Breaking ground and catching a lizard

Thursday, October 29, 2026
Rudi and Paulina hike along the river with us. The gradual downhill is moderately longer than 2 loops around our neighborhood. We are enveloped by the jungle as we pass trees growing up the bank along the water. Many creatures live alongside people here.

W snaps the capture of a large lizard as we walk by.

W, an explorer, knows all the paths through the neighborhoods. That lets him choose the difficulty level for walking companions.

Indonesians make many things of natural materials. The intersections of bamboo are knotted together with synthetic cloth or ropes.

We pose across the river from the "color village," an impoverished neighborhood that is being boosted by tourism and selfie-seekers.

Our final stop is a brunch buffet at Dalaraos at the end of the trail.

We give Paulina and Rudi a quick tour through the Project. The dogs are happy; they know P&R from the hikes.

W and I finish setting the house in order. The helpers know where everything goes, vacuum and wash floors, and bake banana bread and Christmas cookies. Yes - it's that time of year when we start end-of-year baking. The freezers are almost full. Every event eases capacity as guests enjoy cookies and banana bread. IbuA's recipes hit local and foreign palates perfectly.

Friday
We do one loop with the dogs and leave them behind for the second round. Anton is dragging at the leash. We don't know if he's under the weather or stiff from sleeping wrong. The dogs are not amused when we go, watching at the gate until we return.

We liked the focaccia bread so much on Tuesday that I bake another batch. That's lunch, along with rujak (Indonesian pickled fruits), a gift from friends at Games Night. W's family pickled and ate all kinds of fruit and vegetables so he enjoys it. Our family? Not so much. Dad tolerated Mom's pickled cucumbers. I have her recipe somewhere but have never tried making it. Neither my dad nor I gravitated toward sour tastes.

After lunch, we set out to buy a few more loaf pans for baking regular and banana breads. Traffic is slow. It's graduation day at one of the best Indonesian universities. Each student can take only one or two people into the hall. Most family members sit along the sidewalks and parking lots, waiting for their graduates to finish and come outside.

We hop out of the car to walk the last blocks to the shop, passing a typical Dutch-style house. It is being converted into a shop.

Another bamboo creation is an elephant sculpture in front of the campus gates.

The flower sellers do a lot of business.

Sadly, the kitchen store is closed for 2 days to take inventory. We ride back up to the house empty-handed. The evening bonus is an impromptu call with Keelee, a dear friend and mentor. She inspires me. The late start on sleep is worth it!

Saturday
The creatures are more than ready to get up and go at 5:30AM. zzz W and I slip on shoes, head out the door, and walk the loop twice. Have a dog? You have to walk it unless you're willing to have behavior problems. Doesn't seem to matter if they're big or small; the adjustment (depending on the dog's size) isn't, "Do we walk or not walk?" but "how far?" The exercise is good for us, too.

Before 8AM, we head for the groundbreaking ceremony hosted by Jorge and Caron M. Their dream is to erect a sports court that provides jobs, serves the community, and gives neighborhood kids something to do. In a few years, most people will forget that there was ever an empty field under the high-speed train.

It's fun to watch the Marquez kids play with the shovels and move the dirt around, alongside distinguished board members and fundraisers.

We head up the hill to #HomeGround, where we haven't eaten in a while. A neighbor has planted a crown of thorns hedge, lethal if you run into the spikes. It keeps people from parking in front of his house.

The food is uniformly excellent and the service is good. We enjoy chatting with the crew. "The chicken you ordered has bones," reports the server after he checks with the kitchen.

I'm not a fan of bones in chopped chicken so he recommends a replacement. It's good with chili oil on the side. I peel off the skin as a treat for our dogs. (They love it.) The bill for our main dishes plus a plate of our favorite Szechuan green beans is about $10.

Back home, I take the bread dough from the fridge and divide it into a cupcake tin. It rises nicely, the oven is preheated, and we're ready to bake the buns. Except the pan is too wide for the oven. I scoop the dough onto a flat sheet and bake it. Still tasty. Every time I make bread dough, I experiment. Haven't done the same thing twice, but we've had at least six or seven yummy variations.

Sayaka and Martin come by for W's speech therapy. She notes that he's much improved this week.

The noise level goes up in the yard as 70-ish kids arrive for some English fun. A new volunteer shows up with a dinosaur costume. She understands kids!

I look up "how to play mahjong" since the Games Night table tried to persuade me to join them. I get the shivers and my palms start to sweat as I read the AI description. The goal is getting 4 sets and a pair? You're confined to a table with sides called East, West, South, and North for an hour or more? Lost me already, even if you start with an extra tile on the East side.

After sitting in one spot and focusing on a game, what does one have (besides a headache or an adrenaline letdown)? I don't do puzzles, either.  I'd rather read or create.

As I read, I wonder, what is all that screaming? I leave my office chair and go to find out.

With my stern teacher voice, I quell a riot of grade 1-3 boys. They are playing football in a corner of the conference room, hollering with each "goal" as the flip-flop they're kicking strikes the wall. The rest of the kids are trying to pay attention. 

"What do you come here for?" I ask them. "We love having you come, but this is for learning English. If you want to play football, stay home." They look at me with big eyes and settle down. Most of the kids love coming over. It's playtime and learning tied into friendships, plus adults who enjoy being with them.

The dinosaur is a hit with the kids as they line up for post-lesson snacks.

She hands out candy from a little orange pail. A little girl gets overexcited and throws up. The technique is perfect: she misses her dress, her face stays clean, and the mess lands right beside the drainage ditch. W sent PakG early so he cleans it up himself with a pail of water and a broom.

Della wipes the marks off the boards, which is fantastic prep for next week's sessions. The whiteboards are often left grey, dingy, and half-wiped, a pain the next time they're used.

A few volunteers stay behind for another hour to play with the dogs. Thank God, it didn't rain this afternoon, an answer to prayer for sure. It's the first day this week that hasn't been wet.

Read more:
* Samuel said to Saul, “Stop here yourself for a while, that I may make known to you the word of God.” 1 Samuel 9:27

* For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. 2 Chronicles 16:9

* Bless the LORD, who redeems your life from the Pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy. Psalm 103:2,4

* And Jesus said to Simon and Andrew, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of people.” Mark 1:17

* When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said, “Woman, you are set free from your ailment.” When he laid his hands on her, immediately she stood up straight and began praising God. Luke 13:12-13

Moravian Prayer: Lord Jesus, you call us just as you called Simon and Andrew to follow you. Fill us with the courage that they showed and allow us to leave behind everything that is holding us back from following you. 

Living Savior, you are with us today, and you can set us free from our ailments. Place your hands of mercy upon us and heal us so that we may stand up straight and praise you. This world is full of people who need to know you. Help us to find them and bring them to you. Amen.

Two months to Christmas?

Sunday, October 25, 2026
The date reminds me we're 2 months from Christmas. How did that happen? The Gathering is wonderful with a good worship team, service host, and speaker Hanny. She reminds us to be childlike, trustworthy beyond being respected, and welcoming to others the way God welcomes them and us.

We enjoy lunch across the street with three friends. We purchased fragrant roses on the last grocery run. They're set on the driveway terrace, a perfect place to smell them as we come to the house.

I have 2 quotes to think about from this weekend's talks. First, from Don Ross: "Everything God starts, starts with tension and confusion." (Examples: creation, Joseph's sojourn in Egypt, the calling of Moses, etc.) Certainly that's true of everything that starts here. It takes a while to sort things out. And second, from Hanny: "Aim not just to be respected but also to be trusted." I mull over the two ideas through the beginning of the week.

I'm in the mood for something dry and crunchy. I bake seed crackers with pumpkin, chia, flax, sesame, and sunflower seeds. 

How? Soak 5 c. assorted seeds for 15 min in 1 c. water. Add 2T sweetener, a pinch of salt and pepper, and pat the mixture in a thin layer on a baking pan lined with parchment paper. Then bake for 15 minutes at 350F/180C. Let cool completely before storing in an airtight container. Ours last for weeks on the counter.

Monday
Before 10, there are 3 online meetings. Two are life-giving, so that's a plus. Then it's off to Ciwalk, an indoor-outdoor mall down the mountain. There's a 70% off sale at Batik Keris, a clothing store. W goes clothes shopping every year or so. 

By the time he makes it into a shop, he's due for an update. He finds 4 batik (formal) shirts. This dazzler retails for $80; some of the others are less.

There's a Western shop, in the mall complete with full-costumed American Indian.

The seasonal decor at the mall hotel is typical: orchids plus pumpkins.

W sends out the Games Night invitation as we eat lunch at a new-to-me pizzaria down the street from the mall. It's not bad. And the list of guests starts to fill up quickly. By evening, 85 names are on the list.

It's a chore-filled afternoon at home. I soak W's shirts separately in vinegar and salt water to set the dyes, then wash and hang them up. IbuS irons them so they're ready to wear. (Everything gets ironed here.) The bread rising in a bowl needs punching down a few times. The week's calendar gets updated and reviewed. Then there's time to read messages and respond.

The sky darkens, thunder rumbles, and rain trickles in midafternoon. The seasons are definitely shifting from dry to wet. Do we want to walk once more? (I missed my morning walk since I was on calls.) W thinks it might rain but I remember the proverb about the lion in the street (something bad may happen, so why try?) We head off anyway and all is well. No rain while we're out.

Tuesday
It's dark out all day; no sunshine today. I write, research, call, and have a first go at focaccia bread. It's delicious. The plain dough gets doused with olive oil and sprinkled with Trader Joe "Everything But the Bagel" topping.

PakG picks up ripe bananas from Kiki, who lives down the hill. The helpers start baking banana bread. The whole house is fragrant with smells of warm baking. They send 2 loaves back down to Kiki.

Fred and Dolly drop by in the morning. She's a wonderful watercolorist who painted the right portrait of an island lady. We enjoy tea, baked goods, and hot focaccia bread on the Porch, along with sweet conversation. Dr Fred was one of the first geologists in Indonesia. He shares memories of Indonesia's political transitions, including the Japanese invasion and the end of Dutch colonialism, and has fascinating stories about his education and work. We want to hear more - maybe next visit.

For lunch, W and I fill leftover focaccia with homemade cheese, sliced tomato, and a dash of olive oil. We have 2 sweet figs - one for each of us - from the fig trees gifted to us by Angie and her Turkish-German husband when they repatriated.

Our afternoon guest cancels; he is ill. I bring down the games from the library. The staff sets up the tables and chairs. Looks like we're almost ready to go.

Wednesday
There's a fresh crop of mushrooms on the stump near the Porch.

We have breakfast after talking to our daughter before the walk. The orchids are off the tables and into the garden so every surface can be used so spread out games tonight.

The dogs are learning to sit and walk, getting better with each consistent practice session.

This bicolored rose has me puzzled. I think all the flowers start out pink and fade to creamy white.

5 meters (15') overhead, a tree is loaded with purple petals.

The 3 dozen eggs purchased earlier this week have been used up in baking. I head to the grocer for 3 dozen more, along with the seeds and nuts we are consuming at a prodigious rate. We fine-tune the setting for tonight with serving pieces and plates, print the portion control signs and stick them to the buffet tablecloths, and plug in the warming trays.

Della arrives with food. Then the guests start coming in. It's rained off and on all afternoon, which is a deterrent if the streets downhill flood. We still have a full house.

We sit on the Porch, around the house - talking, laughing, discussing life.

The hope is that each person goes home with new friends.

Play can open the heart to experience new things.

W has a Zoom meeting near the end, which lasts into the night. Meanwhile, the young adults pack up and have a noisy and happy farewell.

Read more:
* Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them. Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:6-9

The days are surely coming, says the LORD, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. Jeremiah 23:5

* Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Matthew 16:16

* Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. 

Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; ;perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! Romans 5:1-9

Moravian Prayer: Morning Star of our faith and life, you came and fulfilled the words of the prophets. As you now reign in highest heaven, continue to deal with us wisely and execute justice and righteousness in our land. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Nature and nurture

Thursday, October 22, 2026
W and I are glad to be back in the mountains. It's a time for reflection in nature, exercise, and friendship. Theme parks and attractions are a big deal in the Bandung area. This mural stretches the length of a courtyard.

Outside, it's a bit fortress-like.

We walk through the parking lot to the forest, skidding on deep heaps of dry leaves that cover the dusty trail. Dirt bikes have carved out the center of the path. Flags line the track for a recent mountain bike race. I dig in my hiking poles to keep from wiping out.

We pass a cobbled shelter, the color of the dogs and the decaying bamboo fronds.

It's a good walk, with sunshine and enough wind to cool the skin. We take a picture in the shade of the "selfie tree" as usual, documenting who walked when. The dogs - 8 canines to 7 walkers! - are happy to run around but hot inside their furry hides. 

They find the one stream crossing and splash around to cool off.

Evva stops to treat them. Of course they love her homemade goodies. We stop several times to give them water. 

We emerge into the tea fields, with spectacular views.

W has the driver park at a grocer and we walk past the police station to lunch, where parking is limited. The police symbol is a black tiget.

W is hungry for Chinese food at #Mandarin in Lembang. It's an easy-going group.

The food is always delicious.

We clean up and get to work in the afternoon. Lew treats us to supper at #WarungEthnic before he heads back to Jakarta tomorrow. He shows us a new trend in cakes: the top layer of frosting and greetings burns off to expose an edible photo underneath. What?!

Alice is a good companion at the table. She takes note of the cake, since she sometimes orders for her organization's special events.

Friday
We take our usual walk. Yesterday I started training Bruno to sit when we stop. He does pretty well for the second day. He vies with Anton for "smartest dog ever." And stubbornest. Those 2 go hand in hand.

He checks in on me as I make pizza dough in the working kitchen. "Well, hello to you too."

The morning perch is refreshing as usual.

Breakfast is fresh pineapple, papaya, and mango, besides porridge and chia in blueberry juice.

An Emily Dickinson poem catches my eye, encouragement for me and curious friends and coworkers.

The staff has started Christmas baking so we're out of flour, sugar, eggs, and more. Off to the store we go for 2 full carts of baking supplies.

I make soup and bake breadbuns for lunch - so good, sitting on the Porch. Bruno the new dog lies down after I tell him to "leave it" (chicken soup on the table!), though I go out of sight to watch him. Of course he gets a treat for that.

The book group meets at the usual cafe. The questions are good: first, "What do you remember about being 9 years old?" Our experiences are varied. We agree that when the norm was husband, wife, and children, we were safer. Most of us grew up not fearing harm from neighbors, going in and out of unlocked doors, and playing up and down the block with friends without hovering parents.

Second, Marji asks, "Did you - or do you - have a trusted close confidant and friend?" I love the stories. On my end, Uncle Erich and Auntie Molly were my alternate parents and beloved family. In my 30s, 40s, and until now, the WPPRs (a group of 4 women) have been sounding boards, accountability partners, and dear friends. The Mastermind I've been part of for a decade is my pack of leaders, friends, and counselors. I've been very lucky - blessed! - to have such relationships. I could name others who I trust and stay in touch with.

We're discussing Ann Patchett's Whistler. She's a wonderful storyteller but the subject matter is wearying for me: a gay man marries a divorced woman with 2 kids, there's another divorce, before a reunion decades later.

Most media now promote gender experiments and alternatives to two-gender committed marriage. Can we not have good stories about challenges, relationships, and life crises within traditional families? Surely not every modern tale has to revolve around dysfunctional mothers, stepfamilies, gay couples, multiple partners ... 

The star of the get-together is Fluffy, Amy's dog, who arrives after a checkup at the vet. She sits calmly on Amy's lap the whole time. So cute!

W's efforts with the pizza oven are much better. The taste of burned crust lingers from last time. I figured out an easy dough recipe so the crust is improved. (W used to spend a half-week on dough. I am happy for him to make the crust, but I'm not interested in such lengthy experiments. If it works in a day, let's play.)

Saturday
W twists his knee on the first loop of the morning walk; we're home sooner than expected. How do people play tennis in this heat? Bumi Sangkuriang is hosting a tournament.

I make breakfast and set out treats for the volunteers who teach English today. After W's therapy with Sayaka, we call former students for an hour-long conversation about life and service.

W and I have leftovers for lunch. Luckily, IbuS made extra food for PakG's lunch, which I heat up. (No inside staff on weekends.) Pak G has a full Saturday, helping the volunteers set up the rooms and carport for afternoon learning and fun. He translates as we sort out an unpleasant surprise midway through the sessions.

The verbal altercation between two volunteers reminds us of the high value of harmony among the Sundanese people who consider Bandung their capitol city. Calm voices, respectful feedback through a third party, and settling disagreements quietly and privately are culturally appropriate.

Sunday
5 years ago, we were sitting on the GG porch, recording talks for Sunday. How times have changed! Thankful that COVID is over, aren't you?

The dogs are bouncy and restless on the walk. The weather is good after rain overnight. The leaves are washed clean. The air is fresher.

We have a leisurely breakfast of eggs, fruit, and cinnamon buns. I check on friends and reply to messages before we head to the Gathering.

Read more:
* It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people and the sheep of his pasture. Psalm 100:3

* The LORD will guide you continually and satisfy your needs in parched places. Isaiah 58:11

* [Jesus taught his disciples to pray:] Give us today our daily bread. Matthew 6:11

* I am the good shepherd. I know my own, and my own know me. John 10:14

* Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 

You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other. So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. Galatians 5:13-16

* Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. Ephesians 4:29-5:2

Moravian Prayer: Jesus, you are our daily bread. Allow us to feast and live on your word and your truth each and every day of our lives, until you call us into the heavenly place above. We pray in our Savior’s name. 

Good Shepherd, you made us and we are yours. You know us and you call us by name. Help us to know you so that we may assist you in bringing your lost sheep home. Amen.