MEETING THE PRESIDENTS

Last Monday we were invited to attend a session of the annual conference of the NU (Nahdlatul Ulama), the largest Muslim organization in Indonesia.  Attending the conference were the spiritual leader of the NU, the executive officer of the NU, many clerics and the president of Indonesia and foreign ambassadors. We were invited because our church had recently built new MCKS (toilet facilities) at the school where the conference was held and because of our ongoing relationship with the NU on other charitable projects.  We took the 9 pm train from Jakarta to Cirebon Sunday night along with Elder Watson (the SouthEast Asia area President for our church) and his wife, and Elder Subandriyo.  We had a delightful time visiting with Elder Watson and his wife.  They have lived around the world and in fact as an accountant Elder Watson with Price Waterhouse once interviewed Russell many, many years ago when Russell was first out of college.  Sister Watson and I both commented to each other how funny it was to see two accounting minds at work.

At the conference it was interesting to see so many Muslims together and then the four of us as Americans and a few other members representing our church. Russell and Elder Watson were moved like chess pieces by the ushers until they were eventually on the front row of the conference.  We were inside a sports stadium with the men sitting on the main floor and the women sitting toward the back or on the balcony. Sister Watson and I were sitting on the 5th row.  I (Eileen)  sat next to the ambassador to Azerbaijan.  Initially I was a little concerned over our safety, but the security was so tight for the president we really didn't need to worry  at all.  We drove in several hours ahead of the start time.  While they were trying to figure out where to park us I heard comments like ambassador and VIP.  Good reason to keep those big sunglasses on.  We got front row parking.

We were proud of the individuals from our church that went to great lengths to produce 33 new permanent restroom facilities in a 3 week period of time.  By the end of the 3 weeks they were working 17 hour days to make sure they were completed in time for the conference.

After the conference was over we mingled with the  people outside the sports stadium where the meeting had been located.  It was estimated that a total of 10,000 people had come, most were watching on screens outside the stadium.  Elder Watson seemed to particularly enjoy mixing with the youth who had lined the paths to see the president of their country.  Elder Watson shook hands with them and many asked to have their picture taken with the bule (white person).  In spite of being with some of the most high ranking officials in Indonesia Elder Watson spent a significant amount of time mixing with the children and the ordinary people of the community.  It reminded us of how our Savior spent his time among the common people, particularly the poor and needy.  We need to never forget that all are God's children and he loves each one.

MOKO WORKED 17 HOUR DAYS WITH OTHER EMPLOYEES TO BUILD MCKS

RUSSELL WITH STUDENTS AT PESENTREN

OLD MCK (TOILET FACILITY)

NEW MCK

PAK SAID AQIL, EILEEN, SISTER AND ELDER WATSON, ELDER SUBANDRIYO

PAK SAHUDI WITH THE NU SPOKE PREVIOUSLY AT BYU

EILEEN JUST TAUGHT THE GIRLS AT THE PESANREN ENGLISH SONGS

TYPICAL STUDENT AT PESENTREN

THE SPIRITUAL LEADER WITH WHITE SCARF, PRESIDENT OF INDONESIA WITH GREEN SHIRT

ELDER WATSON AND ELDER SUBANDRIYO

PRESIDENT'S SECURITY, THAT ISN'T A BADMINTON RACQUET!

EILEEN AND SUTARNO-HEAD CONTRACTOR-I SHOULD HAVE USED VIP TOILET

THIS PICTURE WAS ON THE FRONT PAGE OF THE NEWSPAPER. THE SPIRITUAL LEADER FOR THE NU IS IN THE WHITE SCARF THE PRESIDENT SBY OF INDONESIAN IN GREEN WITH RUSSELL ON RIGHT

RUSSELL IN BLUE SUIT, ELDER WATSON TALL WITH GLASSES, SAID AQUIL SINGING, PRESIDENT SBY IN GREEN, HIS WIFE NEXT TO HIM