Serving the Living, Serving the Dead

We have been preparing to go to the temple in Manila.  So we are helping members identify their ancestors.  We have visited a few cemeteries to look for family information.  As we walk through the cemeteries we see that some have left little record of themselves.  We may have to wait a long time before we find out who was buried here. 

Others have a more lasting record and we hope to input a few names to the Family Search database to help other find their ancestors.

President Ari, our driver and branch president found the graves of his grandparents and enjoyed remembering times spent with them.

We took Sister Sugesti to the cemetery to find the graves of
her parents and daughter who died.  Life is fragile

We also visited the sick and needy..    

Brother Suharto has been suffering from kidney problems then it was told that he had heart problems, but is convinced his new medicines are helping him \feel better.

Everyone is interested in the new elixir and checking it out.

Some seem a bit more skeptical than others.

English class took on new life as we acted out fairy tales.  Here is the tale of Goldilocks and the Three Bears."Someone has been eating my porridge!".

"Someone has been sleeping my bed!"

"And here she is.  Eeeeek!"

Spent some time training missionaries in another city how to teach English classes, the Sister Jeffery way.  Aka, lots of songs games and interactive activities.

Shared a lesson with the Basuki family.  Elder and Sister Baird , the public relations missionaries from Jakarta were in tow.  They have a different assignment and this was their first visit in the home of a member.

Lots of fun and a tasty lunch.  The Bairds agreed that they would have to find time for more of this.  We feel so grateful for the assignment that brings us into the home of members and we can get to know them as dear friends.  What a joy it has been.

We also visited a workshop where they were making wooden batik decorations.  They apply the wax and dies to create some beautiful items.  Sister Jeffery is getting into the shopping mode as our return to the states is eminent.

Checked out the beautiful carved wooden furniture.  Beautiful, but shipping costs may break the bank.

The Bairds had so much fun they visited with this family with us too.  The daughter in her family is preparing to go to the provincial (state ) level academic competition.  Wow, a Public Relations opportunity too.

We have started making a slide show with the Young women about their activities.  We started with class time and reciting the theme just like all of the other Young Women in the church do each Sunday.

Baking cookies American style is fun

Moms watched and waited for tasting rights.

We went to a park and took pictures of the group.  They are the cutest fun loving group around.  

The next day we took the cookies to share with the members of the branch.  President Ari says they are great.

We have been preparing for the Primary children's" Sacrament meeting program.  

Sister Jeffery always enjoys getting everyone involved .  But the day of presentation, Sister Jeffery came down with the flu and couldn't attend.  Elder Jeffery followed through with his part of accompanying the group and reported the angels sang along with the children 

and it was a wonderful time for the branch.

Saying goodbye to Elder Bonari.  A strong missionary returning home to Bekasi to serve in the church in new roles and with new adventures.That is what happens as one mission transitions to another.

Our new church building remodeling job is moving along quickly.  We will give a more detailed report of these activities in our next blog.  Whew, we are busy with this one.

Enjoyed attending the wedding of a young couple in 'Semarang.  The next week we went to the temple in Manila to see them sealed as a couple for all time and the eternities.

Wedding time is visiting time as we met up with former Magelang serving Elders.

Our institute students serving as bridesmaids.We are anxiously waiting for their marriage announcements.

Met up with the Broto family.  Dad is working on filming records for Family Search.  After our cemetery adventures we are eager to here of easier ways to get family names and dates.  

Accompanying us on the trip were five of our institute boys.  They came up from Jogya on their motorcycles, joined us in the car for the rest of the trip to Semarang on the northern coast of Java.
They were amazed that Elder Jeffery would drive himself.  Guess Elder Jeffery had to prove himself a bit.  He has enjoyed driving these last few months.  Not a dull moment on the roads here.  But one of the young men who is a driver drove home so Elder Jeffery could play Liars Dice in the back seat.  The guys whooped and hollered and laughed the whole way home.

Contemplative moments as we are in the final stretch of our mission.  Our return date is scheduled for December 15.  Home for the holidays with the family.  We are feeling the last minute rush as we try to finish up our projects and shop for gifts.  We will miss this place.