13 May 2008 – Tuesday

Up in time to read from Kitab Mormon and then go to the gym for a short workout. Tomorrow I will give it the full treatment. The internet continues to be a problem – none at all today. Hopefully it will not be the same at the office. My early morning reading from the Kitab Mormon was where Alma re-enforces Amulek’s words against Zezoram. In PMG there is a section that tells missionaries to do this when they teach. That one should support and testify that what their companion said is true. It seems that mission work has changed little over the last 2500 years!

Sam came early and went to get the bubble wrap we need to finish packing. He got back in time to take us to the office where I spent the time working on vocabulary – I will be glad to get this project done. Our new friend Barnard came by – I think just to talk to some one but perhaps hoping that we had some way to get him back to the US to work.

Mary worked on English class things until sister Utami came in with another load of newly sewn things. Mary than gave her the material we bought yesterday so she could some pants made. They should cost her about $10 a pair for good quality, personally tailored pants. She is going home with a great wardrobe. I am going home with some new shirts and ties.

After eating lunch we cleaned up and headed for the mission office. I gave the sisters in the translation department the vocabulary exercises and tests that I have finished and asked them to please see what they could do with them. I had a short discussion with President Marchant. He invited us to come back for sister Etter’s farewell and to meet the three new Indonesian missionaries who just started today.

After Mary’s lesson we went to pickup some cross-stitch work that she had framed. Two pieces for a grand total of $7. Too bad we can not figure a way to get large framed works home because it would be 20% or less than it will cost in the US.

We decided that we should go back to the apartment and drop off things and rest for about 45 minutes before getting a taxi and going back to the mission home for dinner. We left early so we made it in plenty of time for dinner. In fact we got to sit and talk with Sister Marchant for about 20 minutes before the President and the missionaries joined us. We had a nice meal – the Walkers came home while we were eating and joined us – and lots of good conversation.

As is the custom, the group gave their thoughts about the missionary that is going home. We had not really ever worked with Sister Etter so I gave her some advice that seem appropriate. The President mentioned that Sister Hash – a senior sister – said that the week she spent as Sister Etter’s companion was the best week of her mission. When everyone was done Sister Etter said a few words.

After dinner we took lots of pictures. We are truly blessed with all the opportunities that we have to meet with the young missionaries. They have such a great attitude and so willing serve the Lord without complaining. I think of Elder Bastian who has had headaches for three months – today was a really bad day – but keeps smiling and working. Sister Sadimin who gave up a dream job to serve her mission and share the gospel that so changed her life. Sister Etter had just graduated from Stanford before she came on her mission. Two of the three new Indonesian missionaries are converts. Sister Sukiomo is from the Philippines and joined the church when sister Tippetts was on her mission in Hong Kong some 3 years ago.

We were lucky enough to immediately get a taxi home and we made it in about 1/3 the time it usually takes during the week. Basically we only had to stop at one light and other than that we flew home. In Jakarta that has to be considered a tender mercy. We made such good time that I gave the driver a really good tip because I gave him what we normally pay for the trip.

12 May 2008 – Monday

Wow am I getting lazy! No gym for 4 days now. I need to repent. We did hear from Tom and his family and they wished Mary ‘Happy Mothers Day.’ But we had to keep it short visit because our internet was really slow. Much slower than yesterday when we heard from Jim, Kristy and Charlotte.

We had a short morning because we left at 8:00 to go to Tangerang to inspect elder’s house at T1. Elders Herman and Djarkodi have kept the house in great shape – for the shape they found it. Elder Herman said that the house is coming up for re-newal and that all the problems need to be fixed before the lease is paid. Not only is the house being kept up well, but the elders seem to have a good relationship and are working hard.

After the inspection we went to a mall to get a new carry-on bag to replace the one we are leaving for ERS equipment. Our next stop was going to be to buy some bubble wrap but the traffic was terrible and Sam was not sure where it was so I voted for just going back to the office where there was work to be done. The traffic was heavy but it moved fairly well – better than I think any of us expected.

We stopped at Carrefour for some lunch and when we were walking through the mall, I noticed some material that I thought Mary could use for making some slacks. She had walked right by but I called her back and she ended up getting material for 4 pair. Utami will come tomorrow to deliver our last order and pick up the material. Her husband should have just enough time to get them done before we leave.

This was the first time we had eaten in Carrefour – which is strange since we are often there. The food court takes up a whole floor and mainly it serves Indonesian food. We walked the whole court and ended up at A&W. I know that is boring but neither of us felt adventurous – even Sam passed Padang to each a fish sandwich.

On our way to the office we stopped to pick up some printing. The price is so cheap that it is scary. At the office I worked on vocabulary while Mary prepared for her class tomorrow. After a couple of hours the internet went down so we wrapped thing up and came home.

I worked on my journal and pictures. Mary did not feel well so she just rested. Later we read from the A&P – we have slowed down because we read it both in Indonesian and English as well as translating it. We try to figure out the tenses, etc. and that takes time. I doubt if we will finish reading it before we leave.