In which we are sprung

Thursday, July 23, 2026
W is making steady improvement. He begins to form vowels and consonants with the speech therapist. He's expected to go home Friday or Saturday and continue working from there. Lots of friends contact us online with messages and prayers.

Our lovely friends drop by with flowers, food, comforting words and prayers.

Luccy sends a whole meal over via motorcycle delivery.

It's hard work, this relearning speech.

Keelee's Quiet Waters bakery verse of the day is encouraging. So is the chocolate cookie! I snag from the freezer at home. I usually head back for an hour or two to get clean laundry, pick up items W needs, and take a shower.

W has messages coming and going, so sometimes I confiscate his phone so he rests.

He's not inspired by the meals: low salt, low fat (and he thinks, low taste.)

I take a stroll around the neighborhood, admiring the flowering shrubs.

Sundanese are animistic. Trees are permitted to grow into streets and sidewalks so nature's spirits are not disturbed. We walk around whatever is growing in our path.

It's a long day with no surprises. Progress is incremental and steady.

Friday
It's a restless night, anticipating the discharge from the hospital today. The doctor gives us the go-ahead to "get out of jail" at about 10AM. A morning snack arrives. He takes a shower and a walk around the ward, heading back to his room when the speech therapist comes by.

What a difference between yesterday and today. Vowels are getting easier, while n's and m's are possible. Blowing up the cheeks for b, p, t, or extending the lips for s, ee, k is the next challenge.  Lunch is served. I go to the ward desk to ask when W will be released. He is ready to go home. We pack up everything in the room, including my bedding and his tech gear. 

The pharmacist shows me the bag of drugs we'll take home. I write her instructions in English on the packages. She kindly sends me a one-page daily schedule. I don't have the energy to look up what they're giving him. Doc friends (thanks, Paul, etc) offer counsel on what they've seen working and what to avoid.

At 2PM, I'm told, "We're waiting for one document from our local insurance partner." It's my third trip to the nurses' station. The afternoon snack comes but there's no document or communication by 4:30. PakG has taken everything to the car. We're just waiting.

We pass the time by watching HGTV with Indonesian subtitles. Having rebuilt the Project from floor to ceiling last year and put in landscaping, we're sympathetic to the hassles of people renovating houses and yards.

The water dispenser outside our door is perfect for refilling the teapot and the water cups. Such dispensers--high or low end--are standard in homes. You buy (or filter your own) drinking water. City water is contaminated and polluted. I go to and from the dispenser all day.

I keep W's Duolingo streak going, along with mine. His streak is over 1500 days, which would be a shame to lose.

By 4:45, I'm worried about offices closing at 5. I park myself at the nurses' desk and request that someone come downstairs to administration with me to get this figured out. PakG is a lifesaver, translating for cashiers and staff who don't speak any English. I can get by in Indonesian but don't always grasp the jargon for financial transactions. 

Administrators already agreed yesterday that I'd pay and get reimbursed by our global insurance company. Today, after going back and forth about local partnerships, I wave my VISA card at the cashier and tell him I'm ready to pay now. Then we get some traction. I won't have the receipt until Monday "because we have to wait until it is recorded by the bank."

I don't care. I've photographed every document I've signed or seen, upstairs and downstairs, since W was admitted on Monday morning. I'll send the batch of photos to our insurers for reimbursement.

There's no way we're paying for an extra night because of local delays.

By 5:40, we're in the car and on our way home  getting in the door just after 6PM. W washes up and gets ready to rest while I cook supper. Afterward, I unpack, do dishes, and shower. We fall into bed and sleep well. Thank you God for getting us home. 

"The fun is just starting, if you're the caregiver," our Indonesian and American friends tell us. Here it's usual to hire a full-time assistant at home for patient recovery. That sounds even more exhausting to me.

Saturday
W spends an hour in the sunshine this morning, the local cure-all for what ails you. He can read (and reply somewhat) online. Poor guy when he tries to act out his communication. I give him tips once I figure out his motions.

"If you want something auditory, point to your ear as well as making a ringing motion."(I.e., when he wanted me to find the bell that he'll ring until he can call me.) It's amusing to us both: we've been married so long but never used hand motions to communicate. We're apparently the worst couple at Charades.

I have to figure out his meals: low-salt, low/no-sugar, low-fat, low/no dairy, no red meat or pork. Breakfast is oatmeal, with dried cherries as an occasional pop of taste. Essentially I'm returning to the McDougall Diet that kept me sane in my 40s. The hospital nutritionist gave me old guidelines which the American Medical system has since updated.

I spend a few minutes online on reputable hospital sites (USA) to confirm the parameters. We head to the grocer to stock up on vegetables, fruit, potatoes, and plant milk. W walks around the store with no problem. He limps a bit as he didn't drink enough the first few days in hospital so his toe is swollen with gout.

If I didn't have to use up food in the freezer, I'd cook completely vegan for 8 weeks to see how W's system responds. Lucky for him, there's chicken waiting to be eaten. After air-frying baby potatoes and chicken, I shred the chicken with a gadget our daughter showed me: a Mexican meat/cheese shredder. Ohhhh, food magic. It works great. 

A mixed green salad. Shredded chicken. Potatoes. Steamed spinach. It's not the most exciting meal I've ever made. We eat on the Porch. Then I clean up and put stuff away while W rests. At least he'd better be resting. I feel like I need a nap, but first must send our hospital documents to the insurers. 

I make a fresh cup of tea and pop a few homemade chocolate squares in my mouth as a reward. Ohhh, and I have to get the laundry out of the machine, which I ran first thing this morning ... another load to go. Oh well. Maybe a nap is a bit ambitious.

Read more:
* [God] said, “All the people among whom you live shall see the work of the LORD.” Exodus 34:10

* Surely the righteous will never be shaken; they will be remembered forever. They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord. Their hearts are secure, they will have no fear; in the end they will look in triumph on their foes. They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor, their righteousness endures forever; their horn will be lifted high in honor.

The wicked will see and be vexed, they will gnash their teeth and waste away; the longings of the wicked will come to nothing. Psalm 112:6-10

* The crowd was amazed when they saw the mute speaking, the maimed whole, the lame walking, and the blind seeing. And they praised the God of Israel. Matthew 15:31

Moravian Prayer: Great Physician, from the earliest of times, you have knelt by us, healed us, and given us hope for better days ahead. Now in humble adoration, we kneel before you, as the healing balm of salvation flows through our hearts. May we always come before you for our healing. Amen.

A stroke of the unexpected

Saturday, July 18, 2026
During a brisk walk, this sign catches our eye - we don't always understand people's tastes in Indonesia.

We enjoy time outdoors in eternal summer.

Chacha comes for breakfast tea. So good to see her and catch up! With company at the house, we feel like we're settling in, though just for the weekend.

Della and Daniel join us for lunch. There's almost no food in the house since we're off to a conference on Monday. We ask for another Indonesian's opinion on the new place that opened across the street. W and I enjoy the Indonesian tastes. And the company is wonderful.

Tirza arrives from Jakarta in late afternoon, staying over through tomorrow evening. She is the morning speaker at IESBandung -- and a dear friend.

Supper is at Nanny's. I'm not hungry but I order a mango pancake, which is pretty good.

Sunday

Lunch at Nara's is flavorful. The roasted corn is a trend--spicey, sweet, and crisp.

Part of coming home is eating at Nara Park. 

I hang out with Tirza until she leaves for the late train to Jakarta in the evening. W is tired but packs up and rests while we chat.

Monday - Happy birthday to K

Our oldest grandchild's family and friends hit the sunny lakeside with birthday activities and a picnic. What fun!

We're packed but I go to look for W to see if he wants breakfast in the last hour at home. Then we need to catch a train to the airport. W is standing still, not talking. His right side looks a bit frozen, which is the sign of a stroke. Oh oh! We call PakG to pick us up (5:30AM) and take us to the hospital emergency. 

I call our area director to cancel the hotel. "Give it away to someone who can't afford a good room = NOT a VIP." Hopefully the room is a blessing to a coworker who needs a special lift. He says we can fly to Singapore or Bangkok if we need better treatment options.

The medical staff needs my signature on treatment and anything that costs money. We can either use our American /foreign insurance for exceptional care or accept whatever care is provided by Indonesian insurance "which is not as good," says the admissions clerk. We opt to use the foreign insurance we've been paying into for the past years.

The MRI scan shows a clot in the midbrain, which affects speech. W's motor skills recover and his face is no longer drooping. He just can't talk or write. Thankfully, he understands everything. We've never been good at games like charades but he has to motion for what he wants. We'll get better at this.

Della and Daniel drop by to say hello and pray for him. They're allowed in the waiting area but not in ICU, where W is taken after tests.

One of our sons starts the paperwork for insurance claims with the information we have. I head home to pick up items W needs. The hospital gives me a list: soap, toothbrush, tissues, etc. I need bedding and towels for myself.

The hospital wants family on site at all times. While I'm home, I microwave the weekend's leftover rice and rendang (spicy shredded beef) for lunch and head back to the hospital.

A guy waiting for info on his own family shows me where to sleep. He points out a cubbie with a big support pillar running down one side, "A bit of privacy," he notes. Good. It's mine. I drop my blankets and pillow in, then spend most of the afternoon and evening online, updating family and friends. 

Families sleep overnight in one of a dozen cubbies along a central hall. The nooks are half-walled from each other and the waiting room so it's noisy. The sofas fold out for overnight stays. I have brought 2 fleece blankets, one for under and the other for over me. 

Before bed, I run up and down 4 flights of stairs and walk around the hospital grounds. After a day of sitting, I need to move. By 7PM, my earplugs and an eye mask block out some sounds and most of the light. W also gets good rest.

Tuesday
At 5AM, the bells ring loudly. Wakey-wakey! Breakfast is at 6AM in the ICU of the Catholic hospital. W rests comfortably, able to eat and drink on his own. Doctors come by to check him in the ICU, while nurses monitor W's vitals. The team stabilizes the medications and markers.

I have to sign any time medical personnel give updates or talk to me. I take pictures of the paperwork, in case insurance quibbles later on.

Off the main lobby is "Waldemar's Cafe" but don't know where to find other food in the hospital.

When Tota and Teti drop by in the morning, she takes me on a tour of eateries. I've snacked on trail mix but not had a meal since lunch yesterday. Teti treats me to chicken-rice, a rice and beef sushi roll, and watermelon - delicious.

W is moved to a regular room in the afternoon.

Sanny meets me in the hall as I'm returning to the hospital from lunch at home and more stuff for W. We pray together.

I drop the bags in the new room, waiting for W to be transferred from ICU. "You have a friend waiting outside," says PakG. Yay - Martin and I get to catch up and pray together, too.

Late in the afternoon, several friends come by before supper arrives.

Wednesday
It's a quiet night with good rest and an early morning. We are far from the nursing station and check-ins on vitals are every 8 hours. Keeping an eye on things, we'll evaluate the level of care.

The organization immediately asked if we want W transferred to Singapore. Initially, quickly dissolving the clot was a priority. Depending on the therapy available, we'll go where he has the best chance for full recovery. Prayers are appreciated.

Read more:
* The Lord is righteous in all his ways and faithful in all he does.

The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.

He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them.

The Lord watches over all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy.

My mouth will speak in praise of the Lord. Let every creature praise his holy name for ever and ever.

* Now as he was approaching the path down from the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all the deeds of power that they had seen. Luke 19:37

Moravian Prayer: Patient God, forgive us for requiring that you give us signs and miracles as evidence before we embrace belief. This communion with you, through the prayers of our hearts, is the purest, most loving miracle of all. We pray all of this in your name. Amen.

Home sweet home again

Monday-Tuesday, July 15-16, 2026
We lose a day during westward travel, so might as well put the days together. After laundry, cleaning, and supper with T, M, and their kids, it's time to close the suitcases. I keep forgetting what I want to bring along, so this time, I snap photos of what's in cabinets and cupboards. We didn't have time for a grandkids' sleepover or tea this working trip.

Most art and hospitality things stay behind.

"What are you looking forward to?" someone asked us on the cusp of 32 hours of travel.

"Being home," was our reply. We are thoroughly homesick. T drops us off at the airport at 9PM. The first flight leaves shortly after midnight.

Air travel has devolved into an ordeal. It's not the adventure we remember from airline service of 20-30 years ago. China Airlines, like most Asian global carriers, still offers attentive flight attendants, decent food and snacks, and a wide variety of international movies to pass the time. 

I turn my hoodie around once I'm seated. I prop a hand-lettered "Please let me sleep" and a sleep emoji across the food tray. Pulling the hood over my face, with AirPods in my ears, I'm set for a quiet check-out. The first flight (to Taipei) is under 12 hours. My seatmate and I have an empty seat between us and alternate using it to stretch out a bit. He's leaning Buddhist as an expat living in Thailand. We chat about what it means to love God and love others by caring for them. He's a clothing designer, living frugally and using his profits to build solar-powered irrigation for rice farmers up north.

Our luggage is check through, so W and I spend 4 hours between flights in the beautiful lounge (W's flight miles and credit card = bonus). The stone-flanked hallway to the lounge is topped by mirrors, creating a feeling of space and timelessness.

The food is varied and plentiful. 

Wednesday
The last flight to Jakarta is only 5.5 hours. We breeze through immigration and customs, meeting PakG in the parking garage. An enormous digital screen shows ocean, jungle, and farm scenes over the luggage carousels. 

A green wall of plants and branches lines the other side. It's a soothing wait for suitcases. After the luggage is collected, the terror begins.

The toll road to Bandung involves 3+ hours of yoyo speeds (slamming the brakes for avoid hitting trucks that swerve into your lane, and 20-80mph with a driver and car accustomed to 15-20mph city driving). Traffic weaving between lanes and shoulders.

Near home, we stop at the grocer for eggs, oil, rice, vegetables, and meat. It's a relief to haul things into the house, though W sends PakG home immediately and unpacks the car himself. I put away groceries and remove food, household items, and a few clothes from my suitcases. The frozen goods go into the freezer. The nuts and snacks belong in the fridge, where ants and roaches can't access them.

This trip, I crammed in pillows and another IKEA Beddinge sofa slipcover, too. They're perfect antidotes to endless summer, whenever I need a "seasonal" change.

We lay out gifts for friends and helpers and run the robo-vacuum across 1 1/2 months of dust in the bedroom and bathroom. W was here an extra month after I left. He epoxied the main bathroom floor, which has cured.

A year ago, before the Project was renovated, the room looked like this. (Yes, there were side-by-side thrones.) It took a lot of scrubbing to lift the grime after 10 years of abandonment and vagrants.

We removed the extra toilet but kept everything we could, including wall and floor tiles and the pedestal sink. This is today. The clean white floor makes me smile. What a transformation.

Thursday
After a restless night, W takes the dogs on a loop while I'm deciding when the day starts. I make breakfast on the Porch before walking over to Alice's to say hi and catch up. The tropical flowers along the street are as beautiful as ever.

W and I hand out gifts as the helpers arrive in the morning. The house and yard are clean and generally in good order. There's excessive termite damage around the conference room windows. You must constantly check wooden frames in the tropics. I haven't been around for two-and-a-half months so the bugs are chomping through the wood. W sprays ants that have begun a nest in my office, removing a 3" length of frass.

Lunch, our first Indonesian meal, is chicken and rice, of course. It is good with acar (vinegarette and vegetables).

By early afternoon, everything's found its place. The big lab cabinet has been emptied, moved over an inch to accommodate a freezer door lock, and refilled. Rooms are dusted and vacuumed. It feels like we never left, except for ! warm memories ! and pages of notes from conferences and presentations.

PakG takes a cage of birds up the hill to replace a budgie that escaped last week. Apparently, Anton the poodle jumped up, knocked over the cage PakG was cleaning, and the door swung open. One of the birds flew off. We wish it well and hope it can find seed. 

The bird man with a shop nearby sells PakG 2 females for $11.  Adding a single bird to a flock is tricky, he says. Why females? The exising male may fight to establish dominance. Who knew bird societies were complicated?

A quick swap in the living room refreshes the sofa slipcover and pillows. The springy vibe was a light-colored cover.

The new cover is a mid-toned velvet. The velvet side pillows in the dining room match. What are the chances? (Yup, an IKEA bargain long ago.) 

Maybe next time I'll haul a fuchsia pink slipcover this way. We probably have 20 choices, between Seattle and here, purchased over two decades on sale in IKEA As-Is. The Beddinge sofa was discontinued years ago, so no more bargains! 

Years after it disappeared in the USA, we moved to Indonesia. Someone offered to get us a sofa. We had no furniture since we had just moved to Bandung. Lo and behold - her admin found a new Beddinge in Jakarta's IKEA and it made the trip here on the company truck.

Friday

It's another short night due to jet lag. W and I make 2 loops around the neighborhood with the 3 big dogs. Since we were in Montana at a similar elevation for a few weeks, we don't have the normal altitude adjustment. Orange flowers and 12" pods hang from vines on the big shade trees.

Neighbors offer a warm welcome with hellos and smiles. It's one of the things we miss when we travel: the open friendliness of the Sundanese in Bandung to strangers and friends alike. "It's been a long time since we've seen you," some ladies say. True.

After breakfast, IbuSiti comes by to work out our travel kinks with a traditional massage. She is proactive health care after long trips. The day is mild with breezes moving the chimes as I work and make calls on the Porch. It's overcast with the promise of rain later in the day.

The dogs roam the yard. Do they know how lucky they are to live at the Project, with its trees and places to explore? Half the yard is still forest much like our Seattle yard. We're not planning to change the "campground" area into a civilized yard. It's been dry so weeds and rampant growth of plants has slowed.

Ants crawl up my legs as I write - I'd almost forgotten how many creatures thrive here.

I find an Indonesian movie on YouTube and start back at learning vocabulary. We've purchased a mattress for a bedframe we already have. Instead, a complete bed arrives with headboard, boxspring, and mattress - still in its original packaging. She throws in a new king-size set of sheets/pillowcases, which I pass on. We have enough linens.

Typical generosity of God = an overflow. She also offers me a free chocolate mini-poodle. W and I agree: 5 dogs is too much with the busy second half of the year ahead of us. I tell her I'd take a dog in January after the holiday season. I pass the information to a friend, who then mentions that she's been thinking about getting a dog. Who knows, is it another God-match of abundance at the Project?

We meet Alice for supper at the new Indonesian restaurant that's opened across the street from the Project. She's our interpreter for the menu.

The options are delicious. 

W and I take a photo for some partners. It's been a while since we did this.

We now have 3 eateries directly across the street. It's perfect for visitors and those needing a retreat at the Project. If guests want a longer walk, there are at least a dozen other places within a few blocks.

Read more:
* My heart recoils within me; my compassion grows warm and tender. I will not execute my fierce anger; for I am God and no mortal, the Holy One in your midst. Hosea 11:8,9

* For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. John 3:16

* Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

Moravian Prayer: Almighty God, at times the power of your voice can seem overwhelming, even intimidating. Yet, through the love of your son walking with us, we are reassured of your comfort and protection. Thank you for your love. Amen.