Last post?

I feel like I need to post one more time, explaining a few things observed.  Now a slight disclaimer.  For those who will be at our presentation on Sun., you will hear this there - you are forewarned!  I believe I mentioned earlier that Tarutung means "Love of the Cross" and that it is the cradle of Christianity in Indonesia.  German missionaries arrived 120 years ago, evangelized the area, then sent out Batak throughout Indonesia - converting many.  The area around Tarutung was over 90% Christian, at one time.  Now, like America, if you are born Batak, you are a christian (little 'c' intended).  By the way, for those relatives that may read this, their was a slight error with the Tobin cannibals.  It was actually the Tobing tribe - so we are not related :-) whew!!

The village the farm is outside of is called Huta Namora, which means "Village of the Rich".  We are not sure why :-)

The Dutch owned Indonesia for centuries.  At the start of WW2, Japan ousted the Dutch and took over.  When they were defeated at the end of the war, they began to leave Indonesia.  The Indonesians saw this as a window of opportunity and declared independence - with Japan's help.  In 1949&50, the Dutch attempted to come back and take possesion.  After several years of war with the Indonesians, they gave up. 

This next story was related to us one day as we were having lunch with Turbo, the farm foreman.  2-3 years ago, Turbo, the original owner of the farm property, was 'camping' out on the property, praying for God to bring water to his land.  (There was no 'house' on the land yet).  Suddenly, he saw a large piece of ice on fire.  He heard a voice tell him that in one year a man would come wanting to buy his land and that man would bring water.  A little over a year later, 'R' heard about this land for sale and went out to see it.  As soon as Turbo saw him, he 'heard' or sensed that this was the man that would bring water.  Interestingly, to me, is that 'R' is from Alaska (the ice?).  Turbo sold him some land and leased him some other and that is how the farm began.

Another observation is 'R' & 'H's visions for the farm and cows.  'R' wants to provide another protein source for the people.  Beef is rare and expensive.  He is hoping to be able to sell enough beef to lower the price of it and of water buffalo so that almost anyone can afford it.  He is also looking at selling milk, door to door, as a protein (meat) alternative.  He wants to start a discipleship school at the farm that would train those nursing students that follow 'the Way' in sharing and farming, then send them out to villages that need all 3!  He is also hoping to have some English classes at the hospital compound to improve the chances of success for those who attend and to share the Truth.  'H's vision is similar, yet different.  He is looking at the dairy to provide milk to schoolchildren at low or no cost.  He doens't think the beef will make a difference as the people have no taste for it.  He would like to see more citrus and/or vegetables with a co-op started to help the farmers market their crops.  He wants English classes at the compound house for the same reason as 'R'.  It is possible there may be two ministries before it is all said and done!

'R' is seriously wanting us to partner with him.  As his last child is graduating this year and moving to the states for school, he is wanting to spend part of every year here to be with kids and grandkids (can't blame him for that one).  He would like us to spend part of every year in Indonesia (conveniently the part that he is gone) overseeing the farm and ministry.  This would be a radical change for us!!  We could see ourselves going back again, but not sure when or for how long.  Obviously, much prayer is needed!  .

I hope this has tied up any loose ends and is clearer than mud!!  I will check back a few times in case anyone has any questions that I didn't address.  This has been fun, but I think it's purpose is over.  Until next year!!

More pics. added

I added some pics., especially for those who can't make it to the church presentation.  I was informed today that Pastor David would like us to do the SS hour on Sun., Dec. 13th.  I hope you feel the pics. I added will be worth rummaging back through the posts :-)

We're Home

    We arrived in Portland last night about 9.  After getting our luggage, we headed to the hotel where we left our truck.  We slept over 10 hours, 12 if you count the few times of wakefulness.  That's about double the usual!  We can't seem to sleep on a plane, and had been up over 36 hours.  Neither of us have stayed up that long before, even as teens! 

   We saw more excitement the last half of the trip home than the first.  It began in Taiwan.  We headed out to the runway and were about ready to head off, when smoke came out of the middle of the cabin.  We went back to the gate and were told by the Taiwanese pilot that it was 'no big deal' (I thought his terminology was rather funny).  It turns out he was right.  The stewardesses started warming up the first meal as we headed out.  Evidently, one of the meals had not been sealed properly - spilled - and started burning.  They exchanged that rack of trays with another one, checked out the electronic stuff, and we were once again headed to the runway.  It only took an extra hour.  Then after we went through customs and we had to re-check-in, in Seattle.  I did the computer kiosk like a good girl, but it wouldn't print my boarding pass.  It printed Steve's and printed a receipt for baggage, but not my boarding pass.  We had to go to an agent to get that straightened out.  Next, we headed to our gate.  There was a slight commotion across the aisle, so we turned to see what was happening.  A woman was being led out of a shop.  Suddenly, she turned to the security officer, laid down, and said, "Now what are you going to do?"  He called for back-up and just let her lay there.  Once the back ups arrived (one of which was a woman), they removed her shoes, hand-cuffed her, loaded her onto a wheelchair (we think because she refused to walk) and off they went.  Last, but not least, we get to our hotel in Portland and they accidently gave our room to someone else.  Two couples had made reservations, but had not asked to be by each other.  One was placed on the first floor and one was on the second.  After complaining rudely, they were both given the first floor (the second room which was ours).  They flustered the guy at check-in so bad that he forgot to change our room to second floor.  He gave us the key for first floor, which thankfully didn't work.  We tried 3 different keys until, finally, the woman inside said, "This room is occupied!"  After a few phone calls, the mess up was cleared up and we were given the last room.  We were just so thankful to finally have a place to sleep! 

   We arrived home to much love and attention from kids and grandkids.  Way Fun!!!  I will try to post one last time, tomorrow, adding pics.  Thank you all so much for being interested in what happened in Indonesia, even though it wasn't what we went for (is it ever?!)  HIS plans are always better than our own.

  

Reflections

Thinking back over the last 2+ weeks several things come to mind: 
     How hopeless things look with no infrstructure (roads, water, etc...)
     How much we take for granted.
     They seem happier than Americans - yet they have so little (students singing all the time, workers always smiling - happy to have a job, even if for one day)
     God's provision when 'R' left
     The frustration of the language barrier (no pics., cattle chute, no chance to get to know 2 boys who get the cow's food)
     We like the culture (no immodest billboards, no taverns- although we saw a beauty saloon :-), family is #1, religion is important, very social people - they take time for others
     90+% of men smoke   women who smoke only do at home
     Turbo is natural leader - so is Sihite - yet very different personalities.
     Time with 'H' was very educational.  Got different perspectives of the vision from he &'R'
     We feel dairy is not the direction to go, possibly not beef either.  Vegetables & citrus co-op and sharecropping seems like best idea at this time. 
     Rain every afternoon - usually around 3 or 4
     No fertility in land - similar to slash & burn jungle method
     Every young person's dream is to leave; the desire to learn English is intense - it's the only 'hope' for getting out
    The sacrifice the parents are willing to make to help their kids to get an education
    The ability to accomplish anything is all in 'who you know' - back to relationships

I know this seems like a lot, but we had to write it down while we were thinking about it for future use :-)  For those of you that will not be able to attend our presentation at church, I hope to/plan on expounding a little on these reflections and adding pics. to the previous posts.  I apologize ahead of time that you may have to go back a page or two to see them all.

KL

We are at the Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) airport waiting for our flight home.  I found a free wi-fi spot so thought I would check in.  After posting last night, Steve, 'R', and I went to the Sun Plaza.  It is the largest mall I have ever been in.  It is 6 stories tall.  We went to Papa Ron's pizza for dinner :-)  'R' said it was better than the Pizza Hut there, but I don't know.  After we ate we walked a bit 'window shopping'.  The interesting thing to me (besides the 6 floors!) was the size of the shops.  They were all very small by American standards.  Most sold only one thing (phones, men's clothes, girl's clothes, cosmetics, beds, kitchen appliances, etc...).  On one end there was an Ace Hardware store that was 3 floors and bigger than any Ace Hardware I have been in. 

About 9, we headed back to the hotel and bed.  Up at 6, showers and breakfast, which is included in the price of the room.  It is a very fancy buffet style.  We arrived at the airport at 8 and said goodbye to 'H' & 'R'.  Then we were on our own!  For two not-very-agressive people, these airport experiences are hard.  People push and shove in lines to check in for their flight.  It took us longer than it should have as we 'allowed' several to get in ahead of us.  We made it to the departure area about 20 mins. before boarding.  The flight over was uneventful and here we are.  We have checked in and will be heading down to the deparure area shortly.  I will try and post some 'reflections' from Taiwan.

Greetings from Medan

I brought 'R's internet card with me to Medan so that I could give it to him and he has graciously allowed me to use it to give you another update.  We flew from Tarutung to Medan this morning on a, thankfully, uneventful trip.  Even the young co-pilot landing the plane did so, relatively smoothly.  We had never heard from 'R' exactly what to do when we arrived here - do we wait for him and where? or was someone picking us up?  As we stood in the domestic flight building of the airport and discussed this, we eventually decided to try to find the international flight building and wait for 'R'.  As we walked out the door to go to the other building, 'H' called out.  Were we ever glad to see a familiar face!  We took our luggage to his car and decided to wait the 15 mins. until 'R's flight arrived.  As 'luck' would have it, he was late and we ended up waiting an hour.  This would not be so bad except you have to wait outside.  It is very hot in Medan - and I already warned you I get cranky when I'm hot!  Enough whining :-)

Next we headed to the hotel.  The difference between it and Tarutung is 180 deg.  You have someone to take your luggage from your car to your room, security guards at every door, you have to have your room key just to use the elevator, our room overlooks the swimming pool/courtyard, a 'western' bathroom with tp!, etc....  The town is huge and traffic is 6 deep and constant and noisy.  After some lunch, we headed off to find the 'feed' store.  Was that ever a disappointment!  A very small shop with several rows of bags of chicken and pig food, a few antibiotics, and some syringes.  We asked about a cow thermometer and they only had a wall thermometer (but it said medical so must be the one we need!), never heard of nose snubbers or calf chains.  We will have to see about sending those when we get home.

We are currently in the room while 'R' is resting.  He had to be up earlier than us, so needed a nap :-)  'K' had a 'minor' procedure today to take a stent out of the kidney (that, of course, didn't need to be there in the first place).  She will be released to go back to Java on Thurs.  Their son will be with her and the daughter is already in Java.  'R' will head to Tarutung tomorrow to check on things at the farm, then leave for Java on Sat. to take care of family for a week or two until 'K' gets more energy back.  They don't expect her to be able to go back to work until Jan.  They have learned that the total for the medical care, including the medivac flight, is over $40,000.  They have insurance and recently heard that it will cover almost everything. PTL!!!

We leave Medan for KL tomorrow morning at 9:40, which should be 6:40 pm on Dec. 1st.  You know what to do!!