Monday, March 18, 2024

Build it well!

Saturday, March 16, 2024 (Lent Day 28)

How good to wake up in our own bed. I'm still thinking of the pleasant voice on the airplane speaker yesterday: "Dear passengers, we would like to remind you that possession and trafficking of drugs is punishable by death. Thank you." Hm. Good thing we're in no danger of that.

After a walk, it's fun to run into little Falk and his daddy, watching the construction of a house in the neighborhood.

The construction workers synchronize their movements. One picks up a brick from a pile on the ground; another stands on a narrow board near the second storey. The one below lofts it to the guy above (see the brick flying upward?), who piles the bricks near a bricklayer building the second-floor wall. Occasionally, man#2 pulls up a bucket of mortar that has been mixed by man#1 on the ground.

W and I are working together as usual, too. We revise tomorrow's talk for IES Bandung, read it through, and have breakfast. I have an appointment while W meets friends for lunch. 

One of my current favorite cookies is a sesame concoction made here in Bandung. With a cup of tea, they're a good afternoon snack.

Sunday
It's my favorite day of the week, when we get together with the community of faith. The prayer room fills up. 
Partway through, my throat feels rough. A Buckleys' cough candy takes care of it. I share a cough drop from my stash with someone on the worship team. He winces, though I tried to prepare him for the menthol taste with their old advertising slogan: "Tastes terrible but it works!" (In the evening, the roughness takes hold. Cough cough to clear it ... and more Buckleys.)
The response of the IES congregation in worship and "takeways" is heartfelt. How we love when God is at work among us.

Titik has outdone herself with the flowers (again!). My first glance as the two bouquets sit on the stage makes my heart overflow with thanks to God. I'm thankful for 2 things: the beauty he puts in the world and the people he gifts to showcase that beauty to life for the rest of us.

I bring home the larger arrangement: 5'X3' (160X100cm) - it almost fills the coffee table. See the red clump? 14 full-sized mums; the white one? a dozen full-sized roses. There are white gladiolas, hand-sized white and red anthuriums, and +1' (35cm) garden leaves. Stunning.
I write 8 reviews - some good books will be published soon. Today's topics range from gardening to theology to poetry to leadership inspiration. Check out them and previous reviews here.

Fireworks bang into the air at random times, starting at sunset. We hear them until midnight, though a few clusters explode throughout the night.

It's an early morning, By 2:00, I'm awake. The Ramadan chants begin at 2:40, waking women to cook breakfast for their families. An hour later, calls from the mosque speakers wake people to eat. The sermons and prayer chants are intermittent through 6:00.

Most adults will not eat or drink during daylight (6:00-18:00) and are sleep-deprived. That means they are exhausted and have low energy. It's a low-key month all around, with people coming alive at nightfall to feast as they break their fast.

This year is particularly difficult for locals. The cost of food staples rose sharply before the national election last month. When we ask about the steep increase, we're told that political candidates bought out the rice crops to give away to prospective voters.

Rice is not only expensive; sometime we can't find any. Since we've been living here, some food price have doubled. Wages have not. Hopefully, as promised, prices will be lowered as food is restocked from the fields.

Those who keep Ramadan are supposed to note their solidarity with the poor, please God by doing extra religious rituals, and balance personal sins with personal righteousness. The fast itself earns religious credit. An interesting post for expats explains what's going on.

I have two early calls before taking a final stab at sorting student grades from last month, as requested by the administrator. I check every submitted assignment.My bookkeeping has remained consistently erratic since college. What makes the research/writing class more complicated is that, instead of one grade per assignment, students may earn 3-4 recorded grades due to revisions. I try to be very mindful when updating. But oh well.

Numbers are slippery for me. (Words and colors are concrete.) I can quickly and accurately estimate a long column - within spitting distance. But when I do careful arithmetic, the numbers slide around into different totals. The grade record is sent off with that warning - and my grade book is closed.

I take a nap to make up for the short night. Lunch yesterday was pho, but we ordered extra Vietnamese spring rolls today so IbuS doesn't have to cook.

First thing every morning, I post a Lenten blog. We're into the last 10 days of Lent, counting down toward Easter. The day takes off with a meeting online. Then W and I walk to #Narapark for a date morning. We sit near the noodle place (#Pinoterrace) and order our usual. I can't taste the spice in the rica (hot sauce). And my appetite is gone, even with good food in front of me.
The staff has set up games, probably for kids who will come when their parents break their fast.
This lonely dog looks through the fence of a new parking lot. He looks healthy enough but may be too warm in the sunshine. Smart boy - sitting in the shade.
Another neighbor is rebuilding his crumbling house. The place stood unoccupied for a few years, which means disintegration by onslaughts of insects and the tropical sun, rain, and wind.
I'm definitely "under the weather" myself. I walk in the door, happy that IbuS has changed the slipcovers to cream from black. The sofa and 12 dining chairs slipcovers were cut from 2 heavy canvas drop cloths.

I like the modern simplicity of our metal and pleather DR chairs. We got narrow seats to squeeze 12 people at our round table. Mere weeks later, the black ribbing started to peel. There's no refund or exchange in Indonesia. What you bought is what you own. (That's why they check every light bulb and every electrical appliance before you leave the store.)
It's a simple 2-part pattern for the chair slipcovers. One length drapes the front, seat, and back. The other pattern piece yields the 2 matching side squares. The painter's canvases we bought at Home Depot (USA) were huge: 12X15' (almost 4X5m). I cut the cloth so that the thick seam bisecting the canvas landed on the front edge of the chairs. They haven't torn in 9 years of use, which is pretty good for $30 and a few hours of measuring, cutting, and sewing.
The LR looks fresher and happier. The gorgeous flower arrangement and lighter-colored accessories make it feel like springtime.
Outside, it's summer and the flowers are blooming, just like in June, September, and December. Lucky us.
On another note, our team is learning new skills. Each person is acquiring leadership skills as they take turns of being in charge of the team meeting. Good timing: the cold/flu is moving into my chest and my head hurts. I drink a foul Chinese blend of herb tea for easing a sore throat. Ugh. After years of "never sick," I'm getting a little tired of this.
Read more:
*O give thanks to the Lord; call on his name; make known his deeds among the peoples. Psalm 105:1

*So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the word of Christ. Romans 10:17

*I always thank my God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. For in him you have been enriched in every way—with all kinds of speech and with all knowledge—God thus confirming our testimony about Christ among you. 


Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed. He will also keep you firm to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. 1 Corinthians 1:4-9

Moravian Prayer: O priceless Treasure, we consider you a profound blessing in our lives, yet we can be slow to speak your praises to those around us. Make us as bold to proclaim your place in our lives and in the universe as we are quick to endorse a new product or service we have discovered. Your name be praised. Amen.

Friday, March 15, 2024

White conch from white sands

Wednesday, March 13, 2024

We catch a ride to supper and walk on the beach before most of the crew arrives. We rinse a few conch shells, picked up on the beach. They glow pearly white. The extravagance of beauty strewn around takes your breath away. God is utterly generous to his creatures, giving us senses like sight as well as things to see.

Small seaweed drifts have been lifted to the white sand by the waves. They look beautiful up close, reminding me of a Christmas wreath arrangement.
The little shops will be open on the weekends for tourists and locals alike.
This stone island reminds us of a sunning lizard.
The rock formations are beautiful.
We spot a man coming in from his boat.
The fishermen make little rafts to get to shore from their boats, strapping together styrofoam packing material and reclaimed boards.
The wharf juts into the sea. While some boats moor to its sides, others anchor further out to bob in the waves.
It's nice to see families playing together.
The kids love the sand and sea.
We take a picture together to prove we came.
Supper with colleagues is seafood on the banks of the ocean.
Thursday
It feels quiet after a morning of lively interaction. In the afternoon, we relax under a willow canopy and shade tree. What luxury! I write a letters and updates during the pause while W catches up on other work.
In early evening, we catch a taxi to The Well. The food is delicious, with an amazing burger.
Indonesians say, "It's just a café. There's not much to eat." What they mean is that the restaurant doesn't serve rice. 
I beg to differ with their review. The nachos are good.
It's owned by the nephew of friends.
The sun is setting when we head back to the hotel.
We pause to fill the car for gas at a casual station along the road.
A lady pulls out a funnel, a bottle, and fills-er-up.
The sun goes down on Belitung. The driver tells us he loves this low-crime island where he grew up. He rolls down his window to greet the security guards and they wave him by.
Friday
This verse greets me as I open my phone. Yes, Lord. Let this be the prayer for today.
We drive together in a small bus to the airport after an early breakfast together. We zip past palm tree plantations, from which palm oil is made. Young Ben snaps pictures out his window for me.
After landing in Jakarta, we go our separate ways to our homes around Indonesia. Medan. Surabaya. Yogyakarta, Malang. And for us, Bandung. The highway is open, but the shuttle bogs down once we get to our city.
It's always a pleasure to return home to Bandung.
W examines the treat sent by our friend. "Steam for a few minutes and then cook," she instructs us. We're such dummies at Indonesian food - and it's probably not going to be our favorite. Food with strong smells that you don't grow up with? Better if someone else cooks it. Sigh. Thanks for thinking of us, Farah.
And then we're "home sweet home" again. The dogs are happy to see us. Our guests chat upstairs as we unpack. We eat supper, catch up on some work and emails, and relax with a movie before an early bedtime.

Read more: 

*I will counsel you with my eye upon you. Psalm 32:8

*Jesus said to Simon and Andrew, “Follow me.” Matthew 4:19

*Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.

This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance. That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe. 1 Timothy 4:7-10

Moravian Prayer: Gracious Savior, help us to hear our names as you call us to follow you. May we be ever mindful of your presence as you watch over us and guide us on our way, for your name’s sake. Amen.

#thewellbelitung

Wednesday, March 13, 2024

Island work

Monday, March 11, 2024

By 10:00 we're in the Jakarta airport. (Yes, we left home early.) Our rest stop along the way includes breakfast - a bento box of salt and rice.

Don offers his "Top Three" takeaways from the week in the car, before we hang out in the airport lounge. It's a short and empty flight to Belitung.

W's arranged a van for about 20 passengers since many took the same Jakarta-Belitung flight. The driver casually checks his playlist while negotiating the curves and hills to the Sheraton in the northwest corner of the island. 

The hotel lobby is impressive. Conference venues look like tourist flyers. That's one privilege of living in the tropics. Someone mentions the chirping of a lizard in their hotel room. It's novel and weird to them because they live in a Jakarta apartment, high above the ground. The chirping is familiar to us - those cicaks run through our rooms day and night in Bandung.

The view to the sea makes us hopeful about the setting for this week of conversations and connections.

When we walk to the onsite restaurant, we look back over the lagoons toward the rooms.

The clay-lined lagoons are sterile: they're not fish-friendly, we're told. 

It's a "sustainable" resort and lodging is expensive for this part of the world, though about the same as a lower-range hotel room in the States. Of course, W has gotten a reduced room rate through his travel apps and signing up for their member bonuses.

The lobby attendants let us know we've arrived in the worst season of weather: westerly monsoons mean rain at some time every day. We settle into clean calm room. Our view is a tree beside the balcony that provides privacy (yay!) We overlook a grassy courtyard toward similar longhouse-style lodging. I break off the branch scraping the roof and pluck a seed head from the tree.

God's handiwork is intricate. I watch the seed-head unfold in the next few days.

Tuesday

We wake to the patter of rain on leaves. W reads on the porch for an hour and heads for an early breakfast while I enjoy a bath on the balcony. The stone tub keeps the water hot. Two stand-up wicker screens shade me from view.

Privacy screens are available in the exterior halls. Near the service elevators on our floor, a cart has been sitting full of rainwater and unwashed dishes since Monday (remnants from room service?)

I finish listening to the book club's next book: "Lady Tan's Circle of Women" by Lisa See. What a marvelous story of the terrible circumstances in the Ming dynasty: oh, the competition and malice, striving for status, household rivalries, political alliances to protect self against others, wealth vs. abject poverty, and more. I wouldn't have enjoyed reading the detailed descriptions of the beauty of clothing, faces, and gardens half as much as I learn by listening to it. The tale makes me grateful to be a follower of Jesus - in this era.

Just before 10:00, I head for breakfast and connection. The furnishings in the restaurant are simple and elegant.

Someone has carefully considered the decor. We're told 80% of building materials are from the island. I like the little rock/water/sapling centerpieces that dot the dining tables.

W and I walk the length of the beach in one direction about noon. Natural beauty is everywhere.

The tide has come in so there's a narrow strip of beautiful white sand to walk under an overcast sky.
The restless sea hisses relentlessly against the beach. It's a soothing sound.
Seaweed and tree trunks have been swept onto land.
So has plastic and human discards.
The boat wrecks are full of plastic bottles and refuse.
This close to the hotel, I'm surprised they haven't been picked up and recycled.
You'd expect a sustainable endeavor to have connections with a recycling plant (or build a small one of their own?) At the least, why not hire someone to pick up the bottles - glass and plastic? 
That would provide local wages and a more pleasant shoreline.
The water is tinted brown from iron in the rocks. Further out, the beautiful blue sea awaits. The chug-chug of diesel tour boats drifts across the surface of the ocean.
W requests room service at the front desk because our wet towels are still in the room at 4:30 when we head to supper. At the tables, the company is good. The food is ... indifferent, if not unappetizing.
We come back to a clean room with a small piece of cake and an unopened box of tissues on the end table. Hmmm.
My PJs have been taken from under the pillow and set on the bench at the foot of the bed.
Wednesday
We sleep well. After breakfast and conversations, we head for the beach again, turning left instead of right.
Similarly to our walk the other way yesterday, the brown (iron-infused) creeks run into the sea. We step through the flow to continue our stroll.
A fisherman has lost his net and float. It tangles around driftwood and we carefully step around it.
A few boats are parked on the shore, pulled up beyond the reach of the tides.
A little motorboat bobs in the waves.
Someone has built a cement and stone barrier around the roots of this coastal tree. Trees are considered homes to spirits in local traditions.
A cuttlebone sits between recyclables: I have one of these in each of our bird cages. Fun to see them on the beach.
Some children splash in the pools, watched by their parents.
There are few other guests here during the week, which must be very hard on the hotel. It's restful and quiet for the conference attendees.
Read more:
*Who can say, “I have made my heart clean; I am pure from my sin?” Proverbs 20:9

*Your love, Lord, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies. Your righteousness is like the highest mountains, your justice like the great deep. You, Lord, preserve both people and animals.
How priceless is your unfailing love, O God! People take refuge in the shadow of your wings. They feast on the abundance of your house; you give them drink from your river of delights. For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light. Continue your love to those who know you, your righteousness to the upright in heart. Psalm 36:5-10

*When Jesus perceived their questionings, he answered them, “Why do you raise such questions in your hearts?” Luke 5:22

Moravian Prayer: Lord, examine our hearts and see our faults. We have erred and strayed, but you, O Lord, are our shepherd. Guide us into the paths of righteousness. Forgive us when we have made excuses or questioned you. With pure hearts, help us to pursue your ways and do your will. Amen.