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
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