Much Ado about Everything

Dear Ones,

 

Today’s update comes from Jerry & Jeanne, followed by Gini, then a description of shadow puppetry, and an update on construction from Rebecca.

 

Thursday morning, we went to the Islamic College of Indonesia where Karren teaches English.  The students like to practice their English with native speakers, so we were assigned to go with teachers to their classes, either in pairs or alone.  The teacher introduced us and the students were told to ask us questions and practice their English – then he left.  The students were really eager and asked all kinds of questions – about California, differences in cultures, customs, what we thought of Bush’s policy in Iran and Iraq, how we like Indonesia and what we thought of Arnold Schwarzenegger as a governor.

 

 

 

The teacher came back in an hour and the students wanted their pictures taken with us.  We really saw how the Lord was able to give us the courage and the words we needed when we felt unqualified and unprepared.  Thursday afternoon, we went back for more construction work.  It’s coming along nicely.  Walls are going up, door and window frames are installed, septic tank holes are being dug, and roofing is being painted so it will be ready for installation.  It’s gratifying to see so much progress every day.  We appreciate your prayers – they are being answered in many different ways.

 

Ups and Downs (from Gini)

 

 

1. I forgot my gloves; Judy had extra ones.  Rebecca forgot sox; I had extra.

2. Jerry got sick; Frank had charcoal pills that stopped his problem.

3. Mike had a RANK shirt; Karren has a strong sense of smell and a washing machine.

4. Erika and Leslie are still single although proposals have been plentiful.

5. Cherylann was tired at the bottom of the hill; an empty wheelbarrow got her up the hill.

6. Jerry was worn out digging the septic tank hole; Mike broke the pick on a boulder just in time.

7. Frank & Karren had a set of seventeen plastic chairs; they now have fourteen (we broke three – so far).  The housekeeper took the broken chairs home – they now have wooden replacement legs and a new home. 

8. Liz wanted representative pictures for her Bible study women; they’ll be thrilled with the pictures of all types of people, including the handsome uniformed garbage man we snapped.

9. A scavenger hunt in the market place involved seven (two teams) to find nine items. The list was written completely in Indonesian.  Ed paid through the nose for two flowers.  The team was thrilled and the vendor closed the shop WAY earlier and went home smiling.

 

     

 

Praise the Lord

 

 

Cherylann and Leslie were able to talk to Ina (mother of the boy Faiz, who received the wheelchair) about why Christ is so important to them and about His love and forgiveness.  She was very open to the conversation, probably due to Karren’s previous sharing with her.

 

 

Three of us had the opportunity for an overnight stay at a local orphanage, which also houses Muslim women college students, and includes a small Mosque.  The orphans are boys, age 11 to 17, about 15 in all.  They are all being brought up in the instruction and tradition of Islam.  We were allowed to interact with the orphans and students.  Part of this was formal, and included an introduction of each of the boys, their age, area of study interest, hobbies, etc.  The other formal part of this was observing their time of afternoon prayer, and then meeting with both the boys and women in a time of sharing.  Afterward, we shared a wonderful meal, and then the women went with our women to talk through the evening.  Although there was not any deep conversation, there was much that was learned from both sides about cultures as well as getting to know them as individuals.  There was not the same opportunity to interact with the boys, but the next morning, a lengthy conversation with the Muslim leader of the facility was very enlightening – for both sides.  This was a terrific opportunity to understand the Muslim culture and for them to gain a better understanding of Americans.

 

   

 

Shadow Puppetry

 

 

Friday evening, we all had the chance to see Frank and Gideon (local co-worker) perform their shadow puppetry at the town square.  This is so popular with the Indonesians that they set up two giant screens to allow viewing for the overflow audience.  There was a drenching rain before the show that dried up just minutes before the start.  As an opening to the show, there were dancers representing many of the subcultures – both ancient and modern – that exist within Java.  The dancing was accompanied by traditional native ethnic music, and their dress was colorful and fanciful.  After the dancing, Frank and Gideon appeared in full regalia – traditional outfits including head wrappings, decorated coats, traditional pants and even swords at their sides.  The show was also accompanied by traditional music, wrapped around a story told through the puppeteers.  Each scene builds in excitement, and often ends with a battle – physical or verbal or both.   

Construction Update

 

 

The wall construction is going well – they are almost to their full height (we just hope they STAY up).  The “chain gang” continues to remove dirt from the two holes for the septic system (if it gets any deeper, we’ll hit America), and the sand pile is getting a lot smaller as sand is moved to the site to make mortar for the wall blocks.  We have the day off Easter Sunday from construction, and Monday will be our last workday.  We don’t think we’ll get the roof on the building before we leave, but the local workers have materials in hand to finish the work.

 

   

Play Day

This past Wednesday, we had a day of relaxation – a needed break from construction and other activities.  The day began with a drive to
Borobudur, an ancient Buddhist shrine mound constructed about 1100. 

       

The shrine was abandoned (possibly due to a volcanic eruption, or outbreak of the plague) and became completely grown over.  It was rediscovered in the 1800’s and through three separate efforts (the last in the 1970’s through UNESCO funds), it was fully restored.  After our tour of the shrine, we were hoarded by local vendors selling their wares – VERY persistently!  We were hounded by many of them at once, all hoping for a sale of some souvenir-type items.  From here, we went to a local resort hotel, where some of us pampered ourselves while others swam in the pool.  VERY inexpensive here compared withUSA services!  Example:  $6 for a facial.