Checklists, arrivals, and a farewell.

The week before a trip is a round of checklists. Darrel and Gail J, trusted friends from Washington State, come to lead our teams in Bandung. We've known them since Northwest U ... a long time. They arrive early Saturday morning from Jakarta.

Sunday, September 11, 2022

W leaves before 7:00 a.m. for BIC. I check the lower seating area - we have kids coming to eat lunch at the house. There are dust and grass clipping everyone, along with bird poop and lizard droppings. Ugh. It takes me 3/4 hr to sweep, wash, and clean up. That will go on the helper list again. We have company nearly every Sunday and the yard and porch have to be as ready as the house.

Then it's time to walk to Bandung international Church with our guests. The neighborhood sellers are out and about. They carry baskets loaded with market-fresh vegetables. When one shoulder gets tired, they swing the pole behind their neck to the other side.

W and I speak together as usual.

Over lunch at Warong Ethnic, we introduce the Johnsen to our leadership team. Thanks to Om Danny for making the reservation in the relaxing setting under the trees.

Back at home, the porch is full of children and their parents. We love it. They've prepared their own lunch so we say hello before we go inside to pray over the families and rest up a bit.

Monday

After a morning walk and meetings, we eat lunch together at Miss Bee. They have the best grilled corn.

Then we're off to find some batik fabric (women), shirts (D), and electronic stuff (men). The tour busses are loaded as they run around town.

We're back at the house after 3:00. We're too full to eat supper, and our friends are adjusting to 14-hrs-ahead jet lag. Up at night, sleepy by afternoon.

Our Aussie friends Ross and Anne arrive as well. They're staying at the house 9 days, waiting for their tourist visa to be renewed. They know Bandung so don't need any directions.

Tuesday

Ross and Anne buy me breakfast at Pino Terrace at 7:00. While I head into the office at 8:30, they go to town to work on their visas.

After the team meeting, Darrel and Gail meet our ministry team over lunch at Maxi's. "So much food," says Gail. Luckily they are adventurous eaters and enjoy the flavors. They gift everyone with hats and journals.

Our landlord has been dropping by without warning. The dogs go crazy - they are the best guards. We tie them up while he looks at the empty house falling apart next door. Our yard man has kept up the property in exchange for my use of the office as an art studio.

"Please build a fence for the dogs," he asks W in the evening. Um, no. We're gone tomorrow. Typical day-to-day life happens without advance planning. That is a cultural  norm here. He shows up whenever. Our dogs can savage anyone who tries to break in. They warn us when people we know show up, too. They have the run of the yard ... and they are at the gate as soon as someone arrives.

Wednesday

We take Johnsens for breakfast at Nara Park before 8:00. The new creatures are owls, along with Nara's rabbits, tortoises, and hedgehogs. D/G pose in front of colorful shrubs.

We do some last-minute packing before PakGum takes us into the airport in Jakarta. We leave the house in good hands.

It's the quickest trip we've made in ages: 3 hours for 120 miles. We spot a few "camouflaged" cell towers. You convinced by the artificial palm branches sticking out?

Our flight is at 7:00 so we sit around for 4.5 hours. There is tourist shopping with huge dolls in the store's entry (Balinese). 

There are tour groups with matching outfits, whether men

or mixed groups.

The flight attendants are amazing on Singapore Airlines. On the 1-hr flight, they serve a full meal and drinks and have everything cleaned up. They're courteous, friendly, and knowledgable. It's flying as we used to know it, on a Boeing with more leg room than most Asian carriers offer.

When we get to Singapore, the airline won't book a hotel for us. They cancelled our morning flight and booked us on an evening flight so we have a 12-hr layover in the Singapore airport (9pm to 9am). Ugh. 

In customer service, Carmela calls all over. We leave without any help ... and then she runs after us. She's found a reserved spot in one of the lounges. She give us the pass and off we go. Thanks, ma'am. Greatly appreciated.

W, who can sleep anywhere, curls up and sleeps on the bench seat while I write. After midnight, we find two massage chairs free - I let it squeeze and rolle me to sleep and enjoy about 6 hours of comfort.

We start to watch the festivities as the world begins to say farewell to a godly and good ruler, Queen Elizabeth II. Hearing "Abolish the monarchy" makes me wonder if people have considered what a comfort and constant presence she was. Many countries experienced revolutions, dissolution, and government chaos, without her steadying presence.

Britain had a queen who led by example, cared for others, and stayed on course, adjusting to her times. We hope her son also has a good character: we'll find out soon enough. What a burden to carry the weight of nations on your back.

Without a sovereign who has integrity, you eventually end in the mess of politics that characterizes the USA and other republics. "We can vote," say the people, ignoring the sorting, sifting, political elbowing, and news maniputation before they get to vote on anything. (Then we bemoan, "We have no good choices.") The backdrop of the monarchy has many benefits - if the king or queen are good people.

I see the heaps of tributes and flowers along the gates and walls of the palaces and think, it's almost that pretty in Bandung, which we have left for a short while.

Read more:

*The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. Psalm 51:17

*Saul said to David, “Who has ever found an enemy, and sent the enemy safely away? So may the Lord reward you with good for what you have done to me this day.” 1 Samuel 24:19

*Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. Romans 12:17

*All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water. James 3:7-12

Moravian Prayer: Merciful and gracious God, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, may your presence grow nearer to us every day. In all that we say and do, may we reflect your will for peace, compassion, and care for all, even those who wrong us. Amen.

Days of flowers and friends

Sunday, September 4, 2022

After Eki and Lyong take the obligatory selfies, they're off - young life is full of movement!

All week, the anniversary bouquet from BIC opens. The house smells of lilies.

One suitcase is packed for our home assignment. Another lies open on the bedroom floor. Goodies stashed in nooks and crannies are pulled out and placed in the luggage.

Monday

The dogs need no persuading. They love walking first thing in the morning. We pause at the neighbor's fragrant vine beside the path.

The poinsettias are in full bloom.

The day zips by. There are the usual morning meetings. I doodle and paste some batik flowers in the homemade botanical journal. This is such a "nothing" book. I'm determined to fill the pages. It's an exercise in patience and I'm gong to learn something new in the process, I promise.

We have brunch when we remember to eat. We pause for a mid-afternoon break at #NaraPark. W's in the mood for pizza and it's a short walk from home.

"Where did the tomato sauce go?" W wonders, reviewing the menu. The pepperoni pizza comes with a side of tomato ketchup and spicy sambal. We put that on top to pep up the flavor, and hits the spot.

Tuesday

After the morning walk with the dogs and a few calls, I pop into the art studio. I return to a "What about Dreams" series. Anything goes, when it's about dreams. My dreams are colorful. The hardest parts are making them real.

The 3 canvases total 100X48 cm (approx 39"X 18"). At first, I intend to paint flowers on an abstract background. Won't this make a good base for a garden of tiger lilies? But the dull colors feel stagnant every time I go into the studio. It sits for 2 months, sucking the life out of me.

Today I go in another direction, layering color on top and pausing while the paint dries. It helps to take a photo and turn it every which way. As usual, I forget to put on gloves  so my hands are full of paint. I give them a good scrub.

Later in the day, I add another layer. I think it's a cheer-me-up triptych for the stairwell. We'll see.

At team meeting, we're partly online and partly in person. Some of us get cookies and tea; the others provide us with good company and updates. (But no cookies for them. hehe)

Afterward, Shibli and I walk through the house. My parents brought paintings from Tanzania in the 70s; a few hang upstairs. They are glimpses of another era.

We talk about how a house acquires comfort, hospitality, and warmth. Most of us can't afford high end things. So it's vital to become alert to beauty in small things and ordinary things. 

Bringing in what catches our eye and letting that find its place creates a peaceful atmosphere. Most space begin plain, with fixed walls, ceilings, and floors. This was our nook when we moved in. It was a sewing room before we got here.

There's no rush to fill a space; it will fill itself. We paint the walls white. On-sale bedsheets become a panel of curtains with the help of IKEA clips.

We start to think about all the ways the space can be used. It's little: 7' X 9' or 2.3 X 3 meters, just off the main entry. Once the imagination takes flight, things start to flow into the house. We acquire 2 skinny tables from a warehouse closeout.

Here comes an IKEA lamp on sale. We find a weaving at the airport. I paint a mural with watery acrylics and kitchen sponges. That's topped with shelves that friends are rehoming. The macrame hanging is a Christmas gift.

And so it goes. Soon it's a nook with personality where I can spread out a quilt for stitching.

Or seat 10-12 people for a study or meal.

Is there a neglected space in your house? If so, what do you already have - or what's flowing by - to give it life and usefulness?

Spaces often reflect the soul of the inhabitants. 

Is there something inside you that has lain fallow for a long time? Why not ask God to bring that part of you to life?

Read more:

*You came near when I called on you; you said, ‘Do not fear!’ Lamentations 3:57

*Can a woman forget her nursing-child, or show no compassion for the child of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you. Isaiah 49:15

*Ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete. John 16:24

*So we can say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.” Hebrews 13:6

Moravian Prayer: O gentle Savior, the one who takes fear away, draw near to us. In your mercy, clear our hearts and minds of the stresses of today, and grant us a small portion of your abundant joy.

God, our help in ages past, we praise you because you are faithful to us. We pray for help to remember that we should never be afraid, because you are always with us, until the end of the age. Amen.

A happy celebration and a new week

Saturday, September 3, 2022

We go to NaraPark for breakfast and order lots. Too much. We bag some to take it home.

When the Nara staff brings us complementary cake and 

a chocolate waffle with ice cream, we're surprised.

We pose for a picture together - they treat us royally each time we come.

The Vanda orchid at the neighbor's fence has been scenting the area for weeks.

The two papaya trees in the parking lot beside our place have different fruits.

In the afternoon, our friends Eki and Lyong come to stay overnight. So good to see them.

Sunday

I wear lovely handmade earrings from Sarah.

We are surprised at BIC with a fresh bouquet.

I shed 7 layers of wrapping and arrange the anniversary flowers when we get home.

There are 20 young people on the porch.

Eki and Lyong leave in early afternoon. We rehome some donated books and art supplies for Eki's classroom. Hurrah! God always knows when to send things our way - they stay until someone needs them and ... off they go.

Monday

Morning meetings, and ramen for lunch. Noodles make me happy. Trying a new Korean sesame kind. Just before I eat, W wants some so I take my finished ramen out of the broth, toss in another pack of noodles with some greens, and cook it up for him. Yummy. (The first Monday each month, IbuS volunteers at a kids' health center.)

This week we'll be packing for home assignment and welcoming our replacements to the house, BIC, and friendships. W's still sick so we cancel movie night. We'll dive in when we come back!

Read more:

*May God continue to bless us; let all the ends of the earth revere him. Psalm 67:7

You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created. Revelation 4:11

Moravian Prayer: Creator God, through whom we live, and move, and have our being, we praise you. For your presence ever near, we thank you. Because your love knows no bounds, we adore you. Bless and keep us today and every day. Amen.

45th anniversary, better and better

Saturday, September 3, 2022

45 years. Waldemar and I have been married that long today. At the bottom of this post, I've posted the chapter that defines love. Waldemar has lived out those qualities during our years together.

I remember when 45-yr-olds seemed ancient and a couple married 5 years was an expert at marriage. haha Now that we're old and still together, we may think otherwise.

W has been sick all week. He probably caught the flu bug on the shuttle of terror or last weekend because he got symptoms soon after. He kindly masked in the house until yesterday so I've avoided getting ill. He's sniffling and coming back to strength. Hopefully he's over the worst of it.

Thursday

While W is sick at home, I take the 3 dogs for our weekly walk in the mountains. The other hikers promise to help - and they do. Two take the other leashes. One takes the dogs' water bottle. Sure helps! I've got Juno on a big-dog retractable leash.

What a fun walk, 6 km at a mile high: steep hill climbs and descents, tea plantations, and forests. It's Juno's first hike with us and I had planned to leash her for the first 2 hikes. She's having a ball and comes when called. So we let her romp alongside while we're away from people and other dogs. She stays on the trail, trots ahead and behind with the other dogs, and seems happy to be in the wild.

I take few pics because my hand are full of walking sticks and the leash. I'm watching Juno and Gyspy carefully. But I don't need to look for Bailey: he's either on my heels or a few steps away.

It starts to drizzle at the end so there are puddles and a slippery trail. Everyone pulls on raincoats or ponchos. We're a flock of flapping plastic. We cut the end of a longer trek and call the drivers to move the cars to our new pickup point. The dogs are muddy! Juno jumps into the back of the car along with the others, no problem.

Lunch at Dusen Bambu is pretty - and my food is tasty.

The menu is expensive, with an additional entry fee coming on weekends. The others are not impressed with their food so we will skip it in the future. Anyway, the company's the fun part.

Paulina (#NaraPark #PinoTerrace) has brought pudding treats. Delicious!

And IbuA has baked chocolate-dipped ginger cookies and chocolate peanut cookies. She finds a hot-chocolate mix, an expensive but tasty substitution. Yum. We'll buy more baking cocoa for the next batch. A sweet evening.

Friday

While I'm writing the next 2 BIC talks, the groomers come. They turn Bailey back into a white poodle princeling. And they clip Juno's long locks. Wow - that's short. (I was in a meeting).

After, she acts like a wiggly puppy, frisking around. It's a glimpse of her fun personality. From relaxed and watchful all week, she's playing like she's a 2-yr-old. She runs over when we call her. Below: before and after.

Lizzy texts me about the risk of sunburn if Juno is in full sun with such a short cut. Oh oh! We've never had this breed before. We walk the dogs in the mornings before the sun gets hot. Luckily, even the afternoon walks are shaded by the tall trees of the neighborhood.

I google a dozen labradoodle and grooming sites. They advise to keep her out of full sun and say not to worry because labradoodle hair grows quickly. Still ... that is SHORT! Like a 50s brush-cut.

In the afternoon, the book group meets online and in person. I perch my computer on a rolling stand for Zoom and put out tea and cookies for DrH and myself.

Saturday

When we get up Saturday, Juno is a bundle of joy, bouncing around the porch. She sits down quickly when we pull out the leashes. Gypsy looks at so much energy with wariness. He's sure slowing down this year.

After the walk, Juno relaxes in her mother Cocoa's spot, just outside my office door. Good doggie! What a beautiful head shape she has.

And Bailey? Always beside my chair. (Hey, what's that on my ankle? Ah, it's black rub-off from my walking sandal, how annoying. At least it's not a bruise.) The bundle of white fluff near me is perfect.

Five false bird of paradise stems are blooming in the garden. Those are enough to make an easy, 4'-tall Sunday bouquet.

Read more:

If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

 

Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. 

 

When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

 

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. (1 Corinthians 13)