Have a little compassion

 Monday, February 21, 2022

Woohoo - there's unexpected bonus time with the cancellation of 2 meetings. I suddenly have a few hours to write newsletters for the coming month. The day flies by. 

Every day, we hear the swish-swish of brooms, morning and afternoon. If you leave a house for any time at all, downed trees, dead leaves, and rampantly-growing weeds obscure the pavement. And before long, the roof falls in as the wooden rafters are eaten by termites.

After just a few months, the house starts to disappear into the overgrowth.

Taking a break, I check the 2 remaining fish ponds next door. The old picture frame party shades the water on one, but it needs cleaning. There's no way I'm cleaning another pond.

What cleans water? Plants. We have water hyacinths galore in our back bathtubs. Last week I thinned them out and tossed them into the pond from the abandoned porch 5 meters away. Score! (Snakes are taking over the yard as the grass grows. If I want to get close to the pond, I beat the grass with bullrushes.)

Today, those hyacinths are thriving. They've begun to shade the pond. The pond's fish boiled in the noonday sun after we took out a huge lotus plant that was shading the water. Reset, restart. Now the water looks good - clear and cool. I'll restock it soon from our aquariums to keep the mosquitoes under control.

A friend drops off his cap and gown from graduation in Singapore a while back. Someone else can use it for a play or ? Odd resources may not have a destination when they arrive. But they always find a new home.

Oh look, political posters posted on a roadside tree, nailed at the top and kept from flapping by the stone tied underneath. The wind can be very strong on the hill.

Outside our gate, the palm berries hang on their silvery stems again.

A blanket has disappeared from the house. Once in a while, things get put away and go missing. Hopefully it shows up soon.

We're sending Lenton readings for small groups connected to the BIC community. A group of women starts to take shape around me. Others start forming their own groups. Can't wait for everyone's takeaways.

Bailey takes it easy after his walk. He loves his snoozes. The other dogs rest nearby.

Tuesday

When the alarm goes off, I'm already awake and ready. The 3:00 a.m meeting is worth the missed sleep. Some of the leaders in this cohort serve internationally; some are in the States. We discuss the "Berry Bucket" theory of eager adapters, resisters, and those who fall between. Leaders must empower all kinds of people, especially during change so we have a lot of ideas to share.

Later in the morning, our team celebrates the wins of the past months. We're still meeting online.

The yard man is sick and doesn't come today. Many others in his neighborhood have Omicron, which has arrived in force. The plants he pruned last week create a gap hole in our green wall. They'll grow back in no time.

Wednesday

It's our weekly date morning. Restaurants offer specials with flavors that Westerners wouldn't normally put together. It's always fun to try new things. I pass on this though - it's too early for pizza, even with white sauce and blueberry toppings.

W likes extra sauce and fatty foods. This morning, he orders soft bread buns with beef sausage, slathered with mayonnaise. I can hardly stand the sight of it but he says it tastes good.

In reality, my noodles and fried balls (shrimp and chicken) probably have similar calories. Everyone has varied tastes due to our upbringings. My mom cooked spare, healthy, and lean. That's the food I prefer. Do I snack? Yes, of course. And no, it's not always healthy.

#NaraPark is a stunning setting. We usually sit in the lower courtyard but the upstairs terrace is beautiful as well. There are 8? 10? separate restaurants who cooperate - you can order from any of them. #PinoTerrace is our favorite.

We drop by office on our way home to record videos for next week. Then W and I work from home. Sam drops by to discuss a new initiative that has us all excited.

In the afternoon, I play catch up on book reviews. I write 21 but there's a still long list of books left to read and review.

The beds are made with fresh and clean bedding. I love the freshness of line-dried linens, don't you? My mom used to hang clothing and sheets on her clothesline when the weather permitted. The smell brings back memories of childhood.

At night, the house rests.

The night lights come in the main room before we close the bedroom door for sleep.

Thursday

We don't walk due to rampant COVID in Bandung. I work from home, overlooking the side garden. W nurses his sore foot.

 I find some forgotten artwork in one of the upper rooms and display it around the house.

PakG goes down to the fish-seller's street for 2 bags of goldfish and 7 algae eaters. It's 50c per bag of 6 goldfish and 50c per 5" algae eater. The goldfish eat mosquito larvae; the algae eaters keep rotting leaves and algae to a minimum.

Some young people are coming to Bandung this weekend for a family wedding. It's a pleasure to catch up with our "kids," and something we look forward to any time we can see them.

It's a privilege to share what we have. We send baking over to a funeral today - the family will need food and snacks to host their whole neighborhood.

In what ways will you share God's generosity to you by caring for others today or this weekend?

Read more:

*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. Psalm 112:6-9

*I shall not be put to shame, having my eyes fixed on all your commandments. Psalm 119:6

*Jesus said, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to complete his work.” John 4:34

Moravian Prayer; Almighty and sovereign Lord, teach us to love in truth, and to honor and respect those around us. Through your word and the leading of the Holy Spirit, gracious God, empower and enable us to love as you love, and do as you would do. Amen.