Hello from Gorgeous Indonesia!
I think of all the ads I have seen inviting snowbirds to paradise for the Winter. Well, here we are! Today is Partly cloudy and the pool we can see from our apartment is full. Speaking of "fullness" ( how did you like that segway?), we just attended the Surakarta District Conference. It is so uplifting to see the chartered buses from Magelang, Jogja, and Samarang pull up to our Soepomo Chapel and see the members of these faithful branches arrive to attend District (like stake only smaller) Conference. We also had Elder Victor Chan from the Asia Area here to preside and speak to us. Yesterday, Saturday was Leadership Mtg. from 3:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. As you recall, we had prepared a "skit" suggesting how a Branch Council would use the Rescue Program of the Church. We were first on the program.
Now, we had practiced during Friday's Missionary meeting and the Elders and Sisters from Solo were perfect in their parts as members of a Branch Council. We made signs to show each participant, ie. Branch President, Branch Mission Leader, Primary Pres., etc. Well, when all of the outlying Branches come to conference they bring all of their Full time Missionaries with them, and then the Elders and Sisters do a Big Service Project for the community. Yesterday was no different. Wearing the "helping hands" vests they cleaned up garbage along Slamet Riyadi from noon until two. They needed to be to the building by 3:30, all cleaned up, to present the skit. Well, at 3:30 there were no Missionaries, but there was a remarkable rainstorm! We thought we were toast, because the missionaries are all on bikes.
At 3:35 the time was turned to us and zip. But just then the doors to the chapel flew open and in walked the Elders, with their giant grins. Wow!!! However, there were no Sisters, so these dedicated Elders volunteered to be the Primary, YW, and Relief Society Presidents. Elder Greenway began the presentation by briefly explaining the Rescue Program to these Branch Leaders, and then I explained that we had men in women's parts, and so it began with Elder Mortoyo as the Branch Pres. (I need to explain that we had purposely put the Native Elders on parts before the "buleh" Elders, so it was the American Elders on the women's parts, Elders Ward, Brown, and Wagstaff). I would sustain Elder Mortoyo any day. He was perfect, and so were all of the rest, even the "women". This, of course, was all done in Bahasa, and the Leadership had a great lesson on Ward Councils. It was interesting, because the subject of Elder Chan's address to the Leaders, was the Rescue Effort, and what it will take to become at Stake. It is good we are now on the Same Page. As for the Sisters, well you put 7 Sister Missionaries in an apartment trying to get ready and what you get is about an hour late.
Then today, we held the main session of Conference at Novotel, in the big ballroom. The Solo Choirs sang 4 songs, three as prelude and 1 during the meeting. I inherited the job of pianist because Sis. Tandiman (the real pianist) and Sis. Nichols were transferred this week during missionary transfers. We received 2 new native Elders, an American (Elder Gilbert) and a new Phillipino Elder who speaks very good English and of course his native tongue, but is quickly learning Bahasa. His name is Dalilis, which we could not pronounce. So with his accent, he told us to think of the 3rd verse of Battle Hymn of the Republic, you know, "in the beauty of Da lilies". That's it! We won't forget now. We also have Sis. Collins who is with Sis. Peters. They all sang in the Choir. But the highlight of the day for us was hearing Lala, the 9 year old Elder Greenway baptized. She climbed right up on a chair so she could be seen, and spoke about how important the temple is to her family. She loves her family, where she is # 10 in the line of 13 children. She said her father, that she really loves, is not a member, but someday her dream is to have her family sealed together forever. We were soooo proud of her. It is amazing how you can become so attached so quickly. All in all the conference was excellent. They even had translators for we English and for Elder Chan.
The one other event that was remarkable this week was our visit to UNISRI, where we work with the English majors. This is the university where we never know which class we will have. Last week we decided to teach this class of about 40 "The Twelve Days of Christmas". I found coloring pages online, colored them and typed up the lyrics. We also prepared "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer" with lyrics, and a giant Rudolph head I put together. Please remember that about 93 percent of these students are Muslim, and do not know a lot about Christmas. So we talked about the different names of Santa Claus, and other holiday terms, and then we handed out the lyrics to the 12 groups we had formed at the beginning of class.
Ron and I demonstrated how the song should go, with pictures, emphasizing 5 GOLDEN RINGS, pointing to the 2 girls and 1 boy in that group. And then came the performance! We started with everyone singing every number, and you should have heard them. I had left the door open, so that other classes could hear, but I could have locked us in sound-proof room, and they would have heard. It was soooooooooooooo fun. And the 5 GOLDEN RINGS,..... AMAZING!! Then we stopped and worked on fourTH, fifTH, sixTH, etc. Indonesians are not to good with the "th" sound. So we practiced sticking our tongues out, (after all this is an English class) and then we lined them up along the front of the class and had each group sing their own number. When we got to 5 GOLDEN RINGS, that young man sang in a loud falsetto soprano voice (my sons know how to do this very well while embarrassing their mother), so he would sound more like his partners. We ALL cracked up, but went right on to the end. Oh, how I wish you could have heard this!!! We also did "Rudoph the Red Nosed Reindeer", with the echoes ( you know "like a light bulb") but instead of "like Columbus did", we sang "like Slamet Riyadi" because he is the namesake of the University and Indonesia's famous hero.
THEN, we played pin the nose on Rudolph, explaining that it is usually "pin the tail on the donkey". They had such fun. By the time it was over, we were dripping sweat, but we kept saying all the way home, "THAT WAS SO MUCH FUN!" We let them take the words home, and encouraged them to sing with their families. They were excited to try. Can we say family home evening?!
We are so happy to be a part of these people’s lives. We love them, and they are so good to us. Yesterday I had one of my bad neck days (long story). So we left the adult session of conference a little early and took a becak ( baychak - a transportation mode where a fellow bicycles a little cab around) home. We had 4 texts (called SMS here) asking how we were. Most from the YSA group - Widap, Monique, Ricko, and Aster. They are Heavenly Fathers future here, and they have been put here with purpose. They are mature, (Monique lead the District Choir and she is 15, Ricko is the young elder heading to SLC on his mission), dedicated, loving, converted children of God. We learn from them every day. We can't tell you how impressed we are with the youth and children of Indonesia, members and non-members. They are polite and hard working. We can see the Armies of Helaman in them. They honor this country.
This week on Friday Elder Greenway and I are feeding the Elders and Sisters Christmas dinner. We found a Norbest Turkey at Lotte Mart, and the missionaries voted to eat it before Elder Ward and Elder Brown head home to the US. So this Friday is the day. I am writing down the plan to cook all this with my easy bake oven, and two burners. But I think we can do it...... That story is for next week. Also, we are having the YSA party the next day at the Kepatihan building. We are having Taco Soup, etc. and watching "Scrooge", (yes, my children, Scrooge!), the wonderful musical based on "The Christmas Carol". So we will be cooking from about Wednesday on. I think we'll do some singing too. But that is for another week.
So we will say tootle-loo! We hope you are having a Christmas time full of joy and service. The two definitely go together! We are grateful for any emails, so send away. You are the people we love, and we love to know how you are doing.
Serve and take care of each other,
Elder and Sister Greenway
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Week 12
Dearest Family and Friend:
I am sure that the biggest news of the week did not happen in Indonesia. It happened in Kaysville, Utah when our 13th grandchild, and 5th grand-daughter came to join our son Adam, his wife Amy, and their delighted family. Her name is Elia and she was 7 lb. 10 oz and 19 or so inches long. She is a bit of a chub, and is currently being loved to pieces by her brothers (Nate and Eli) and Sister (Cecily). She is beautiful and we love her tremendously from afar. Of course anything I add from here on out pales in comparison.
First of all, we are currently without wheels. The Missionary Handbook for Senior Couples states that we should not be renting cars from local members, AND that we should not be buying cars. Well, up until now, all over Asia, that is exactly what has been happening, until one of the Senior Couples decided to remind those in authority of the handbook. So, when Bro. and Sis Grover left, they turned in the car they had been told to rent from a local member when they arrived here, and now we are waiting for Temporal Affairs to make new policy. We have become very familiar with the taxi drivers of Solo! Yesterday we found a driver that speaks English and likes to practice, so he has taken us to a number of places and then returned to bring us home. Now the biggest chink in this is that we miss Bono our driver. We have been paying him anyway, because it is not his fault, and Friday he let "Elder" know that he does not like to get paid for no work. So he wants to teach us Indonesian. Great! Plus we are going to take him with us by taxi so he can translate for us. But all this slows us down. We have assignments outside Solo, and are being asked to help teach English in various situations. Oh well, we will figure it out.
With that in mind, we taxied to UNS this week and began working with these young civil engineers on Employment Resources. You may remember that was one of original assignments. So we used our training and began the workshop using the handbook the Church provides. It was a hit. At the end they each stood and gave their "I am, I can, I have" statement. For instance, I am a hard worker, I can work well with others, I have talent as an engineer. This is hard for humble Indonesians, but they were so great! We will work on their "me in 30 seconds" speech this week. We enjoy the English students at UNISRI, too. They all are eager to speak well, and try very hard.
I have picked up three more piano students, for a total of 13. Yos joined at Soepomo, and Ezra and Cori joined at Kepatihan. They all three play some, Yos does very well. They are an inspiration. These people Looooooooooooove music. Saturday we decided to sing with the District choir that will be singing at District Conference. The practice started at 6 and we walked home at 9:30 p.m. They just practice and practice. Pres. Antok's mother came from Jogja to help. SHE HAS PERFECT PITCH AND IS A TENOR! Man did she whip those tenors into shape. She was amazing. I watched her all night humming and finding the pitch then taking those tenors AND basses through their parts. I LOVE THESE WONDERFUL PEOPLE!
However, other than a new grand-daughter, the best news came today, Sunday. We arranged to have our new taxi friend pick us up at 7:30 a.m to go to Church at Kepatihan. Friday we had a driver take us to District Missionary Meeting, and he got lost and we were 30 minutes late. But today we were there in good time. Benjesari branch begins at 8, and Jebres begins at 10. AND today Joko and his family (the investigator that we visit with the Sisters) came to church. We suggested to the Sister Missionaries that perhaps if they had a member go get him, he would come. So wonderful Moko, (he is the wonderful young man that is going to Australia on his mission in about 3 weeks), fetched Joko and his children and brought them to church. Yea!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AND they stayed for all 3 hrs.!!! PLUS!!! today was the day Elder Greenway baptized Lala and Joko stayed for that, too. During the baptismal program the Primary sang 3 songs, and Joko's little girl, Natasha, stood up and did her best to sing along. What a wonderful day. Elder Greenway even said the baptismal prayer in Indonesian, without a single flub. I was very proud of him. So after being in church for over 4 hrs., poor Joko was probably starving (I did hand out Ritz crackers to him and his kids) and exhausted. Our taxi friend sent one of his friends to get us, and we took Joko and family home. But as we were walking out the door Pres. Awi of the Jebre Branch, stopped me and asked if I would get Aster, one of my piano students and a marvel, and together do the Christmas Sacrament Meeting. Certainly! I swallowed... But Aster was elated, so then I was humbled. I will write it, and she will produce it, with me as her assistant. She is perfectly capable.
Oh! and on top of that, we spent 3 hours with Fareeda yesterday, (the valiant, courageous, amazing university student whose family is Muslim) talking at first about her Mother, and brother, but eventually we talked and cracked up about everything. SHE LOVES THE SAME KIND OF MOVIES AS ELDER GREENWAY!!!!!! Scary, fantasy, the dinosaur that ate Cleveland and was then blown up by some alien warship kind of movies. Elder Greenway explained to her what a chic-flick was, and she likes those, too. But she was much more animated talking about the other. The Grovers are like parents to her, she loves and misses them. So, we were glad to make this connection. She is working to go to Utah for school.
We feel like we are becoming useful. We want to do whatever is needed of us to help the full time missionaries, the members and the people of Solo. As you know, our goal is to become a Stake. Next Saturday at District Conference Leadership Meeting we will be presenting the Rescue Program to all the Leadership. Elder Greenway will do a brief introduction, and then we are having the Elder and Sister Missionaries become a "Branch Council" wearing signs to define their role (ie. Branch Pres., Relief Soc. Pres., etc.) and demonstrate what should happen in Branch Council using the Rescue Program. They will have a script and can do this in Indonesian, which of course we could never do as well.
Finally, Elder Greenway wants me to let you know that we saw a glimpse of the Celestial Kingdom today. The friend of our taxi driver, the one who took us home today, took it upon himself to make sure our life passed before our eyes. Take it from me, the veil way very thin. We had Joko's younger brother, 11, with us... I kept saying to him, "Victor, taxi zooms!" Then the taxi driver would laugh maniacally and shout, "Zoom! Zoom!" I am not making this up! After Joko and his family crawled out of the cab and kissed the ground (okay, I did make that up), he took off, and periodically laughed and shouted ZOOM! The majority of the time we spent with him was in the opposing lanes of traffic. At one point he drove half a block in the wrong lane, then pulled into the right lane and ran a red light! When he let us out in front of the Paragon, he rolled down the window and shouted, "Zoom meester" (they call you mister even if you are in skirt) and laughed and laughed. We told him he should move to New York City.
Well, I think that is enough for 1 week. We could spend pages about this unique and marvelous Solo. Just know that we love it and are happily engaged and grateful to be alive. Please let us know how YOU are doing. We read our emails in the evening, and it is an enjoyable way to wind down.
We are sure you have great things to tell us, well maybe not as great as our taxi ride unless you have a learning-to-drive teenager. We love you all!
Please watch out for, and take care of each other,
Elder and Sister Greenway
I am sure that the biggest news of the week did not happen in Indonesia. It happened in Kaysville, Utah when our 13th grandchild, and 5th grand-daughter came to join our son Adam, his wife Amy, and their delighted family. Her name is Elia and she was 7 lb. 10 oz and 19 or so inches long. She is a bit of a chub, and is currently being loved to pieces by her brothers (Nate and Eli) and Sister (Cecily). She is beautiful and we love her tremendously from afar. Of course anything I add from here on out pales in comparison.
First of all, we are currently without wheels. The Missionary Handbook for Senior Couples states that we should not be renting cars from local members, AND that we should not be buying cars. Well, up until now, all over Asia, that is exactly what has been happening, until one of the Senior Couples decided to remind those in authority of the handbook. So, when Bro. and Sis Grover left, they turned in the car they had been told to rent from a local member when they arrived here, and now we are waiting for Temporal Affairs to make new policy. We have become very familiar with the taxi drivers of Solo! Yesterday we found a driver that speaks English and likes to practice, so he has taken us to a number of places and then returned to bring us home. Now the biggest chink in this is that we miss Bono our driver. We have been paying him anyway, because it is not his fault, and Friday he let "Elder" know that he does not like to get paid for no work. So he wants to teach us Indonesian. Great! Plus we are going to take him with us by taxi so he can translate for us. But all this slows us down. We have assignments outside Solo, and are being asked to help teach English in various situations. Oh well, we will figure it out.
With that in mind, we taxied to UNS this week and began working with these young civil engineers on Employment Resources. You may remember that was one of original assignments. So we used our training and began the workshop using the handbook the Church provides. It was a hit. At the end they each stood and gave their "I am, I can, I have" statement. For instance, I am a hard worker, I can work well with others, I have talent as an engineer. This is hard for humble Indonesians, but they were so great! We will work on their "me in 30 seconds" speech this week. We enjoy the English students at UNISRI, too. They all are eager to speak well, and try very hard.
I have picked up three more piano students, for a total of 13. Yos joined at Soepomo, and Ezra and Cori joined at Kepatihan. They all three play some, Yos does very well. They are an inspiration. These people Looooooooooooove music. Saturday we decided to sing with the District choir that will be singing at District Conference. The practice started at 6 and we walked home at 9:30 p.m. They just practice and practice. Pres. Antok's mother came from Jogja to help. SHE HAS PERFECT PITCH AND IS A TENOR! Man did she whip those tenors into shape. She was amazing. I watched her all night humming and finding the pitch then taking those tenors AND basses through their parts. I LOVE THESE WONDERFUL PEOPLE!
However, other than a new grand-daughter, the best news came today, Sunday. We arranged to have our new taxi friend pick us up at 7:30 a.m to go to Church at Kepatihan. Friday we had a driver take us to District Missionary Meeting, and he got lost and we were 30 minutes late. But today we were there in good time. Benjesari branch begins at 8, and Jebres begins at 10. AND today Joko and his family (the investigator that we visit with the Sisters) came to church. We suggested to the Sister Missionaries that perhaps if they had a member go get him, he would come. So wonderful Moko, (he is the wonderful young man that is going to Australia on his mission in about 3 weeks), fetched Joko and his children and brought them to church. Yea!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AND they stayed for all 3 hrs.!!! PLUS!!! today was the day Elder Greenway baptized Lala and Joko stayed for that, too. During the baptismal program the Primary sang 3 songs, and Joko's little girl, Natasha, stood up and did her best to sing along. What a wonderful day. Elder Greenway even said the baptismal prayer in Indonesian, without a single flub. I was very proud of him. So after being in church for over 4 hrs., poor Joko was probably starving (I did hand out Ritz crackers to him and his kids) and exhausted. Our taxi friend sent one of his friends to get us, and we took Joko and family home. But as we were walking out the door Pres. Awi of the Jebre Branch, stopped me and asked if I would get Aster, one of my piano students and a marvel, and together do the Christmas Sacrament Meeting. Certainly! I swallowed... But Aster was elated, so then I was humbled. I will write it, and she will produce it, with me as her assistant. She is perfectly capable.
Oh! and on top of that, we spent 3 hours with Fareeda yesterday, (the valiant, courageous, amazing university student whose family is Muslim) talking at first about her Mother, and brother, but eventually we talked and cracked up about everything. SHE LOVES THE SAME KIND OF MOVIES AS ELDER GREENWAY!!!!!! Scary, fantasy, the dinosaur that ate Cleveland and was then blown up by some alien warship kind of movies. Elder Greenway explained to her what a chic-flick was, and she likes those, too. But she was much more animated talking about the other. The Grovers are like parents to her, she loves and misses them. So, we were glad to make this connection. She is working to go to Utah for school.
We feel like we are becoming useful. We want to do whatever is needed of us to help the full time missionaries, the members and the people of Solo. As you know, our goal is to become a Stake. Next Saturday at District Conference Leadership Meeting we will be presenting the Rescue Program to all the Leadership. Elder Greenway will do a brief introduction, and then we are having the Elder and Sister Missionaries become a "Branch Council" wearing signs to define their role (ie. Branch Pres., Relief Soc. Pres., etc.) and demonstrate what should happen in Branch Council using the Rescue Program. They will have a script and can do this in Indonesian, which of course we could never do as well.
Finally, Elder Greenway wants me to let you know that we saw a glimpse of the Celestial Kingdom today. The friend of our taxi driver, the one who took us home today, took it upon himself to make sure our life passed before our eyes. Take it from me, the veil way very thin. We had Joko's younger brother, 11, with us... I kept saying to him, "Victor, taxi zooms!" Then the taxi driver would laugh maniacally and shout, "Zoom! Zoom!" I am not making this up! After Joko and his family crawled out of the cab and kissed the ground (okay, I did make that up), he took off, and periodically laughed and shouted ZOOM! The majority of the time we spent with him was in the opposing lanes of traffic. At one point he drove half a block in the wrong lane, then pulled into the right lane and ran a red light! When he let us out in front of the Paragon, he rolled down the window and shouted, "Zoom meester" (they call you mister even if you are in skirt) and laughed and laughed. We told him he should move to New York City.
Well, I think that is enough for 1 week. We could spend pages about this unique and marvelous Solo. Just know that we love it and are happily engaged and grateful to be alive. Please let us know how YOU are doing. We read our emails in the evening, and it is an enjoyable way to wind down.
We are sure you have great things to tell us, well maybe not as great as our taxi ride unless you have a learning-to-drive teenager. We love you all!
Please watch out for, and take care of each other,
Elder and Sister Greenway
Week 12 Photos
Well, Where should I start. Not too many photos this week. I wish I had some photos of the Sunday afternoon Taksi (taxi) ride, but they would have been blurred anyway...maybe a video would have worked!
We are definitely into the rainy season. On Friday afternoon I had to go to Soepomo which is only about 1Km from the apartment. I was going to walk but it was raining, so I hailed a becak. He pedaled me to the building in about 5 minutes. I then spent about an hour with Ricko going through Preach My Gospel working on doctrine and his English - defining words and correcting pronunciation. What a really fine young man. He is going to one of the Salt Lake City, Utah missions.
Sister Greenway already noted that I baptized Lala. Her real name is Kezia Nirmala and when I baptized her the only name I used was Nirmala. "Nirmala denang kewenangah dari Yesus Kristus, atu membaptismu dalam nama Bapa, dan Putera, dan Roh Kudus. Amin."
Here are some photos:
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| Lala and her big Bulah |
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Lala and Elder and Sister Greenway
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| OK - How about a photo of an angel by a Christmas tree with a childrens choir!?! Please note - on the left of the picture is Sister Peters with Natasha - the daughter of Joko the investigator we've told you about. "Tasha" really loves Sister Peters and though she knew none of the songs she went up and tried! |
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How about just some cute kids? Moses and Enso, Lala's brothers.
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| Sorry - I just had to include Luki. He is Lala's 6 yo brother. He attended the missionary baptism lessons with Lala - and boy, does he know his Gospel! Those CTR 6 are pretty smart! |
The photos below show our Christmas decorations at the Paragon (where our apartment is located). Remember Indonesia in 90% Muslim. You should see the Mall!
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| Christmas decorations at the Paragon |
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| Christmas lights! |
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| Creche |
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| And the stocking were hung... |
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| After district meeting at the Kapatihan building. |
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Week 11 Photos
Thanksgiving Meal
Mom (Sister Greenway) mentioned Thanksgiving and the YW program at the Barat Branch. I thought I'd include some photos:
These are a mix of YSA and Seminary - they finished seminary and went to the cultural hall to sing Christmas carols. Note the rhythm section. And that there are no leaders present.
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| The rhythm section. |
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| Happy Thanksgiving! |
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| How about some leftover leftovers? Seminary kids ... |
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| Then leftover, leftover, leftovers fo a couple YSAs: Widap and... |
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| Frisca |
Young Women Presentation
We experienced the most amazingly Spiritual YW presentation in the Barat Branch (Soepomo Building near our apartment) this Sunday. We understood little because our bahasa isn't the best, yet, but the Spirit was so strong.... There was no reading of parts, their testimonies brought tears to the eyes of many, including the young women themselves, and their singing was heavenly. Note the leaders are in white and the YW are in matching blouses and flowers in their hair.
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| Barat Branch Young Women and Leaders |
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OK let's get a little crazy .... That'l do I guess!
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Church Grounds
The parking lot ... You know President Giles, I think I know how to save space in all of the buildings' parking areas - do you think the members would be will to ride 1 family per bike? Up to 5, we would't want to ask too much of the members - or the police I guess.
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| Helmets required - usually |
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| Some of the Landscaping arounf the Soepomo Building. |
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Have I mentined that there are no lawn mowers in Solo?
Now the grass really isn't grass, it is a leafy ground cover,
but everything else is hand tended.
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| Orchids ... they just grow. |
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| And there are flowers all around the Branch Buildings. |
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| Some are very unique! |
To the Carlisle Rotary...
Hello again from Indonesia! Because we spend so much time here in the city, we are getting to know our way around and doing more without a "guide." I thought I'd send some photos of Pasar Gede. A pasar is a market. And there are all sorts of markets, clothing pasars, material pasars, open-air, and night-time pasars. You can buy just about anything if you know the right pasar. This is a meat and produce pasar, but there are other commodities available. The street outside the pasar has a huge variety of shops. We were able to buy a stove-top oven at one. Sister Greenway (Melanie) has been baking because here they mostly fry. All of our new friends and acquaintances are thrilled and relish nearly anything she bakes - cookies, cakes, pies, etc. because they really don't have them easily available. That's not to say they aren't here, just pricey by their standards.
Yes, we have eaten at McDonald's (no we didn't eat the McGhetti - spaghetti), KFC (its pretty good - with each meal you get rice), and Pizza Hut which is in direct competition with Papa Ron's (yes, I wrote it right), and the other day we passed a Dunkin Donuts! The local food is good, sanitation is sometimes in question, but its nice to eact "American" from time to time.
I am currently working with a fellow with a severe cleft pallette - trying to get him surgery. He lives in a distant village, Jenawi (where the clean water project was) and we needed to get the chief's assent along with his family's permission. That is all taken care of - now I am trying to link the surgeon with Pak Sukiyo so they can talk over the phone and arrange to meet and schedule surgery. Distance and communication are challenging - Sukiyo does not have a phone - he has to use the chief's. I am also trying to meet with a fellow associated with United Cerebral Palsy. Our church has developed a wheelchair designed for primative use and we've got an Indonesian manufacturing company to build them and I need to meet with UCP periodically to set up distribution points and clinics.
Well, here are some photos of Solo. I hope all will find fun and interesting. Love and may God bless you all from Indonesia. - Ron Greenway
Yes, we have eaten at McDonald's (no we didn't eat the McGhetti - spaghetti), KFC (its pretty good - with each meal you get rice), and Pizza Hut which is in direct competition with Papa Ron's (yes, I wrote it right), and the other day we passed a Dunkin Donuts! The local food is good, sanitation is sometimes in question, but its nice to eact "American" from time to time.
I am currently working with a fellow with a severe cleft pallette - trying to get him surgery. He lives in a distant village, Jenawi (where the clean water project was) and we needed to get the chief's assent along with his family's permission. That is all taken care of - now I am trying to link the surgeon with Pak Sukiyo so they can talk over the phone and arrange to meet and schedule surgery. Distance and communication are challenging - Sukiyo does not have a phone - he has to use the chief's. I am also trying to meet with a fellow associated with United Cerebral Palsy. Our church has developed a wheelchair designed for primative use and we've got an Indonesian manufacturing company to build them and I need to meet with UCP periodically to set up distribution points and clinics.
Well, here are some photos of Solo. I hope all will find fun and interesting. Love and may God bless you all from Indonesia. - Ron Greenway
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| This is Pasar Gede . It is the focal point almost a town square. |
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Need some cuttlery? Pots, pans?
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| Fresh veggies? |
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| Chicken |
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| Salted fish? |
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| Fresh spices? |
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| Fresh (?) meat? Hey Mister - take my picture! It's red and it's meat - ask no more! |
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Or how about seafood? Crabs, tiny clams, squid, shrimp, fish ?????
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Earlier I mentioned Jak Fruit. When it is small, yound and tender, it is used like a vegetable. When it is fully ripe it is baked and looks like beef but is very sweet.
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| Jak fruit - ripe on the tree. |
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| Jak Fruit - sliced for sale in the market. |
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| Selecting our Rambutan. One of several types of Dragon Eye Fruit. You can buy this canned in syrup in the grocery store. |
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| Dragon Eye ????? Hmmmmmm!?!?! That's not peach fuzz is it John Peters? |
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OK doesn't look too appetizing - maybe if i peel it...
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| Its getting better!!! I guess I'll take a bite... |
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| Mmmmmmm sweet and delicious!!!!! Oh that's why they call it Dragon Eye!!! Nummy!!!!!!!!!!! (oh and discard the seed!) |
Week 11
Good Evening All, (actually it is 7 a.m. for some of you, 5 a.m. for others).
We hope you had a gratitude filled Thanksgiving wherever you were. Sister Grover had already planned to feed all the Elders and Sisters pie at 5 p.m. Thanksgiving day, but as some of us were talking, we decided what we missed the most were the cold Turkey sandwiches. I think I might have mentioned this in Week 10. So, on Thurs. morn Elder Greenway and I stuffed 6 Indonesian Chickens into our Easy Bake oven, and the 3 Sister Miss. studied at the Soepomo Building while making rolls. Then at 5 we had cold chicken sandwiches on homemade rolls, with Hellmans mayo, and we're here to tell you that every bit of that chicken was slicked up. Then we had pumpkin, apple, chocolate cream, and banana cream pie, with a no-bake cheese cake. To top it off, we had blueberry (a huge flavor favorite here), caramel, and chocolate toppings and whipped cream AND ice cream!!!!! We invited the Seminary Kids (they have seminary at 5 p.m. on Tues, Wed., Thurs., and Fri. evenings here, because school starts at 7 a.m. So you can see that kids leave home at 7 and get home around 7), for dessert, and some of the YSAs came, too. Everything was gone in the end. IT WAS GREAT!!!! But these lovely people are so kind, we had 5 or 6 speak to us at different times during the week and ask if we were okay because we were missing Thanksgiving. Always loving...
The Grovers flew out today. They leave Jakarta tomorrow morning and fly 26 hrs. (including lay-overs) and arrive in Utah tomorrow night. Go figure. A group of members asked if they could come to the airport to see them off! Again, always loving. The Grovers spent the week cleaning and bringing us boxes of stuff. It is amazing what you can squeeze into this tiny apt. They gave a bunch of food to the Elders and Sisters who were very grateful. We will ever be thankful for their training and thoughtfulness. We were very lucky to come to Solo. Most Seniors don't have such a great hand-over of the reins. They will be missed by all who knew them, members and many non-members, too.
Last Monday we were asked to accompany 3 of the Elders to a family home. Noto, the father, was concerned because his son has not been coming to church. The boy is 11, and he gets up early and goes off with his friends. They go to the neighborhood video game place. Indonesians do not have systems in their homes, but each neighborhood has a place and charges to let the boys use it. It is a problem here just like it is a problem in the US. So we went with the Elders to Noto's tiny shanty store, where he sells used clothes. I can remember Emily telling me about homes in Ecuador being like large ovens. Well, ditto. But, we did get Noto and his son to commit to piano lessons at the Kaptiahan building. We wanted to get Bimbang, (pronounced quickly Bimbahng) into the building again. He used to come regularly. Now you will recall that the family car here is usually a scooter, and so if it rains, people don't leave home. So on Tuesday when they were to come to lessons, it just poured for 2 hrs. Hmmm..... We will try again this week. Anyway we have made a number of other plans to help Bimbang remember what he is missing. He loves his Dad, so that is the best start. Call this our rescue effort.
Speaking of Rescue Effort... I think I told you that there is zero Visiting Teaching and Home Teaching done here. They really depend on the missionaries to find and bring back the less active. The problem there is that when the Elders get transferred, then you have to start over. Elder Greenway and I have had the opportunity to see the rescue effort work in the Carlisle Ward. So we felt inspired that it could work here. We already had a meeting scheduled with the District Pres. and all of the Branch Pres. to discuss PEF. Elder Greenway asked if we could meet with Pres. Agus a bit early. He took Elder Ward along to translate for both meetings. I was teaching my group of 5 piano students. Elder Greenway presented his idea, knowing that the Pres. already knew about the rescue effort program, but he told the Pres. how long it took to "catch on" in the US. Pres. Agus was really excited. Ron was very inspired in his presentation. So, Pres. had Ron present it along with PEF in the meeting with the Branch Pres. Pres. Agus had them give Ron a schedule of their Council meetings so that we can attend and do a bit of training. We prayed very hard before the meeting that we would not come off as nosy Americans. Well, we were blessed. Now we will just have to work very hard so that Solo can grow and become a Stake. That is the plan.... 2 years, then maybe a Temple! Oh, that would be so wonderful!!!
Our English as a Second Lang. lessons have been going well. Wed. morning we took five various "board" games, that I found on line and enlarged, to our freshmen students at UNISRI. I had them turn there desks to make "tables" to play on. Well they formed 6 groups. So I gave each group a game, some buttons to use as "men" and a dice. But, I had a group with no game. So, since the idea is to get them to speak English plainly and have fun learning, I taught the last group, "Who Stole the Cookies From the Cookie Jar?" with the rhythm work and all. It was sooooo fun, and a hit! It took forever to get them to do it with the rhythm, and the whole "Who me?" "Yes, you." "Couldn't be!" "Then, who?" was hysterical. But they got it. So I had them come to the front at the end of class and do it for the whole group. Now they all want to do it. I think that will be a whole new lesson, along with "The Minister's Cat" which is similar.
Finally, we are up to 11 piano students, with more in the wings. I still don't have my new pianos, but we will find them. On Tues. I have 5, single lessons, Kiki 14, Lala 8, and Luki 6 are siblings, then Aster 20 and Bimbang 11. Noto 40? would like to learn, too. We'll see if he is serious. On Wed. I have a group lesson - Frisca 20, Agus 16, Yua 20, Alfina 18, Widap 20, and Puspah 12. Widap is pretty accomplished, but the rest are level one and lower. But they love it and that is all that counts. I have been finding Christmas music for them on line, and I told them we should have a recital of our Christmas music. They panicked! But we shall see.... These young people are marvelous. Today the Barat Branch had their YW program. It's like the Primary Program that they do in place of YW in Excellence. It was so beautiful, and very spiritual. Poor Elder Greenway spent Sacrament meeting in tears. We could barely understand things, but the Spirit was there, and it was powerful. They sang about 6 songs, had the YM join in for one of those, and then had beautiful testimonies. WOW!
Well, these are the days of the Greenway Couple. It is sunny and beautiful. Every day it clouds up and pours, then it cools down for the evening. Ah, paradise. Oh, I forgot to tell you I finally saw a rat. The Sisters have killed five with big stick in their apt., the Elders are not so brave, but I had yet to see one. Well we were walking home from piano the other night and scared one out of a ditch into the culvert. Not too big, but definitely a rat! Ah, paradise!
Please take care of each other with love,
Elder and Sister Greenway
We hope you had a gratitude filled Thanksgiving wherever you were. Sister Grover had already planned to feed all the Elders and Sisters pie at 5 p.m. Thanksgiving day, but as some of us were talking, we decided what we missed the most were the cold Turkey sandwiches. I think I might have mentioned this in Week 10. So, on Thurs. morn Elder Greenway and I stuffed 6 Indonesian Chickens into our Easy Bake oven, and the 3 Sister Miss. studied at the Soepomo Building while making rolls. Then at 5 we had cold chicken sandwiches on homemade rolls, with Hellmans mayo, and we're here to tell you that every bit of that chicken was slicked up. Then we had pumpkin, apple, chocolate cream, and banana cream pie, with a no-bake cheese cake. To top it off, we had blueberry (a huge flavor favorite here), caramel, and chocolate toppings and whipped cream AND ice cream!!!!! We invited the Seminary Kids (they have seminary at 5 p.m. on Tues, Wed., Thurs., and Fri. evenings here, because school starts at 7 a.m. So you can see that kids leave home at 7 and get home around 7), for dessert, and some of the YSAs came, too. Everything was gone in the end. IT WAS GREAT!!!! But these lovely people are so kind, we had 5 or 6 speak to us at different times during the week and ask if we were okay because we were missing Thanksgiving. Always loving...
The Grovers flew out today. They leave Jakarta tomorrow morning and fly 26 hrs. (including lay-overs) and arrive in Utah tomorrow night. Go figure. A group of members asked if they could come to the airport to see them off! Again, always loving. The Grovers spent the week cleaning and bringing us boxes of stuff. It is amazing what you can squeeze into this tiny apt. They gave a bunch of food to the Elders and Sisters who were very grateful. We will ever be thankful for their training and thoughtfulness. We were very lucky to come to Solo. Most Seniors don't have such a great hand-over of the reins. They will be missed by all who knew them, members and many non-members, too.
Last Monday we were asked to accompany 3 of the Elders to a family home. Noto, the father, was concerned because his son has not been coming to church. The boy is 11, and he gets up early and goes off with his friends. They go to the neighborhood video game place. Indonesians do not have systems in their homes, but each neighborhood has a place and charges to let the boys use it. It is a problem here just like it is a problem in the US. So we went with the Elders to Noto's tiny shanty store, where he sells used clothes. I can remember Emily telling me about homes in Ecuador being like large ovens. Well, ditto. But, we did get Noto and his son to commit to piano lessons at the Kaptiahan building. We wanted to get Bimbang, (pronounced quickly Bimbahng) into the building again. He used to come regularly. Now you will recall that the family car here is usually a scooter, and so if it rains, people don't leave home. So on Tuesday when they were to come to lessons, it just poured for 2 hrs. Hmmm..... We will try again this week. Anyway we have made a number of other plans to help Bimbang remember what he is missing. He loves his Dad, so that is the best start. Call this our rescue effort.
Speaking of Rescue Effort... I think I told you that there is zero Visiting Teaching and Home Teaching done here. They really depend on the missionaries to find and bring back the less active. The problem there is that when the Elders get transferred, then you have to start over. Elder Greenway and I have had the opportunity to see the rescue effort work in the Carlisle Ward. So we felt inspired that it could work here. We already had a meeting scheduled with the District Pres. and all of the Branch Pres. to discuss PEF. Elder Greenway asked if we could meet with Pres. Agus a bit early. He took Elder Ward along to translate for both meetings. I was teaching my group of 5 piano students. Elder Greenway presented his idea, knowing that the Pres. already knew about the rescue effort program, but he told the Pres. how long it took to "catch on" in the US. Pres. Agus was really excited. Ron was very inspired in his presentation. So, Pres. had Ron present it along with PEF in the meeting with the Branch Pres. Pres. Agus had them give Ron a schedule of their Council meetings so that we can attend and do a bit of training. We prayed very hard before the meeting that we would not come off as nosy Americans. Well, we were blessed. Now we will just have to work very hard so that Solo can grow and become a Stake. That is the plan.... 2 years, then maybe a Temple! Oh, that would be so wonderful!!!
Our English as a Second Lang. lessons have been going well. Wed. morning we took five various "board" games, that I found on line and enlarged, to our freshmen students at UNISRI. I had them turn there desks to make "tables" to play on. Well they formed 6 groups. So I gave each group a game, some buttons to use as "men" and a dice. But, I had a group with no game. So, since the idea is to get them to speak English plainly and have fun learning, I taught the last group, "Who Stole the Cookies From the Cookie Jar?" with the rhythm work and all. It was sooooo fun, and a hit! It took forever to get them to do it with the rhythm, and the whole "Who me?" "Yes, you." "Couldn't be!" "Then, who?" was hysterical. But they got it. So I had them come to the front at the end of class and do it for the whole group. Now they all want to do it. I think that will be a whole new lesson, along with "The Minister's Cat" which is similar.
Finally, we are up to 11 piano students, with more in the wings. I still don't have my new pianos, but we will find them. On Tues. I have 5, single lessons, Kiki 14, Lala 8, and Luki 6 are siblings, then Aster 20 and Bimbang 11. Noto 40? would like to learn, too. We'll see if he is serious. On Wed. I have a group lesson - Frisca 20, Agus 16, Yua 20, Alfina 18, Widap 20, and Puspah 12. Widap is pretty accomplished, but the rest are level one and lower. But they love it and that is all that counts. I have been finding Christmas music for them on line, and I told them we should have a recital of our Christmas music. They panicked! But we shall see.... These young people are marvelous. Today the Barat Branch had their YW program. It's like the Primary Program that they do in place of YW in Excellence. It was so beautiful, and very spiritual. Poor Elder Greenway spent Sacrament meeting in tears. We could barely understand things, but the Spirit was there, and it was powerful. They sang about 6 songs, had the YM join in for one of those, and then had beautiful testimonies. WOW!
Well, these are the days of the Greenway Couple. It is sunny and beautiful. Every day it clouds up and pours, then it cools down for the evening. Ah, paradise. Oh, I forgot to tell you I finally saw a rat. The Sisters have killed five with big stick in their apt., the Elders are not so brave, but I had yet to see one. Well we were walking home from piano the other night and scared one out of a ditch into the culvert. Not too big, but definitely a rat! Ah, paradise!
Please take care of each other with love,
Elder and Sister Greenway
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Week 10 Photos - Grover Farewell Party
Farewell Party for Elder and Sister Grover: The crowd begins to form ... We're thinking funeral ??? Wedding ????
The entertainment begins....
Now we have a full house and the party begins!!!!! Hey - that ain't one of the singers!!!!
Elder & Sister Grover began to dance to the crooning of the 2nd counselor in the Branch and his wife.
And then they brought out the food and drink (bottled water also comes in sealed plastic cups.!!!!!
Oh yeah lots of food!!!!
.... and more food .....
Oh yeah they let her sing a couple of times!
But then it was back to the real entertainment! This is the Branch President Cator (Chator) and his 15 yo daughter Monik (Monique). His family could be a poster family for the Church. His son Rico will be going to SLC on his mission in December.
Even Fareda was able to come. That's her on the right talking with another YSA. Fareda is Muslim - came to and English class at the church with a friend - saw the YSA having a movie night and now wants to be baptized!
Have we mentioned how wonderful these people are!?!?
The entertainment begins....
Now we have a full house and the party begins!!!!! Hey - that ain't one of the singers!!!!
Elder & Sister Grover began to dance to the crooning of the 2nd counselor in the Branch and his wife.
And then they brought out the food and drink (bottled water also comes in sealed plastic cups.!!!!!
Oh yeah lots of food!!!!
.... and more food .....
Oh yeah they let her sing a couple of times!
But then it was back to the real entertainment! This is the Branch President Cator (Chator) and his 15 yo daughter Monik (Monique). His family could be a poster family for the Church. His son Rico will be going to SLC on his mission in December.
Even Fareda was able to come. That's her on the right talking with another YSA. Fareda is Muslim - came to and English class at the church with a friend - saw the YSA having a movie night and now wants to be baptized!
Have we mentioned how wonderful these people are!?!?
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