Thursday, April 10, 2025
We're off to the mountains first thing in the morning. Melvi joins us because some of her students are not yet back from holidays. She spots every mushroom that the rainy season leaves on wooden surfaces.
It's a fairly easy trail (3.5 miles/5 km) through rice paddies and forests. The rise is 175 meters or about 50 flights of stairs to the waterfall.
It's a lovely destination with wading pools under the falls. From thence the water is carried to the rice paddies below.
You get an idea of the waterfall's grandeur by looking at the hikers on one of 13 bamboo bridges. Can you spot them?
Some bridges are long pieces of bamboo held together by rope, stretched from bank to bank across the creeks. Others are woven, like the one below.
Farmers harness the power of the water, directing it into hand-cut terraces for the hand-planted rice.
The views are breathtaking.
We decide on a touristy restaurant with good Sundanese food.
We're muddy; the dogs splashed through the rice fields and then ran past. I'm splattered with mud to my waist. No matter - it's dried and the dogs had good fun.
The meal is delicious. We order enough for supper but end up passing it to someone else.
When you're muddy and have spent a few hours in the hot sun, there's nothing as refreshing as a hot shower. After living here for years, we have hot water in the shower and the kitchen. What luxury - W hooked up secondhand point-of-use water heaters with the help of a local plumber.
Friday
The day is a scramble as the morning meeting is rearranged, not once but twice. The second time it's postponed to tomorrow. We pop into an open house but it's too small for what we need. It's been beautifully updated and its Dutch tropical architecture makes this one a classic.
We drive downtown to pick up our repaired breadmaker. The mountains have disappeared behind the clouds.
On the way home, we wait at a red light, one of several dozen traffic lights in the city. (Traffic moves by flow and most busy intersections with have a man or boy waving and tooting a whistle to facilitate turns.)
From my window, I spot Sushi Hiro, a place we've never tried. Before the light turns greens, we pull to the other side, park in the lot, and enter the calm space for lunch.
I like the petals dangling between ceiling lights. This kind of innovative Japanese decor makes a space special.
The food is good enough that we order to-go California Rolls when we're done = a $3 supper.
Saturday
W's study is taking the week off so we get in a walk and extra morning work. I break big branches off some hedges by the fence - bamboo, papaya, and Brazilian Red Cloak - for tomorrow's arrangement. It's going to be bulky (4.5' /150 cm) so it will be easier to assemble in the hall.
After the branches hydrate, PakG helps me haul the parts to GG. It's monstrous but I look at the gaps. We need even more stems tomorrow. Luckily, the tree has plenty of 1' (30cm) flowers from which to choose.
3 edits wait on my desk this morning: a 200-page book, a 30-page training, manual, and the final chapter of W's book. I edit W's work and continue on the manual later in the day.
Before lunch, we get to visit a friend in hospital. We've been praying all week, so seeing this dear person lucid and getting stronger is a relief.
In early evening, a project contractor drops by with a final bid. Before we launch, we have one more meeting to "pitch" the proposal, along with getting an organizational go-ahead.
Sunday
I break off 6 more stems of Brazilian Red Cloak to complete the "Messy Garden" bouquet.
Dina picks up a kit of Gingerbread houses for her students. Inside are baked cookies, frosting, and candies, ready for assembly and decoration.
Next week, her advanced students will learn "house" words in English. What tastier way to enjoy a lesson? (And for us, what fun to pass stuff along! Found in Seattle post-Christmas @90% off $29 ... we knew it would come in handy.)
Hanny delivers her second sermon at IES Bandung = her first ever in English! Young leaders are expanding their skills and calling and we get to cheer them on and pray them through.
We come home to a Hangout on the Porch. Sam took it over from founder Kristi. Both have returned to the USA. When we announce that Sam is briefly back, about 20 show up for a reunion.
After lunch, games and conversations pick up steam. Participants are glad to see each other and catch up. It's been half a year since the last Hangout. W and I agree: how we've missed it.
It's noisy and cheerful, full of laughter and occasional singing. A person on the swing describes the mood perfectly: relaxed and fun. No one wants to leave but they gradually trickle out the gate as the afternoon wanes.
"Privileged" has recently been defamed, describing those who feel superior to others or who accumulate abundant resources without sharing them. What a shame to ruin a word that was used to express deep appreciation and gratitude for undeserved blessings.
But how else can we describe our calling? We truly feel it is a great privilege to be here, to be allowed alongside young adults, IES Bandung, and the beauty of Indonesia's people and landscapes.
Read more:
*Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped, and he said to him, “What do you command your servant, my lord?” Joshua 5:14
*Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame. Psalm 34:5 NIV
*Jesus said, “I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you.” John 13:15
*Saul asked, “Who are you, Lord?” The Lord answered, “I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. But get up and stand on your feet, for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you to serve and testify to the things in which you have seen me and to those in which I will appear to you.” Acts 26:15-16
Moravian Prayer: Blessed Teacher, you set the example of love and sacrifice that we must follow. Shine through us as we endeavor to meet people where they are, whether in broken-heartedness, loneliness, poverty, or homelessness. May we bring them your loving and life-sustaining compassion.
Bread of life, fill us anew with purpose and courage. Feed us, your people in the wilderness. Work with us and within us, your servants on bended knee, as we testify to your glory and love. Alleluia. Amen.
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