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