with both feet. I used to love to teach. I looked forward to seeing students each day. (In the past 2 decades, sometimes it's been more of an effort.) Where did I go?!

Who shot this photo? Amazing

A little of that personality and largess has begun to come back to life. I am utterly grateful to God.

I've evaluated last week's meeting with God through the counsel of trustworthy friends, as well as my parents. They've urged me to show up with all my might into relationships, into work, and into things that stir my heart. Whatever God asks of me, I need to be fully present.

With:
no comparisons
no expectations
no rules or regulations
no "should" or "must" beyond what God asks
... and no regrets

Of course, with:
good manners
cultural appropriateness
seeking wisdom, understanding, and knowledge
... and the maturing fruit of the Spirit: more love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, goodness, faithfulness, self-control (Galatians 5:22-23)

Sunday's quick airport visit with a dear friend - she's going as I come in

I happen to be reviewing a new book by Todd Henry called Did Empty. The theme is giving life our everything so that there are no regrets whenever our time is done. How appropriate.

Henry advises questioning our assumptions and perceived limitations: "All great feats begin with 'why?', 'how?', and 'what if ...?'" That's great advice for research and new projects, but also for life. I'd forgotten to ask those questions, which used to jump naturally into every experience years ago. (Remember our random, deep-diving, and broad-ranging homeschool "curriculum," kids?)

Yet Henry urges readers to assimilate and curate information, thinking deeply about what we let in and give out. Cool. (I hear you, Todd! and I highly recommend the book.)

Women who serve: with Brandy and Amanda

Brandy's gone back home after three weeks with us - done with the long flights and layovers. Her cat Izy is probably ecstatic but I miss her already. She's a soul sister. Amanda wrapped up training in Bali, staying with Josh and Clau. She's on her way to Jakarta soon for more experiences.

Lunch overlooking a spectacular valley, with 60' blooming trees

W's working hard at home and I'm in Singapore. Oh, how I love this city. I don't know if I could maintain the pressured pace and long hours of living here. But the orderliness, the lack of rubbish strewn about (think of it: garbage bins on most corners! that are emptied regularly), traffic rules that are adhered to, the trimmed flowerbeds, and towering trees ... it's balm to my German DNA.

These two weeks, I have wonderful students who need to research and write their papers. Research Writing 101 and 501? Sounds boring? Well, maybe on Day 2 - when there's lots of information with few hooks to hang it on. But by today, they're fully participating and on their way to some great writing. Our classroom gets noisy at times.

Each afternoon, I head out the door to walk laps the apartment complex, prayer-walk the 10 floors of one apartment (there are 10 buildings), and do a circuit on the fitness gear in the central courtyard. I run our 100 steps up and down on the way to work, slowing halfway when it becomes a slog - especially when I'm lugging my workbag home. W and I are sooo grateful for healthy bodies.

I don't even mind my evening homework, editing student work.

After a day at work, an evening of homework and an art journal

Read more:
*David said to the Lord, “I have sinned greatly in what I have done. But now, O Lord, I pray you, take away the guilt of your servant.” 2 Samuel 24:10 ESV

*My eyes are ever toward the Lord, for he will pluck my feet out of the net. Psalm 25:15 ESV

*Jesus says, “Just so, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” Luke 15:10 ESV

*As for us, we can't help but thank God for you, dear brothers and sisters loved by the Lord. We are always thankful that God chose you to be among the first to experience salvation--a salvation that came through the Spirit who makes you holy and through your belief in the truth. He called you to salvation when we told you the Good News; now you can share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

With all these things in mind, dear brothers and sisters, stand firm and keep a strong grip on the teaching we passed on to you both in person and by letter.

Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal comfort and a wonderful hope, comfort you and strengthen you in every good  thing you do and say. 2 Thessalonians 2:13-17 NLT

*You also must be patient. Strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near. James 5:8 ESV

Moravian Prayer: You call us to faithfulness, Great Creator, Redeemer, and Sanctifier; bless our labor, as we patiently move through life.

Father, you are the source of every joy—may we experience this amidst the aches and pains of life. You are ours and we are yours—fill us with all joy and peace as we cast all our cares on you, believing in your goodness and relying on your mercy. Amen.

A sabbatical retreat

Thursday, May 25, 2017
Today is the first day of Indonesia's Ramadan. The speakers are loud from the mosques all night long as Muslims begin their month of fasting food and water during the day. Most people will participate: children, pregnant women, and the aged are exempt. It's a bit disconcerting to our guests, who are surprised by the din.

We had movie night last night - this time it was The Princess Bride, a hit with attendees.

Intern Amanda, hard at work

I baked all day Monday: we had only about a dozen cookies after all our company. After the baking spree, we have 5 boxes full, plus 6 dozen cupcakes.

Tuesday, with a pause for an online conference mid-morning, I cook most of the day. Our friend Agus drops by for the afternoon. W is out walking with the Thursday group, who has shifted days for the start of the religious holiday. They get lost a few times and get home in late afternoon.

Wednesday morning, I finish up in the kitchen with time for a nap at 2-4pm. And then the house fills up. By 6, people start arriving.

At intermission, we are expecting the "ice cream man," a fellow with a cart of homemade coconut ice, but he doesn't show. It's a good thing that Ibu A and I filled up the freezer with baking earlier this week. I pull it out, whip up some frosting, and we ice the cupcakes and fill a few trays with cookies.

On the low table, tools for the day

Today, Brandy and I have planned a retreat. I'm exhausted, as is she. But we catch an Uber before 8am and stop at the new Starbucks down the hill. It's empty ... until a Chinese walking group comes in. I tease them about walking for health and then stopping at a restaurant. They're good sports - and good neighbors to us. The Starbucks has moved into the neighborhood near the university. Most students are Muslim (though the university is Catholic), so the shop is vacant. It will be crammed again at night.

Brandy and I get to the retreat center before 9. It's quiet until other prayer groups come in. I plug my ears with kleenex, focus my heart on what God is saying, and enjoy the day.

I check my phone - whaaat?! It's 12:30 - time to eat. I assembled rice and cooked a few eggs for Brandy before we left; I also grabbed some spaghetti and 2 chicken wings (last night's leftovers) for myself. The paper plates are a bit crumpled but the food is intact. We head for a gazebo beside a waterfall and overlooking a creek. Stunning beauty.

A blossom plucked from the lawn and my notebook

Oh oh! I've forgotten forks so we eat with our fingers, sitting cross-legged and squishing ants who get too close on the wooden floor. We are in Indonesia, where all 3 things are normal.

The afternoon whizzes by as well. By the end, I have a book of illustrations of the Lord's Prayer, a renewed sense of my calling, and settled heart. I didn't expect "this much" from a day away. My heart is filled with joy after spending time in God's presence.

Brandy and I debrief - we booked our rooms until 7pm and wrap up on time. Our Uber driver finally finds us and takes us back home. I fall into bed happy. Renewed. And tired. God is good.

Read more:
*Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands. Deuteronomy 7:9 NIV

*Those who are far off will come and build the temple of the Lord. Zechariah 6:15 NASB

*Christ says, “I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” John12:32 ESV

*Jesus prays: “This is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.” John 17:3 ESV

*“Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man Saul and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem.” But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel.” Acts 9:13,15 NIV

Moravian Prayer: Sometimes we are homesick for Eden, God, and we fill the empty space inside of us with unhealthy things. Help us to be full of you, our constant love and friend. 

As St. Francis prayed to be made an instrument of your peace, Jesus, we look for you, ascended into heaven and present in every person. May we likewise be made instruments of your work. Amen.

Great company!

Sunday is Mother's Day. I call my sweet mama and talk to two of our four kids over the weekend and get warm wishes from the others. W's still teaching elsewhere.

Tuesday, after a study, one of the moms hands me her Mothers' Day bouquet: 60 blue-hued roses. "I'm leaving for Japan. Will you take good care of them for me?"

Oh yes, I sure will! They look like molten blue chocolate. Yum. But they're stunning - real flowers.

Brandy and Amanda are working together, studies continue, and we've been to a few interesting places. The gals have food allergies, which makes finding a menu item interesting.

Between regular meetings, I happily finish a little postcard-size "village."

#1: abstract wash in watercolor

#2: a second layer with edges

#3 Voila - a few strokes with a black pen
and a tad of definition with colored pencil

I also finally measure and cut a sofa slipcover (3 pieces that would have taken me 1/2 hour to design, cut out, and whip together, 10 years ago!) We'd hauled huge canvas painters' drop cloths along two years ago. I just never got around to doing anything with them. Now the sofa pieces are in my office, waiting to be sewn. Sigh. It's such an easy project.

The helper looks at the 12'X15' fabric I unfolded for cutting on the living room floor. She's my age. She just shakes her head, "You're going to sew something?"

Oh yes I am. Eventually. Maybe even today, between a team meeting, book edit, a visit with the gals, and class prep for the course I teach in 1 1/2 weeks...

Monday: studying on the porch

Brandy and Amanda are as wearied as we get from "ordinary" trips. After our Monday study, Amanda goes to lunch and 'a quick shopping trip ' with friends. They leave after 11, have lunch at Kampung Daun, and head to the main market in town.

Kampung Daun (Leaf Village)

At 5:30pm, I get a text that our friends are stuck in traffic, far from our place (well, not far in distance, just in time). They call a GoJek (motorcycle taxi) to liberate Amanda from the car and get her back home ... she arrives near 6:30, too tired to eat supper.

"How long did you shop?" I ask her.

Amanda's first GoJek ride

"Maybe 1/2 or one hour," she says. "We had lunch until 2 or 3, and then headed into the city." They got stuck in rush hour on the way back. It would have taken our friends an extra 1-3 hours on top of their own commute to bring her up to our house. (The GoJek is smart thinking, Claudia!)

Tuesday
The three of us leave at 9:30 for a study and go for lunch at a gallery Brandy wants to see. I am delighted: it;s the place Bramonos took us on our first day in Bandung. For me, it provides a special reminder of why we're here. But we gals make it home just before 4pm. Whaaat? Yup, that's typical.

Everyone's passing in the width of an American freeway lane -
tourist buses, cars, cycles, horses ...

When people ask if we've seen this or that in Bandung, mostly W and I say, "Not yet." We don't have time to sit in traffic for hours. It doesn't seem to matter what time of day, though the hours of coming and going for work are often almost a stand-still. Even with a driver, the pollution and noise is a distraction from the work we take along.

Wednesday
Katie arrived from Jakarta last night - she's a delight. Immersed in her masters program, she also brings a breadth of experience in community care that we appreciate.

After my online conference at 9, we have a team meeting at 11. Love love love our team! and the guests fit in so well. Ibu Sumi has made nasi goreng (friend rice) for lunch. We talk, think, and pray together.

Josue and Clau hop their motorcycle to run errands and get their kids from school. Brandy's going to teach at 3. Katie's working on her school project. Amanda's reading an assigned book. I start editing but need another key component from the book author. Run, run, walk, and wait. The story of life overseas.

Read more:
*Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. The wild animals honor me, the jackals and the owls, because I provide water in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland, to give drink to my people, my chosen, the people I formed for myself that they may proclaim my praise. Isaiah 43:18-21 NIV

*The human mind may devise many plans, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will be established. Proverbs 19:21 ESV

*Therefore we must pay greater attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away from it. Hebrews 2:1 ESV

Moravian Prayer: Your dream is bigger than our plans, dear Savior. Show us how to dream together, that our individual pride may be crucified and resurrected as hope for the world. Amen.

Welcomes and warm travels

Exotic village chickens are everywhere

Tuesday, May 8, 2017
At 8, we head to J and C's place for a team meeting. We love the readings from the team in Jakarta - they have a liturgy-loving member who assembles the most beautiful prayers and scriptures. We contemplate them week by week together.

Clau has made cheese buns - oh yum! Brazilian style. Brandy is especially happy to have a South American treat. Amanda is exploring Bandung on many fronts. She'll be exposed to lots of people and activities in the next weeks.

By 10, we're at a study slightly south of C's place. Seven of us sit at the table, introduce ourselves and pray for the person on our left, and then we open the scriptures to Mark 3. As always, we are surprised by the insights and application to our lives.

Then it's time to drive across 2 hills to get Amanda a SIM card - except she has forgotten to unlock her phone. She may have to buy a cheapie here. We stop for lunch and arrive home before 3:00. We're all tired. Time to relax and tackle some academic stuff, I guess. (I teach in 3 weeks in Singapore.)

My instinctive reaction to those who protect abstract theories
or get excited about innovations

I recently did a personality evaluation for a leadership group. The cartoons for my type's reactions are spot-on and gives me the giggles. (right)

I'm asleep by 10:30.

Wednesday
At 2am, the alarm rings for a one-hour online seminar on "asking good questions." It's worth getting up - there's excellent information and lots to think about. I snooze a bit but can't fall asleep.

A quote from the "Powerful Questions" PPT

I'm still thinking when the alarm goes off again at 5am. Pak E and I leave the house about 6am. We're at Clau's house in 20 minutes - and soon on the toll road to Jakarta. We have to stop for gas; while Pak E refuels, C and I run across the parking strip to the Starbucks. (Starbucks, KFC, McD, Dunkin Donuts, etc. are global franchises.)

A typical load on the narrow streets

The highway is crowded with buses, cars, trucks, and - wait, thankfully no motorcycles. Drivers weave in and out, which slows down things. Some pass on the left shoulder, looking ahead to avoid parked or stranded vehicles. It's not helpful that some of the trucks are so loaded down that they are driving 20km/hr up hills (15mph). I catch my breath a few times; for some reason, our driver is uncharacteristically aggressive today.

We arrive only 15 minutes late for our 11:00 lunch. Yes, it takes that long to drive 160km (about 100 miles). Clau and I enjoy the "Long Lunch" put on by Hillsong - we hear lots of ideas for making people feel welcome and "at home." After, we have a few minutes to talk with Katie and Tirza. They have interns coming who might enjoy working in both cities.

Views beyond the banana trees to skyscrapers on the next hill

Brandy left her own suitcase and 2 for us with Katie in Jakarta: they were too heavy to drag onto the train when she arrived Saturday. Today, we transfer them to our car and bring them to Bandung.

We were hoping to go to IKEA, but it's 4:00 by the time we're done ... and traffic is stop-and-go already. There's a holiday tomorrow. Seems like every few weeks, we have a "red-letter" calendar day that encourages Jakarta to drive to Bandung for cooler temperatures and great shopping.

C and I compare GoogleMaps and Waze, directing PakE through the narrow streets toward the toll roads around the city. There are multiple accidents and random police checks. We read, chat, and C naps a bit. We drop her off first; I'm home by 10pm.

The driver zooms away on his motorcycle. I've told him to take tomorrow's holiday off: he says he could use the time with his grandkids.

I look inside the suitcases before bed: some linens from my mom's downsizing, a few foods we can't find here - ordinary things we crave, and lots and lots of paper plates for movie nights. (One suitcase is nearly all papers plates from the Dollar Store. They're expensive here and good quality ones are 20/$1 in the USA.) I fall asleep after midnight.

Thursday
I'm awake before 6am but determined to get out and walk. After an hour of office work, I blend a kale/ fruit/ kefir smoothie - and spill it all over the kitchen cabinets and counters and floors. Ugh. I have a bit left to drink, but spend most of 10 minutes wiping up the green goop.

The helper decided she wanted the day off as well - so the house is quiet. I meet Brandy and Amanda at the door: Brandy is doing a workshop for a group of caregivers today and Amanda's going along. They ride off with an Uber.

By the time I'm out the gate, so many strange things happen that I could make a comedy film. The backpack slips off, the keys I couldn't find fall out, the trail mix falls on the porch, the water bladder slides out and dangles from the tube. The dog runs away and will only stand still to have his carry pack put on after I leash him.

Typical home-paved paths

Our occasional gardener, arriving an hour late, tries to help me understand that I have to lock the gate behind me. He is cutting the hedge in the back. First, he stabs a bamboo pole into the tall tree above the driveway to bring down two jackfruits: IbuA can cook those Saturday. I have little idea of what else he'll do in this ever-growing climate - but there's no one to cook at midday, so I'll have to be back in time to give him lunch money.

I shove my stuff back into the pack, lock the house, collar the dog, and finally make it out the gate. The gardener takes pity and locks from the inside, handing me the keys through the bars, avoiding the trails of black ants that stream across the metal gate and up into our house. I'm too late to run back in and spray them dead. Later. Just go.

I was hoping to stroll 6 blocks to the meeting place as a warm up. Instead, I'm hot and sweaty from walking as quickly as possible. I'm 15 minutes late but the 3 others are cheerfully waiting.

Locals wave to us from the far bank as we climb the hillside

We walk up a very (very) long, steep hill. It's sunny out and in the high 80s, so we rest every 50-100 meters, drinking from our water bottles to stay hydrated. I forget to check my tracker at the top - but once we start down, we've gone 2.5 miles. There's not much air stirring so we're hot hot hot. But the beauty, the shabbiness, and the wealth crushed together take my breath away, like usual. I love this city.

Laundry drying over a river valley. We cross on a
hand-poured concrete bridge with bamboo rails

Gypsy snarls and lunges his way past dogs on the street and behind gates. It's a good arm workout for me, holding him back. Sometimes I'm tempted to free him so he can fight it out - but I act like a responsible dog owner today and keep him leashed.

We've walked over 5 miles (+7km/11,000 steps) when we sit down for lunch at Ethnic Restaurant. My folks try to FaceTime a few times but the connection is poor and they can't hear me. We finally give up after multiple tries back and forth.

We four women enjoy our food. Three of us head back to the same neighborhood while the other goes the opposite direction.

The gardener is happy to get his lunch money. At 3, he alerts me by ringing the bell at the gate. He collects his pay envelope and starts to head off. Oh oh. He comes back and chatters at me but I can't tell if he's asking for more money to feed his kids or happy to get his wages. I tell him I don't understand; he should sort money stuff out with W.

Brandy and Amanda come back about the same time. The house is quiet all afternoon and evening except for the calls to prayer that echo off the hills. I have a headache. I think I need more water. And some sleep.

Read more:
*You are my hope; O Lord God, you are my confidence from my youth. Psalm 71:5 NASB

*(Paul wrote:) So we do not lose heart. Even though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day. 2 Corinthians 4:16 ESV

*Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Grieve, mourn, and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. James 4:7-10 NIV

Moravian Prayer: Your leadership, O Christ, is the resurrection. Your healing, O Christ, is redemption. Your work, O Christ, is reconciliation. Lead us, heal us, and send us to work. Amen.

The color of life

Splashing watercolor on a postcard,
maybe the start of something.

Monday, May 8, 2017

It feels like a houseful of girls! Brandy's here and so is Amanda.

W and I unpacked after we got in Friday from Malaysia. We filled a big hamper with laundry from our suitcases. Malaysia is muggy and hot so whenever we went outside, we felt the temperature change on our skin, especially after a hotel with air conditioning. The first night in Malaysia, Tabby took us across the street from the hotel ... at 10pm. Youth workers have all kinds of energy! But I'm still dreaming about the fantastic lamb rice dish the Indian-Malay chef whipped up.

But now we're home and it's time to eat Indonesian. Sort of. (With team dietary restrictions, we may have to get creative.)

Saturday
Brandy arrives from a few days in Jakarta. She falls into bed, dead tired after a trip on the train and supper at Miss Bee. That's fine with us. We're playing catch-up. The helper hasn't come: the laundry and dishes pile up as I cook and settle into the house again.

I find a note from Ibu A in the evening. "Sorry. I'm cooking for my niece's wedding on Saturday." At least she's not ill and nothing bad has happened to her. She, like many others of her generation (and mine) is barely literate - she dropped out of elementary school to work for her family's survival. She's one of the smartest gals in the kitchen, though. She loves cooking. Thank you, God! for Ibu A. We pray a blessing on her family get-together.

Sunday
W's theology class is growing each time we get back. Today he talks about the mysterious Trinity - our relational God.

A young man with a new vegetable business (organic) sells out his greens in a hurry under a canopy in the church courtyard. We buy kale (80c) and salad (60c) for our smoothies. And we keep his number so we can order delivery on a regular basis. It's about 1/2 the price of a shopping trip.

Let's celebrate! Brandy doesn't tell us - but her friends do - that it's her graduation day! She's finished a second Masters, this one in Leadership, at an American seminary. We want to be creative in spoiling her, but what to do?

We start with lunch at Bumi S, overlooking a brilliant blue swimming pool. The kids splash below our window: it's always a great setting for an affordable Sunday lunch with our small group.

Unexpectedly, the masseuse who works on all the neighbors calls. Is there a chance we'd like her to come to our house this week? I guess so! How about today? Brandy and I hurry home from our meal to our wellness date.

For 2 hours, she eases out the aches and pains of travel (@$16, that's a celebration in itself.) It's the equivalent of 4 days' wages for a handyman, hotel clerk, or driver - with no overhead. I even supply the coconut oil. Our tired bodies have nothing but gratitude. And afterward, we're too tired to do anything else. Brandy heads to bed, catching up on emails and congratulations.

W and I stay up, waiting for Amanda to arrive. The driver left early this morning to fetch her from Jakarta Airport. She gets a quick tour of the house and an overview of "what to know." = stuff like, 'don't brush your teeth with tap water,' and 'turn on the water pump if you want to shower,' and 'pull down the mosquito net if you hear a bug.' She falls into bed and - except for a brief wake-up - sleeps until morning. Ah, youth.

Monday
The study on our porch is excellent. The first person arrives at 8:30. At 9:30, when it starts, we do introductions all around: Riga is back from Mongolia, Dr H has returned from Bali, Amanda's welcomed warmly by attendees, though several regulars are missing. It's good to discuss and learn together. The cookies and tea disappear.

A reminder from Lela

After lunch, Amanda and I walk around the neighborhood. With the dog, she's safe anywhere nearby. She test-drives him. He's hot and tired so he behaves, except for lunging at a gate protecting two dogs from him.

The driver takes Brandy to her meetings in the morning. In late afternoon, he fetches Amanda from the house to meet Brandy at the grocer. They're hoping to find some fun foods to cook and enjoy upstairs.

One of the gifts in a convoluted and crowded city is a good driver. Pak E has known the city since childhood. He creeps along in Bandung traffic (driving 'on the wrong side', and understands the subtle eye signals that mean, "I'm going first," or "Go ahead, I'll wait for  you." So we never worry when our teams or friends are going with him.

I've always thought of "helpers" as a luxury. They sure are in Canada and the States, where I had a kid on each hip and two holding my hands as we walked out the door. I cooked, cleaned (sometimes), and worked besides.

Here, help is a survival tactic for us, but it also supports entire families. On our end, chores and errands take 4X the normal time. People are coming and going nearly every day (besides stay-over guests). With helpers, we can better focus on the work we're doing. They live at home with their families, but I'm grateful every time I hear them turn the lock and walk in the door.

W is excited about 2 weeks of teaching Hermeneutics. I've taught it before as well. It's strange how schools rarely consider previous classes when scheduling. Courses take a lot of advance study. Every time we teach, we learn new things and improve our courses, so it's good to teach the class more than once or twice. But W's starting over; he finds online resources posted by the text's publisher and peeks at my notes as he prepares.

Meanwhile, I'm editing, plugging our friends into routines for the next weeks, and putting the house in order for our work. Can we say happy?

 Read more: (ESV)
*My mouth is filled with your praise, and with your glory all day long. Psalm 71:8

*I shall not die, but I shall live, and recount the deeds of the Lord. Psalm 118:17

Jesus says, “I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture.” John 10:9

*After they had given Paul and Silas a severe flogging, they threw them into prison. About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. Acts 16:23, 25

Paul wrote: Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Moravian Prayer: Like tulips burst forth from snowy gardens, dear Savior and friend, we praise you with the colorful fabric of our being

God of grace in adversity, we thank you for the privilege to be your disciple. In all things, in all times, and in all places, help us to sing your song. Amen.