Russell and Eileen's Church Missions: BOY SCOUT MOTTO PAYS OFF

Friday morning we learned of another fire, this time on the east side of Central Jakarta. The newspaper reported that a man's propane tank blew up and took out 119 homes. Seven hundred and fifty three people were displaced. It is hard to realize how close the homes are here in proximity to each other until you have walked the lanes of these neighborhoods. There are no yards. The alley ways are 4-6 ft wide. Each home is literally built with the wall attached to the wall of their neighbor. Another home is on an upper floor. Thirty fire trucks responded but it was so difficult to access the area that they were unable to reach the homes easily.

When we arrived Saturday morning we found men, women and children working to clean the debris from their homes. Then there were people out in the street picking through the debris including a lady picking up nails and a man hauling away metal siding. Everything in Indonesia is recycled. Our garbage is probably looked through 3-4 times before it actually goes to its finally resting place. Families smiled at us and told us to be careful while walking through the debris, obviously surprised to see foreigners there. When we got to a large lot full of ash the "neighbors" wanted a group picture with the Beamans and us, both senior missionaries. They placed us front and center. Many photos were taken. Unfortunately, for some reason the person using my camera didn't end up taking a photo so I don't have a copy of the neighborhood photo.

Outside a light drizzle was coming down. The elderly and small children seemed to be sheltered in the mosque. After our tour of the fire location we went to the van and had some local people pull out the hygiene kits our Indonesian church members had prepared two weeks ago for such an emergency. In the hygiene kits were blankets, soap, towel, toothbrush, toothpaste and shampoo. We asked about further needs of the people and will try and visit them this week with other supplies.

We are most grateful for our dry apartment tonight while torrential rains are coming down. We pray for those less fortunate than ourselves and hope in a small way that perhaps the blankets we offered to a few of God's children might keep them warm this evening.