RESPITE

This week was supposed to be one beginning with a holiday and finishing with a trip to Singapore.  Both sound restful and in a way they were.  As Eileen noted in her posting on Monday night, a 10 year-old girl drowned in the pool at our apartment complex.  Her name was Srikandi.  She passed away the next day around noon.  The whole experience was very difficult for Eileen.  I was proud of her efforts and that of our mission president as they tried to save the little girl.  In all her years of nursing this is the first time Eileen has lost a patient that was currently under her care.  Perhaps it was harder on us as westerners than it was for the locals.  Life is significantly harder here as premature death and significant injury are far more common.  Eileen seems to be slowly coming to terms with Srikandi's passing.  For me the whole thing still seems surreal.  I have never held someone as they were dying before.

Our trip to Singapore was for a follow-up colonoscopy to one done six months ago shortly before we left the U.S.  That procedure was not a regularly scheduled check-up but one prompted by feelings that Eileen had.  It turned out to be fortunate they she went in as they removed a rather large precancerous tumor.  The doctor insisted that she have a follow-up colonoscopy six months later to make sure the tumor had been completely removed and was not growing back.  It had only been two years since her last procedure and if it had gone the full five years previously anticipated she probably would have had a significant problem after we returned from our mission.  We are both grateful for God's promptings to have the procedure prior to our leaving and for the clean bill of health that Eileen received in Singapore.  As you can imagine this was quite a relief for me.  Having watched my mother suffer for almost a decade with colon cancer I have no desire to relive that experience.  Overall the few days in Singapore were a welcome respite both physically and emotionally for us.

On Friday, when I opened the paper in Singapore, there was a picture of another fire in Jakarta.  It seems there have been over 60 fires in Jakarta which have displaced families since the summer began.  More on that next week.  No pictures this week.  Neither the scene of the little girl by the pool or the pictures of inside Eileen's colon are ones we want to keep.

A HEART BREAKING DAY

I (Eileen) would like to share a very personal experience with you.  We have a lovely complex including a beautiful  air conditioned exercise room and a swimming pool that would rival that at any resort.  We can see the magnificent swimming pool from our balcony.  I have enjoyed swimming laps daily early in the morning, usually about 6 a.m, while Russell works out in the exercise room. Normally the only other person that ever uses the pool at that hour is Elder Beaman who is a good friend of ours.

During the month of Ramadan our  pool has been quite empty.  Our mission president and wife normally travel quite a bit and we have been trying to get together with them for some time to come over and enjoy a swim and get a little rest and relaxation.  Junior missionaries can't swim, but senior missionaries can.  Today we were able to make arrangements for President Groberg and his wife to come over.  We knew the pool would have more people in it since Ramadan was over. Still, as the office was closed today, an official holiday, we thought it would be a nice break.

We swam a little and then were in the shallow end talking.  The deepest end of the pool is 5 foot deep.  All of a sudden we heard a girl crying. We looked over and there were two girls shaking a young girl on the side of the pool. We rushed over to her side. President Groberg is a pediatrician who actually came to Indonesia in the 1990s to teach neonatal resuscitation.  As a pediatric nurse I have been through many classes teaching how to do CPR, but have actually never done full blown CPR on a person.

The little girl who was 10 years old (the age of my oldest grandchild) wasn't breathing, but did have a pulse for just a few minutes.  I started doing mouth to mouth while Pres. Groberg was monitoring her pulse and then started chest compressions.  Russell and Sister Groberg tried to position her neck and help.  The girl threw up copious amounts of food while I was doing mouth to mouth.  I would roll her and do it some more, not really caring about the hygenic conditions, but rather thinking about her mother, who by this time was sitting across from me crying.  We asked several people to get an ambulance.  President Groberg speaks Bahasa Indonesia,  so requests were made in the native language. A girl came up and said she was a nurse.  We asked if there was an ambu bag or mouth piece anywhere that we could use to help the girl breathe. Eventually oxygen with a nasal cannula came which would be great for a person that was having an asthma attack but not a drowning victim.  I begged for an ambulance multiple times.  Several people were watching, observing. I didn't see anyone trying to comfort the mother.  The local nurse at one point looked at the girl's pupils and said no good.  I was taught to never give up on CPR, until you are too exhausted to go on any further or until a doctor pronounces the patient dead.  I was not about to let this girl die on my watch. I didn't realize how difficult CPR would be to do, especially while someone was laying on cement and we were leaning over the top of her.  President Groberg and I would switch places, once even Russell said tell me what to do as he could tell I was exhausted and gave the girl a few breaths.  It took 45 minutes for an ambulance to come 2 miles.  As it was a holiday there was no traffic today. I am not sure what the hold up was.  I just knew the little girl needed to get higher level medical care.

President Groberg and I jumped in the ambulance and continued CPR, this time with a mask that was for the size of an adult, no oxygen in the ambulance.  The mother was slumped in a corner, I was doing compressions.  When we got to the hospital, the President continued working on the little girl while the medical staff there intubated and gave medications to her.  An Indonesian man that lives in our complex came to talk to me. He thanked me for my help.  I asked him if there was any water any where that I could rinse my mouth out.  When he came back I think I was in shock. Even though he was speaking English to me I mumbled that it was 45 minutes and that she would be dead.  He did something very unusual for a Muslim man to do.  He hugged me and let me sob in his arms.  Russell and Sister Groberg had yet to come.  I thought how could this little girl be playing with her friends just a little bit ago, and now be unresponsive despite our best efforts?  He was kind and asked me to sit down in the waiting room. Eventually I pulled myself together and went back into the ER.  The Mom of the little girl was sitting within feet of where her daughter was being resuscitated.  The mother's hands clasped in prayer, looking to see what was going on.  I knelt beside her and put my hand on her arm.  She immediately recognized me (complete in my swimsuit and flipflops).  Fortunately I had put a coverup on.  She stood up and hugged me and started sobbing.  We hugged each other for a long time, both of us crying and I kept saying I am sorry in Indonesian.    

I left the hospital, discouraged and sad.  At that point the girl had a pulse, but wasn't breathing on her own. We estimated that she was without oxygen for an hour.  My heart was sick for a mother whose life had changed dramatically in just a few short minutes.  I have 6 children and 11 grandchildren. I know the suffering a mother goes through when they are concerned about their children.  I also know the love of our Father in Heaven has towards each of his children here on earth.  If this little girl dies she will be brought into the arms of a good and loving God, where she will see loved ones that have passed on and be in a place of peace and happiness.

I feel for the family of this darling little girl.  Regardless of your race or religion, will you please join with me and pray for a little 10 year old girl in Jakarta tonight that will be fighting for her life?  Pray that her family might find peace and comfort.  I feel a personal connection with this mother and daughter and I think my life will be forever changed as a result of the events of this day.

MERDEKA AND IDUL FITRI

I think in previous postings we have noted the congested Jakarta traffic and challenge of commuting to and from the office.  The  3.4 mile distance in a cab usually takes anywhere from 30 minutes to 45 minutes.  Our shortest and longest commutes were 10 minutes on a holiday when there was no traffic, and over two hours and 15 minutes ( I have no idea why).  Yes, it would have been faster to walk but more about that later. After four months we decided something had to change as too much time was wasted sitting in traffic.  And those who know us well know just how patient both of us are.

Last week we started working three days a week from our apartment.  This necessitated my buying a computer and printer.  Eileen loves her Apple Mac and iPad but I needed a real computer to be able to work quickly after decades of prior experience with a PC.  On Wednesday I bought both and took the new laptop into the office to transfer files onto it.  I was late leaving the office and was not able to catch a cab.  Fortunately Eileen was not with me as I walked home.  It really was not that far and only took 50 minutes  However, I was soaked by the time I arrived and it was not raining!  I think to effectively commute here you really do need a motorcycle, in our case one with a sidecar.

The two biggest holidays of the year occurred this week.  On Friday (August 17th), the country celebrated 67 years of Independence/Freedom (Merdeka).  On Thursday there was a party in the office and on Friday a commemoration/celebration at the church.  See pictures below.

Today marks the end of the Muslim month-long fast known as Ramadan.  During Ramadan food and drink are not consumed by fasting Muslims during daylight hours.  The end of Ramadan is known as Idul Fitri or Lebaran.  On a comparative level it is like Christmas and New Years rolled into one.  Last night there were fireworks and "singing the Takbir" or prayers from the mosques all through the night.  Muslims celebrate the day by making amends and asking forgiveness from those they may have offended.  Many return to their hometowns to celebrate the holiday.  It is estimated 16 million people will have returned home in Indonesia, 8 million leaving the greater Jakarta area.

At church today Sister Steffi Subandriyo attended sacrament meeting.  This was just 12 days after receiving a kidney transplant.  We thank God for her recovery and her brother Chris for his donated kidney.  This is an answer to the prayers of many on her behalf from all over the world.

TITIK AND ATIN WITH INDONESIAN FLAG

FOOD FOR CELEBRATION , TITIK AND ELDER SUBANDRIYO

EILEEN AND ANA WERE THE CHAMPION BALLOON DANCE/RACING CHAMPIONS

ARIE, SUJUD, TATOK, HENDRO

RAMA REENACTING PRESIDENT SUKARNO'S DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE

ONE OF MY FAVORITE LITTLE GIRLS

YOUNG ADULTS

YOUNG ADULTS

ELDER JOHNSON WITH NEW CONVERT

SUN SETTING OVER JAKARTA

FIREWORK VIEW FROM OUR APARTMENT

THIS REALLY ISN'T THE BUILDINGS EXPLODING-JUST FIREWORKS

MISSIONARIES AT OUR HOME FOR DINNER

ALL THAT IS LEFT ARE THE MEMORIES

Last Wednesday as we were returning from Jogjakarta, I (Eileen) picked up a newspaper from Jakarta written in English. On the front page of the newspaper was an article about several hundred families that had been displaced from their homes due to an electrical fire that had swept through their neighborhood.  Approximately 2,000 people were left homeless and 200 businesses had been destroyed.  Some of the displaced were living in the adjacent cemetery.  The article mentioned that the Red Cross was offering aid.  I felt prompted that our church should be helping these people. 

The next day Russell and I determined that we would try and find out what their needs were. We were unsuccessful in reaching the appropriate contact person within the Red Cross, so we decided to go the scene of the fire and try to find someone that could give us some information.  As we wandered towards the cemetery we saw two large blue and orange tarps set up to shield the occupants from the sun.  A small pup tent was set off to the side.  We then realized a woman was sitting underneath the pup tent.  There were children in school clothes sitting amongst the gravestones.  One young girl was washing her feet in a bucket of dirty water.  We said hello to some of the people and you could hear whispers of "bule" or white person.  A couple of boys were eating something and asked in Indonesian if I wanted to buy some food from them.  I reminded them that it was Ramadan and asked why they were not fasting.  I went over to visit with three older women dressed in typical muslim attire. They were sitting in the shade under a tree, with just a small towel between them and the gravestones they were using as chairs.  They asked me in Indonesian to please sit down and join them. I declined indicating that we had other places to go and asked if they might know where the people from the Red Cross might be. In Indonesia the Red Cross is known as the PMI.  A local  female doctor showed up and directed us to where the Red Cross tent was.  As we walked there we went through the charred ruins of what were once homes.  In one home among the ashes were notes and a book cover, the edges burned as if purposely by a candle.  A man was digging out burnt debris from one of the rooms.  

We found the Red Cross tent and talked with the man directing the operations.  Russell talked with him in Indonesian about what needs the people had. I think he might have been a little skeptical about two foreigners showing up and asking what the people were lacking.  He then asked us if we wanted to take a tour of the area.  He walked us through more of the charred compound.

Walking through the narrow alleyways we saw 12-20 sq. meter homes that once housed up to a dozen people.  Some still had remnants of people living there despite the lack of a roof or door.  One had a clothesline with clothes hanging from it.  Several men were shoveling ash from the homes.  Others were up on what remained of the wooden roof beams.  There were piles of ash and partially burnt household items everywhere, along with piles of rescued clothing, cook ware and bedding.

There were a few Yayasans (charitable groups) helping in addition to the Red Cross.  One was a group offering basic medical care for those that needed it.  The local government and police also provided aid to the victims.  The medical group was located just outside a mosque that had been converted into temporary living quarters for a large number of people.  More people were located on the ground floor of a nearby apartment building in a large open area. There we found people grouped together with their meager remaining belongings that had been either saved as they ran from the fire or scavenged from the remains of their homes.  All we met seemed delighted to see us.  The children ran up to us and crowded around us.  When I asked if they wanted to have their picture taken with me several children scampered over.  Some were shy and hung back but you could tell that they were wanting to join.

At the completion of our tour we were convinced that this would be a great project to work on.  Russell's discussion with the Red Cross indicated the people needed blankets and mattresses, feminine hygiene supplies, diapers, formula and infant clothing.  Basic food, water and hygiene supplies had previously been provided by the government.  Upon further questioning we were told that a mattress consisted of a straw mat which could be rolled up and taken easily to a different location. The sleeping mats which we ended up buying were large enough that several people from a family could sleep on them.  It was late Thursday afternoon.  In order to get a project approved we need to talk with our local leader and then submit a written proposal to our area leaders in Hong Kong.  Our proposal to buy and deliver bedding, infant and feminine supplies was quickly approved. 

By Saturday at noon, just 48 hours after our first being there, trucks arrived delivering 452 packages of diapers, 452 boxes of baby formula, 728 boxes of feminine hygiene supplies, 1,100 blankets and 550 sleeping mats, all purchased using humanitarian funds from our church.  I believe the man from the Red Cross was rather astonished.  Several members from our local congregations were there to help us.  Our group received a tour of the area from a man named Yoyoe. His family had been displaced by the fire.  He was extremely touched and teary eyed when we stopped to play with the children in the cemetery. He told me how happy we had made the families.  They were all delighted to be given a bracelet made by our family members and friends back home. In fact the women wanted them too but I knew I would run out if I started giving them to adults.  Some children managed to get two by hiding their bracelets behind their backs and asking for another one.  Russell and I had gone to the local market that morning and bought balloons and balls which the kids had fun playing with.  I think it was exciting for the children to see someone show some empathy towards them, and it was also great for those that were involved be able to bring joy to those that were truly needy.  It felt good to both Russell and I to have been involved with these people and doing what our Lord would have us do. (thanks to Chad Emmet for some of the photos)

Later we returned to the site of this fire and brought some children's underwear that were donated by member's of the English  speaking congregation of our church.  We received a beautiful letter from Yoyoe.  Here is his letter:

                                                                                                            Sept 11, 2012                                 

Dear Sister Healy,

Sorry, I could just now reply to the email you send because I have a lot of work to do at my office which I have not been able to get to for the past few weeks after the fire. I have also been very busy helping to re-build a house where my family can live.

Thank you very much to you and your friends for your efforts to help. Please send my regards and pass along our appreciation to all your friends.

All of you are very good people and I believe that you are angels sent by God to us. I was personally very moved when you visited the first time and entertained the children. The children were all very frightened by the fire. All of your people were very nice.

All of us here pray that you and your friends remain healthy and receive God’s love and protection.

Thank you also for informing me of the photos posted on http://www.russellandeileen.blogspot.com/. I have already looked at them.

You can go to http://puing-kehidupan.blogspot.com/ if you wish to see some more photos and a short video, shot by my son Adiet Boy, of the night of the fire.

We cannot forget nor repay the kindness you showed to us. We hope that God will repay your kindness in our place.

Forgive me if anything I have said or done was not pleasing to you. Once again, we thank you very much.

Warm Regards and friendship,

Yoyoe and Family

THIS MEANS "ALL THAT IS LEFT ARE THE MEMORIES"

FIRE STILL BURNING

CLOTHESLINE WITH FRESH LAUNDRY DRYING

BURNED OUT HOMES VS. SKYSCRAPERS

BURNT OUT HOME

SOMEBODY WAS STUDYING ENGLISH AT THIS HOME

PEOPLE STAYING IN GARAGE OF APARTMENT BUILDING

THESE PEOPLE RUSHED TO HAVE THEIR PHOTO WITH ME

NEWS PHOTOGRAPHERS WERE ON TOP OF THE WATER TRUCK

ALAN FROM RED CROSS

MATS FOR DISTRIBUTION

MORE SUPPLIES

WATER IN THE CEMETERY

EVERYONE WANTS A BRACELET

SISTER CANTY IS GREAT WITH THE CHILDREN

NOTICE THE GRAVES IN THE FOREFRONT

HAVING FUN

SELLING FOOD FROM NEWLY REBUILT SHOPS WITH BURNT OUT BUILDING IN BACKGROUND

PRESIDENT DJAROT AND FAMILY

HAVING FUN

MISSIONARIES INTERACTING WITH KIDS

SUPPLIES READY TO BE DISTRIBUTED

PEOPLE PICKING UP SUPPLIES

LIMBS FOR THE LIMBLESS

A few weeks ago we had the opportunity to visit a factory where prosthetic limbs are made for amputees.  Two gentlemen, Oliver from France and Sakti from India explained the process to us. Both men had a background in biomedical technology.  

It was very interesting to see how the limbs were molded, casted, then put in the oven to bake. We saw both legs and hands being made. The opening and closing of the artificial hands are controlled by a wire that is connected to the shoulder and operated with  shoulder muscle movement.  When you pull the shoulders back or retract the muscles in the shoulders you can make the fingers on the hand open and shut.  The prosthetic hand was capable of picking up a pen.  Then there is also a mechanism that can be attached to the hand that makes it possible for the person to write.

Last Monday and Tuesday we went to Jogjakarta where our NGO partner, the Yayasan Peduli Tuna Daksa, was measuring and fitting 100 patients with prosthetic limbs.  The fees for which were covered by our church's humanitarian fund.   

It was amazing to see the people come in, some using old artificial legs, others using worn out wooden crutches, many using wheelchairs of various vintage.  We saw one wheelchair with a piece of wood for a seat.  To see the individuals leave using a new prosthetic leg was heart warming.  Many got out to their motorcycle, took off their leg, and either tied it to their back, or had someone else drive and they held their leg in front of them.  We heard many stories of men/women that had lost their legs in motorcycle accidents and from falls resulting in broken bones.  Others were the result of congenital defects.  

One great grandmother that I ( Eileen) became especially fond of had been run over by a bus many years ago.  She said the bus didn't even stop for her.  At one point while her leg was being fitted I was on one side of her helping steady her, but she started to lose her balance.  Another sweet young lady with only one leg, grabbed her own crutch and helped steady the woman from the other side.  There seemed to be a unity among the clients/patients from their common affliction and experience.  The great grandmother invited me to her home to eat. I told her I lived in Jakarta, so I wouldn’t be able to come.  However, I was able to introduce her to another senior missionary couple from Australia named the Barnards who live in Jogjakarta and they became friends.

The limbs were being fitted and new clients were being measured in a place called Mandiri Craft. The term Mandiri in Indonesian means “independent.” Independence and self-reliance are basic principle we try and teach in our church.  You cannot help others until you are independent yourself.  I was very impressed as I talked with Slamet Tarjono, the director of Mandiri Craft.  This store and workshop was created in 2003.  Each of the individuals working in this operation has some kind of disability and yet has been trained to make saleable products.  Many of the crafts are from woodworking.  Once someone is trained they are encouraged to start working from their own home and sell through the common store. It was a great lesson in self-sufficiency, to see those that some might consider incapable demonstrating how capable they really can be.

Russell and I bought several children's toys that we thought our grandchildren would like to play with.  Maybe just having them in the apartment will make it seem more like home.  The products appeared to be of good quality and reasonably priced.  We observed the workers, many in wheelchairs, taking pieces of timber, cutting and sanding the wood into shapes and then spray painting the pieces into darling little children's toys.  The company sells a variety of things, including hand carved nativity sets. Sister Smith bought one, and we would like to buy some. We are still trying to figure out how best to transport things home.  If any of you are interested in their products or would like to help them market their goods their web site is www.mandiricrafts.org.  

It was indeed a blessing to be able to spend the two days observing and speaking with the individuals from these two wonderful endeavors.  We came away grateful for our health and for the inspiration they showed us in overcoming personal trials.  Afterward my challenges don’t seem so large.
If you would like to see an article posted from our church website on this project please click on the link below:
http://www.lds.org/church/news/and-the-lame-shall-walk-church-partners-with-prosthetic-company-in-indonesia

SOME PICTURES COURTESY OF KENT AND LINDA SMITH

IBU SONY, IBU DURI AND EILEEN

OLIVER MAKING LIMB

OVEN WHERE PARTS OF LIMB ARE BAKED

SAKTI

ARTIFICIAL HAND

DEMONSTRATING PICKING UP PEN

GETTING MEASURED FOR LEG

OUTDATED PROSTHETIC

LEG WAITING TO BE FITTED

MY DEAR FRIEND-THE GREAT GRANDMA

GETTING FITTED FOR A FULL LENGTH LEG

HMM, WHERE IS THE OWNER OF THIS BODY

TWO FRIENDS RELAXING AND WAITING

CENTER OF LIMB

THIS MOTHER'S NAME MEANS TENSION, BUT SHE SAID SHE HAS NEVER BEEN TENSE IN HER LIFE

MOTHER GETTING FITTED WITH HER FIRST DAUGHTER PATIENTLY WAITING

THIS MOM'S WHEELCHAIR WITH WOOD SEAT

WORKERS MAKING CRAFTS

MR. TARJONO WITH RUSSELL AND SISTER SMITH

SANDING DOWN TOYS

TOYS HAND MADE BY MANDIRI WORKERS

MORE TOYS

BEING FIT FOR A NEW LEG

I AM HAPPY TO BE HERE

SENIOR MISSIONARIES, BARNARDS, HEALYS AND SMITHS