Russell and Eileen's Church Missions: 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