Last post this side of the big pond!

We leave today for Indonesia.  We know we are doing what He wants of us, but there is still some anxiety.  Thoughts of  kids, farm, health, etc... all try to undermine our purpose and vision for the next 3 weeks.  We are not sure how much time will actually be spent at the farm.  We have learned that we fly into a town called Silangit, which is about an hour drive from Tarutung (where the farm is).  That is where the nursing school is and where we will be staying each night (there are no buildings, as yet, at the farm).  I am praying that the road to Tarutung isn't the uphill, winding one I found on the internet last week.  I had better take a lot of dramamine for Steve just in case! 
We have been told that the bathroom facilities at the house we will be staying in are 'interesting'.  'R' didn't want to spoil the surprise(!), but reminded us it is 'very 3rd world'.  I just hope it isn't a bucket behind a curtain!  Two people I recently told thought it might be a hole in the ground : (  A bucket and curtain sounds primitive enough, thank you!  He said the 'shower' is someone pouring a bucket of cold water over you as you scrub.  Hmmm...not my idea of a good time.  I am extremely modest and will have to 'shower' in my clothes.  Oh well, I can wash my clothes and take a shower at the same time :-)  The man who owns the house is not charging us rent after all, so 'R' is hoping we can improve the water/bathroom situation while there, as a 'thank you' for letting us stay.  We were given some money as a donation for our trip and are planning on using that to help with the update.  We will be purchasing the needed items in Medan before heading to Tarutung, so that may be the first thing we do when we get there!!

This is a picture of a Texas Longhorn taken at the convention we were at this week.  His name was Hank.  I am pretty sure his kind won't be where we are going : )  Just wanted to leave you with one more picture in case I can't post any while I am gone.

Once again, thank you so much for your interest in our trip.  I am hoping I can update every day or two.  As I mentioned before, if I can't myself, I will email my daughter who will post to here.  I am going to try a pic. or two, but no promises as to if or quality.  To all our kids and grandkids and various extended family - we love you all and will miss you greatly.