A cold week in a warm city

Monday, January 12, 2026

It's COLD in Bandung. By early afternoon it's only 72oF/22oC. Brrrr to 66o/18o at night. With the wind blowing up the valley, I put on a thick sweater. It's been mostly grey and drizzly for a few days, which we're not used to. The tree trunks are shedding bark again.

A friend comes over to discuss his possibilities for work after graduation. It's wonderful how God directs a person's path, especially after diligent studies at university or seminary. That's not to say that it isn't stressful for those waiting for new doors to open.

The yardman is cleaning the garden, which has eruptied into a weed patch again. It's startling how quickly plants grow. The last patch of lawn is hand-weeded but a thick 5" /12cm carpet of weeds blankets flowerbeds within 2 weeks. There are orchids to replant that Juno (a labradoodle who got bored) dug up, plus more pots of plants to bring from the old place.

W hangs curtains in the guest room. In his new office, he re-oils his adjustable standing desk. The top is a beautiful live edge slab of wood.

There's time to edit the journal article that's been sitting on my desk for a month. "Is it done yet?" I got two reminders about it.

"No, I'm in the middle of moving households. It will have to wait" ... until today. Fortunately, doctoral candidate Flint is a good writer with something to say. That makes my job easier. I send it off, checking one more thing off the to-do list. 

An editor sends an email: will I edit a book for a well-known author? "It's short - only 4 chapters of theology." Sure - while I begin to outline an entry I'm writing for a new encyclopedia. Sometimes there's not much writing or editing going on; other times it rains pages of words.

Just before sunset, we walk over to get Juno, a night watchdog. The short trip clears our minds after too many decisions. Juno's happy to walk anytime and ecstatic to get treats when she arrives. At night she chases the ginger cat who owned the place before the dog/s took over.

Tuesday

Today is W's big day to set up his office. He moves furniture and bins into place. I offer a choice of art for the back of the lemari (cabinet) that divides the room. He chooses one but art's not his priority.

Della stops by with the media person for an upcoming wedding. Upstairs, the mattresses have been aired. Helpers try to locate the bedding they packed away. We'll have more overnight guests next week. Little by little, we're normalizing the household in a new location.

W drags boxes, tools, and black bags full of linens out of a guest room. He assembles the teak four-poster bed that friends left behind when they repatriated last year. (They purchased the beautiful carved antique for their daughter 30 years ago.) W puzzles together the slats holding up the mattress. So now we'll need a mattress for it ... 

The yardman finds out that there's a wedding ceremony outdoors in 3 weeks: he's instructed to make the yard beautiful as possible for that day. At the event, guests likely will demolish his hard work. Then he'll kickstart the yard again. "Hire a helper if you need one," we offer.

Someone remarks, "This yard is like a tropical version of a British garden." Ah, I love the borders of British gardens! The spider plants are growing taller along the path and the backbone shrubs are settling in.

We hear the weed-wacker mowing excess growth from the cobbled driveway. Because the windows are open, mud and bitty sticks fly in. I click the window shut while W gets his trusty dustpan and hand broom to sweep the sills and floor. Teamwork!

PakD plants a dozen or so poinsettias that Titik and Chandra gave us after Christmas Eve. "Ke mana?" (Where do you want them?) Right where we put the pots: they'll make a nice green - and occasionally red - hedge along the driveway.

      

Wednesday - Happy birthday, young M!
It's our granddaughter's 8th birthday. She's having a fine day with her siblings as we call.

The helpers left the house quiet and clean yesterday. It's a restful space, even as people come and go.

I fiddle with a painting. A good thing about digital phone cameras is the ability to test the direction of a painting before committing. An overpainting of a faded print on pressboard seems to be headed toward this

from this. (The color shift really is that dramatic.)

The women's group meets for a few hours. Indonesian friends teach me about domestic workers, money, and culture. "Be careful," they caution us. They strongly warn how foreigners unknowingly ruin the local economy with excess generosity. There will be no future jobs for our helpers with local employers if we overpay. Locals "will never match the working conditions or salaries at foreigner's homes, especially if those expats are Christians."

Juno comes with us for the night. She loves to be on a leash and even runs for it from the freedom of a hike. In the evening, her tail wiggles her whole body as W clips the leash onto her collar. The others stand guard where they are.

Thursday

Another missed hike. It's drizzling and cool out. W's pulled muscle is not cooperating yet so we both opt out of the mountain walk. At least we get in a one-loop stroll with the dogs. They don't care one whit about the rain or the parades of chickens at the garbage dump. (Cats are another matter, at least for Anton the poodle.)

There's new termite frass under a door frame inside. W shoots a photo for the contractor.

There's a monstrous tub in a side bathroom; W gives it its first go to see if that relaxes his muscles.

The helpers sort bedding today, besides doing other chores. "Every bed needs a sheet, pillows and pillowcases, and a blanket in a duvet cover." There are a few piles here and there, some drawers with sheets and covers, and one or two large black garbage bags containing linens. Good luck matching everything.

Bedding was tossed in here and there for the move. I packed 2 bedrooms downstairs and mostly found out where that got stored at the Project. But they stripped and washed the bedrooms upstairs. I don't even know what we have - and ask for an audit. Do we need anything else?

I'm still finding art for the guest rooms. Until they're hung up, the frames lean on each other or are stacked into an office shelf.

I spot some beautiful prints from a shop selling student art in Penang (Malaysia). Goodie, there are the empty frames. There's no time for match-ups now but that's on the horizon, too.

W and I read through Sunday's talk after I write it. This week's topic is "God the Son." What love. What sacrifice.What triumph over hell and the grave. Read about it here.

Read more:

* O LORD, there is no difference for you between helping the mighty and the weak. 2 Chronicles 14:11

* But Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, healed the boy, and gave him back to his father. [Read the story here Luke 9:42.]

Moravian Prayer: Almighty Physician, we pray for healing in our lives and in the lives of others. Our bodies and minds are frail, yet your gentle touch lifts us up. We pray that you grant courage and strength to all those who do the work of healing in our communities every day. Grant unto them your peace. Amen.