WATER, WEDDING, WHEELCHAIRS

Last Monday Russell went to our water project in Magelang with Elder Lisk and Elder and Sister Weichers. After checking up on the progress of the project and visiting with some of the families in the area that are already receiving the water, all were in the van ready to return to Jogjakarta. Here is where the story gets interesting.  I will let you decide which side of the story you think is the more accurate perception of reality.  That night at the dinner table the conversation went something like this:

From the Weichers and Elder Lisk - Wow, that wedding was unbelievable! Wasn’t it amazing how friendly the locals were. They just insisted that we come right up to the front and have our picture taken with the bride and groom.

Russell - Did you notice that the man that was walking you up front was doing so right during the middle of a prayer?

Elder Lisk - Yes, but everyone was looking at us. How were we to know that a prayer was going on?

Russell - If you were in our church and some Buddhist Monks walked in during the prayer you would look too.

Elder Lisk - They really were so gracious. They really insisted on having their picture taken with us.

Russell - That is the culture here.  The man that took you in to meet the bride and groom has a low level position in the community.  We are developing a new water distribution for the community.  From his perspective it would have been rude  to have not invited us in.  That didn’t mean they wanted us there.  We didn’t exactly fit in. They were all dressed up for the wedding, while we were all sweaty and in our boots having been in the fields/jungle all morning.

Sister Weicher - Yes, but then they wanted us to eat with them! Why did you say we had an appointment and that we had to get to back to Jogja?

Russell – From their perspective it would be rude not to invite you to eat. However, it was their wedding, they had not planned on us and we have a long day’s journey tomorrow. Are you used to eating real Indonesian food?

In the end we all laughed at the different perspectives that came from the same day’s events. I was glad that I had stayed back in Jogja to do some work on the computer.  That way I could hear the story from both sides rather than be a part of the story.

Tuesday we left at 5:30 AM to drive to Banjarnegara for a wheelchair ceremony with our NGO partner United  Cerebral Palsy (UCP). Our church has funded 1500 wheelchairs to UCP in the past year. UCP makes sure they properly fit each client.  Our drive to the ceremony was  a beautiful. drive. By the time we arrived at 10:15 a.m. we were all tired of sitting.  This time we had the Barnards with us also so there were 8 senior missionaries plus our driver in a van that wasn't very comfortable.  We were the only senior couple that were not in our 70's.

 After we saw the wheelchairs fitted and given out (54 in total) we were encouraged by the people at UCP to go to the Dieng Plateau. This area is a beautiful and unique area of Indonesia where there are some small Hindu temples that date back to around 800 A.D.  As we arrived at the beginning of the road to the Dieng Plateau we saw a sign saying that the road was closed. Fortunately it wasn’t closed until June 1st  We had just barely made it before the road closed as it was the end of  May!  We looked around at the beautiful scenery and the people there. They were even selling heavy woolen hats, gloves and scarves due to the cooler weather.  We were anxious to see the sulphur springs that are supposed to be similar to Yellow Stone.  Unfortunately they have turned  them into Geothermal Energy and they are now smokestacks.

On the way home our driver decided to take a shortcut home.  Russell was sitting up front and could see that the 11 passenger van was riding on fumes.  Twice we stopped for gas. Only there were no “real” gas stations so we filled up at a place where they have gas in 2 liter bottles, usually for motorcycles.  At the second place the owner of the store said, “Wow, I don’t think I have ever seen "Bules" (white people) at my store before. Wait a minute, I think I did, but that was before my son was born.” Her son was there and he was 14 years old.  I think we took the road less traveled.

At 7:45 PM we arrived back in Jogja, stopped by UCP to pick up Barnards van only to find the gate locked. Since  their car was behind the gate our driver took them home.  Once they got home they realized that the key to their gate of their home was locked in their car. It is fortunate that they have the easy going Australian temperment as they ended up spending the night in a hotel.

Next day – We were so looking forward to getting home to Jakarta. Unfortunately our plane had a flat tire. We left our hotel at 7:30 a.m. only to be told by the airlines that they thought our flight might leave by 5p.m. We couldn't leave our seat at the airport, Someone might take it. We finally got a new plane at 11:45, and we actually got 2 seats in an exit row.  By this time we are extra grateful for this miracle. When we got to Jakarta there was an awful traffic jam.  The wair for a taxi was 1 hour. Fortunately we were able to find a guy that was willing to take us and the Lisks to our apartment going a back way missing most of the traffic and we got home in only 2 hours.  The marathon trip was over.

The Lord watched over us and we were home safe.  We will laugh about this trip for years to come (even if at the time we didn’t feel like laughing).

FARMER IN RICE FIELD AT MAGELANG

THIS BIRD HAD FALLEN OUT OF THE TREE, ONE OF THE LOCALS TOOK IT HOME TO TAKE CARE OF IT

WEDDING PICTURE, DO OUR MISSIONARIES LOOK LIKE THEY FIT IN?

THIS LITTLE BOY IS BEING RAISED BY GRANDMA ON LEFT, MOM WORKS IN HONG KONG EARNING MONEY FOR FAMILY

THIS 22 YEAR OLD GIRL FELL AND BROKE HER BACK 6 MONTHS AGO. SHE IS UNABLE TO BE MOBILE AT ALL. SHE STAYS IN BED EXCEPT TO EAT.  SHE IS EXCITED FOR HER NEW WHEELCHAIR

THIS LITTLE BOY WAITING FOR WHEELCHAIR, MOM CAME IN CARRYING CHILD

THIS 80 YEAR OLD WOMAN LIVES BY HERSELF AND HAS 30 GRANDCHILDREN AND 5 GREAT GRANCHILDREN, GRANDDAUGHTER ON LEFT, AND GREAT GRANDDAUGHTER ON RIGHT, WAITING FOR WHEELCHAIR

SO HAPPY FOR CUSTOMIZED WHEELCHIAR

THESE WERE HUGE HYDRANGEAS

SCENIC DRIVE TO DIENG PLATEU

TELAGA WARNA LAKE AT DIENG PLATEAU, NOTICE THE MATCHING OUTFITS.

HINDU ARJUNA TEMPLE
FROM 800 AD

POINSIETTAS GROW WILD HERE

OUR GAS STATION

FILLING UP THE GAS TANK

COUPLES CONFERENCE AND BOROBUDUR

The past two weeks have been busy.  On May 21st we got together as a group of 10 couples in Solo to participate in a well planned couples conference.  It was a delight to see the other couples, some that had traveled as far away as a 3&l/2 hour plane ride away.  We don't get to see each other frequently and so the conference that is held twice a year is a great opportunity. We also had our new public relations couple, the Weichers attend. They currently live in Malaysia.  The theme of the conference was, "What ere thou art, act well thy part."  Each couple presented a 30 minute presentation associated with the topic of what they are doing as missionaries here in Indonesia.  Topics were varied and included subjects such as: Building positive relationships with non-members, Serving in the community, Member Short term projects, Blessing lives through Family History, Teaching English Effectively, Leading Members to the Temple.  It was interesting to hear the ideas of each of the couples.

We were asked to offer a tribute to the Grobergs.  We have worked closely with them as we both live and work in Jakarta.  They will be leaving as the mission president couple at the end of June.  Indonesia is a very large country with many challenges.  They have done an excellent job of dedicating their lives to serving the people of Indonesia and trying to juggle the needs of 70+ missionaries at the same time. They have missed the births of 8 grandchildren, hosted visitors that have arrived early in the morning and late and night and stayed for weeks at a time.  There have been missionaries with health issues, safety issues, housing issues. They have dealt with all of these problems never losing focus on trying to be the spiritual leaders of this group of missionaries.  Every time I have heard them talk they have urged the congregation to always be a good example and never give up hope that our service here may be of some benefit.

On the second day of the conference we took the Weichers and headed to Borobudur (which was a 3&1/2 hour drive) to visit a cataract operation project.  The drive was incredibly beautiful with Mount Merapi looming to one side and another large mountain on the other.  Terraced fields were built steep up the side of the mountain.  In 2010 Mount Merapi exploded and a number of people were killed and thousands were evacuated. Our predecessors were heavily involved in the humanitarian effort in helping the people involved with the explosion of Mount Merapi.

When we arrived at Borobudur we found a large group of patients with various problems under a huge tent at the base of Borobudur (built in 9th century A.D. and one of the largest Buddhist monuments in the world).  Apparently this week was a special week celebrating Buddha's birthday.  Approximately 4,000 patients with different needs were treated with makeshift operating rooms put up right there at the monument.  We never were able to make contact with the people we were supposed to meet and eventually took the ride back home to continue the conference.

Friday the Grobergs, Knorpps and Russell and I went on a 6.2 Km hike. We started at the Sukuh temple  and ended up at Tawanmangu Falls.  It is truly the only way to see Indonesia, as we were adjacent with the workers in the fields, the children with their parents and were able to see up close how hard the people here work to harvest their food. The terraces literally climb the sides of the mountains.  We didn't know that we would be hiking and had not brought appropriate footwear. I (Eileen) was surprised that I could make it in a skirt and sandals. By the end of the hike our calves were aching. Despite exercising on a regular basis, we both felt the after affects for several days.

On Friday,  the Weichers, Lisks and we all went to Jogjakarta.  Saturday evening we traveled again to Borobudur to the Weisak festival.  This occurs once a year with the celebration of Buddha's birthday. Monks travel from Thailand and other places in the world to Borabudur for the celebration.  There were parades and ceremonial chantings during the day. We wanted to go to the lighting of 1,000 lanterns in the evening that I had read about online.  When we got there we found hundreds of people lined up with only one gate open. It was like a crazy rock concert. Although we were able to visit with people around us, the closer we got to the one security gate the more the crowd started to push and shove.  Russell and I really began to become concerned for our safety and the safety of the other missionaries. It took us 1&l/2 hours to get through the security gate. There was no turning back once we started because of the density of the crowds.  As I finally got through I saw a monk accompanied by a man in white. I believe he might have been the head monk. He questioned me as to how long I had been in line. He remarked that he was concerned that someone was going to get hurt in the crowd and that the security scanners were not even turned on. It was his desire that everyone be let in that wanted to come in.

By the time we arrived near the temple we were all quite relieved that we had arrived without harm.  There was thunder in the distance and lightening in the sky.  It was quite a view of the temple. The security guard in front of the temple told us that the lighting of the lanterns would not occur for another two hours. We decided unanimously that we would return home without seeing the lighting.  As we climbed in our car the rain came down ferociously.  Once again we were grateful for our safety.

Sunday we went to the ward in Jogja.  I was pleased to see Koko leading the men's choir. Koko is one of our older engineers on our water projects. I have only seen him in the fields. I had no idea that he had musical talent. He led a large men's chorus in a beautiful song.  There was a large family of non-members that had come to church for the first time on Sunday. They had traveled from Klaten-about 1 hour ride away.  When I asked the mother how she liked church, she said she liked it very much.  It has been the first time in our year in Indonesia that I have seen a non-member family come to church.  I hope they will continue to come.

ELDER RASBAND, ELDER LISK, ELDER HEALY

GROUP PICTURE OF INDONESIA MISSIONARIES

MOUNT MERAPI

MOUNT MERAPI WITH VILLAGE

CHILDREN GOING TO SCHOOL

CROWDS BEING SCREENED FOR MEDICAL ISSUES

THIS LADY WILL HAVE CATARACT SURGERY

GUARDS AT BOROBUDUR FOR MEDICAL SCREENING DAY

PATIENT FOR SCREENING

LOCAL ENTREPENEURS,  CHARGING FOR BATHROOM USAGE

SUKUH TEMPLE GROUNDS

THE VIEW WAS INCREDIBLE

KIND OF ROMANTIC

TERRACING THE FIELDS

WORKING IN THE FIELDS

THIS LADY WOULD ONLY LET ME TAKE HER PICTURE ONCE I  GAVE HER SOME CANDY

WHAT A HEAVY LOAD, UNBELIEVABLE THAT SHE COULD CARRY IT. NOTICE THE HOT PEPPERS IN HER LEFT HAND

THE HIKE WAS NOT FOR THE FAINTHEARTED. HERE THE OLD WOMAN WAS CARRYING HER LOAD UP THE HILL

CHILDREN ENJOYED THE SWEETS WE GAVE THEM

THIS WORKER HAD A SON GOING TO SCHOOL IN CANADA

WE FINALLY REACHED OUR DESTINATION

HEALYS, GROBERGS AND KNORPPS ALL MADE IT TO TAWANMANGU FALLS

THIS BABOON CHEWED THROUGH THE CAN TO GET THE DRINK OUT

GUARDS HOLDING THE CROWD BACK AT WAISAK DAYS

THE SURGE OF THE CROWD WAS TERRIBLE

THIS MONK COULD NOT BELIEVE THE CROWD AND TOLD ME THEY SHOULD DISPENSE WITH THE SECURITY CHECKS.

THIS PHOTO OFF THE INTERNET-WHAT WE WOULD HAVE SEEN HAD WE BEEN THERE AT THE RIGHT TIME

THIS PHOTO OFF OF THE INTERNET-MONKS IN FRONT OF BORABUDUR

TAKEN OFF OF THE INTERNET-SO SAD WE DIDN'T GET TO SEE THE LIGHTING OF THE LANTERNS

TAKEN OFF OF THE INTERNET

KOKO- ONE OF OUR WATER ENGINEERS, HE LED A MEN'S CHORUS AT CHURCH. I WAS SO PROUD OF HIM. I DIDN'T KNOW HE WAS MUSICALLY INCLINED.

SISTER ESTI, BROTHER MARGONO-(88 YEARS OLD)

SISTER HEALY AND SISTER LISK RETURNING FROM A LONG BECAK RIDE, THE POOR BECAK DRIVER GOT A LARGE TIP, THERE WERE PLENTY OF HILLS TO CLIMB

BLESSINGS UPON OUR FAMILY

At times this mission has been very difficult.  It has been challenging to live in a different culture halfway around the world, away from loved ones, and missing life events at home. Despite Skype and email, we haven't been able to be involved in the lives of our family members like we normally would be.

This past week I (Eileen) have been reminded of the blessings that have come while serving as missionaries.  We have had some events occur in the lives of family members that I feel are evidence that God is aware of each of us.  Even though we are far away, there is someone far greater than us who is looking after those we hold so dear.  I appreciate the love and support of my family.  I am grateful for a loving and wise Heavenly Father who is watching over them.  We may not be there for them, but He is.