Week 80

That Was the Week That Was!

This past week was the Readers Digest Condensed version of a normal week!!! Sunday Night Elder mentioned he didn't exactly feel well and by Monday afternoon he was "nearly dead all day". On Friday he was feeling pretty good and on Friday afternoon his generosity was apparent in my crawling into bed with the plague. However, between the two of us, we "put our shoulders to the wheel" we fought to "make the pathway bright" and by the end "all is well, all is well".

Let's see.... Monday we did apartment inspections. That is always interesting... There is always something that makes me want to squirm a bit. Now, the all time best example was way back when Elder Peter Johnson from Park City, Utah was here is Solo. I give you all that information just in case any one reading this blog that knows him will tell him I am telling the world. There were 2 sets of Elders in his house, and their house was not the best. We went from one mini-possible typhoid crud to the next explaining why "clean" was soooo important. When we got to the kitchen sink, our testimony of how these Elders are protected skyrocketed out of the solar system. OH THAT SINK....... Anyway, we told them we were going to buy them a dish tub to do there dishes. We explained that they needed to be generous with the dish soap, and to also put a few drops of Clorox in the water. They needed to do the dishes after each meal, and to then use the water to wipe down the kitchen area... counters, stove, sink, etc. We went right out and bought the tub and cleaning supplies that day! Well, along about Thursday, 4 days later, I received a phone call from Elder Johnson. He wanted to know when they were suppose to change the dishwater!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The rest of the conversation is not important other that to tell you that I will get stars in heaven for keeping my cool. (Until after we closed the call, then I let out a long sigh/scream.) NOW, back to this week,... We went to the Kepatihan Elders house and it was very clean. We checked the 'fridge, microwave (one of the worst offenders), bathrooms, etc. We had conversed about their "rat" proble(not toooooo bad), and the past "cat" problem (make sure your garbage goes out at night) (their house has an upstairs large open to the outside area that attracts cats), and were about done when I opened their stand alone cupboard. There were all sorts of open packages of noodles, spaghetti, flour, and an old bowl of used oil at the bottom. I showed Elder Hernandez, who has lived there about 4-5 months, and said this is why you have rats! I also said that all of it should be thrown out because bugs get in the flour and other foods. Then I thought why am I just telling him???? So I called the other 3 Elders over and restated my motherly advice. Elder Wagstaff, who is almost ready to go home...who just left the Mission President as an AP,... who has just been in Solo a few weeks said, "Whose is this?" AND NO ONE KNEW. (blink, blink, blink...) That means that the open food and yuk in that cupboard had been there at least 4 months. HEY, COME TO THINK OF IT ELDER PETER JOHNSON MOVED TO THAT HOUSE BEFORE HE LEFT THE AREA!!!!! That night Elder got the bubonic plague. How fitting.

We found out later Monday that Sister Manalu was being transferred the next day. There was to be a considerable amount of time between her leaving (5:30 a.m. Tuesday morning) and the new Sister Manulang's arrival (5:00 p.m. Tuesday evening). So we told Sister Hutcheson to get a Taxi and take Sister Manalu to the train station, then have the taxi bring Sister Hutcheson here to our apartment, and to call us when she was on her way. So, about 5:00 a.m Sister Hutcheson called and Elder went down to the Lobby to fetch her and pay for the taxi, and bring her to our apartment. Of course Elder did this while looking like a zombie from Night of the Living Dead (I have got to watch that if I am going to keep referring to it). So he went right back to bed, and Sister Hutcheson and I talked, and she napped while I worked on arranging music, and Banjasari's Ward roster, and then we talked, and she studied, and then we ate lunch, and visited, and then she went with me to piano lessons. Elder and Sister Knorpp took her to fetch her new companion (brand new on her mission)Sister Manulang. The names a pretty close...Sister Manalu (gone) Sister Manulang (new). Later, I went to teach English, but all but three of the students were having school-wide tests the next day (and the rest of the week) and had to leave. So I told them moolay (that is Javanese for "go home", but that is not the way you spell it. It is probably "mule", but since it is the only word I know in Javanese, I am not too sure). However, it did crack them up that I would speak Javanese to them, so I was glad I used it instead of "pulang" which is Indonesian for go home.

Wednesday was a repeat of Tuesday, and Thursday we were suppose to head to Boyalali, but Elder was just coming back from his part in his episode of Night of the Living Dead, so we canceled and stayed home, EXCEPT!!!... He had an appointment to go with the Elders to see Michael, an American fellow married to an Indonesian member of the Church, who lives in the U.S. for 6 months, and then here for 6 months. However, we don't ever remember meeting them before, so we don't think that is a hard and fast rule of their lives. Elder really wanted to go, and was glad he did. Elder James and Elder Lee went with him, they were fed Satey (barbecued meat on a stick), and had a very good lesson. He had only been home a minute when the Sisters called and Sister Hutcheson had been hit by a "motor" while trying to cross Slamet Ryadi (main road). SHE WAS FINE!!!(in case her mom is reading this, and has not heard about it), but her bike was a bit bent. So they just threw it in a Beycak and the guy pedaled it on home while the Sisters walked. Thursday night I thought my throat felt scratchy, and warned Elder about his part in being "dead meat" if I got sick.

Friday after DDM, and making sure Sister Hutcheson was really okay,(just stiff, and a bruise), I came home and crawled in bed, while Elder took the Sisters to get the bike fixed, and mail Flat Stanley back to Grandson Eli's Second Grade. Saturday was a feverish blur, except I know Elder went to participate in the Knorpp's fabulous Family History activity with Solo 2, and had a gadzillion copies of music made for the Youth/YSA Choir.

Still, what a difference a day makes. We were off to Church by 7:15 a.m. and I played for the Banjasari youth to sing "Jesus Is My Shepherd" in Sacrament meeting, and practice with their Elders Quorum scheduled to sing "Ye Elders of Israel" next week. Later today the Youth/YSA will have their first choir practice for Stake Conference that will be held April 21. So, if you don't mind.... I am going to go have a nap(Elder is already there), and work a bit on music, and we will talk to you again next week. As my dear friend Scarlett always said "Tomorrah IS anothah day"! (please read with a southern accent). Aren't we blessed to have a new day to make things better? (sighhhhhhhhh)

Elder Bubonic Plague and Sister Typhoid Mary

Week 80 Photos #1

Since we didn't get out a whole lot this week, I though I would include some pictures that I'm sure the mothers and fathers of our Solo missionaries would like to see. I thought I would present how they looked of Friday at DDM and then I would include a couple pictures of the approach to and the front of their homes here in Solo.

 

So first: here is Sister Hutcheson and her new companion Sister Manullang.  They serve in all 4 wards in Solo.

They have a small apartment in a nice neighborhood behind a side-by-side Masjid and Kristen Gereja. Here is the "street" in front of their place. Their apartment is on the left about where the motorcycle is in the picture.

And here is looking at their apartment with the gate open.

Next comes the Solo 1 Ward Missionaries: Elder Lee and Elder Hasibuan (the District Leader).

And the Solo 2 Ward Missionaries: Elder James and Elder Martoyo.

Here is their street in front of their NEW place: it is on the left side of the picture by the car-tire trash can.

And the front of their apartment.

Week 80 Photos #2

Continuing the missionary show: here are Elder Wagstaff and Elder Wijaya. They serve in the Jebres Ward.

And Elders Hernandez and Taulu who serve in the Banjasari Ward.

Here is the road to their place; you turn right just over the bridge.

And here is the front of their apartment.

And I'll close with some everyday street scenes. The next two were shot on Jalan Yosodipuro.

Note in the photo below: there is a Supeltas directing traffic .... he's in the yellow vest.

Week 79

Hello Everyone!

Well, I have good news and bad news... and the problem is it's all about how you look at it! So...

President Groberg, Sister Groberg, their daughter Gretchen... (who spent her entire teenage social life with your cousin, Margaret(Greenway Kids will know) and Gretchen's older sister) ...and her husband all came to Solo to visit on Thursday! We had lunch at Adem Ayam (Indonesian fare), and on Friday attended DDM. We had a lovely visit, and then the President had to go back to Jakarta, and Sister Groberg and the travelers went on to Bali, where they met with President again (whew!) to hold a Bali Branch Conference!!!! However, while he was here he asked Elder if we had received our release date from Salt Lake. We have not. He was a bit surprised. He also told us with all of the new missions (58?) that Indonesia would probably be way down the list to receive new Senior Couples because the new missions will all need office couples, etc. Therefore, there will be no one to replace us. So Elder and I decided that they have just forgotten about us, and we will probably be on the list next year at this time! NOW, of course we could be mistaken, and our release date is just not at the top of someone'spriority list... but we think we ought to warn you. (kidding, Emily..please do no call Salt Lake :) Anyway, we'll let you know when we hear, (maybe sometime next year)!

Besides that, we have finally finished the Solo 1 surgery. By that I mean that we have surgically removed about 40 or so names from the Solo 1 roster. About 10 dead people, about 8 people that are less active that live in other wards, about 15 that live more than 2 hrs. away so are in the Indo. Branch, and the rest have simply disappeared (so their names go to Salt Lake to the lost list). Every time I think about that lost list, I think about when Salt Lake called John looking for Joel while Joel was on his mission. The man asked John if he knew Joel Greenway, and when John said yes the man asked if he knew Joel's whereabouts. John said, "Don't YOU know where he is?!?" What a crack-up! Elder worked with Solo's Ward Clerk and transferred all those names to the proper places. This week we will begin on the Banjasari Ward. Elder and I both met with Bro. Choki this week and went through their roster. All I can say is... here we go again! It is so important to have an accurate roster, so we are adding the suggestions of visiting and home teaching assignments next to many of the names. We're hoping that will get the ball rolling in Solo 1.

I told you last week we would be having a Stake Relief Society Birthday Party this past Tuesday. It started PROMPTLY!!!!!!!!!!!! at 10:00 a.m. and ended about 4 p.m. (about an hour late). But it was well organized, and hot, and fun, and busy, and hot, and everyone had a great time. We have a picture of the attendees. They had a talent show in the afternoon, and Jebres (remember the Ward Christmas party dancers) danced... but then so did Solo 1. In the morning we made Rainbow Cake (which is steamed because no one has ovens), and they made a craft. The 10:00 meeting had speakers and lasted about an hour. So, it was a day mixed with many kinds of activities, and lots of socializing. For lunch they had the typical food boxes, but for dessert there was this fruity drink which was really refreshing. Now, I will tell you the ingredients: 1 part milk, 1 partmayonnaise, 1 part syrup (Indonesia has a gadzillion flavored syrups they use to flavor water. So when we go to visit a home they will bring in stroberi, orjeruk (citrus) flavored water.) To the above mixture you add chopped watermelon, apple, pineapple, dragon fruit (think...never mind there isn'tanything to compare) and papaya. Then add ice. While I was partying, Elder wasfinishing up the Solo 1 surgery, and came back and took pictures. So, Elder will send pictures!

We spent some time at home this week PREPARING. President Budi asked if we would organize the Youth -YSA Stake Choir for Stake Conference to be held on April 28. I have to arrange the music because most the youth don't read music, so the songs must be very simple arrangements. But I don't want them to just stand and sing a melody, so I try to stick in interesting variations. We will sing the "As Sisters In Zion/ We'll Bring the World His Truth" medley (because the YSA's sang it when they were youth). I have arranged a simple "This Is The Christ" and "I Wonder When He Comes Again" which we will sing in Indonesian. Now, we just need to get the practices organized, and get the word out. Elder also has been asked to organize and get proctors for the Michigan Test, which students must pass if they want to go to BYU-H, or any of the other Church Schools. It will be given in Solo on April 1, and they encourage the Indonesian missionaries to take it that will be going home this year. Most learn English serving with American Elders, and some are called from the Philippines, then go to Provo to the MTC where they learn Indonesian and English. The Mission encourages them to learn as much English as possible. THESE MISSIONARIES ARE SO SMART!!!

Today we had a baptism in Jebres. That is the 3rd baptism in the Kapatihan Building this month. One inBanjasari, and two in Jebres. Two were spouses from part member families, but today was a brother the missionaries found, who loved the Gospel. His wife is Muslim, but she came today and attended the whole block. The only blot on the day was the poor brother had to be baptized 4 times because he kept kicking his leg up. (The Bishop was doing the baptizing, and was really trying to help him, but up it would come!) If you are Muslim, you would not understand the need for "immersion", so I hope she didn't think they were trying to drowned him. The Sisters were sitting next to him, so I think she was in good hands. We love baptisms!!! Today we were at Church by 7:30 a.m. because we were going to the opposite building than Bono. So to get him to his ward by 8:00, we have to arrive pretty early. Banjasari meets at 8, then Jebres begins at 10:00. So the baptism didn't begin until about 1:30 p.m., finished about 2:15. That's pretty normal for a baptism Sunday. But we're among our lovely friends, and so the time passes quickly. Today's R.S. lesson was on working day by day to become like Christ. We are so blessed to be among these generous, loving souls.

So, until we meet again... Thank you for your support and news about family and friends. Just because we're so far away, we are still interested about you and yours. We love you, and really do pray for you, and express our gratitude for your lives, and love.

Ever in Indonesia...

Elder and Sister Greenway

Week 79 Photos

I will start the photos for this week with Sisters Manalu and Hutcheson. Here they are modeling their dresses that they had made using the same pattern. Sister Manalu was transferred on the following Tuesday to Malang. Sister Manalu was the Sister who was hospitalized for a surgery and then incessant vomiting caused by too much swimming and drinking too much fruit juice. Yeah - right!!???!!! Sister Hutcheson was the angel who stayed with her companion at the bedside night and day while she was in the hospital.

This is the Banjasari Ward Relief Society Choir that Sister Greenway accompanied for the Stake Relief Society all-day activity.

Here is the Surakarta Stake Relief Society learning about making steamed multi-layer cake.

The finished product!

Here are three sisters helping at the Activity. Sister Ratmini (Jebres Ward), Sister Ajang (Solo 1 - Bishop's wife), and Yuli (Banjasari Ward) making a refreshing fruit drink dessert.

Ready to be served!!

We also had a visit from Flat Stanley who was sent to us by grandson Eli. Stanley who got to meet the Seminary English Class and ...

ride in a Becak! Along with several other activities which we photographed for Eli's school class.

We also met President and Sister Groberg's daughter and her husband who came to visit them in Indonesia. Here we are at the Adem Ayam Restaurant.

Week 78

This letter comes to you via Noah's Ark!

 

Whoa!!! The rain, the rain.... I think we must be on the fringe of a typhoon or somethin'!  But the "dry season" is just about upon us, and then we'll be wishing that it would rain.  We have tomorrow "off" because there has been something everyday and we need to give Bono a day off now and then.  Tuesday there is a 5 hour Stake Relief Society Birthday Party that I am sure will make next weeks letter. And also on Tuesday, Sara and Kyle will be enjoying their 9th(?) anniversary.  Busy, busy....

 

We have done a bunch of searching this week.  Unfortunately, either no one lives where they are "suppose" to, or they have moved to other islands or places far away.  On one hand it is good to know that they have not been ignored, but it is sad to know that they are really "lost".  Soooooo many lost sheep.  Elder Kusumarmanto told us this week that out of the 6000 Indonesian members, 2000 are lost.  Well, I'll be adding about 25 or so to that list when I forward it to Salt Lake.  The mission has a new Indo Branch that Elder Kusumarmato leads as Branch President.  It includes everyone who is beyond  a 2 hour distance from a Active Chapel. Some of the islands have members but no organization, missionaries, or units.  President is trying to get some missionaries on Kalimantan where there are a number of members living.  We just lost the Branch in Bali because the family that was the "glue" that held it together had to move.  That old Adversary....  The mail system (what mail system...) is so terrible here.  So you visit the auntie of a member and she tells you he has moved to Jakarta, and you say "can you tell us where in Jakarta?" and she shakes her head.  "Do you know of someone who would know?"  She shakes her head.  The parents usually don't know, so you ask for a phone # and they give you that, but Indonesians change phone providers more often than addresses!  Aaaaagggghhh!!!  There is certainly the "ninety and nine" here, but every so often we find the "one" and THAT makes it all worth it.

 

We finished working on numbers in Seminary English.  Tuesday we worked on money.  Soooo fun. We had come up with situations where they had to use my play dollars.  Ordering a pizza, buying a bus ticket, going to the store, paying for a taxi, delivering a pizza and being paid, cashing a pay check, figuring the tithing, asking for money from a deposited pay check, and on and on.  Actually, they did quite well.  We also worked on being polite and asking the right questions.  It was so fun to hear them tell the bus driver where they wanted to go in English and then figure out a tip. 

 

Wednesday we worked on time. There are some strange translations of time from Indonesian to English. So we thought they better know what to say in English.  So we worked on politely asking for the time, asking what time things began, what time their bus would leave, what time to be to work, if they should be there early, and then thanking the person for their time.  So... "Excuse me, please, could you tell me which bus leaves for downtown and what time it leaves?"  Then, "Thank you for you time and information."  We also worked on how to tell time in English... "Quarter ta three, ten after two, midnight, noon, etc"  We drew a big clock, and they were given a "time" and they had to draw the hands on the clock to the right time.  We included "half past kissing time, time to kiss again", and "zero dark thirty" (not the movie), but the response to the question, "How late did the meeting go last night?"  They were so interested,and loved learning. 

 

THEN... on Thursday we showed them, "Brave"!  At first we used English subtitles, but we decided that the Scottish brogue was too much for them, so we changed it to Indonesian subtitles.  They did better, and they loved it.  We also fed them donuts.  Now I'm not beyond understanding that a donut can produce wonderful feelings, but as they were leaving, Gilang walked up to me and said,(with a shy smile) "Sister Greenway, I love you."  Wow! Wow! Wow!  I just put my arm around his shoulder, gave a little squeeze, and said, "Why Gilang!  I love you, too. I love you all!"  AND WE DO!!!!!! 

 

I just want to mention the weekend, then I will have Elder Greenway talk about his Friday.  Saturday we helped the Elders from Solo 1 and Solo 2 move from "rat heaven" (their old house) to their new house, which is better but needed a good cleaning.  Lower income homes here usually will have a dirt floor, or a poured cement floor.  A nicer home will have tiled floors and usually tiled walls in some rooms.  I have never seen carpet in any home so far.  So it shouldn't have surprised me as I was vacuuming and mopping yesterday (Elder was out getting office chairs etc.) , that Elders Hasibuan and Mortoyo swept one of the rooms near the outside drain and then took the hose and squirted out the remaining dirt.  So I took their lead, and scrubbed and squirted out the kitchen.  Clever boys!  Elders Lee and James where moving furniture and organizing.  What great guys!  Then today I practiced with Banjasari Relief Society, (remember they are getting new "costumes" (they call it) to sing on Tuesday and next Sunday) for their performance at the Stake Relief Society Day, and in Sacrament meeting next week.  Sister Knorpp and I must dress-up, too!  We also attended at the other building in Solo 1.  The Counselor in the Bishopric asked if his wife, Sri Rejekti, could take piano from me.  She plays, but wants to play better, so she will begin next Friday morning at 11:30, right before DDM.  They have a son, Refiro(about 3), who loves Elder and looks for him each Sunday.  When we are at Solo 1 they always have me play piano, so this is a good thing.  Sri should be playing each Sunday and feeling confidant about it.

 

On Friday, Bono and I (Elder Greenway) took Elder and Sister Kusumarmanto and two of the Jogja Sisters (SisterCanty and Sister Suryani) to Magetan so that Sister Suryani could renew her ID card.  It was a three hour trip over the mountain to Jawa Timur (East Java).  We visited with the sister's family which included her father, mother, 14 yo sister, her grandmother, and the village secretary, who happens to be her uncle.  Renewing her ID is turning into a more complicated issue which has its genesis with Sister Suryani leaving her family to work in Singapore and then Hong Kong when she was 14 years old.  I need to mention that this visit was the first time that she had seen her family in about 4 years!  So it was quite a reunion!  And ever the missionary, SisterSuryani spent some one-on-one time with her sister, sharing the Gospel.  She had sent some materials to her sister to read and left her personal Book of Mormon with her sister before we left.  We were treated very kindly and fed a large lunch.  I will share some photos of their home.  Apparently, we will have to return at some future time to complete the ID paperwork.  Oh, I need to mention that Sister Canty and I were the first bules(boo lays = white people) to have ever been in their home and probably in the village. 

 

After our visit, we headed off to find Lilik.  Elder Kusumarmanto is the Branch President of the "Indonesian Branch", which was created for the records of the members who live more than two hours from an organized unit.  Sister Lilik is a member, baptized in Hong Kong, who has moved back to the Magetan area.  She lives with her mother, her sister, and her son, Afries, who just turned 1 year old.  Her husband works in Kalimantan, the northern most Indonesian province on the island of Borneo and can come home only about once a year.  All were wonderful, friendly, welcoming people.  Elder and Sister Kusumarmanto shared a brief lesson with the family and before we left, Sister Lilik asked for a priesthood blessing, which Elder K., Bono, and I were able to give her.  Elder Kusumarmanto asked if Sister and Elder G. could visit her maybe ever couple of months with some missionaries.  Of course I accepted the assignment.  I should mention, also, that the Kusumarmantos are a missionary couple called to be the PEF area directors.  They have been traveling in Jawa Tengah since Wednesday making PEF presentations in Jogja, Magelang, and Solo (which they did Saturday evening).  They are a great and remarkable couple and are an example of the faithful members in Indonesia.

 

We tell you that over and over, but that is only because it is true!  These wonderful people are the true pioneers of Indonesia.

 

We love and miss you all,

 

Elder and Sister Greenway

 

 

p.s Our spell check is not working ?????? So if there are crazy spellings (other than Indonesian words), now you know why! 

Week 78 Photos #1

I have a lot of pictures this week.  These came from the trip to Magetan which is in Jawa Timur.  When we crossed over the mountain above Tawanmangu we entered East Java.  So here is some of the beauty of that area.

Here is the jungle coming right up to the edge of the roadway.

 

If you look closely, you can see the orchid plants which adhere to the tree limbs.

Even into the mountain, the people cultivate if they can get to it.

 

 Incredible beauty!

 

 Roadside warungs. And many vegetable fields are covered with plastic to keep the weeds down.

 

 Stone walls to assist in the terracing.

 

 If you look closely you can see people all over the hill-side.

 Banana (pisang) trees  in the fields, also.

 

In this photo, you can see the stone stairs built to provide access to the upper levels.

Week 78 Photos #2

One of the standout things here on Java, is the number of Masjid (Mosques).  They are as plentiful as LDS churches in Utah!!!  If you can believe that!  The Masjid come in all shapes and sizes and vary in their styles, ornateness, and color schemes.

 

 

Every village has at least one.

 

 

 

 

Week 78 Photos #3

Now for the GOOD stuff!  The reason for our visit to Magetan, Jawa Timur, was to try to get Sister Suryani's ID card renewed, and to visit members of the Indonesian Branch.  The Indonesia Branch is comprised of those members who are 2 hours or more from an official unit of the church.  It took us about three hours+ to get to Sister Suryani's village and home.  Here are some pictures.

 

This is Sister Suryani's home.

 

Sister Suryani had not seen her family for at least 4 years - it was a sweet reunion!

With her bapa (father).

Sister Suryani's uncle, who is also the village secretary.

Sister Canty, Elder Greenway, Elder and Sister Kusumarmanto, Sister Suryanti's little sister and Mom, and Sister Suryanti.

Week 78 Photos #4

Sister Suryani's sister, Sister Suryani and Sister Canty, walking to Grandma's home, sharing the Gospel.

 

Outside the kitchen.

In the kitchen.  I don't know - probably rice. 

Views of the kitchen area.

 

Sister Suryani's mother cooking.

 

 

The feast:  Nasi putih (white steamed rice).  Tempe (fried soy pancakes), Curried soy with a zucchini like vegetable.  Boiled peanuts.  Salak (snake fruit).  Ayam goreng (fried chicken). And brown-sugar sticky rice.

Week 78 Photos #5

After visiting Sister Suryani's family we went to visit Lilik.  We found her at home with her son, Afries, her mother and her sister.

Here is Lilik and Afries.  His full name is Miracle Frisky Jovial Atmoko.  Atmoko is his father's name and really not part of Afries's full name.  Most Javanese have only one name.

Sister Canty, Sister Suryani, Sister Lilik and Afries, Sister and Elder Kusumarmanto.  Please note we are onthe communal rug and not on the chairs...and our shoes are outside.

 

Front Row: Lilik's sister and mother, Sister K., Sister Lilik, Afries and Sister Suryani.  Back Row: Elders Greenway and Kusumarmanto, and Sister Canty - Yes, we are that tall!!