Hi everyone, forgive me for not keeping this blog current but the last few weeks have been extremely busy. Finals, research papers and presentations etc...and turning my graes in before I left UPH.
The two bombs that blew up were in Jakarta not Karawaci athough a toll booth also was bombed however not too many heard about the third bomb. Going to the airport was interesting with all of the security that was in place. Among other things, Lela accidentially left her passort in the apaprtment. Sinta, and her crew ultimately found it under a dresser. Somehow it must have fallen but it gave us a scare because we were trying to fly out. Fortunately for us their were a couple of men at the airport who assisted us and all ended well.
We fly to Hong Kong where we stayed for three days and did some sight seeing. When we landed in Hong Komg, a bus took us to the hotel. It was clean and very nice for only being three stars. We tried to find a place to eat and saw a small cafe called Jamies. As we looked at the menu we both just about jumped for joy as they had tuna aand egg salad sandwiches. We ordered us each one and devoured it in short order. We ended up eating there a couple of more times. We toured the Hong Kong side, went up to Victoia's Peak and took the tram down then we went to Mong Kok market via a bus and train that was another experience.
Both of us were ready to get home and I am sure Lela was very glad to see her brother and sister-in-law at the airport.
Although I wished we wish we had another few days to look around but to be honest I was ready to come home, see my dog, talk to my kids and friends and attend my church and hear Justin preach. When we left Hong Kong ther airlines made us pay extra for our computer bags since the plane was full and they would not allow us to carry it on board since we each had another bag plus our purses.
We had a lay over in SanFrancisco and the plane was delayed as well. But we finally landed at PDX and on our way to the baggage claim place who appeared? David and Denise Hamlin!! Boy what a thrill to see my dear adopted family. We got my bags and drove back to Salem and of course I yakked all the way. They wanted to know what I was hungry for and I said, "chips and salsa." So, they stopped at the store and bought me some and a case of diet pepsi, which I was unable to get either in Indonesia or Hong Kong.
This trip and the expereinces we had are unforgetable. yes, I would go back again if invited and I believed that was the Lord's leading. I would do some things differently both in teaching the classes as well as eating. Our trip to Bali, was fun, warm and we got to see blue sky, the sun and stars which was not possible in karawaci and Jakarta becuse of the polution.
Much like when I arrived in Indonesia I am adjusting to the hour change. Jetlag is not fun!! Hopefully the adjustment won't take as long as it did there.
I close for now and thank you all for reading about Lela and my experience. We both will be assimilating all we saw and experienced for some time. I fell in love with my students and co-workers. I pray God's best and His protection for them as they teach. We made some new friends and strengthened old relationships. The Family of God is amazing because He is Amazing. It really does not matter where you go if you are with other believers it becomes home for a season.
My thanks and gratitude to Sheldon, Jamie, Jim and Marit Rawlins, James and Eileen Riadi, Johnathon and Anne Parapak, Ian and Sharon Cosh, Sinta, Kat, DK, One, Esther and Nana. They made the time there rich with their love and friendship. My students were very hard to say goodby too and I would have loved to bring them back with me but it difficult to shrink wrap them so they would fit in my purse since my bags were full, really full. Only God knows what next and I can and will trust in Him for each day I have left to serve Him and His people.
Blessings, love and a big hug, to you all.
P.S. My computer is sick and It will not get fixed for couple of weeks so I can receive emails I just cannot send them. I will answer them all when it gets fixed. Hugs and kisses, ellie
Friday, July 31, 2009
Monday, June 29, 2009
Tueday the 30th from My Desk In the Psychology Bldg.
Good Morning, we just finished chapel where the founder of this university spoke. He is a very good speaker who loves the Lord and to teach His Word. t has been an extreme pleasure to meet and rub elbows so to speak with a man chose by the Lord to bring the Light of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to a very dark world. Mr. James Riady is gifted bu the Lord with a sense of humor and urgency to share Christ and the redemption he offers to every person in the world.
After chapel we had breakfast, Indonesian style, and now I am at my desk praying that once this blog is finished I will tackle my Gerontology Final. So, as of now my classes are all prepared my Family and Sexuality classes Final is finished and this is for preparation to go to Bali and then after finals are given and scored and grades are turned in we, Lela and I are homeward bound.
This has been an experience that I will never forget. Many contradictions found, polite, warm and wonderful people. These are people who hate conflict, see it as war rather than a clearing of ideas and problems, marriage should be happy because they are unfamiliar and untrained to deal with any type of conflict. To discuss problems in their family is to disrespect their parents. yet I have found them hurting in their spirit trapped with no where to go. Trapped by tradition and parental expectations. my Christian students are also caught up in this mind-set but are becoming bolder in there testimony. They are now presenting their research and fully declared up front their faith in Christ. One topic was on polygamy. This was a tough topic as we have have four Muslim students in class. her presentation was not offensive but hopefully got the boys to think more broadly. I do see my two Muslim boys yakking notes during our lecture time. Occasionally a lady comes and attends class as she will be teaching next semester Family and Sexuality. Her remark to me was that I integrate my faith and the Word all the time. I think she sees this as offensive to the other religions represented in the classroom, but I have never had my students complain and I check with each class period.
What this interaction has taught me is how very important Christian education is needed for every profession. I heard this is the biggest challenge for this university is to find Lecturer's who are able to integrate faith and practice with the academic arena. For me this is second nature and I owe it to the Holy Spirit first,. Bible Study Fellowship second and WBC or Corban third. Rich Meyers did a great job when I was in his classes of demonstrating how this is done. But it also takes time in the Word and applying the Word to every part of a believer's life. The Holy Spirit is each believer's teacher and seminary professor. College is great but every one who knows Christ personally and is indwelt by the Spirit of God had this resource at our beacon call. What I am realizing more and more is the some do not access Him and continue their life much like they are not saved. We are a new creation which does not have to give into the fleshly desire that use to control us for we have been given a new mind, a new purpose, a new destination and a new Head, Christ Jesus our Lord. Unfortunately, from what I have been able to observe and what I read in my students papers is that they fear their parents more than Christ and the Father and this paralyzes them in their walk. I am beginning to understand and maybe even hate, although that is a strong word, how tradition in and of itself keeps people in darkness and unfruitful for Christ; how money and career is too many peoples master versus Jesus who came to set us free.
Well enough of my preaching. On to some fun news. Sheldon took Lela, Jim and myself in the Riady Helicopter last night. We flew to Jakarta in seven minutes versus an hour drive, and had dinner at Chilli's Restaurant. We had a blast and it certainly is a different way to live. Check my next blog for pictures from the skies of Jakarta.
Blessing, love and see you all soon, Ellen
After chapel we had breakfast, Indonesian style, and now I am at my desk praying that once this blog is finished I will tackle my Gerontology Final. So, as of now my classes are all prepared my Family and Sexuality classes Final is finished and this is for preparation to go to Bali and then after finals are given and scored and grades are turned in we, Lela and I are homeward bound.
This has been an experience that I will never forget. Many contradictions found, polite, warm and wonderful people. These are people who hate conflict, see it as war rather than a clearing of ideas and problems, marriage should be happy because they are unfamiliar and untrained to deal with any type of conflict. To discuss problems in their family is to disrespect their parents. yet I have found them hurting in their spirit trapped with no where to go. Trapped by tradition and parental expectations. my Christian students are also caught up in this mind-set but are becoming bolder in there testimony. They are now presenting their research and fully declared up front their faith in Christ. One topic was on polygamy. This was a tough topic as we have have four Muslim students in class. her presentation was not offensive but hopefully got the boys to think more broadly. I do see my two Muslim boys yakking notes during our lecture time. Occasionally a lady comes and attends class as she will be teaching next semester Family and Sexuality. Her remark to me was that I integrate my faith and the Word all the time. I think she sees this as offensive to the other religions represented in the classroom, but I have never had my students complain and I check with each class period.
What this interaction has taught me is how very important Christian education is needed for every profession. I heard this is the biggest challenge for this university is to find Lecturer's who are able to integrate faith and practice with the academic arena. For me this is second nature and I owe it to the Holy Spirit first,. Bible Study Fellowship second and WBC or Corban third. Rich Meyers did a great job when I was in his classes of demonstrating how this is done. But it also takes time in the Word and applying the Word to every part of a believer's life. The Holy Spirit is each believer's teacher and seminary professor. College is great but every one who knows Christ personally and is indwelt by the Spirit of God had this resource at our beacon call. What I am realizing more and more is the some do not access Him and continue their life much like they are not saved. We are a new creation which does not have to give into the fleshly desire that use to control us for we have been given a new mind, a new purpose, a new destination and a new Head, Christ Jesus our Lord. Unfortunately, from what I have been able to observe and what I read in my students papers is that they fear their parents more than Christ and the Father and this paralyzes them in their walk. I am beginning to understand and maybe even hate, although that is a strong word, how tradition in and of itself keeps people in darkness and unfruitful for Christ; how money and career is too many peoples master versus Jesus who came to set us free.
Well enough of my preaching. On to some fun news. Sheldon took Lela, Jim and myself in the Riady Helicopter last night. We flew to Jakarta in seven minutes versus an hour drive, and had dinner at Chilli's Restaurant. We had a blast and it certainly is a different way to live. Check my next blog for pictures from the skies of Jakarta.
Blessing, love and see you all soon, Ellen
Thursday, June 25, 2009
June 26th Psych Bldg.B at my desk
Well it is lunch time and I am eating potatoes chips and drank a coke. I took last Friday and needed to make up my time so have working through my lunch hours. Don't worry, this is not my usual fare. But I went to the dressmakers and tried on a dress she has made for me, it is lovely. It is made out of indigenous peoples patterns, each pattern is unique to the locations so very pretty an very different.
Deddy, head of the psych dept and his wife, gave me some material that the dressmaker is making into a jacket. The lady does very nice work. Sheldon's driver took Marti, his mother -in-law, Lela and myself there. The shop is in the back of a beauty shop located on a side street that is full of street eating places. Very quaint although I probably would not eat there as it uses the regular water etc..and I don not want to push fate about becoming ill. Eating at the mall is relatively safe but I still had a couple of incidents, short lived, but am not desiring anymore body distress. Lela has been well for almost five days, I pray it will last.
I have been making arrangements for my classes so I can go to Bali. Next week is a normal week but the following week, I will have a large class on the 6th,another on the 7th. The presidential elections are on the 8th, so it is a national holiday and no school. At home we would just disregard the class but not here. So we are able to rest up for the Bali trip at 6:30 a.m. and come back Sunday evening. I had to get a special compensation or whatever to miss chapel Tuesday morning to hold class or I don't know when I could have made up the class time. The week of the 13th is finals week, so please pray I have the grading dowm this time around. Hopefully I will be able to turn in all the grades on the 17th as we leave for Hong Kong on the 18th.
This has been a whirlwinds experience. I have not had time to really set down and assess my time here. I hope to do that after I get home, get my dog, talk to my kids and friends. I have been so blessed by the Lord and have met some wonderful people I will not soon forget. I have been trying to help a student with finding a college that meets her requirements for the degree she is seeking. I pray the Lord will sell a few cattle so she can go. She is very bright, sold out to the Lord and a very work ethic.
I am trying to get my last few classes all prepared so all I have to do is grade papers, finals and presentations. I definitely feel like a square peg in a round hole or even the other way around.
Fortunately I have not seen any snakes but have heard of some, like five in an upstairs bedroom. They do the same thing here as our cowboys use to do surround the house with rope or course salt and also put the rope on the stairway. The only varmits we have seen is a big roach,ugh in our bathroom and now ants in the cupboard. So our food, such as it is, is on top of the refrigerator. We finally did got our dyer fixed now it sounds like mine at home. Jet planes noise has nothing on this thing.
I thought I would splurge and have my laundry done so I called to have them pick it up yesterday outside the apartment. I left at 6:15 a.m. and when I got home at 4:10 it was still sitting there. So, I brought it in and did it myself. Wouldn't you know it, about 6:30 comes s little knock on the door and it was the laundry lady to pick up my clothes. Guess the Lord thinks I spent enough already.
When i remember I bring the iPod to work because everyone around me converses in Indonesian. Surprise Surprise. So, I sit here with my work and thoughts awaiting thew day when I go home and hear English and Spanish, which I also do not understand but usually there is enough Caucasians around speaking.
Tomorrow night is the street market and I want to get a picture of this young man dressed up in peasant clothes with a fishing pole, covered in silver makeup. It may be the last time I will be able to get a shot of him.
I am anxious to get home but have built some really endearing friendships and taken my students to heart. I have several Muslim students, a few Buddhist, at least one to two catholics and the rest are Christians. I have a gal sitting in on my marriage and Family class who will teach this class next term, regular semester. She committed about how I have integrated my faith, Bible stories etc,,into the curriculum. She was afraid that I might be offending my students. I was able to assure her that I continue to check with them if they were offended and none have said yes. Because their so polite and nice I questioned them if they were offended would they tell and they assured me they would. Then, I met James Riady (sp) and he desires more than anything that each subject is integrated with life stories of the Lord's work in the
lecturer, or from the Bible. I have never had a problem doing this so feel good about what I
have been doing. We have had good discussions about the differences between the Christian faith and my students religious background. I do believe they are more liberal that say what you might find in Iran.
Well better close for now.
Love to you and please email me when you get an opportunity. You would amazed of how it brightens my day.
Lord willing I will see you soon. Kiss the kids and my dog for me, okay? ellen
Deddy, head of the psych dept and his wife, gave me some material that the dressmaker is making into a jacket. The lady does very nice work. Sheldon's driver took Marti, his mother -in-law, Lela and myself there. The shop is in the back of a beauty shop located on a side street that is full of street eating places. Very quaint although I probably would not eat there as it uses the regular water etc..and I don not want to push fate about becoming ill. Eating at the mall is relatively safe but I still had a couple of incidents, short lived, but am not desiring anymore body distress. Lela has been well for almost five days, I pray it will last.
I have been making arrangements for my classes so I can go to Bali. Next week is a normal week but the following week, I will have a large class on the 6th,another on the 7th. The presidential elections are on the 8th, so it is a national holiday and no school. At home we would just disregard the class but not here. So we are able to rest up for the Bali trip at 6:30 a.m. and come back Sunday evening. I had to get a special compensation or whatever to miss chapel Tuesday morning to hold class or I don't know when I could have made up the class time. The week of the 13th is finals week, so please pray I have the grading dowm this time around. Hopefully I will be able to turn in all the grades on the 17th as we leave for Hong Kong on the 18th.
This has been a whirlwinds experience. I have not had time to really set down and assess my time here. I hope to do that after I get home, get my dog, talk to my kids and friends. I have been so blessed by the Lord and have met some wonderful people I will not soon forget. I have been trying to help a student with finding a college that meets her requirements for the degree she is seeking. I pray the Lord will sell a few cattle so she can go. She is very bright, sold out to the Lord and a very work ethic.
I am trying to get my last few classes all prepared so all I have to do is grade papers, finals and presentations. I definitely feel like a square peg in a round hole or even the other way around.
Fortunately I have not seen any snakes but have heard of some, like five in an upstairs bedroom. They do the same thing here as our cowboys use to do surround the house with rope or course salt and also put the rope on the stairway. The only varmits we have seen is a big roach,ugh in our bathroom and now ants in the cupboard. So our food, such as it is, is on top of the refrigerator. We finally did got our dyer fixed now it sounds like mine at home. Jet planes noise has nothing on this thing.
I thought I would splurge and have my laundry done so I called to have them pick it up yesterday outside the apartment. I left at 6:15 a.m. and when I got home at 4:10 it was still sitting there. So, I brought it in and did it myself. Wouldn't you know it, about 6:30 comes s little knock on the door and it was the laundry lady to pick up my clothes. Guess the Lord thinks I spent enough already.
When i remember I bring the iPod to work because everyone around me converses in Indonesian. Surprise Surprise. So, I sit here with my work and thoughts awaiting thew day when I go home and hear English and Spanish, which I also do not understand but usually there is enough Caucasians around speaking.
Tomorrow night is the street market and I want to get a picture of this young man dressed up in peasant clothes with a fishing pole, covered in silver makeup. It may be the last time I will be able to get a shot of him.
I am anxious to get home but have built some really endearing friendships and taken my students to heart. I have several Muslim students, a few Buddhist, at least one to two catholics and the rest are Christians. I have a gal sitting in on my marriage and Family class who will teach this class next term, regular semester. She committed about how I have integrated my faith, Bible stories etc,,into the curriculum. She was afraid that I might be offending my students. I was able to assure her that I continue to check with them if they were offended and none have said yes. Because their so polite and nice I questioned them if they were offended would they tell and they assured me they would. Then, I met James Riady (sp) and he desires more than anything that each subject is integrated with life stories of the Lord's work in the
lecturer, or from the Bible. I have never had a problem doing this so feel good about what I
have been doing. We have had good discussions about the differences between the Christian faith and my students religious background. I do believe they are more liberal that say what you might find in Iran.
Well better close for now.
Love to you and please email me when you get an opportunity. You would amazed of how it brightens my day.
Lord willing I will see you soon. Kiss the kids and my dog for me, okay? ellen
Monday, June 22, 2009
Monday 22nd from Jakarta Apartment
Well hello again. I thought I would bring you folks up to date with what is happening here. We just finished the mid-terms. Sheldon, Jamie, Marti, her mom, have been ill so please pray for them all but especially Jamie as she leaves for the states tomorrow.
Well our journey with the head of the psych department took Lela and I to Sea World. wife and two boys came along the youngest is a live wire always moving and shaking; the older is serious and a thinker. It was a very peasant day lots and lots of heat...then after lunch Deddy and his wife and boys went on a ride that looked similar to the Octopus of my day. Unfortunately Shanan (not sure of the spelling) got sick an dizzy so we took her to her mothers place and Deddy brought us back to UPH. But by this time with the heat and water poring down our backs we ready to call it a day. At one point Deddy wanted to know if I was going to have a heart attack as we walked up upten flights of stairs to see a movie on conservation and pollution.
Then Sunday Sharon Cosh, she is from Arkansas, had a student who wanted to take her and we tagged along, to see them making Batik. It is an art and each section of indonesia has a different pattern and collor pallet. It is quite pretty and very intricate patterns. Don'y tell Dan but of course I had to have some. So, we took a taxi to Jakarta and the Serena Mall. Their malls here make our look sick, expansive in square footage, extremely tall, 10 stories and filled with some of the nicest stuff. Almost all is in my budget.
I will post some pictures of our trips Friday with Jamie, Saturday with Deddy and Sunday with Olivia, the student. One busy weekend and I still had papers to grade and then dicovered all my work was wrong, different grading system. I probably am driving them nuts.
tonight I cooked spagetti and corn on the cob. We have a microwave, one large frying pan a plastic pitcher, a a small bowl to work with. So it is something like camping when you first get married. But we made it through PTL I can still cook.
Well our journey with the head of the psych department took Lela and I to Sea World. wife and two boys came along the youngest is a live wire always moving and shaking; the older is serious and a thinker. It was a very peasant day lots and lots of heat...then after lunch Deddy and his wife and boys went on a ride that looked similar to the Octopus of my day. Unfortunately Shanan (not sure of the spelling) got sick an dizzy so we took her to her mothers place and Deddy brought us back to UPH. But by this time with the heat and water poring down our backs we ready to call it a day. At one point Deddy wanted to know if I was going to have a heart attack as we walked up upten flights of stairs to see a movie on conservation and pollution.
Then Sunday Sharon Cosh, she is from Arkansas, had a student who wanted to take her and we tagged along, to see them making Batik. It is an art and each section of indonesia has a different pattern and collor pallet. It is quite pretty and very intricate patterns. Don'y tell Dan but of course I had to have some. So, we took a taxi to Jakarta and the Serena Mall. Their malls here make our look sick, expansive in square footage, extremely tall, 10 stories and filled with some of the nicest stuff. Almost all is in my budget.
I will post some pictures of our trips Friday with Jamie, Saturday with Deddy and Sunday with Olivia, the student. One busy weekend and I still had papers to grade and then dicovered all my work was wrong, different grading system. I probably am driving them nuts.
tonight I cooked spagetti and corn on the cob. We have a microwave, one large frying pan a plastic pitcher, a a small bowl to work with. So it is something like camping when you first get married. But we made it through PTL I can still cook.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Friday the 19th of June
Good Morning, it is 4:25 am and I am wide awake so thought I would fill you all in on the last weeks happenings. It has been exceptionally busy. Lela was ill again, we ended taking her to the hospital for her bowels and finally she got some relief the following day. It is partly an old problem with her but the change of food exacerbated the issue. She is well now and I pray she stays that way. The school has a clinic and the nurse went out of her way to help us, she called the hospital and made the necessary arrangements, then came with us in the cab, interpreted for us, and gave up about 3 1/2 hours of her evening to assist us. What an angel!
I have just given my Mid-term and the students did remarkably well with a few exceptions of course. They are bright and study very hard. The grading system is different than the states so that has been a challenge and my syllabus was not transferred to my boss so Shari Steed is assisting me in this matter. Doing even the smallest thing can be a major issue when you are so far away from home under different circumstances. However, this is a growing time I am very happy to experienced. One of the gal's, Dawe, just left to go back home and have her first baby. I was sorry to see her leave as she is a beautiful person and very nice to be around, plus the most gorgeous voice even at 8.5 months pregnant. She is going to send me pictures of her baby girl.
The psych crew took Lela and I out for lunch, what a meal. It was very Indonesian and very good. I will attach pictures for you either on this blog or a separate one. We also went to Sepa Island. The boat ride was 90 minutes going and 2 hours coming back. The island was beautiful, white sand, quiet, no smog, and the water just as blue as good be. They have small cottages on the island for people to stay. With our ticket, came the afternoon meal and entertainment. Two gals and a small band sang and played for us as we ate. One gal had a reasonable voice the other was flat but they seemed to enjoy themselves. When we left the island the boat we came on stayed and another took its place, a much smaller one which had more people leaving than came, so very crowded. Lela and I sat up front next to the driver. The water was exceedingly rough. It reminded me of going fishing at Westport and crossing the bar in September...wow. It was all Lela could do to maintain. She went grey white but one we landed and she touched ground she was fine.
Both of us are tired of the food and want nothing more than good old Americana cooking. We cooked at home the other night I was able to find some string beans, carrots and then fried up some spuds. It was like being home, almost. Last night we found an Australian pancake place and has pancake, beef bacon, and eggs what a treat. The pancakes were good but not up to the Pancake Houses.
I had a slight problem yesterday but PTL it did not last long. Today we Jamie Nord and Marti, her mom, are taking us into Jakarta to see the sights. I will need to work through my lunch time all next week to make up for the time but am looking forward to the trip. Working five days a week has been an adjustment since I am so use to having Fridays off. So, my hours are 7 to 4 M-F. I am usually in bed by 8 pm. and up at 4 to 4:30.
My boss, Deddy Halim, is taking Lela and myself some place tomorrow but has not decided exactly where. We will be joined by his wife and two boys. I look forward to meeting her and the kids.
Our dryer is not working, and I have a water leak from the ceiling. in my bathroom although it was reported it has been fixed yet. So, I am showering in Lela's bathroom for now. Little things like this can become an disconcerting but that is the way things go, one learns to adapt over what you cannot do anything about.
I need to take one of my suitcases to be fixed as the handle broke as we arrived at the PDX airport but they were checked all the way through to Jakarta, so was not a bother. But now as we contemplate heading home soon, I need to get it repaired. There is a place in the mall that is suppose to repair things unless Jamie and Sheldon give permission to their driver who says he can fix it.
I pray all is well at home and you are all missed very much. I am sure I probably missed sharing some things with you but this letter is long enough. thanks for your prayers I cannot imagine being here and facing each day without my gracious Lord and His peoples prayers. I have loved hearing from some of you several have been very faithful in writing and believe me it is a shot in the arm to hear from home. Please pray that I adapt to the grade scoring system and that my syllabus from the states gets here as it must be reformatted to their criteria. Also, thank the Lord for His tender care and protection since we have been here. I have become very attached to everyone here and it will be hard to say goodbye. But the thought of home, my family, my church family and my friends pull at my heart stings. I miss my puppy dog. By the way this is another prayer need Jakie's pen had to be taken down, thank you Chrissie for doing that, so I am not sure what that means when I get back home.
My love and biggest hugs to you all, ellen
I have just given my Mid-term and the students did remarkably well with a few exceptions of course. They are bright and study very hard. The grading system is different than the states so that has been a challenge and my syllabus was not transferred to my boss so Shari Steed is assisting me in this matter. Doing even the smallest thing can be a major issue when you are so far away from home under different circumstances. However, this is a growing time I am very happy to experienced. One of the gal's, Dawe, just left to go back home and have her first baby. I was sorry to see her leave as she is a beautiful person and very nice to be around, plus the most gorgeous voice even at 8.5 months pregnant. She is going to send me pictures of her baby girl.
The psych crew took Lela and I out for lunch, what a meal. It was very Indonesian and very good. I will attach pictures for you either on this blog or a separate one. We also went to Sepa Island. The boat ride was 90 minutes going and 2 hours coming back. The island was beautiful, white sand, quiet, no smog, and the water just as blue as good be. They have small cottages on the island for people to stay. With our ticket, came the afternoon meal and entertainment. Two gals and a small band sang and played for us as we ate. One gal had a reasonable voice the other was flat but they seemed to enjoy themselves. When we left the island the boat we came on stayed and another took its place, a much smaller one which had more people leaving than came, so very crowded. Lela and I sat up front next to the driver. The water was exceedingly rough. It reminded me of going fishing at Westport and crossing the bar in September...wow. It was all Lela could do to maintain. She went grey white but one we landed and she touched ground she was fine.
Both of us are tired of the food and want nothing more than good old Americana cooking. We cooked at home the other night I was able to find some string beans, carrots and then fried up some spuds. It was like being home, almost. Last night we found an Australian pancake place and has pancake, beef bacon, and eggs what a treat. The pancakes were good but not up to the Pancake Houses.
I had a slight problem yesterday but PTL it did not last long. Today we Jamie Nord and Marti, her mom, are taking us into Jakarta to see the sights. I will need to work through my lunch time all next week to make up for the time but am looking forward to the trip. Working five days a week has been an adjustment since I am so use to having Fridays off. So, my hours are 7 to 4 M-F. I am usually in bed by 8 pm. and up at 4 to 4:30.
My boss, Deddy Halim, is taking Lela and myself some place tomorrow but has not decided exactly where. We will be joined by his wife and two boys. I look forward to meeting her and the kids.
Our dryer is not working, and I have a water leak from the ceiling. in my bathroom although it was reported it has been fixed yet. So, I am showering in Lela's bathroom for now. Little things like this can become an disconcerting but that is the way things go, one learns to adapt over what you cannot do anything about.
I need to take one of my suitcases to be fixed as the handle broke as we arrived at the PDX airport but they were checked all the way through to Jakarta, so was not a bother. But now as we contemplate heading home soon, I need to get it repaired. There is a place in the mall that is suppose to repair things unless Jamie and Sheldon give permission to their driver who says he can fix it.
I pray all is well at home and you are all missed very much. I am sure I probably missed sharing some things with you but this letter is long enough. thanks for your prayers I cannot imagine being here and facing each day without my gracious Lord and His peoples prayers. I have loved hearing from some of you several have been very faithful in writing and believe me it is a shot in the arm to hear from home. Please pray that I adapt to the grade scoring system and that my syllabus from the states gets here as it must be reformatted to their criteria. Also, thank the Lord for His tender care and protection since we have been here. I have become very attached to everyone here and it will be hard to say goodbye. But the thought of home, my family, my church family and my friends pull at my heart stings. I miss my puppy dog. By the way this is another prayer need Jakie's pen had to be taken down, thank you Chrissie for doing that, so I am not sure what that means when I get back home.
My love and biggest hugs to you all, ellen
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Thursday June 11th
When I posted the last pictures I had written a lengthy letter as well but it is now in never never land somewhere in outer space.
Lela has been ill and thank God I had some antibiotic pills my doctor gave me. I gave her two as prescribed and have two, one dose, left. But if I need more there is a clinic here on campus that is suppose to give me a prescription so I can refill them.
It has been a very busy and yet great week with a few bumps in the road. I have learned over the years you cannot expect anything less when serving our Great God and King. I was reminded of this truth in chapel reviewing he life of Moses, Nehemiah and Peter. One was meek but angry, one was wise and compassionate and of course Peter who was confident but not in the Lord in himself yet God humbled them all and used them mightily.
I met with the High School counselors Monday and Tuesday. Great bunch of gals but was amazed at their approach to counselling which is more Rogerian. This approach may be fine for some in a counseling practice, if you have years to work with a person but with kids, I think not. Besides that the Bible was not used because of the various beliefs of their students, I gave them some worksheets that could be fun working with kids as well as be able to get information from them. They aware eager to find out how they might use His Words. One can look to biblical principles and apply them to the particular situation but I challenged them that in order to do this that need to be reading the bible more than on Sunday. Sarah is ex-patriot here as those of us from the states are. She will be here for about two more years and graduated from Concordia in the mid-west. She has a heart for biblical counseling. So, we had some good discussions and Q & A time. Please pray with me that our time together was beneficial for them as they have no support system or really a supervisor to go too. Great weakness in the system here. Teachers are not thought highly of and that is seen in the attitudes of the student. This is where being Rich, at least in my eyes, is a detriment to the kids. They have everything except motivation to learn or grow for everything is handed to them. One student got a new better laptop and gave the old one to the teacher. The kids have drivers, nanny's and not held accountable for doing school work for after all they are going to inherit dad's business so I don't need this education. The parents expect the teachers to train them to be successful adults without their baking for the students do not face any consequences for their actions.
The system here is very different than what I am use to. I came in Monday morning with a letter on my desk saying I needed to have my mid-terms ready by Thursday and they were to be 90 minute tests. PTL for everyone and my daughters prayers because as busy week as it has been I did get them done. The system here borders on structured chaos. But in the end everyone is so stinken nice you just go with the flow.
My trip to Mini Indonesia and the Gardens was wonderful and tiring. Traffic here as you could probably tell is frantic and again organized chaos, especially the bikes which fly by you and can have whole families on them Child in front of the driver, another child between mom and dad while mom holds anther infant. I shudder, one bad bump an sianarda (sp.).
We found a Wendy's and McD. The baked potato and burger hit the spot. Not exactly what we get at home but close enough. If you buy American food you pay much more like coffee and Ice Cream or Burgers. One can get tired of chicken drenched in peanut sauce and rice. Sunday I grocery shopped and bought potatoes and frozen vegetables to eat, what a treat! There pastry is a slightly sweet bread like with a hint of flavoring or a few (5-6) raisins in a roll. Hagen Doss Ice Cream is $4 for a small half-pint. I get milk which is imported from Australia.
We no longer eat salads as that might be what caused Lela's illness but still not sure. Their water is not to be trusted so we drink bottled water and occasional coke but again you pay for it big time.
The dichotomy is that I can buy a shirt for 7 dollars and our groceries run about $40.00 and we get two to three small plastic bags. Paper is a premium here no napkins or paper towels and TP sections are the napkins. The strange thing is we have marble bathrooms and floors, hard to understand.
The weather is pretty typical of humid heat thunder storms and lightning. i got so startled I yelp like a banshee Indian and almost jumped in Sarah's arms. It looked and sounded like it directly upon us.
Well I am going to close for now. My love and prayers are with you all. Hey would someone say a loud Amen or Hallelujah out loud in church I don't Pastor Justin or Pastor Carl to think its too quite.
See you the end of July. I am only partially homesick for my family, doggy, friends and church family. You are all sorely missed. Ellen
Lela has been ill and thank God I had some antibiotic pills my doctor gave me. I gave her two as prescribed and have two, one dose, left. But if I need more there is a clinic here on campus that is suppose to give me a prescription so I can refill them.
It has been a very busy and yet great week with a few bumps in the road. I have learned over the years you cannot expect anything less when serving our Great God and King. I was reminded of this truth in chapel reviewing he life of Moses, Nehemiah and Peter. One was meek but angry, one was wise and compassionate and of course Peter who was confident but not in the Lord in himself yet God humbled them all and used them mightily.
I met with the High School counselors Monday and Tuesday. Great bunch of gals but was amazed at their approach to counselling which is more Rogerian. This approach may be fine for some in a counseling practice, if you have years to work with a person but with kids, I think not. Besides that the Bible was not used because of the various beliefs of their students, I gave them some worksheets that could be fun working with kids as well as be able to get information from them. They aware eager to find out how they might use His Words. One can look to biblical principles and apply them to the particular situation but I challenged them that in order to do this that need to be reading the bible more than on Sunday. Sarah is ex-patriot here as those of us from the states are. She will be here for about two more years and graduated from Concordia in the mid-west. She has a heart for biblical counseling. So, we had some good discussions and Q & A time. Please pray with me that our time together was beneficial for them as they have no support system or really a supervisor to go too. Great weakness in the system here. Teachers are not thought highly of and that is seen in the attitudes of the student. This is where being Rich, at least in my eyes, is a detriment to the kids. They have everything except motivation to learn or grow for everything is handed to them. One student got a new better laptop and gave the old one to the teacher. The kids have drivers, nanny's and not held accountable for doing school work for after all they are going to inherit dad's business so I don't need this education. The parents expect the teachers to train them to be successful adults without their baking for the students do not face any consequences for their actions.
The system here is very different than what I am use to. I came in Monday morning with a letter on my desk saying I needed to have my mid-terms ready by Thursday and they were to be 90 minute tests. PTL for everyone and my daughters prayers because as busy week as it has been I did get them done. The system here borders on structured chaos. But in the end everyone is so stinken nice you just go with the flow.
My trip to Mini Indonesia and the Gardens was wonderful and tiring. Traffic here as you could probably tell is frantic and again organized chaos, especially the bikes which fly by you and can have whole families on them Child in front of the driver, another child between mom and dad while mom holds anther infant. I shudder, one bad bump an sianarda (sp.).
We found a Wendy's and McD. The baked potato and burger hit the spot. Not exactly what we get at home but close enough. If you buy American food you pay much more like coffee and Ice Cream or Burgers. One can get tired of chicken drenched in peanut sauce and rice. Sunday I grocery shopped and bought potatoes and frozen vegetables to eat, what a treat! There pastry is a slightly sweet bread like with a hint of flavoring or a few (5-6) raisins in a roll. Hagen Doss Ice Cream is $4 for a small half-pint. I get milk which is imported from Australia.
We no longer eat salads as that might be what caused Lela's illness but still not sure. Their water is not to be trusted so we drink bottled water and occasional coke but again you pay for it big time.
The dichotomy is that I can buy a shirt for 7 dollars and our groceries run about $40.00 and we get two to three small plastic bags. Paper is a premium here no napkins or paper towels and TP sections are the napkins. The strange thing is we have marble bathrooms and floors, hard to understand.
The weather is pretty typical of humid heat thunder storms and lightning. i got so startled I yelp like a banshee Indian and almost jumped in Sarah's arms. It looked and sounded like it directly upon us.
Well I am going to close for now. My love and prayers are with you all. Hey would someone say a loud Amen or Hallelujah out loud in church I don't Pastor Justin or Pastor Carl to think its too quite.
See you the end of July. I am only partially homesick for my family, doggy, friends and church family. You are all sorely missed. Ellen
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Trip to Mini Indonesia Saturday June 6th
Temple
Mini Indonesia
Restaurant sign and parking
Mini Indonesia And I am resting, a long day, waiting for the rest to come back
Restaurant sign and parking
and Restaurant entrance
Eating and Fellowship
Mini Indonesia
One of many churches each works harmoniously with each other.
Eating and Fellowship
Mini Indonesia
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