NW Indonesia – the experience begins…

Thursday Afternoon (from Gini)

At last!

The day I’ve been looking forward to the most!

1.  John (who’s been sick for five days and nights) felt “fine!”

2.  We were able to travel into Aceh (Northern-most tip of Indo on West coast.  There we saw much construction going on in the area of devastation from the 2004 quake and tsunami and also viewed the mass graves where at least 60,000 lives were lost).

We visited a children’s library with our host where a dozen or so “cousins” gathered after school.  One little guy, Roni, told us the story of the quake and tsunami.  He and his ten brothers and sisters were washed away from their parents.  Of the siblings, all but one brother were drowned.  They climbed up one building, but a wave washed them apart.  He hung onto a tree for three more days and was then rescued by boat.  The two boys found each other and began searching for their parent.  Only their mom was left, clinging for life is a hospital, about to give up from her personal loss.  What a reunion the three of them had!  They are a true family of three now.  We encouraged him that surely God has saved him for a special life; he agreed and thanked God every day for the special life he has.  Please pray that Roni will discover The Way.  One of the believer librarians has heard his story – the BRIDGE is under construction.

Thursday Evening (from Mike and Judy):

Picture this:  Judy and Rebecca ALONE in an
Indonesia taxi with a driver that just said, “All Americans are rich!”  They’re trying to find the rest of the group (we got separated at the airport coming back from a day trip to Banda Aceh), but the rest of the group doesn’t even quite know what’s going on… 

Our guest host here found out (at the airport) that she was an honored guest (in about 20 minutes) at the state fair (where the governor presides), so a quick decision was made to go there “as-is” after a sweaty day of touring.  Anyway, one vehicle has our host, the other does not.  You get the picture.  Let’s just say that the van with our host proceeded to the governor’s mansion, were we were greeted with snacks and water, while the cab went to the hotel, dropped off John and Gini, and then attempted to find the others.  While the taxi DID make it to the fair, Judy and Rebecca were not allowed in (the escort could not find them) so they went back to the hotel.  The others were escorted to the fair and given seats of honor at a show that begin with a welcome from the governor and our being led to special seats in front, right behind his.  The show included dancing, singing, and even a comedy sketch spoofing the governor himself.  Despite sweltering heat, it was a great time for all, though we were dead tired at the end of the day.  We learned a great deal about their culture and culture shock – more on that when we return…