A Whoosh here and there - and 25 good years

Saturday, November 2, 2024

At 6:45 a.m., PakG takes us to the station to catch a feed train to the next city. It's our first time riding the much-promoted Whoosh high speed train to Jakarta. It doesn't stop in Bandung proper where most people live. There's a station almost an hour west of the city and one on the far east side of Bandung. Hence, Bandung people take a 20-minute "train to the train."

Most expats now live in that place, which feels like an old-fashioned American city. It has an IKEA, Western-taste restaurants, a good international school, and curbs on the street. Plus now, Whoosh can take workers into Jakarta in a half hour - without the dangers and stop-and-go of the toll road.

We can't fault those who crave orderliness for choosing to live in that city. In contrast, Bandung is messy, winding, and exciting. We love being here and don't have children who need that level of education.

The ride is smooth and comfortable, whizzing past rice fields, factories, and villages. The train hits 347km/hr (215mph) and deposits us in Jakarta in a half hour. However, the total travel time is almost as long as driving a car. It takes 3 hours between taxis, stations, transfers, and wait times. We go to the wrong Jakarta venue first and walk in the hot sun to catch another Grab to the right place. 

I usually don't mind walks and waits, but my body is starting to go under. After the third long wait and walking to thoroughfares so Grab drivers can find us, I've had enough. "I don't care about saving $2-3 per ride across the city. Can we just hop into a taxi that's waiting at the curb?" W agrees.

We don't want to miss the 25th anniversary of IES Jakarta. They're a role model for putting living faith into practice. The internationals and locals of IES work together to meet spiritual needs and serve the poor in their city and beyond.

Pastors Dave and Gigi and their team are among our heroes in the faith. The IES planners and volunteers ensure a smooth morning of door prizes, fun, and community-building. Everyone has a great time.

One of the values of IES is FOOD!!! There's an amazing spread, with abundance left over when it's said and done.

We know many of the team from past visits or from when we first arrived in Indonesia - they made us feel welcome 10 years ago.

In the evening, we gather at the hall for a time of reflection and remembrance. Then we eat at the Lord's Table together (also called Communion among Protestants, or mass for Catholics). I like the little verses on each wafer, representing the body of Christ that was broken for the sins of the world.

Dave and Gigi pray over us and thank everyone for working together to love God and love the world.

We do the trip in reverse and fall into our own beds at 10:00 pm. My cold erupts into full-blown misery at night, accompanied by sneezing, a sore throat, and a dripping nose.

Sunday

We wake after a few hours. My head is pounding so hard that I sit up. I warn W off - "Stay away! You don't want it." He agrees.

We stay home instead of passing germs to our friends at IES Bandung. Pak Chandra and the team have things well in hand. He shares his story of cancer recovery and how God accompanies us as we endure suffering. His guiding scripture during cancer treatment was Psalm 46:10: "Be still and know that I am God."

Indonesians love noise and chaos. Once in a while, there's an event across the street from the hall. Today is one of those days, with ear-blasting singing followed by various men shouting through their microphones. There are competitions of some kind - it escalates into guys screaming over loudspeakers (not joking) to ramp up the crowd!

Thankfully, Chandra is not bothered by the din and continues to speak. It is a blessing and encouragement to join the service online. Sunday Gatherings are woven into our DNA and staying home feels odd.

Titik drops the hall flowers on the Porch - oh wow! It's a welcome home surprise.

The living room is prettier with her work.

I'm craving soup mid-morning and for a late lunch. Did you know that leftover lettuce is a good soup vegetable? I heat broth (frozen after a movie night), leftover curried veggies, and mini gnocchi that we brought from Seattle. It's a 5-minute meal: immediate, hearty, and sustaining.

I sort old emails and clear digital files. I find some letters from my dad, encouraging me to work and not let anyone's fears or personal rules stop me. It's like hearing his voice again. I often hear his voice in my head, though marriage to a very different kind of adviser has severely tempered how I live out his advice. One time, Dad wrote me:

... Most organizations consist of people whose number one goal is to assure they make the right impressions on their cohorts.

So, cheer up, this will probably be the pattern you have to contend with no matter what you do. Don't even bother with these people -- get rid of  them immediately. Tell them they do not fit. Go out and get those that will do the job. You'll find there are still people around that are happy to get something done. Of course people will then say you are hard to work for, get along with -- they said the same about Christ. Remember in Maslowe's theory only those people that have the confidence in their God-given abilities have the freedom to get things done.

God has a plan/work for you and W. The problems are just part of this -- not to worry or get frustrated, but to resolve or just leave in His hands. Remember the song:  "why worry when you can sing".

Love you,
dad

I am cheered, reading his counsel. He'd say: "Don't let anyone squeeze you into their box. Live as who God made you, not to satisfy others' expectations." Oh Pop, I miss you!

I love the old photos, too. This grandchild is now 13 ...

Some of these women have moved on, but several continue to be mentors and friends even after 12 years. I delete emails with personal content after forwarding them back to their writers, 7-15 years after they were written. (No need for anyone to read them in the future.)

I used to post hand-written letters back to their writers after a decade or two. Why? We forget so much in the journey of life and faith. Our own words can remind us of God's faithful love and care. He is utterly trustworthy.

Monday

I call my mom early. We pray for each other and I read her one of Dad's emails about my struggles at work. We agree - he was a gifted and visionary leader.

Sleep has been short the past nights (thanks, jet lag.) I have a blazing headache again. Flu symptoms flare during morning calls. One conversation is particularly useful for planning the months ahead. I write down what I learn. I have many notebooks of notes that I peruse when I need sound advice.

I keep refilling tea in the tallest Contigo thermos to hydrate. Three 16oz (500ml) infusions later, let's have breakfast.

I baked apple oatmeal bars and made date syrup yesterday. Yum.

By 10:00, calls are done, emails are sent, and a dozen tissues land in the garbage. I write instructions for the helpers and cancel my appointments for the next 2 days. Rest is the best solution toward a speedy recovery.

Read more:

*My heart, O God, is steadfast, my heart is steadfast;

    I will sing and make music.

Awake, my soul! Awake, harp and lyre!

    I will awaken the dawn.

I will praise you, Lord, among the nations;

    I will sing of you among the peoples.

For great is your love, reaching to the heavens;

    your faithfulness reaches to the skies.

Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;

    let your glory be over all the earth. Psalm 57:7-11

*The Lord will open for you his rich storehouse, the heavens, to give the rain of your land in its season and to bless all your undertakings. Deuteronomy 28:12

*Therefore, my beloved brothers and sisters, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the work of the Lord because you know that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. 1 Corinthians 15:58

Moravian Prayer: Giver of all, your grace abounds. We serve you in faith and hope, sharing with others the love for which we are filled. We give you thanks. Amen.