Russell and Eileen's Church Missions: A VISIT WITH THE STAKE PRESIDENT

Our church has all lay leadership positions. Our leaders spend many hours preparing and ministering to the needs of the people within their flock in addition to their full-time jobs. A week ago we were able to get to know President Djarot Subiantoro a little bit better when he and his wife Julinda (Linda) invited us to lunch at their home. President Djarot (Javanese often go by their first name rather than last name - that is when they have a second name) is the president of the Jakarta, Indonesia stake. A "stake" is group of member congregation similar in size to a Catholic diocese. With his permission we would like to share some information about this great man and his family.

We were interested to find out that President and Sister Subiantoro had both worked for IBM in Jakarta. Eileen's father also worked for IBM for many years until retiring. It was while working there that Linda met President Djarot and introduced him to the LDS church. He later converted and was baptized a member of the church. They have 3 daughters and 1 son.

Our mission was not the first interaction we had with the Subiantoro family. Linda is actually Brother Tandiman's sister and a close friend of Aischa whom we have spoken about in previous blog postings. Their olderst daughter Tia Subiantoro helped tutor us a little while we were in language training at the MTC a year and a half ago. She had the reputation between Russell and I of speaking faster than than anyone we have ever known. One time while helping Russell get more used to hearing a native speaker speak the language, Tia tried reading a church magazine to him. After that proved to be too dificult, she tried a newspaper, after which he kindly asked her if she had a preschool book she could read to him. Tia has now graduated from BYU and is working in SLC with Goldman Sachs, an investment banking firm.

Their second daughter Tara has been going to BYU and will soon be serving a mission in Mandarin speaking Oakland, California (Mandarin speaking!). Just as many others from our faith, she will have to learn a new language to serve a mission. Their 3rd daughter Astrid loves math and plans also on going to BYU. Their 4th, a son, has received honors in science at the school he is attending.

While observing this family I was struck by the similarities of our goals, desires and love that we each have for our families despite growing up half a world away from each other. We have seen the great love President Djarot and Sister Linda show to their children and also to the members of our church. It has been a honor and privilege to know them. It is no wonder that Elder Bednar (one of our apostles) gave President Djarot the heavy stewardship of being the first Stake President of our church here in Indonesia.