March.
woah. about 3 months left in a land completely across the world. who would figure that it would be this month that God would bring me a secret place to have with Him, remind me to truly have time alone with Him, keep me in His love, and start my plans for real travels- to so many places that I sometimes can't keep up!
First week in March, I went to the new American Embassy Public Outreach- @america, if you look it up it's in Pacific Place. the first one was decided to be here in Jakarta, Indonesia because these Indonesian teens are the most technologic out of all in the world, they have become the number 2 user of Facebook over England as far as I've heard, and they are the largest democracy, and Muslim country as well. - So joining the 11th graders I went to discover @america, my own country, and was totally excited to see all the LED screens showing faces I know of, dates I haven't memorized, news, and the ability to even use iPads if you become a member- which is free. They also appealed to the Indo- crowd with a little cafe/like/jazz/music scene. where you can sit and hang out and listen to honest-to-goodness great bands that actually even played at Java Jazz, the biggest Jazz concert that is the first weekend in March.
~ coming home from a great day with new friends on the bus and in 11th grade (thinking that I will join the 11th grade and really touch them as well), I was greeted by the startings to have the 40day prayer for my grandma- who has passed away. In the Muslim religion they have prayers after 40days, 100days, and 1,000 days. It's in their bible, but as far as i know, they don't know why exactly.. :)
anyway, mama prepared all the food- even though I asked many times if i could help. And our cousins came over while I was exercising, which must've been an interesting sight!
We spread carpets all over the floor, cleared all the furniture, and waited for guests, when the imam (preacher for Muslims) arrived, the men first started the prayers and women on their menstrual cycles had to leave the room. *all pictures are on facebook*, then we made a circle and said more prayers, they gave out books that were in arabic and indonesian- but if you weren't paying super close attention, everyone could've gotten lost. the imam was the only one who truly knew the prayers. it was quite interesting. *video to come as well* We had about 60 people there, with grandmas, uncles, aunts, dad's side, mom's side, and it was my cousin's mom that died- i found out a lot about her life that night.
it's Mama Inne's younger sister (mama inne is the oldest) who died from cancer, and when she did, she left her son (who is old enough to be on his own now) and daughter, who is now staying with our other cousin around her age and her aunt's family. It was right before I came to their house, three days before Airin's wedding- that her mom died, my aunt.
woah.
wedding right after funeral.
that's what i thought too.
During the time we were praying, I wasn't sitting next to her though, because for good pictures you need good space, so I was able to sit with open space to take videos and photos galor.
eating food, hanging out with cousins, praying- it was interesting, and after Chantika and I helped to pick up everything wih Mama. we went to bed.
The rest of the week consisted of:
a day off with Mama since I didn't have to go to school- where I:
~was invited to try acting in a reality show, but he couldn't find the script so I wasn't able to do a casting (my mama is an actress on the side as well, which is much easier to do here than in america. so we went to do her casting for a new soap opera she'll be starting this month)
~enjoyed a healthy lunch at American Grill, where I was reminded that I honestly enjoy eating healthy food but have missed it since indonesians like to fry and grill things so often.
~successfully bowled a 121 on my second game out of 4.
~found a suitcase for only $45 at PIM.
a day of peace with God- where I:
~watched the entire sunrise from the porch on Chantika's level and listened to His voice sing in my ears, and whisper loving reminders of going slow and watching for His beauty during the day
~writing a blog, and then stopping to go slow again, and really dig into the Word- where I danced with Him, and learned with Him, and finally found a spot that I call ours. On the roof where you can see Puncak and Bogor in the distance and the most beautiful winds blow. :)
~did not have any responsibilities, but started to feel sick at night, so much that the next morning was
a day of rest- where I:
~woke up early to mama making me pancakes and warm milk with honey, before going to the hospital on insurance just to understand what was wrong with me. since I was having cold/hot sweats and a really sore throat- throat infection it was. and now 10pills a day until they're all gone (including my malaria pill and 2 acne pills)
~ran to ranch market to get salads, soups, and breads. and came home to sleep for three hours, until I woke up to Chantika and her friend watching movies, where I joined and ate soup, salad, and bread.
~and afterwards, got up the strength to say happy birthday to two friends at PIM (Odhi and Whitney) and buy that suitcase I saw yesterday, and in the taxi- enjoy a content conversation that kept me awake *in bahasa indonesia* until i was home at last where I could fall asleep, because my body was about 79%
that saturday was a complete day of nothing as far as i remember- where I:
~only recall skyping my mom, who said that I couldn't go to church the next morning really early because I wasn't completely better. So-
that turned into sunday- where I:
~took my medicine
~had church at home and watched the sunrise with God
~tried to help mama around the house since Mas Torez had gone home to his village to see his family since thursday
~started packing for my three day visit to Bukittinggi, West Sumatra.
With trips to come and trips in the planning process:
Bali/Lombok/Komodo
1,000 Islands
Ujung Genteng
Malang
Bandung
sleepovers at family's houses :)
God's been doing something cool. While I was home, He really started to renew a new spirit within me, after that last day in February- like I was talking about a couple days ago, and He started to plan things around me. While He got my focus on loving the 11th graders and showing them love, He started to teach me new things becuase i had the perspective and broken attitude that was necessary.
1. He taught me to be aware, observant, faithful, available, grateful, following His Voice no matter what it said, and praising Him :)
2. He taught me interesting theories about the star in the sky on Christmas from sermons in America
3. He gave me excess money, so much so that it's like the 5loaves of bread and 2fish story. Where there seems to not be an end~ :) I see that now. With $40 coming from helping my friend. and $10 a week from my new family as allowance, it seems that God is feeding me without anything running dry. I was even able to buy the suitcase without asking my parents for money again :) He's taking care, just like He always has and will :)
I know these blogs are fast and hurried, but I want to get to the most recent- my trip to Bukittinggi, cause tomorrow I am to be leaving for Bandung with YEP students to enjoy a weekend there, and I don't want to forget details!
So bear with me :) Golden nuggets will come, little details will come on the way.
but if you hear these stories in person, they will be even more detailed and told than they are here :)
thank