A week in Hanoi

Catching up on a week that seems a long time ago...

April 21-27, 2018
We're off to a conference in Vietnam on Saturday. Our flight is delayed in Bandung due to weather at first, and then the airplane doesn't show up because ...? We don't know why. (Maybe our airline has low priority, because other flights come and go.) Our 4-hr layover evaporates as we sit and wait.

We get our luggage wrapped at the airport to make it less likely that things will be stolen.

We land in Singapore, rush through immigration, grab our luggage off the conveyor belt, and run to check in. The boarding notice is flashing on the monitors for our flight to Hanoi. They won't let us through ("Too late, sir") so we have 24 hours to kill before tomorrow's flight. It costs us $100 to re-book, a very reasonable fare compared to the original ticket.

Singapore is not a bad place to spend a day. We've taught here many times. We're disappointed to lose the day we booked to explore Hanoi, where we've never visited before. But we have a pleasant day ahead.

One of our students generously invites us over. He's recently married - and oh, they remind me of our early years of marriage. They start to tidy the flat for us but we discourage them; we know what it's like to have a project or two in motion and putting things back is worse than clearing things away. There's room to sit and chat in their very clean apartment. We walk to the food court for a good meal together.

In the evening, we connect with the admin of the college where we usually teach. Ruth unlocks the door of the faculty flat for us, changes the bedding, and welcomes us in. (The maid comes Tuesdays and hasn't yet cleared after the last lecturer.) It's a comfy night - and we have a relaxing morning.

Fabrics - lots of traditional quilts

Handwoven baskets

Coconut shells painted inside

 

Paintings, simple and complex

We're off to Vietnam, a mere day late, after noon. We check into the Hanoi Club Hotel (after our driver gets lost and takes us in another direction.) It's strange not to know the language again. It makes me realize how much Indonesian we already understand.

A Vietnamese grandmother and granddaughter

The accommodations are good and we are exhausted. ZZZ

Murals along the streets

Monday morning, we eat before walking a few miles into town and back. Oh my, the streets are lined with art shops, food places, and new sights.

Ice cream bars: banana and corn

I choke back a heave as I see some dogs on a barbecue, tails standing straight up and little snouts pointed ahead. Beside them, two little poodles are being groomed.

A beautiful footbridge in the heart of the city

"Want a dog?" we're asked. Yes, I'd take the cute little poodle in a heartbeat, but I'm not hungry for what's on the grill.

Food is fresh and plentiful. We eat at a lot of little cafes

I find a 2' orchid arrangement for $8 that keeps me happy all week - such beauty, even in a hotel room. And then I get to give it away when we leave. It's still fresh.

Monday to Thursday
The conference is great - we meet a lot of people, present a workshop, and eat good food. One of the special treats is hanging out with our Bandung pastor friends, who are headed back to Canada for a 3-month sabbatical.

We visit the "Hanoi Hilton" together. That's quite the experience. According to the information provided, the French were brutal taskmasters to the Vietnamese prisoners.

Statues of prison life

The inmates responded by turning the prison into a school for indoctrination to communism and were united in the fight against the French by the time they were released. Also, we read that the American pilots, imprisoned for up to 10 years during the Vietnamese War, were well-treated with decent food, time for sports and doing laundry, etc. It's quite the contrast.

Lots of flower shops - with exotic arrangements

And it makes me think how political aspirations can hurt so many common people, while the generals and politicians escape and even prosper from the conflicts.

It's fun watching traffic (a diagonal crossroad below) - but look at those electric cables outside our hotel window

On the streets, there are "Propoganda Poster" shops. I'm tempted to pick up a cute print of a gal harvesting a crop until I read the slogan, "Grow less opium." (left) Ok, maybe I'll leave that one there. I choose another about protecting youth and children. (right)

We fly to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and overnight at the airport hotel: sometimes we can't get a good connection and it takes a little longer to get home.

Saturday morning, we are back in the airport at 5am. We land in Bandung and catch a taxi home from the airport.

We love the friendliness of Bandung. These moms and their kids chat with us as we wait for our luggage.

First, we have to negotiate with a driver to halve the price - which is already double what it should be - and finally find someone willing to take us). Traffic is still good this early in the day. We have a nice visit with the driver and are happy to see our neighborhood. We unpack, set things in place, and are worn out. But happy.

We're at church in the morning, happily back with people who are on the journey of faith with us. We have a nice lunch together before heading back home for an afternoon nap.

Read more:
*O Lord, you have plans formed of old, faithful and sure. Isaiah 25:1

Rejoice always, pray continually,  give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not quench the Spirit.  Do not treat prophecies with contempt but test them all; hold on to what is good,  reject every kind of evil. May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24 NIV

*Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who has promised is faithful. Hebrews 10:23

Moravian Prayer: Heavenly Father, living in a world that constantly races forward to embrace novelty and change, we cling to you, God of eternity, and are steadied. You are our rock—the foundation of our lives. Those who have put their trust in you have never been deceived. May we have the strength and confidence to hold tightly to our faith. We pray this in the name of our redeemer, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Woohoo for movie night!

Tuesday, April 17, 2018

Menu on the fridge - their work and mine ... and a new word below

We go shopping. It's not my favorite thing @ 7-10:30am. We drive across the city to the food wholesaler, making a call to a friend on the way. 

Just a little dream of how nice it would be to have big serving dishes

We come home with a car full of groceries for movie night tomorrow. There's an afternoon of prep, peeling potatoes, washing vegetables, and ... well, it is busy.

Enjoying a little break in my office -
the perfect tea mug from Jojo and Kristi. Thanks, guys!

Wednesday

We look forward to this gathering all month, our monthly movie night. W and I walk the neighborhood at 6. Before 8, I start cooking and am mostly done by 11:30. I'm getting more efficient. The menu is ambitious today - but there's time for an afternoon nap.

One...

Two ...

Three: the turkey roaster is full of 60 curried sausage

 The helpers come at 3pm to make nasi (cooked rice) and wash dishes (the few I don't wash as I go). Later, they'll fill up the serving dishes until everyone has eaten, and clean up as people set down their plates.

Our friends start arriving at 5:30 for the 6:30 dinner. Paper plates, cutlery, sauces, serving dishes, and extra serving table are set up in the kitchen. W has put the cart with infused mint-lime water on the porch. We buzz around saying hello. Today, I made labels for each dish - wow, they'll know what they're eating? (Usually, they're brave and try foods, or they ask.)

Beautiful birthday girl and her brother on the right

It's been a cool day with heavy rainfall about 5:00. The rain stops in time - though we lose about 15 people on the list, and the room and porch heat up with arriving bodies. The noise level rises, too - everyone's having fun, reconnecting or introducing new people to their friends.

Claudia has made potato salad, Maddie's mom has brought a cake for dessert to celebrate her 17th birthday. Bella is turning 24. The gals have people from 19 countries celebrating with them! Cool.

Dinner is a hit and then we start October Sky, a film about persisting with a dream and following your destiny. Conversation during intermission and afterwards is lively and warm.

The last few leave before 11:30 and we take one more phone call before falling asleep about midnight.

The last group to leave poses for a picture - still smiling

Contrasting lifestyles - above and below

Thursday

Around 7, I walk a mile to join a friend at Starbucks. Except that the new Starbucks (or any other coffee shop) doesn't open until 8. So I walk on, meeting her partway to her hotel. We decide on tea, coffee, and conversation in her room.

The view is stunning - a luxury complex overlooking the poorer neighbors below. It's a typical modern city setting. Heartwrenching.

My friend is traveling back to the States in less than a week. I get a funny pang near my heart, walking up the hill to home and thinking about that. We are far from our families today. But the memories of yesterday's "new family" make me smile, too.

Read more:

*Let the one who walks in the dark, who has no light, trust in the name of the Lord. Isaiah 50:10

*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

*Bring the homeless poor into your house. Isaiah 58:7

*He rescued us from the power of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of his beloved Son. Colossians 1:13

*We love because he first loved us. 1 John 4:19

Moravian Prayer: God of surprises, do not allow the darkness to be the last word. Trusting in your goodness, we gather our voices to raise a joyful song! Christ is alive! Alleluia!

Divine Architect of justice, give us courage to clothe our prayers in action. You call us to love as we are loved; daring to act with courage. United in Christ, we follow your way, serving the least of these. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Everything happens around food

I have to get back into the mood of picture-taking. In the States, not many of us take photos of daily life and I've gotten out of the habit. Here's what we have ...

Always the same crowded streets (2 lane road)

Sunday, April 7, 2018
We take a Grab car to town to the Indonesian church. Our friend's sitting in the front, so we join her. Not my usual seat: I prefer the back unless I'm participating. It's refreshing - and I'm amazed at how much we now understand.

Then we head to lunch with Bob and Riga - love those friends. It's good to be in town together and listen for God among us.

Monday
What a warm welcome back into our study group. "Listen to everyone talking and laughing," smiles a participant. "Our energy is high this morning."

They've done just fine without us. Part of developing leaders is letting them lead - and our study groups have many leaders emerging among them. They eagerly accept the challenge of leading again next week. We learn about so much various cultures, God at work, and our responsiveness from the individual takeaways and prayers at the end.

Tuesday
Our rescheduled team meeting lasts through lunch at the house. What a blessing to have good friends and colleagues. They share what they've been doing, ongoing processes, and a few wins. Then W and I pack suitcases for another trip, diving into bed for an early sleep.

The seasons don't change, so the cushion covers do

Wed - Friday
Up at 4, we're off to Jakarta, arriving by train in the early morning. The conference starts in the afternoon - and by Friday lunch we have met people from all over Asia. We learn a lot. My heart is open to how God will work because of what we've heard.

Saturday
Hela and Gerhard have invited us over for barbecue. They're about a mile up the hill, a nice walk, especially in Saturday traffic. We pass the macet (stopped cars) both on the way up and back.

Seven dogs and a cat, plus a few birds and fish make their presence known as we walk through the gate. Gerhard is an inventor with many interesting things in his self-built home, including fish ponds that border on the jungle. His 3-part barbecue features a hot-fire compartment, and intermediate bbq and finally, a smoker chimney. He's prepared chicken and other meats, while Hela's made German potato salad, cucumber salad, snacks, and ... well, needless to say, we are bursting by the time we finish supper.

Sunday
It's so good to be in church again. I enjoy being service leader: it's a comfortable spot for me, mic in hand, inviting people into the community of faith. Della offers us an interactive worship: after singing a song together (first one about God's goodness, the second about God's love, the third about God's care for us), we turn to 3-4 others. We share our observations for the first two: how has God been good to us in the past week? And, how have we experienced or shared his love? After singing about God's care, we pray in our small group, asking God for the things we need in the coming week. As usual, some are distracted and chat or just say hi. But those who respond, know the real Presence among us in preparation for the lecture.

The speaker, Pak Chandra, talks about the transformation of the heart, beyond a world of good ideas and good works. He says, "If all you need is good advice, you don't need the Bible. You can go to Buddha, Confucius, Plato, Socrates (any of the great thinkers). But they won't teach about Who transforms us and how He does it. That comes through union with Jesus, unity with Him, and by fellowship with God through Jesus." (my paraphrased quote) For that, say Pak Chandra, we need to read, understand, and obey scripture.

The lunch group is a first: everyone at the table (all 9 of us) pays attention to whatever one person is saying. It's usual to have multiple conversations around a table, but this is more focused - and fascinating to me. I have to leave for a second meeting before they disperse.

Rabbit Town dessert

Nearby Rabbit Town opened before their parking lot was completed. Flocks of cars sit through the entire neighborhood. The traffic jams of last night and today are a result: a complete standstill on the streets and blocked thoroughfares up and down the hill. Five new highrises on the hill were built without any traffic mitigation in the past 2 years = so the 2-laned road still has ditches and random curbs or plants on the sides. Now there are at least seven new eateries in our neighborhood. Maybe that's good for neighbors who can walk here or there, but it sure makes for nasty traffic.

There are four flower boards of welcome outside the gates of the rabbit place. Typically, a new shop or venture might have dozens or more. "Either they are not well-supported by the city or it is a pre-launch," someone remarks. It's a selfie opportunity and a petting zoo, from what we can tell. We haven't paid the Rp25.000 entry fee ($1.75).

Inside the gates, several top restaurants and a coffee shop cluster around a courtyard with multiple seating areas. My friend Tuesday and I have a very good server. I invite her to movie night - and then another server comes over.

"Do you remember me?" she asks?

Her face is familiar from another neighborhood restaurant. She gives us a warm welcome and says she likes working here.

It's nice to get home at 4. I left at 8:30 this morning, so I'm ready for a relaxing evening. "Ping" comes a notification but I ignore my computer. We'll get to work tomorrow. Today is set aside as a day of "rest." Sort of.

We put our feet up together

Monday
We were asleep before 10pm last night, so waking at 4:30 feels like I've had a long night's sleep - it will be a few more weeks before our bodies are completely acclimated to the time zone.

At 6am, the weather is cold (brrrrr @67oF; 19oC) when we walk the neighborhood. I'm glad for a fleecy top but shiver until the blood gets flowing. The dog is happy to be out and about. And I'm back in time for my first meeting at 7am - luckily it's online.

At 8:30, people start arriving for the study. We're a group of about 20 this morning. Simon leads and Tuesday presents a project for us during May and June. With so many friendships being formed in the group, we want to be generous together in giving back to the community. Ibu Apong has baked up a storm since we got back: there are 5 containers of cookies in the freezer, which everyone enjoys. (Put them on a plate, and they're thawed and ready to eat in 5 minutes.

The team meets for catch-up and lunch. Today we are feasting on green papaya soup, sausage, and rice. The salad man rings at the gate with the weekly organic/hydroponic greens. I let him choose what to bring, "Whatever you have lots of, as long as there's kale," I say. (5-6 heads of salads cost about $3.75, delivered via motorcycle.)

In the hour between meetings, my dear husband heads to the store for supplies with a snapshot of the grocery list: tomorrow, I'll be prepping for the dinner-and-a-movie night coming Wednesday. 70 people sign up within a half hour and another 25 put their names on the waiting list before evening.

At 2, we have another meeting at the house, about a hopeful future and good work ... over tea and cookies, of course. At 5, we're on the porch, enjoying raclette. It's a Christmas tradition with Terry and Sandy ... except that none of us has had time until now. (Wait, is it April already? Merry Christmas.) The soft wind blows against the windchimes and the lights on the teras shine on the faces of our friends and colleagues.

Tuesday
We're out of the house about 7. We're heading across town to the LotteMart wholesaler to save a few dollars on food and supplies. Traffic is moving (hurrah) so we're at the house to unpack the back of the car by 10:30.

The helper starts putting things away, peeling potatoes, and washing the vegetables. The meat starts to thaw in the sink ... and prep has begun. Looking forward to supper with a houseful tomorrow.

Read more:
*Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am languishing; O Lord, heal me, for my soul is struck with terror. Psalm 6:2-3

*Behold, here I am, let the Lord do to me as seems good to Him. 2 Samuel 15:26

*Simon Peter said to Jesus, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my lambs.” John 21:15

*The Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. Romans 8:26

*See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and that is what we are. 1 John 3:1

Moravian Prayer: Gracious Savior, we are willing to serve you as you choose. You know that we love you. Grant us the courage to overcome our self-doubt, knowing you are always by our side. We’re ready, Lord!

Spirit of God, when our words seem inadequate to offer in prayer, our hearts rest in peace knowing that you intercede on our behalf. Praise be to you, Father! Thank you, Son of God. Amen.

Warm welcomes back to the city

Thursday, April 5, 2018
Dr H and Alice host tonight's study with a dinner at their house. There are two birthdays to be celebrated, as well as a welcome back for us. We are looking for a new place for the Thursday study, since two previous places closed. A restaurant would be ideal where everyone can come and go; the bonus is that some will stay to eat, beyond tea and snacks. But a community room would be good, too. Ideas, anyone?

Friends new and old enjoy time together

Alice's cooking is both pretty and delicious. And of course, because of the birthdays, we have noodles. I wouldn't mind having a birthday more often: I love noodles!

Starfruit is delicious and cools the spices on the tongue.

W is fading from jetlag because we arrived at 4 this morning. I slept for 6 hours this morning, but he only for 2 or 3. (I cann't sleep on the plane like he does.) So I take him home at 9pm. The balmy air and narrow lane, lit by house lamps on one side, make us feel at home. It's so good to be back.

Friday
Dr W and we are back in town at the same time. Unbelievable. (We all teach abroad.) So she comes for tea and cookies on the porch at 10. She spoils us with freshly-made banana fritters, too. I miss her neighborly friendship when she travels.

The Bandung Book Club has a lunch date at Maxis. Such a great group of women. There's no book on the table today because we are celebrating two March birthdays.

As usual, the birthday gals are international: Indian Manju and Can/US Rosemarie, along with our friends from Europe, North America, Australia, and Thailand.

The group buys our birthday lunches as well as a delicious cake. Those are cheese-flavored cookies on the outside. Um, we're older than 21, right? But the sparkly candles add a cheeky touch for sure.

Saturday
I make oatmeal for breakfast. That should keep us sated until lunch. It's not the most exciting meal and the chopped dried cherries (Trader Joe) are wasted by cooking. They're much better munched as a snack!

So glad to be walking down our street again

We believe a rest day each week is God's gift. We're not always consistent but today rest and relaxation look like a 4-mile walk down the hill to town. It takes about an hour (as fast as driving on the weekend) and helps reset us from jetlag. W checks exchange rates for currency, thinking ahead to an upcoming trip. He needs an electrical adapter. No luck there.

I'm just along for the walk. The Bandung mayor has replaced potholed walkways of varied pavements and heights with smoothly-paved sidewalks. Unbelievable difference! Now you don't have to carefully place every step, though I do tip an ankle to the side, negotiating around a cutout for plants. Here, wherever a tree grows, everything goes around it - roads, people, cars, bikes ... so as not to disturb a spirit possibly living in the tree.

Himalayan treck with Salamon Mocs

My old grey Salomon Snow Mocs are fantastic - I hiked to the Tigers Nest Monastery in Bhutan in December and have walked the world in them over the past 8 years. The treads are worn down but the roomy toe box makes them feel like slippers. If I could find another pair or two (size 7 or 7.5/37 or 38), I'd get them in a heartbeat. (I gave my second pair away when we downsized in Seattle. What was I thinking?!)

Some little boys shout at us Bule, Bule! and laugh and run around us (= Western foreigner). Not the most polite, but hilarious enthusiasm. We get the chance to greet a lot of people, who ask how long we've lived here. We can understand so much more culture and language - that comprehension takes time, which can't happen on a short volunteer trip with a group.

One of our stops is La Belle, a Dutch-style bakery with a long history in Bandung. Our first month here (2015), we were caught in a fierce rainstorm across the street from La Belle. Soaked, we sought shelter - and tried their risole with a green hot chili in the middle. The mashed potato inside, crumbs on the outside, and hot spice are a perfect combination.

Who's that? Our dear friend Dr Gati is also at the counter. She insists on treating us with croquettes and risoles for "welcome home." We've missed the flavors of Indonesia! So yummy - but seeing her is the best present.

We catch an angkot (tiny public bus) back up; looks like rain. On board, we meet four civil engineering students. They're coming up from the city with hands full of gifts for friends who are graduating from the university today. We invite them to join a movie night before they graduate in July.

And sure enough, just before we hop out to walk 1.5 miles up the hill to home, it starts to pour. We change plans and scramble out to transfer busses. Or should we take a Grab? The driver cancels. Standing under an overhang, our shoes and trousers are getting wet from splash-up.

We finally hop another angkot to find a better shelter to wait for a ride. If we continue up the hill with the angkot, we'll still have a 1 km walk across the hill to the house. Maybe not the best plan.

Quickly, W downloads a taxi app - thanks, Blue Bird! The driver is friendly and courteous. He takes us right to the gate and even opens my door for me. We run to unlock - slip into the house for hot showers. (W powers up the pumps; we often don't have enough pressure for hot water, but today we're in luck.)

A few minutes later, the sun comes out, the porch and yard dry up, and ... wow. Welcome home indeed. I look out at the border, which is thriving. Indonesians have lots of potted plants - the visual clutter of plastic pots is ignored and the leaves and flowers enjoyed. (It takes some getting used to - just like ignoring the electrical extension cords that string from lamps and appliances to a single outlet in a room.) We ended up with about 50 pots on our porch from friends and by dividing plants, but needed more room for company.

What to do? A few months ago, the weekly gardener reluctantly and with some protest hacked back the green a few feet from the house and transplanted the plants into the ground. The plants have flourished and the flowers self-seeded into pink abundance.

"Ibu, indah!" he says to me. ("Looks beautiful." He's proud of his work. I think, just wait a few months until it's really established.)

"Put a stick into the ground and it will grow," say Indonesians. It's almost true.

Read more:
*So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10

*Silver and gold cannot save on the day of the wrath of the Lord. Ezekiel 7:19

*Whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me. Matthew 25:45

*Do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear.  Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes.  Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds!  Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?  Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest? Luke 12:22-26

*[Jesus told his followers,] Peace is what I leave with you; it is my own peace that I give you. I do not give it as the world does. Do not be worried and upset; do not be afraid. John 14:27

*For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7

Moravian Prayer: Architect of generosity, show us (and show us again!) how we will find fullness of life through the sharing of our bounty! Give us courage to follow the example of the ‘least of these,’ whose cup never runs dry. Amen.

Sweet to be home!

My first look outside in the morning makes me happy.

The trip home takes 36 hours, door to door. I slept maybe 3 of those, between layovers in San Francisco and Narita (Tokyo). We get to our house in Bandung at 4am, unpack, and zip up the empty suitcases, storing them away for next time. Then we make up the bed with fresh linens.

I pull a sleep mask over my eyes and fall into a comatose sleep at 5:30, from which W wakes me at noon.

"Time for lunch." What? I missed all the morning prayers and the neighborhood waking?

Ah, it feels so good to have the warm tropical air on my skin, hear the cicadas rasping outside, along with the rustle of potted plants on the teras. The bamboo wind chimes click the approach of a thunderstorm. Home sweet home.

The amarylis border continues to flower

Monday, April 2, 2018
It's our last day in Seattle. We wash the beds, cram the last few items into our suitcases, and weigh the trouble we're in. Every piece of luggage is at capacity. How does that happen?

We're bringing along a suitcase for a friend plus four of our own. We've packed a few foods we won't get for a year (Costco brownie mix or a Trader Joe bag of olives, anyone?), a few clothes, and all the paper plates we'll need for movie nights. Those will last at least half a year, I'm guessing. With 70-80 people showing up, we go through paper plates quickly. The quality (a Dollar Store score) is so much better and holds up to the heaps of food on them, but I hate the thought of all that garbage.

Kinsey (6) and Levi (4) come downstairs to our basement suite. Soon, Isaac (2), cheerful after a nap, joins them. They "help" and play until Levi exclaims, "Oma, I think I wanna go to the bathroom. I'm going to throw up."

Tucking himself into the pillows heaped on the floor as we wash bedding

Saying goodbye to these kids is the hard part

"Ok, you know where it is." He runs for the toilet, vomits right beside an open suitcase, and continues on to the porcelain throne.

"Good boy!" I tell him. (He missed the luggage.) I wipe it up, thankful for painted concrete floors that are clean in an instant. I pat his back as he empties his stomach.

Minutes before his stomach rebels

He says, "I think that's it," smiles at me, and toddles off upstairs to his mother. Oh, the joy of being a grandma. Up he goes.

Poor Levi is sick the rest of the day, sleeping with cherubic face in the dining nook. The others swirl around him to shout and play, but he's oblivious. He rests - and has passed it to his little brother by the next day.

Kinsey and Isaac continue playing. Melissa brings the baby down for a hello. My head is already moving to the next days' travel and I can feel that I'm not present anymore. = A constant challenge for a person who lives in the future like I do is to live in the day ...

Melissa cooks delicious prime rib and burgers - oh my!, with sweet potato fries, asparagus, and other parts of the feast. I don't know how she manages 4 kids, her home, and still cooks this well. It's wonderful to sit around the table together one more. We pray a farewell for protection and blessing on their home and ours before we head downstairs.

We're asleep just after 7pm, preparing for the 1am alarm in the morning.

Tuesday and Wednesday
We make the bed, wipe the floors clean, put the last washed dishes away, and close the suitcases. Merlin comes for us - heroically - at 2am. He drops us at SeaTac and cheerfully drives off, hoping to sleep a few hours before his breakfast meeting. That's a true friend.

The landscape we leave behind on the Pacific coast

Our first flight to San Francisco is only 2 hours but the layover is 5. I walk 4 miles through each wing. It's going to be a long day and I might as well get moving before we sit and sit.

The longest flight is to Tokyo - 11-ish hours. Enroute, we cross the dateline into Wednesday. In Tokyo, we relax with a 3-hr layover before one final flight of 7 hrs to Jakarta.

We drive to Bandung in the wee hours of no-traffic-wow-this-is-amazing and arrive at in our gate just after 4am. The driver hops out at the bottom of the hill; his motorcycle is being repaired so he walked to get the car. But we don't want him walking a mile down the hill from our place in the middle of the night.

The dog goes crazy with joy. Bark bark bark. All the neighbors will know we're back, if the security guard who lifts the bar to the neighborhood doesn't tell them in the morning.

Thursday
As we unpack, it's still dark. The morning prayers start. Our hearts join the calls for peace and ask God's blessings upon this nation and its lovely peoples. We're home and asleep by 5:30am. W wakes about 8, but I'm out like a light - until he wakes me at noon.

Ah, nasi goreng (fried rice) and the broccoli we blanched and froze. Good to have some food stored in advance. The familiar tastes so good.

First meal home includes mangosteen (imagine cherriy, lychee, and grape flavors combined)

This afternoon, we have just a few things to put in their place and suddenly, we're settled back in. The month in Seattle always passes quickly and is both hard and joyful work. Upon return, we always are happy for the short itineration. We may not have time to relax when we're in Seattle. But we also don't have to store furniture, find a new place to rent, and we are up and running in Indonesia within a day. Jetlag is another matter ...

We can't wait for tonight's study - Dr. Hanna is hosting a supper and then we'll open the Book with friends again. We are eager to see everyone - and see what God has for us in this next year.

Read more:
*My heart, O God, is steadfast, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and make music. Awake, my soul! Awake, harp and lyre! I will awaken the dawn.

I will praise you, Lord, among the nations; I will sing of you among the peoples. For great is your love, reaching to the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies. Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth. Psalm 57:7-11 NIV (This is one of my favorite songs - click on the link above to listen. Thanks, Tillie.)

*You have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I sing for joy. Psalm 63:7

*Turn to me and be saved, all the ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other. Isaiah 45:22

*(this prophecy about Jesus was recorded by the prophet Isaiah about 700 years before Jesus' death and resurrection)

Who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him. He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem.

Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.

We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.

By oppression and judgment he was taken away. Yet who of his generation protested? For he was cut off from the land of the living; for the transgression of my people he was punished. He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death, though he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth.

Yet it was the Lord’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the Lord makes his life an offering for sin, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the Lord will prosper in his hand.

After he has suffered, he will see the light of life and be satisfied; by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities. Therefore I will give him a portion among the great, and he will divide the spoils with the strong, because he poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors. For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors. Isaiah 53

*Do you not realize that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? Romans 2:4

*Jesus Christ is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. 1 John 2:2

*The One who was born of God protects them, and the evil one does not touch them. 1 John 5:18

Moravian Prayer: Dear heavenly Father, during this season of resurrection, we lay aside the fear of death and embrace the freedom from the bondage of sin, a lesson beyond our ability to comprehend! Savior of the world, thanks be to you for your gift beyond measure!

God of infinite kindness, when we find ourselves unable to see in the darkness of trouble, teach us to turn to your life-giving light. There may we find clarity for the present and hope for the future. We offer you thanks and praise that you name us your children. Enfolded in your loving arms, you sustain us throughout our lives. Protected from evil, we sing with joy-filled hearts. Amen.