Happy Thanksgiving!

The best made plans often go awry :-)  We woke up this morning planning on going to Lake Toba.  We would drive 3 hrs. to the resort town (that starts with a P and is really long).  From there, we would catch a ferry to the island in the middle of the lake and have lunch at the hotel there.  Then we would take the ferry back and shop a little at the souvenier shops, then 3 hrs. back home.

Well, this is what we actually did :-)  First, we had to stop at the bus station to pick up some fertilizer for 'H's citrus trees.  He has 700 trees on 3 hectors a short distance from the farm.  While trying to cut down some brush to drive to his property, he lost his glasses.  We found them after he had driven over them :-(  On the way back towards town to head out to Lake Toba, we were stopped by 5 men on 3 motorcycles.  They surrounded the pickup.  It seems that Turbo, the farm foreman, had cut down some of their trees to make the fence at the farm.  They wanted to get the police involved with Turbo and possibly 'H' in big trouble.  'H' figured out that they thought he had ordered the 'stealing', so he explained what he knew of the situation.  He told them he would talk to Turbo and figure out what was going on.  As we headed back to Tarutung, we realized we were hungry (it was noon), so we went to a restaurant for lunch.  At that point we decided that 'H' should get his glasses ordered first and talk to Turbo second.  Lake Toba could wait for another day.  Conveniently, it seems, the best place to get his glasses fixed was in his hometown, an hour away, and close to the southern(?) end of Lake Toba.  So we did get to see it a little and took a couple of pics. but no resort town and no 'fancy' lunch - which was fine. 

Unfortunately, the optician was out for the day, so he couldn't order his glasses after all.  Next up, 'H' and Steve (with me tagging along) decided to head a little further north(?) to find a small farm that raised Bali cows and fed them elephant grass.  'H' was hoping to get some grass starts to plant at the farm.  He stopped to pick up an older gentleman to help us find the way, and boy was that a good idea!  We all agreed we would still be wandering the countryside if he hadn't.  Bali cows look like a gazelle, only bigger.  The most interesting thing on the way were the traditional Batak houses.  I was not able to get a pic. of them, but 'H' has assured me he will find me one closer to Tarutung that I can get a pic. of.  Steve says they remind him of the pics. you see of what Noah's Ark looked like. 

On our way back through 'H's hometown we noticed several very large 'billboards' on the side of the road made out of flowers.  They all said the same thing.  When questioned, 'H' said the were condolences to the family of a deceased member of the community. 

And last, but by no means least, was 'H's driving.  One generally wants to be on good terms with the Creator before leaving the house, but this went beyond that!  We were often scared out of our wits and there were many 'eeks' and 'aw-w-w's' uttered.  But we survived and you get to read all about it!

Also, an update on 'K'.  She should be released soon and allowed to stay a few days at the house 'R' and kids are staying at.  They are all very excited and want to thank everyone for their prayers.