Ascension Day and a target

Tuesday, May 24, 2022

We wake early to record the video for Sunday instead of taking a walk. Tuesday means a team meeting online. Week to week, things may not change drastically for most of us. Month by month, there are big shifts in our involvements.

When we pass by, this thick vine curls over the neighbor's fence. Smell good, too.

The language school has kept track of our Unit 1 words and phrases in small notebooks. The teacher gave us those yesterday. They have Barbie cover illustrations. All the way home, I'm restless. I don't think I can reach for that notebook without a wince.

When we walk in the door, I grab some Golden acrylics from my office, and squirt 3 glops of color over the doll pictures. A few smears with the closest thing at hand (a housepaint brush I use to dust the keyboard) ... and Barbie is banished. All that's left is a faint outline on the front (left). The paint left on the brush covers the back.

Today we start class with simple conversations. It's also cookie day. On Tuesdays, we take a pack of IbuA's goodies along to share.

The teachers seem happy with the children's books and teaching method manuals being rehomed by our friends. "There are more. Another day." Stuff comes in. Stuff flows out.

On the way home, Kristi and I stop at the store for groceries. These apples almost make me homesick for BC. Indonesians grow a tart local apple like Granny Smiths in central Java. But most eating apples come from New Zealand and Australia as well as the north.

A friend sends 10 packages to BIC, filled with toys, pencils, and other treats to be shared with orphaned children. Our helper bakes cookies and hard-boils 20 eggs. She tucks them into the gift boxes and distributes them to the neighborhood kids.

Throughout the night, I listen to the Psalms (Mazmur). There's comfort from the ancient songs of thanksgiving and appeals to God; sometimes the heart just needs to sing along.

Wednesday

It's date morning for W and me. Will #PinoTerrace have the green noodles we've wanted to try for ages? W says, "Don't bother ordering. They don't have them." Except, this morning they do. What a good breakfast of noodles, broth, fried shrimp and chicken.

We spot a kindergarten/Gr 1? class strolling along with their teachers. We snap their class picture for them, and then they insist on taking a few with us. The kids are so cute!

One of the teachers takes my phone number.

"Did she contact you?" W asks later in the day. He's lost his credit card, perhaps while crouching down beside the children for the pictures.

I'm in 3 meetings before school and 2 after. On the way down to town, we spot two guys on a motorcycle, transporting a foam mattress. Luckily, traffic is lighter than usual. W hops out to run errands at the base of our hill.

The last meeting of the day is a special delight, a reconnection with someone who is serving Bandung well. We hear the story of how the love of God is drawing hearts to himself. That's always a pleasure to hear.

Thursday - Ascension Day

The Thursday mountain walk is canceled as today is another tanggal merah (red letter day holiday). Today we celebrate that Jesus lived, died, rose from the dead, and returned to his Father in heaven. One helper takes the day off; one comes to work.

Hey, what's that? Two guys are trekking through the property next door, so I go check it out. No squatters allowed!

Whew. It's our landlord. Of course it's on a day that there's tall grass, though the vines and other fast-growing smother-ers are chopped back. The yardman was sick last week and everything grows quickly. He didn't cut that lawn or ours this week - he was trimming back the fast-growing hedges and clearing a path on the jungle plot below instead. Oh well.

W takes down the newspaper wreath hanging upstairs. He starts to carry it downstairs but the silt and dirt slide out of the upper cones. I suggest he toss it over the balcony onto the driveway. Its day is over. It later disappears into the garbage.

A bullet-riddled target, found at the side of the road, goes up in its place. It's a reminder to plan and execute well to reach our goals. I like its primary colors and graphic shape. It tells a story, too. W hangs it high on the wreath's nail. I'll let it sit for a bit, but my first inclination is to move it down 50 cm (18"). 

The wall art reminds us to pray for the USA as it mourns the lunacy of an 18-yr-old who shot schoolchildren and teachers yesterday. Global news blazes with updates about the Texas massacre. Laws - strange ones, bad ones, and good ones - emerge from such abuses. In their attempt to curb evildoers, most "reaction" laws will have the greatest effect by curbing the future freedoms of law-abiding citizens.

Around the world, suffering is common and abundant. Much of it goes unreported. However, no loss is small or trivial to the family who suffers, whether it is broadcast or overlooked by others. News reports move on to the next crisis while the lives of mothers, fathers, and children are changed forever.

W and I walk to lunch at Kalpa Tree. The menu has been updated since we came months ago.

 My bean sprout/beef salad is exceptional.

The cupcakes in the pastry cabinet are cute but we leave them for others.

Hand-feeding children is common until they are in school. Sometimes a nanny will still be holding a 4-or-5-yr old child in a sling around her neck and waist, coaxing for as long as it takes him or her to eat. Here, one woman spoon-feeds this youngster while he sits on another's lap - and the man starts on his lunch. This is not uncommon.

This beautiful vine catches my attention as we walk home.

Today's big chore is writing next month's newsletters. I review the past for what might be important to readers - and scan information they need for the month ahead.

I study, read, and look for the sun. The sky is overcast all day. Rain sprinkles the yard as we wrap up one last meeting on the porch. Though I don't get everything done on my checklist, I'm content. That's enough for today. Thanks be to God.

Read more:

*Christ said, “I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” John 12:32

*Those who are planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bear fruit in old age; they shall be fresh and flourishing. Psalm 92:13-14 NKJV

*Jesus said, “I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.” John 16:22

Moravian Prayer: Christ Jesus, as we celebrate your ascension into heaven, we give thanks for the sacrifice of your life for the forgiveness of our sins. May our lives be reflections of the love that you have for us. Amen.

Leeches, dead frogs, and an exam

Monday, May 16, 2022

Monday seems to be the day to reflect on the past week. I write to remember. Sometimes when I read back, it's astonishing at how much I've left behind and how much goes into the day.

This week ...

The bananas get old in a fridge still not repaired (5 weeks, no thanks to LG's warranty). So IbuA makes banana bread. Yummy.

There's is a frog migration overnight: several kodok kodok have not made it across the neighborhood streets. (Say something twice to make it plural.)

On the more pleasant side, we keep immersing the drooping roses of last week's bouquet up to their necks in water overnight. The shorter stems fit all the way under, flowers included. Most will revive for another day. They last a whole week. I'm surprised; I've tossed roses when their heads drop. Now I'm going to revive them a few times first.

Tuesday

Among many things on the calendar, this one is always a favorite: Tuesday morning team meeting. Does anyone have better people to work with? (I doubt it!) Love each one.

We go to language school and in the afternoon, friends send over books from years of reading and teaching. The language school gratefully takes them and passes them among their teachers.

Wednesday

The book group reading this month is a curious choice: a book about conversion to Islam and the "rogue saints" venerated in Java. (That's the book title not my wording). I thought religious books were off the table, along with cookbooks.

Apparently not. I'm interested in the POV both of the book group and the author - will be an interesting discussion. In the early chapters, Islam is explained as a journey, much like Jesus said he was the WAY. ("I am the way, the truth, and the life." John 14:6) 

According to the book, if you say the Islamic formula sentence, you're "in" as a Muslim. You're expected to learn your obligations and duties as you are mentored within the Muslim community. 

What a great contrast to the faith of Christians, where God himself through Jesus has paid the debt we owe to God. He has forgiven us and set us free from sin and obligation. Following him results in good works done out of gratitude rather than duty, as is common in other religions.

The book examines the spread of Islam in Indonesia, Muslim religious history, tradition, and current practices. Perhaps I shall offer Eternity in their Hearts as a similar book choice about the Christian spread, history, and practices in Papua in the future. Read it, if you've missed it to date!

Thursday

Yay, the weather is cool and overcast as we start the walk in the mountains. The trails are wet and slick from overnight showers. The trail is obvious when we start out. Several (including W and I) fall into the puddles that can't be entirely avoided or wipe out in the shifting clay. Our walking sticks help keep us upright, another set of feet to lean on.

Fields of pink impatiens glow under the tall pines.

"Feather" flowers are blooming on the shrubs.

This toppled pine log is scarred by cuts from resin collection.

Things age quickly - fungus, lichens, mold, and moss overtake anything left unwashed or untended.

The stunning arrays of colors are easy to bypass and overlook.

PakG tells us that the fragrant roots of this weed are used to pep up lagging energy on the trails. The roots smell minty and acerbic.

A set of shepherd's crooks is standing by the side. Marie's dad poses with one.

When the rain starts, we grab our plastic ponchos from our hiking packs. Soon we're splashing through the water that courses down the path in fast-running streams. We give up wedging ourselves on the tiny banks. Our shoes and socks are full of water and anything exposed is soaked, as the rain cools our hike. Many just walk right down the stream.

We take an involuntary detour: W's clearly marked the trail on his phone. When it gets as wet as he is, though the phone itself is fine, it stops receiving data. No GPS. So we take a chance at a 4-way intersection to find the way back. The trail deteriorates to overgrown as we hike uphill.

Hearing shrieks from the walkers ahead, we all check ourselves for leeches. I pick off 9 and stop counting. They are quick, moving like inchworms to get under our clothing. We pull them off and toss them. We have to climb over branches set as a barrier at the upper coffee and vegetable farms.

No one is in sight. There's no way out so we plunge back into the forest, pushing our walking sticks into the deep compost and muck of the steep slopes. We skitter and slide back down to approximately where we started.

We try another path. Everyone's a good sport so it's a fun adventure - we're free of leeches but bleeding where they put the anticoagulant through our skin. We slosh the last kilometers to the parking lot. Thunder rumbles overhead between the mountains.

Stripping off our shoes and socks at the car, we push our toes into the flip-flops we bring "just in case" we're a muddy mess. Today we're wet through, muddy, and a bit bloody.

After 4 hours in the jungle, most walkers have to head for home. It’s later than usual. Some have meetings in the afternoon. Our lone carload heads for the restaurant we were all going to try. We're shivering, wet to the skin. Gradually we start to dry in the afternoon wind that blows through the dining area.

W's noodles are excellent.

So is the dim sum and my Rawon soup. (Candlenuts with beef broth and potatoes.) Melvi helps polish off the meal - we pass the things we can't eat to her. It's fun to share.

Kristi orders scrambled eggs, which come barely warm and the consistency of canned creamed corn, with a white sauce on top. None of us can stomach it. The server brings a casava pudding instead.

When we get home, we shower to warm up. I slather the leech-bites with cream and slap a bandage over each. Ugly but practical. The next few days, if I accidentally scratch the bites, the bleeding starts all over. Effective little critters.

Friday

On the morning walk, we spot this 1x1 meter (3x3-foot) target by the street at the neighborhood dump. After bargaining with the guys at the dump, PakG hauls it home for $3.70 (50.000 IDR) and washes it down. I know just the place for it to tell its story.

Upstairs, this newspaper wreath has been with us for over 7 years. Our first Christmas in Indonesia, I made the monstrous circle with newspapers in every language I could find. The wreath's theme is "Jesus, God's love for every tribe and nation." It was our sole Christmas decoration that year. (We refused to spend $400 on a tree before Christmas; we waited for an 80% discount after.)

The wreath has yellowed and faded. While it's still cool, it's time for a new look. Mostly, it grosses me out: who knows what lurks in those old tubes of newspaper! (Ugh)

Our Unit 1 comprehensive language test is today. Kristi and I both squeeze through to Unit 2, starting on Monday. 

Saturday

Leaves here can be huge. I pluck one that' about 19" (50 cm) long from the vine beside the porch and plop it in a vase. That, along with picture books atop a broken ceramic tile, becomes this week's coffee table vignette.

The neighbor's bulbs glow white during the afternoon rains.

Ruth sends 20 roses late at night. they start to unfold in the cylinder. It’s the simplest bouquet ever for BIC on Sunday morning.

Sunday

Kirsti and her help do a great job with the kids. Thanks to the Kids Clubs in the USA who donated the funds for beanbags and other supplies at BIC.

The roses continue to open.

This fascinates me: look at the scale of Indonesia's 17,000 islands, overlaid on the USA map!

I send back a dean's request for suggestions on revisions to a prospectus for student doctoral projects. There's always writing and editing. This one takes only an hour but I can't delay or it will fall off my to-do list. Check. Suggestions made and sent.

Kristi and I must listen to the Unit 2 intro video to prep us for language learning tomorrow. We'll be speaking more in Unit 2.

In the late afternoon, I record 4 videos to be posted in June. Anything I can do in advance, I'll do gladly. Each day is full enough without having to check the schedule for more.

Monday

After 3 online meetings and breakfast, Kristi and I have 2.5 hours of Zoom class. We think it's fun to describe what we see in the children's picture book.

The teacher explains, "You only get up to 10 new words per day." I write down everything not solid in my head.

 "Hey, at this rate, we'll be 10 words short each week," Kristi notes. She will negotiate tomorrow for 12-13 words/day since, instead of 5 days a week, we have class 4 days. An extra half-hour is tacked onto each class to make up the missing day.

Then a telephone call for prayers, a visit from friends to exchange foods, and a few hours of writing. W and I also go through the format and info for next Sunday's Round Table discussions at BIC. 

I make soba noodles for supper. Suddenly, it's evening. Zzzzz.

Read more:

*Sing aloud to God our strength. Psalm 81:1

*As servants of God we have commended ourselves in every way: as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing everything. 2 Corinthians 6:4,10

Moravian Prayer: Almighty God, when we walk through life’s hills and valleys, keep our eyes fixed on you and on your word. We can see your might and power when overcoming difficulties through your love and support. Amen.

Courage, accompanied by beetles, acrylics, and roses

We may have to put off Community Dinners for another month. The team we'd planned to work with is doing their own thing elsewhere. I'm disappointed - but all in God's time. We love gathering groups to eat, network, and learn something new together. Patience, everyone!

Saturday, May 14, 2022

We make a morning visit to IbuA, who has the stomach flu all week. Her husband catches us in the lane before we head down the hill to their house.

"She's staying with our daughter," he explains."Turn in here." Whew. That's a very steep climb avoided. (Think 20 flights of stairs ... or more, down and back up from their place.) It's good to see her though she's pale and barely starting to recover. We miss her when she's away.

While W heads to town, I paint and clean and write. Is that a dried date on the driveway, left over from Ramadan? Nope, it's a beetle on its back. Won't be popping that into our mouths.

Months ago, this is what we started with. I covered the 22"X36" (A1-ish) backer-board from a frame with gesso.

It is rough. With some browns over it, it sits it a long time. I like the shadow from the window falling over it. But I don't have the skill to replicate that. So I wait.

I squirt leftover paint from little tubes acquired for Community Dinner years ago. They're drying up so have to be used of tossed. Cheap student grade is as inspiring as a cheap keyboard for a pianist used to a Bösendorfer. (Not very.)

Today I add a bit more. I can only go so far before I run out of imagination. There's a 15c acrylic brush in the studio, along with a squirt bottle, an old credit card, and a squeegee. Some dabs, scratches, and pulls. This is not fine art. 

I didn't like the last sky I painted with this yellow - why did I add it again to this painting? Sigh. I'll fix it with white and black (grey) the next time around.

The roses received yesterday are opening in the humid heat. Hopefully they'll be good enough for tomorrow at BIC; I have 2 more options but these are tall and pretty, my first choice.

The thunder roars across the mountains. The dogs are afraid and run for their darkened dog-houses, especially when there's a flash and an immediate "BANG." Sometimes we're inside the storm on the mountainside. The news reports a tornado nearby that blows off roof and lifts garbage into the air.

People have come by for shoes so we're down to less than half of what MrsS brought earlier this week. Everyone has been delighted with her generosity and their choice.

Sunday

The roses are perfectly opened. They were very fresh: not even one head is drooping. We take them to the hall for the morning set up. 

We don't have to speak and I've asked W to make the introductions. It's a joy to sit back and listen. Today's talk by JP seems just for me. It's also life-giving for others, judging by their comments after.

Our neighbor sends over guava in syrup, a sweet traditional treat that's considered healthy for  bringing up blood health, especially if you have dengue or chikungunia fevers.

The young adults' Hangout meets every two weeks for conversation and friendship. They are painting today and their canvases are bright and cheerful. Today an older adult (mom of a teen) sneaks in with the young people.

I duck into the studio to start the clouds in the landscape. Seriously, I need brushes that don't shed hair (not the house-painter cheapos) and professional-quality paints. The white student leftover acrylic hardly makes an impression on the board.

I'm exhausted from the week behind and grateful for a day off from school tomorrow. Of course I'll be studying. I need to nail down the vocabulary - things are starting to slip and slide between brain and tongue.

The painting is big (A1 size 60cmX84cm / 23"X33"). What's next for it? Not a flock of birds. Not a boat. So ... what? Maybe more texture and foreground wildflowers.

Monday

Monday is an Indonesian tanggal merah (Red Letter Day). In a country with public holidays on every religion's milestones, Indonesians have a lot of days off. This month, after 10 days of mudik (Ramadan-related travel), most people will have 2 more days off: today's Waisak (Buddhist) and next week's Ascension Day (Christian). Of course, June 1 is Pancasila, celebrating the unity of Indonesians and their right to equality in religion. So we'll start the next month off right, too.

The daily rains hold off until afternoon. The green wall has filled in between us and the neighbor. Sunshine and humidity are fuel for the staghorn and birds nest ferns. Falling from the second storey, the vines I trimmed last week are already setting out side branches. Their leaves filter the hot sun as they shade the house.

Language and more language. And meetings.

Tuesday

I'm glad to be up for the leader cohort at 4:15. (Usually it's at 2am, so today the timing feels fantastic.) Don shares how to choose and lead board meetings. The topic is intimidating. The information is encouraging.

Then it's a leap into the day of meetings and school (with a commute). So glad to be here. So glad to serve. And sometimes ... I'm just tired.

Praying that God clears the clutter in my head so I can remember the new words coming our way. And do only the tasks that are important. I'm praying that God does the same for you - as you sit quietly at his table between assignments.

Read more:

*The Lord’s mercies never come to an end, they are new every morning, great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23

*Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. Joel 2:32

*[Peter says about Jesus,] “There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among mortals by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12

*Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.

For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ. If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort. 2 Corinthians 1:3-8

*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

*[Jesus says,] “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give water as a gift from the spring of the water of life.” Revelation 21:6

Moravian Prayer: Heavenly Father, every day, we make choices that do not reflect our calling as your followers. We need your constant compassion and forgiveness so that we can live faithfully and abundantly. Thank you for purifying our hearts and souls. 

Eternal Savior, sometimes we feel adrift in life, drowning in sorrow. We look to you for rescue and deliverance when the waves get too high. We need your steady arms to hold us and provide us with comfort. Amen.