Fun filled times in Indonesia

 We bought 8 frames for the Keluarga Dapat Kekal Selamanya artwork. Each cost $2.07 and then 3 women went to work for 20 minutes cutting the artwork to the right dimensions and putting it in frames, part of the cost of the frames.

Next we took one of the pieces of art to Ibu Suparti and gave it to her as a gift as she accepted the opportunity to attend the Temple Preparation Class to begin next month, Mei. 

This "train" was just travelling through a neighborhood.  A fun way for an entrepreneur to entertain children.

The Lewis's are the closest missionary couple to us, serving in Surakarta.  They are fantastic family history promoters.  We spent the night with them at their hotel based apartment.

Zone conference was a fun and inspiring time with the other missionaries of Central Java.  

Elders Sadyiono and Wintolo who are grandsons of the original Sadiyono who Elder Jeffery taught the gospel to in Solo, in 1974.

Waiting at the train station is always better with a game.  This one, Book of Mormon Battles, was a new one sent to Elder Hymas that we enjoyed.

A service project at our local community center where we joined with local members to give health screenings.  Sister Jeffery was the last in the line to hand each participant a a list of dietary recommendations based on blood type.  Although a nurse did a blood sugar test, there was no typing of blood done.  So I doubt anyone will use the handout which is not medically sound advice.  It was a fun morning as little David below will tell you.

Our vehicle made it possible for this long time church leader who is the victim of a stroke to attend a sacrament meeting for the first time in years.  His wife, Sister Wuri is a dedicated caregiver and active church member but they live far from the city.

Yesterday we arrived back at the church after attending church in Yodja about an hour away.  Church in Magelang was just ending and a baptism was scheduled right after church.  As we arrived the members sent us upstairs to talk to immigration officials.  We spent several hours talking and having perhaps a 1000 photos taken.  Since our passports and original paper work were at the mission office in Jakarta , they decided that we should be detained until the originals were presented for inspection by the six member team and their associated six member team of photographers.  This took long enough that the baptism was rescheduled for next week.

We conferred and decided our home would be the detention center instead of traveling two hours away to the immigration offices. The two American Elders in town stayed in our downstairs bedroom for the night.  Pres Ari was in charge of us. The elders had to suffer sleeping in air conditioning and showers with hot water.  

 The immigration officials came by at 7:00.  We conferred and decided our home would be the detention center instead of traveling two hours away to the immigration offices. The two American Elders in town stayed in our downstairs bedroom for the night.  Pres Ari was in charge of us. The elders had to suffer sleeping in air conditioning and showers with hot water.  

m  to see that everything was in order. We served pineapple upside down cake and things went well.  The mission office in Jakarta sent two people with documents on the plane first thing Monday morning 

We had pancakes together and took off to the hotel to present our paperwork.

All's well that ends well and we are free to go.  Tatok is staying through tomorrow to see that things are cool with the police and make sure building permits are ship shape.  .   

Wadoooo, things are exciting in Magelang.

With some contemplation we have come up with a list of pros from the situation.

1. We were able to present ourselves and the church as law abiding people.

2. We were able to explain how the church works and a few basic doctrines to officials who we might have never met elsewhere.

3.  We are reminded that the world sees us when ever and where ever we are. We are always testifying of Jesus Christ as we represent Him.

4.  People in this area are taking note of our church.  It is growing.  

5. More great things are coming. The opposition knows it. 

D&C 123:17 Therefore, dearly beloved brethren, let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for His arm to be revealed.

On a lighter note, we enjoy Indonesian food, but since the Elders eat on the streets virtually every meal they sometimes get a craving for American food.  In Yogyakarta we all went to Pizza Hut for Italian cuisine.  All the time we've been in Magelang we haven't see another European Caucasian face except our missionaries.  So on this trip to the big city, these missionaries were amazed to see blond haired young ladies at a table near us.  Sister Jeffery has always enjoyed young people, so she made some friends.  The Elders watched from afar.  

This is more traditional Indonesian food, rendang, being enjoyed by Elders Widigdo, Hymas, and Kelik.  Notice no silverware and the banana leaf is the basic dish.  They put a plate underneath to get fancy.

Here's Julie with Hendrik's mother.  She'd actually bought the rendang for us and came to the church to "ombro" be with Sister Jeffery.  Delaying her son's baptism may mean that she will attend it next Sunday.

Sister Jeffery liked this, in honor of those men in her life who've wrestled with her beloved 1961 GMC truck, the Spitfire, the grey Sentra, the Maxima, and most recently the Ion.