CHRISTLIKE QUALITIES

This past week we said another goodbye, this time to one of our NGO leaders. Michael Allen has worked with us representing United Cerebral Palsy in Indonesia.  He is moving back to California to work in another position with UCP.  We have thoroughly enjoyed working with Michael. He has a great sense of humor, responds immediately to our needs and has shown us what being a good NGO (Non-governmental organization) partner means.  We wish him well as he returns to his wife and soon to be baby. I (Eileen) think he should name his new baby boy Joko as that is a common name in Indonesia.

Last Thursday we had the privilege of attending Zone conference.  This is where 30 missionaries from the surrounding areas get together to learn and grow together.  President Groberg picked the topic of Becoming more Christ-like through studying the attributes of Christ as demonstrated through his parables. Each missionary was assigned  a parable and was asked to give a 2 l/2 minute talk on the meaning of the parable, what attributes of Christ are illustrated in the parable, and how the parable can apply to us today.  The attributes that we focused on came from the book Preach My Gospel.  They are: Charity, Love, Knowledge, Faith, Hope, Virtue, Patience, Humility, Diligence and Obedience.   I think we all learned from the talks we prepared and also from the talks we heard.  We also played a game where our companion wrote down an attribute that he/she felt like we each displayed and why. The rest of the missionaries then guessed who it was.  If you were to pick one of the above attributes about yourself what would it be?  After discussing it between ourselves as a couple we realized we have a lot of room for improvement.  

UCP REPRESENTATIVES, L-R HENNY, MICHAEL, SRI, AND RUSSELL

MISSIONARIES WITH PRESIDENT AND SISTER GROBERG IN MIDDLE

MISSIONARIES SHOWING OFF 

SISTER HUNT DIDN'T GET THE MEMO THAT IT WAS BLACK AND BLUE DAY

EILEEN AND RUSSELL WITH SISTER AND ELDER KNORPP, THEIR DAUGHTER IS DISTANTLY RELATED TO OUR DAUGHTER

ALWAYS PLENTY OF HUNGRY MISSIONARIES

FAREWELL TO FRIENDS

This past week we said goodbye to several dear friends.  One of them, a senior couple named the Beamans served as the office couple in the Jakarta mission.  They also lived in the apartment tower right next to us, so we saw them quite frequently.  They have spent much time on their mission feeding the missionaries, new members and any investigators the missionaries would like to bring. They invite as many as would like to come and the food never seems to run out.  Last Sunday we had the opportunity to participate in one of their spiritual feasts.  Among those that attended were two new members of less than a year, Ruth and Tessa.   Tessa is majoring in music and sang a beautiful song for the Beamans.  Ruth is a faithful member who received support from other new members as she tried to curb her addiction to cigarettes.  She is very sweet and offered to go out of her way to help one of the sisters get home last Sunday.  The other two sisters are only 20. Both are anxious to serve a mission.  We heard a short message by Sister Hunt and then Believe (Livy) shared a very personal and spiritual story with us.  When she was young Livy suffered with some significant health problems.  One day while she was in the hospital her heart stopped beating.  The doctors defibrillated her heart to keep her alive. Her mother was praying desperately for her life and plead with God that if he would spare Livy’s life that she would consecrate her daughter’s life to the Lord.  Since that time Livy has been baptized into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  Her parents did not approve of the idea and especially did not like the idea of Livy serving a mission for our church.  Then Livy’s mother was reminded of the promise she made to God many years ago.  She told Livy that she would approve of her serving the Lord on a mission.  Livy shared this story with us while we were at the Beamans.  There was a great spirit in the small apartment and we were glad to be a part of it.

Two other couples we have said farewell to are the Smiths and the Meehans.  The Smiths are from Bountiful, Utah and have lived in Malaysia for 18 months serving as the Public Relations directors.  They have come to Indonesia on several different occasions to write up the stories on projects we have been working on.  Elder Smith has such an optimistic attitude he could write something positive during a war while bombs were dropping around him.  Sister Smith and Eileen have shared many stories about our families. In fact the Smiths know a mutual family member of ours and we mourned together when that aunt died recently.

The Meehans are returning to the Houston area.  They have been serving in Hong Kong as our supervisors over humanitarian work.  Despite only having spent four days in person with them during the time they were orienting us to our mission responsibilities, we feel quite close to them. We have spent an abundant amount of time over the internet skyping with them, trying to get our projects passed, requesting help in emergencies, and asking for their opinions on various subjects. They even diverted their orientation to help Russell with his first big project which was to write an anti-pornography presentation on powerpoint.  They have been  invaluable in their help. We feel like we know them well. We know what they both eat for snacks, which ear Elder Meehan scratches with his pen, and where Sister Meehan hides her goodies. (You better be careful when you skype, the viewers can see everything.)  We think Eileen and Elder Meehan both graduated from the same school of sarcastic jokes.

These are some of the memories of our time with the Beamans:

·      Where in the world/Jakarta is our office?

·      Does our cab driver know where he is going? I think we are in the bus lane.  Yikes, we just got hit by a bus! GET ME OUT OF THIS CAB!!!

·      Where are we going to eat Saturday night? Yum, these limeades are delicious.

·      Fresh pumpkin bread. Elder Beaman, you are the best.

·      Can’t walk. Sister Beaman doesn’t do “hot and sweaty”.

·      What do you mean I can bring a swimsuit on a mission? Really???

·      I don’t think you ought to go swimming today Elder Beaman. Somebody has used the pool as “toilet facilies”.

·      Christmas Eve Cruise? You bet!

·      Oh no, we were just walking and now you have broken your arm. No you can’t go to Singapore. You are in shock! Yikes, your arm is crooked! No, I don’t think you should go back to the same doctor. You are great Sister Beaman. Still smiling after 3 surgeries!

·      Nobody slips money to the waitresses and and staff at the apartments better than Elder Beaman.

·      Who is guaranteed to always laugh at Eileen’s jokes? Sister Beaman.

·      Who will sometimes laugh at Eileen’s jokes if she really pesters him to death? Elder Beaman. 

·      We love you Elder and Sister Beaman.  We miss you already!

·       

We have shared laughs, tears and frustrations with all 3 of these couples.  The great thing about missions is that you get to make wonderful friends.

PRESIDENT AND SISTER GROBERG "ROASTING" THE BEAMANS

SISTER KUSUMARMANTO AND EILEEN, SHOPPING BUDDIES, SHOULD HAVE ASKED WHAT THE OTHER WAS WEARING.

OUR OFFICE ELDERS AT THEIR BEST!

ELDER GARNETT, YOU ARE GOING TO SHARE? THESE ARE MY FAVORITES. THANK YOUR GRANDMA FOR SENDING THEM, BLESS HER HEART!!!

OFFICE STAFF AT BEAMAN'S GOING AWAY PARTY

THE HEALYS AND BEAMANS AT A BATAK WEDDING

THE MEEHANS WITH YAYASAN KANARI AND THE HEALYS LAST MAY

SISTER SMITH AND HEALY BEFORE THE START OF STAKE CONFERENCE

CHRISTMAS WEEK WARD ACTIVITIES

The week of Christmas we had a variety of different activities with both the English speaking and the Indonesian speaking wards.  On December 22nd, 2012 we had the opportunity to see Tara and Witz Mazoe be baptized.  Brother Mazoe is in Jakarta working for the Zimbabwe Embassy.  His wife Primrose is a nurse. Eileen and Primrose have enjoyed talking about medical experiences in Africa together.  Tara (age 13) has been attending school in Zimbabwe this last semester but previously was taught  about our church while living in Jakarta with her family.  Witz (age 8) is a bright young man.  He usually sits by the sister missionaries in church. One Sunday he saw that I (Eileen) looked sad and wrote his testimony for me and gave it to me.  I have included it below.  Tara and Witz were baptized in the backyard swimming pool of the Printergast family of the Jakarta 3rd ward (Expat/English speaking).  The Mazoe family also has two young twins that are not included in this picture.

That night in the Jakarta 2nd ward (Indonesian) there was a ward Christmas party. Someone you have become familiar with on this blog visited with the children and asked them questions, handed out presents and talked to them about the meaning of Christmas.  There was also a talent show and singing.

On Christmas we were invited along with many other missionaries from the surrounding areas to the Whitaker home.  The Whitakers are in the Jakarta 3rd ward.  Brother and Sister Whitaker are extremely good cooks as you can see from the pictures below.  The Holmgrens helped host this big group of hungry missionaries.  A game was played where the young missionaries brought a gift under $2 and were able to either pick a gift or choose one that had already been unwrapped. The best part was visiting with fellow Christians and enjoying the Christmas spirit (and of course the delicious food!)

BAPTISM OF TARA AND WITZ MAZOE FROM ZIMBABWE

WITZ BEING BAPTIZED BY HIS FATHER

TESTIMONY BY WITZ WRITTEN TO EILEEN

SISTER HUNT ACCOMPANYING AT WARD PARTY

MISSIONARIES SINGING I HOPE THEY CALL ME ON A MISSION COWBOY STYLE

"ELDER, EVERY INDONESIAN KNOWS THAT SANTA IS A 'BULE' "

SANTA ASKS THE CHILDREN QUESTIONS

WONDERFUL FOOD, CENTERPIECE MADE BY SISTER WHITAKER

SISTER HUNT AND RACHEL WHITAKER, RACHEL IS NOW SERVING AS SISTER WHITAKER IN THE JAKARTA MISSION

OUR OFFICE ELDERS THAT WE LOVE DEARLY

I COULDN'T GET THEM ALL TO LOOK AT ME AT ONE TIME

THE WHITAKER FAMILY LIVING IN JAKARTA

SISTER BEAMAN, HEALY, WHITAKER AND HOLMGREN

THE HOLMGREN FAMILY

BROTHER WHITAKER DIPPED 25 POUNDS OF CHOCLATES

CHRISTMAS EVE CRUISE

For Christmas Eve we decided to go up to the Old Harbor in Jakarta otherwise known as Sunda Kelapa.  Two miracles in Jakarta occured that day. First there were plenty of cabs in front of our apartment and then there was no traffic on the way there.  Unless you have been in traffic for hours just to go a couple of miles you wouldn't understand how exilirating it is to actually get on a freeway and go 40-50 mph.  It was wonderful!  The harbor was full of old ships, many that were wooden.  Men were working barefoot loading and unloading boats.  Some of the street was flooded from the previous night's thunderstorms so we weren't able to walk to the end of the harbor. We decided instead to take a "harbor cruise".  I (Eileen) had read on the internet that the cost should be about 25,000-40,000 Rp.   We found an available boat and the man said he would take us for 50,000.  I immediately offered 25,000. He shot back with 30,000.  This is approximately $3 which we thought was fair since he was bailing water out of the boat as we approached.  The 4 of us and the "captain" climbed in and he rowed us around the harbor for a little while.  He wasn't a big or musclely man, and we aren't dainty Americans, so I am sure it took him quite a bit of effort.  When we got off the boat Russell gave him 50,000 Rp. and thanked him for bartering with me. Bartering is a favorite thing of mine to do.  Then Elder Beaman gave him another 20,000 Rp. as a tip.  By this time I am sure the man was totally confused. He was willing to take us for $3 and ended up with $7.  Merry Christmas!

After the harbor we went to the fish market.  If any of you have watched the Amazing Race this year, apparently they went to Surabaya, Indonesia and visited the fish market there. Now we have a sniff of what they went through.  The market REEKED!!!!  There was an abundance of assorted fish and shellfish.  Due in part to the flooded streets, we didn't get out and buy any fish but instead enjoyed the view from our taxi.

Christmas Eve we enjoyed a sumptuous buffet at a 5 star hotel close to our apartment. (Why didn't we learn about this earlier?) There was even a beautiful Christmas tree in the fouyer.  There was an attempt made by some young people to sing Christmas carols in English. I was really looking forward to the carols. In retrospect I guess it might be like taking a group of young people from America and having them try to replicate the Muslim call to  prayer.  It wasn't quite what we expected, however there was a noble attempt made.

THE BOATS LINED UP IN THE HARBOR

BAREFOOT MEN WALKED UP AND DOWN THE PLANKS

IF IT GETS ANY THICKER EVEN RUSSELL COULD WALK ON WATER

THE CAPTAIN (or is that Gilligan?) OF OUR CRUISE-RIGHT AFTER BAILING THE BOAT OUT 

WITH THE BEAMANS, DON'T YOU DARE TIP ME INTO THAT WATER!

SOME OF THE VESSELS WE SAW

THE OLD VS THE NEW

THE CAPTAIN WAS STUNNED WHEN RUSSELL PAID HIM ALMOST TWICE WHAT HE NEGOTIATED WITH EILEEN

IS THIS WHAT NEPHI'S BOAT LOOKED LIKE?

FISH MARKET-IT REALLY STINKS

SHRIMP AND OTHER SHELLFISH

ASSORTED FRESH FISH

LOCAL BOYS WANTING TO BE IN THE PICTURE

FLOODING FROM PREVIOUS NIGHT'S RAIN

RAMBUTAN STANDS ABOUND - SPICKY HAIRS ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE FRUIT

OUR CHRISTMAS EVE DINNER WITH THE BEAMANS-TREATED OURSELVES TO A 5 STAR RESTARAUNT THAT EVEN HAD A CHRISTMAS TREE

MUCH APPRECIATED MEMBER SUPPORT

This week we were in East Java.  We flew to Surabaya and then from there visited two pesantrens (Islamic boarding schools) in Mojokerto, a neighboring city.  One of our projects this fall has been building toilet and washing facilities (MCKs) at a number of pesantrens on Java.  We have previously noted this project in two prior postings.  On Thursday we participated in a closing ceremony for the project at a large school of 800 students.  In addition to building the facilities, we also presented hygiene classes utilizing a puppet show and handed out hygiene kits to each of the students.  The hygiene kits were assembled by the members of our church in Jakarta and Surabaya.  Over two thousand kits were distributed during this project.  Following one of the hygiene classes this week, members helped us distribute over 300 of the kits.

At the closing ceremony a number of members from the Surabaya congregations attended.  The trip took all day as the journey was over hours each way.  We really appreciated the member’s support.  One of the members, Devita, showed us pictures of when she was at our house in Centerville with her mother 19 years ago. 

This project has been a particularly challenging one in that the locations have been at seven pesantrens in three different cities.  Originally there were three more pesantrens, two of which declined our offer to construct the requested facilities once they knew we were Christians.  The hygiene classes were also a bit of a challenge in that although the content of the classes was approved by the sponsoring Islamic society (NU), local reception to teaching anti-smoking is not always popular.  

BOYS HYGIENE FACILITIES BEFORE OUR MCKS WERE BUILT (FOR BATHING AND TOILETS)

GIRLS HYGIENE FACILITIES PRE-MCK

BAND AND SINGERS PLAYED ARABIC MUSIC

DEVITA AND ELDER AND SISTER SMITH FROM MALAYSIA

EILEEN USING THE MCK WHILE MANY CHILDREN WATCH

MEMBERS OF OUR CHURCH THAT ATTENDED FOR THE DAY

CEREMONIAL STUFF

RUSSELL SPEAKING AT CEREMONY

PLAQUE ON MCKS

NEW MCK (FOR BATHING AND TOILET FACILITIES)

NO MORE STUDENTS COULD FIT IN HERE

EILEEN TEACHING HYGIENE

BEHIND THE SCENES AT PUPPET SHOW