Uncategorized – Page 2 – The Buells in Indonesia

Refugee School

Our last day at the Refugee School was a sad one. In a very short time, the people we’ve met there are our friends and we feel for them and the terrible situation they are in. They can’t work, the kids can’t go to school, they are stuck for years in ‘no-mans land’ – they can’t go back for fear of being killed and they can’t move forward because the UNHCR refugee settlement situation takes forever. The latest estimate for resettlement is after they receive refugee 8-10 years, and that’s AFTER they achieve refugee status, which takes 18-24 months. So for the years they are here, they do the best they can – and the best thing is to be involved in the several refugee schools that in the area.

Azghar is a Christian refugee – he’s actually taking the discussions! When we first met him he said ‘I’ve been talking to your son’. Uhh…I’m pretty sure that’s not the case…So he said ‘Isn’t Elder Bell your son’? Ahhh – Elder Bell, Elder Buell, close enough!

The youngsters. All of the boys are 14/15 and are here alone. The girls are so sweet – and Nura (the girl in the black hijab) is SO like an American teenager – her English is so good she uses American slang!

We caught Mohammed sleeping, so we took the pic!

The older personal finance class. I can teach them about banks, loans, checking accounts, credit cards, ATM’s, etc., but it’s frustrating because they can’t have any of those things here. I can only tell them ‘remember this, because you’ll need it when you get to where you’re going’. Of course, for some, that will be years….

I will not miss climbing these stairs to the upstairs classroom! They KILL my feet!

With Dr Titi in Cikampek

A couple weeks ago we went with Dr. Titi to Cikampek (a town about 2 hours from Jakarta) where she lectured at a community center on the importance of immunization. We were also able to visit some of the patients from her hospital while we were there.

The audience – about 100 ladies. There are rarely men in meetings like this..

The local organizing committee – so nice, gracious and welcoming. They gave DeeAnn a beautiful crocheted purse

Prizes to the best answer-givers. Notice the photographers on the left….

The Committee singing an Islamic greeting

We were then able to visit a couple of former patients of RS Lestari. LDS Charities has helped RS Lestari for years with patients needing cleft lip and palate surgery, cataract surgery, etc. They were so appreciative of the help received….

This lady had her first cleft palate surgery at age 50!

These folks had cataract surgery about a year ago.

“Pull up the porch and have a seat”! They have so little and are so humble….

We then visited a little girl who has had the first of several needed surgeries for her cleft lip. So sweet….

No matter how humble, they ALWAYS serve something…

After the lecture and the visits, we were treated to lunch at a nearby lakeside restaurant.

With Dr. Titi, ibu Inis and Dhini, Dr. Titi’s friend.

A great day spend with good friends. Dr. Titi does such great work and we are privileged to work with her and be associated with the hospital.

Odds & Ends

DeeAnn tried it to, but I’m pretty sure she was less enthusiastic than I was….

Tree growing in the middle of the Sate Kuda warong…

Almost every Pos Ronda (neighborhood security area) has a small Kentongan – a wooden ‘gourd’ they hit with a wooden stick to signal the neighbors. This is the biggest Kentongan ever seen!

The Jensen’s at the old malt shoppe – actually, at Fish & Co having a 1-liter mermaid splash, a frozen fruit drink. Delicious…..

Stake Center front grounds on Jalan Suhardjo – a beautiful setting on a very busy street

Our favorite guard, Ardi, helping us with groceries

The Latest in Javanese Formal Wear

Of the 17,000 islands that make up Indonesia, the island of Java is THE island and the heart and soul of Indonesia. Everyone is very proud of their island or region but it seems those from Java (especially Central Java) are extra proud of that fact and are quick to point out that Java “rules the roost” in Indonesia relative to politics, art, design, music, culture, language, etc. The Javanese language is considered very formal and the language of royalty.

Central Java even has it’s own distinctive dress. Now all Indonesian provinces and regions have their own music, language (over 7,000 languages here) art, etc. but Central Java seems to have the reputation of being ahead of everywhere else.

On a recent trip to Jogja, our driver/translator Rian convinced us to go to his home and take some pictures with us in traditional Javanese formal wear complete with wedding makeup for DeeAnn. Since his mother used to do this for locals, we agreed.

The finished product – not full-fledged wedding attire, but getting there…

Every properly-dressed Javanese man carries a dagger in his belt.

We really enjoyed our venture into Javanese culture with their traditional dress! If that wasn’t enough, she insisted on fixing us lunch!

All good things…..

“Old age subtly creeps up on you; but when it arrives, its’ effects are hardly subtle….”

This is a hard post….For several months, I have had a headache 24/7. MRI’s of the head and neck, x-rays, blood tests, have all been negative. The doctors here are stumped and have shrugged their shoulders as to the cause or a solution. (One suggested maybe it was acid reflux….)

So after a lot of prayer and discussion, DeeAnn and I have decided to return home to see if some of US doctors can find what’s going on. Before we leave, we have a few projects to get organized but the plan is to depart November 2 at 6:00 am and 24 hours later (6:00 pm plus the 12 hour time difference) we will be in Abilene, TX. We will spend a couple days there to visit Holly and her family (she’s up to four children now), then go to Joplin for a couple doctor appointments, then go to Kevin’s the following weekend and visit with him. Then, we will figure out or see what’s next.

This is heartbreaking and a very hard decision. We love Indonesia and the people. We will so miss Indonesia and it will be very hard to leave. The people are so kind, so nice and so friendly. We have been accepted with open arms, made wonderful friends and hopefully made a few lives better through our Humanitarian projects and LDS Charities. What a blessing it’s been in our lives to have been here and to be engaged in the Lord’s work. Our lives will never be the same.

There are lot’s of questions still to be answered – not the least of which is what’s going on with my head? Most of you know we sold our home, cars, furniture – everything (except my golf clubs) – so we have no “home” to go home to. Good friends have graciously offered to let us stay at their place until we have some answers, so for now, we’ll do that. Clearly, that’s not a long-term solution, but it will work in the short term. We’ll just have to have faith and let the Lord direct our path.

Trust in the Lord with all thy heart and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all they ways, acknowledge Him and he shall direct thy paths. Proverbs 3:5-6

Thank you all for reading my blog.

Bunaken

Last week we were in Manado on Friday, so we stayed over for a Saturday P-day and went to Bunaken. You can Google it for more information, but Bunaken Marine Park is a small island off Manado famous for scuba diving and, for those not licensed or less adventurous, snorkeling. Wow! I wasn’t able to take any underwater pictures, but I kept thinking what a great time Heavenly Father must have had when He created the fish and chose their colors. Bright yellow, blue, orange, white – and everything in between – and stripes, solids, polka dots, etc. What a great experience!

On the beach with one of Indonesia’s many volcanoes in the background

We made short work of the fresh grilled fish…

It was a great day and a chance to view some of Heavenly Father’s beautiful creations – the peaceful island, the blue water, the reef, the beautiful fish. So glad we took the time to do this!

Refugee School Flood

Today was a normal Monday – our day to teach at the Refugee School. And it started out that way. We taught our classes at 10, then at 11, then walked to Domino’s for lunch. While we were there, it started raining. And not just raining – POURING!

Right outside Domino’s. I’m thinking ‘how am I going to cross the street without getting my shoes wet’? Answer: I don’t

By the time we got back to the school, the water was mid-calf deep….forget about not getting the shoes wet! Even though we had umbrellas, we were soaked!

This is the little street leading to the school – the water was about 18″ deep.

So we thought, ‘wow, it’s really raining, and oh well, we got wet’. Well, it kept raining, and pretty soon, the water was coming into the school!

So whoever was in the school pitched in trying to keep it out….

Pulling up the carpet – hopefully it’s salvageable….LDS Charities just bought it a few weeks ago!

Needless to say, our afternoon class didn’t meet as we all pitched in to work. Eventually, it stopped raining, and finally, the water subsided. We pulled up the carpet, squeegeed the rest of the water out, and cleaned up as best we could.

As we were finishing up, I noticed the neighbor across the street was trying to clean up his house with just he and his wife. So we went across the street and helped him out. Hopefully, we the Refugee School earned a little goodwill with the neighborhood! (No pics because my phone died!)

What a day!

Young Single Adult BBQ

DeeAnn and I are the YSA advisors in the Tangerang I Ward. They wanted to have a BBQ on Saturday night, so we took a 2-hour Uber ride from our apartment to Tangerang. Proof once again that nothing is easy in Jakarta!

BBQ’s are a little different in Indonesia in terms of food- in the US there’d be hamburgers, hotdogs, potato salad, etc. Not so much here….Actually, there were “sausages”, sort of like hot dogs (but they really aren’t to be trusted). They had squid, shrimp (complete with shells) and really good chicken. Rice, meat and some watermelon. We brought canned baked beans, some Doritos and Cheetos and brownies. (FYI – chips are about $5 per bag)

While the food might be a bot different, BBQ’s are identical in terms of fun, fellowship, and a good time!

We REALLY enjoy our contact with these great YSA’s.

Zone Conference

Zone Conferences are always fun because we get to be around these fantastic young missionaries and listen to great counsel from President Rowley. They are held every 6 seeks or so..

Couples – the Grant’s (Bandung), the Jensen’s and us.

Sister Fuglsong (Australia). Nice teeth…

Sisters Stefani and Oktaviani….matching batik dresses

Insonesian “Happy Birthday” song

Odds & Ends

Carved watermelon centerpiece on the breakfast buffet

Natural woodcarving near the hotel in Solo

Woodcarvings – each at a reasonable $50.

Tongseng – a lamb stew found in Central Java. Very tasty…

Trash recycling in the middle of the block

this is a very typical living room of a house in Central Java

Typical Masakan Padang food – fried fish and chicken

Not sure how ‘restful’ this rest area is….

But the toilet of this rest area was amazingly clean!

Traditional becaks are still heavily used in Solo