Would you like to meet some of my friends? =)

I've been wanting to introduce you to some of the people who are part of my daily lives in Indonesia, but hadn't really got a chance until now... Well, I have at least 35 whose 'pictures' I want to briefly 'paint' here! =)

Because it seems that I'm making only slow progress, I have decided to just post what I have got written down first and then will update as I get the chance... and introduce more people in separate posts, I mean...

Anyway, here are first 16 of the people I encounter in my daily life back over there, whom I want to introduce to you:

1. Oom Surachman
He is a Raden and a native. My grandpa's friend from a long time ago. He was involved in many of the fights to get our country's independence. He has always been actively involved in Angkatan 45. 82 years old. The man whose Mum just passed away. He has always been very nice to our family. I do believe that my love for books might be related to what he's done for me in the past - taking me to the city's library, and buying me children's magazines weekly. His wife is also very old and sickly. And they are poor. Though they do have kids who look after them, and the country - do look after them to a certain extent. A grandfather figure to me, especially since I lost both of my grandpas quite a while ago.

2. Isah
One of the helpers in the house. She has been working for as long as I can remember, I think - since my childhood days. A very loyal helper. She always cooked nice foods for me when I'm back home! =) Her niece used to work in our house as well - as my brother's babysitter, but then resigned, worked for others, and then went overseas to work. The niece married a useless guy, who wasted the money she sent to look after her family, including school fees for their two sons. And so, Isah's sister (the niece's Mum) often turn to her for help.

3. Ci Dede
The oldest worker at the shop, I think. 'Oldest' in terms of longest working time. =) My parents' right hand person. A very nice person. She has 3 siblings, I think - or maybe cousins - they are closely related anyhow. Her brother used to work for us, too. But no longer. Her sister was married to one of my grandparents' shop workers. She died young, leaving her husband and two (?) very little kids. Her other brother, Ko Elan, used to work at my parents' shop, too. I know him, of course! He used to work for a long while, until he got too sick to work. Yes, their families are not that healthy. At the moment, he can only stay at home. He gets too tired even when he just moves around the house. Ci Dede is the one supporting him and their Dad.

4. Ko Bubun
One of the earliest workers at the shop, too. A Christian, as far as I know. Don't know him that much. But a loyal worker of course, considering he's worked with us for a while...

5. Ko Kholid
Ko Bubun's brother. Another Christian, I think. His son is a Buddhist though - my Mum's Vihara's Sunday School student. So not sure... He used to work at a well known foto lab in our city, until Ko Bubun brought him to work at our place. =)

6. Kang Dedi
Oom Surachman's nephew, I think. Or somehow related to him... A very loyal and responsible worker. Seemed quiet, but can be talkative. One of my parents' most trusted workers - not that others are not trusted. =) On the last night that I was at home, someone left our spare (recently repaired) motorbike in front of the store at the end of the day. He came back to tell my parents and to help us store it in the garage after the rest of the workers went home.

7. Yana
He was still VERY young when he first started working at our shop. He was a very quiet lad and yet VERY dilligent (he still is both quiet and dilligent now), oh, and shy. Now, he is married and his wife is 5 months pregnant. His wife lives with her parents in another city, so he has to travel every weekend to be with her, and to spend time with her - only a day or two per week. It was a happy news for me to hear that his wife is pregnant! =) I mean, that means that their relationship - even though between cities are still quite good (haha, I know some people won't believe I say that, but it's true, though, isn't it? It's good for married couple to maintain their married relationship well)

8. Kang Yadi
He is Yana's older brother. His wife is Yana's older sister. Not sure how come it worked out like that! =) His wife now lives together with him and their two children in my hometown though. She too, used to live with her parents in that other city before they had kids. He is another honest worker. Talks a bit more compared to Yana, and isn't as shy, but equally dilligent. =)

9. Deni
This chap serves as a real life example for me as to why such thing as "missionary dating" doesn't work! This is the story: When he first came to work at our shop, he went for Fr prayer. But then, he stopped going, because he said he was actually a Chr. Then, one day, he asked my parents permission to start going for Fr prayer again (public prayer). When my parents asked him why, wasn't he a Chr? He said he broke up with his Chr girlfriend, and so he was back to his first religion!

10. Anto
A very quiet person. Very hard working. Been very busy lately, esp since Ko Elan fell sick and stopped working. He is a trustworthy worker. Not sure where he is originally from. As in, which part of the country, since I don't think he is from somewhere nearby.

11. Lucy
One of our computer girls. Mum said she doesn't believe in anything, a free thinker, but I hadn't got a chance to talk to her yet... Since she is one of the computer girls, I do not see her that often, because when I helped my parents, I often spend my time at the shop, not inside... =(

12. Lia
Another one of our computer girls. She is apparently the younger of my sis' friend. She had been away (off sick) for a bit when I was there... Latest was diagnosed with Hep A. My parents sent her to another city several times for medical treatment. I think she is better now. She was due to come back to work the week after I left. Heard from mum that she is a pentecostal Christian...

13. Sun-sun
Another computer girl who also goes to the pentecostal church... She is caring and always says Hi when she sees us (me and my sis) back. =) Someone that I wished I had a chance to talk more about her church - just have some questions about some of its 'reputation' etc... Plan for next visit, I guess... =)

14. Anne
I think she is originally from the eastern part of Indonesia, somewhere... but then again, she might have lived in our area for a while... Her sister, Rini, came and worked with us first, and then she came also. Her sister now works in the school shop of a Christian school in our city. Anne, too, is a Christian. I forgot to ask if her husband is a Christian, too, though. Her husband happens to work at my uncle's shop next door. =) I did meet him once, but forgot to ask Anne to introduce him to me...

15. Merry
Merry is about 2 months pregnant. Her husband is Ojon, another worker in my parents' shop. =) They met there. When I said goodbye to her this time, I said to her that I might not see her around the shop anymore next time I go back home, because by then, she would be a stay at home mum... It was sad to say goodbye, even though I know that she would stop working for a good thing, still...

16. Ojon
Merry's husband. Can't remember which one of them started working at our place first. =) He was the one who told my parents about someone who used to work for my parents, Ko Weli. He told my parents how much poverty Ko Weli lives in at the moment. How he couldn't find a job because of his health problem, and so how he and his wife used to eat only once (and sometimes just rice) so that their child can eat. Ko Weli's wife had died now. It was hard enough to read about poverty and all the sufferings caused by it on newspaper... It was much harder when those people affected by those things are people you know personally by names...

These are real people. These, are people I consider friends. Please do think twice before you say anything "smart" / "thoughtful"... These people are real people to me... they are not objects of intellectual discussions of what about those who don't believe in Jesus and what problems we have as a country etc...

This time, I don't want to forget them... This time, I am holding on to my memories of them as long as I can... This time, I want to be in two places for as long as possible... I might be here... But I know I'm not fully back yet... And I'm not so sure I want to be fully back here yet... =)

Communication problems...

Been reading my Alkitab instead of my ESV Bible, and so been finding it harder and harder to pray out loud in English... Not that I can easily pray in Indo now... It's just... I've been listening to God in Indo... and so harder to talk to Him in English now... simply because it's kind of weird to communicate to someone like that I guess...

I mean, I know some people do that... Like me and Judy, a girl from the Mandarin fellowship... there are times when she talks to me in Mandarin, and I will reply to her in English... But it could only last for so long, because it's just weird! Especially when we can actually communicate in just one of the languages...

I won't say I'm finding it easy to read Alkitab now... and to understand it and think it through in Indo... I feel that I have trained myself SO well to think in English that it really is now the language that I think in - when I'm alone, or talking to God... Not saying my English is perfect or that I have totally forgotten my Indo... just that... I prefer that language??? I don't know...

But yeah, there are things that are worth some sacrifices, right?

Maybe, this vision is one of them...

Missing out...

60 doctors
1200 patients
350 soldiers/army/police
many other helpers!

The biggest social event ever - so far anyway - in that city...

and I wasn't there to be part of that all (!) ...

Prayed for the event and everyone involved of course!

Resolved and asked God for help to never forget reality of life over there...

Salam

Tau, bentar lagi mesti tidur, hehe. Soalnya dah cape and lagi sakit. Tapi pengen nulis aja dulu bentar. Apalagi soalnya dah dua minggu-an gitu belom nulis apa2. Otak gua kan ngga boleh dikasih istirahat terlalu lama, cepet karatannya soalnya! =P

Anyway, cuma lagi happy aja sih, soalnya barusan, ini malem dapet sms dari ade gua, yang ngebilangin gua kalo gua dapet salam dari salah satu anak toko! =) Very happy, hehe... =)

Besok2 lagi kalo nelpon rumah kayaknya bakalan coba nelpon ke salah satu telp yang bakalan mereka jawab instead of yang deket Papa n Mama gua deh. =) Kalo ngga titip salam balik dulu kali besok. =)

Anak toko ini lucu banget! =) Orang beda daerah ama gua. Bagian tengah ato timur yah(?) pulau yang sama. Jadi sering digodain ama Papa gua n anak2 yang laen. =)

Anaknya bae. Berani lagi. Maksudnya, berani ngajak gua ngomong and cerita2 gitu. Dia yang kemaren ini (di blog post gua yang dulu), waktu "ngelayat" ngajak gua duduk bareng mereka - bareng anak2 toko yang laen. Dia juga yang bilang kalo gua ngga robah banyak.

Gua seneng soalnya dia treat gua as a person gitu loh. Ngga cuma sebagai anak bos... tapi ngga ga hormat juga...

Hmmm... susah sih neranginnya... Pokoknya, gua anggap dia temen gua deh... Anak toko yang laen juga. Gua tau mereka semua by name and I was even thinking to "introduce" all of them to you one day! =) Through my writing of course! =) Tapi yang ini, salah satu yang spesial sih... =P

Anyway, gua mungkin ngerasa bisa relate ke dia, soalnya gua ngerasa nemuin temen senasib kali yah? Kita sama2 cuma bisa pulang sekali setaon, buat spend time ama keluarga kita. And ngga bisa selama yang kita mau. Biarpun buat gua, waktu gua ama family gua, tetep jauh lebih lama daripada waktu dia ama keluarganya. Gua suka mikir, kesian orang yang kerja di sana ato juga orang2 laen juga yang ngga punya that much say over their own lives, gitu loh...

It would be tricky to know how to start a 'salty and seasoned' conversation ama dia though... I think I will start by praying and keep working on the relationship for a start, I guess... =)

Glimpses of Life Over Here - Better be a good one!

It was a sad occassion that brought all of us together there tonight. Our whole shop workers (minus one sick one and one whose house we visited) went there.

One of my parents' workers' Dad passed away this morning. He had been sick (seriously ill) for a week - but was only brought to hospital last night. Money was an issue - and probably because they didn't expect the case to be this bad this time...

Had a chance to witness that I didn't really make the most of tonight... But wasn't sure how much I should have said anyway. I did take it up as wisely as I thought I was being at that time. Maybe I could have done it better. But what has happened has happened. God could use it if He wants to. He is in control.

It was good to be able to spend some time talking to some of the girls who works in the shop (for my parents). To get to know particularly two girls better - one whose Dad passed away, and another one who is from another part of the island.

Was good to be able to talk to them as 'friends'. Of course they still 'respect' me. But from their questions... and topic of conversations - I'm thankful to God that there weren't that much barriers between us. I'm glad they let me sit with them! =)

I love these people.

I know I get sick much easier when I live here. And a brother told me recently that maybe that's a sign that I should not come back. I know he meant well, and I appreciated that. But I would not let my health be an unworthy reason not to come back.

I mean, it could be troublesome, and might slow me down a bit. But I just can't imagine what answer I should give to my Lord if He asks me - "Have you really lived out your life for Me and My people?"

Of course He might not want me to be back here for good. It is for me to work out between me and my God - which of course, is a much scarier thing to do - cos I can fool others, but I can't fool Him. And if it is true that I can't come back here, I should still think of ways to live my life out for Him fully.

But yeah, I want to have a better reason than just health, or comfort, or anything else for not coming back.

There are just too many of His works to be done here. My reason had better be a really good one!!!

Not talking about anyone else. No one needs to feel offended or uncomfortable reading this. As I said, each person needs to work it out for themselves - between God and themselves - how they can best serve God. No one is to pass judgement on others, because no one knows someone else's full story. But we should encourage each other to be as honest as possible with themselves and God... and make godly decisions.

But yeah, I love these people I live amongst... And I know He loves them more than I do! I cannot not go back just because I get sick more often here... I just can't! That's not an option!

My Lord has set me an example. He didn't find coming into this world - convenient, or comfortable, or not costly, or fun! And yet, if He choose not to come - who would have hope of eternal life?

My Apostle set me an example. He didn't find being rejected by his own people easy, or being flogged, or thrown into jail - but he did it anyway. Because He was following my Lord.

Many other brothers and sisters in my Father's family have also set me examples to follow!

I have no option... Even if I really can't come back - I can't 'ignore' the part He might want me to play in the lives of these people....... I just can't........

I have to be more creative! I have to be more prayerful.....

Glimpses of Life Over Here - Part 7

Minggu kemaren, pas waktu ngunjungin sodara gua di luar kota, dia bilang gini ke Mama gua:
"Si Lilis mah mani pusu (= simple, sederhana) nya. Ti baheula kitu we. Teu robah-robah".

Malem ini, waktu pergi ngelayat papa-nya salah satu anak toko, waktu ngobrol2 ama beberapa anak2 cewe toko, ada yang bilang gini ke gua:
"Ci Lilis mah tapi ngga rubah yah. Ci Yuli mah kaya artis sekarang. =) Ci Lilis mah masih sama aja kaya gitu. Kan ada foto yang di rumah (foto waktu gua smp ato sma kayanya). Waktu dikasih tau dari foto itu ci Lilis, terus liat orangnya juga tau ci Lilis." (or something like that =P)

Mereka bukan lagi ngomongin soal keliatan muda ato tua dll. Tapi ngasih komen soal 'dandanan' gua. =) Dan gua anggap komen2 mereka itu sebagai compliments! =P

Maksudnya, bisa aja gua ngga suka dibilang ngga rubah, kan ada orang yang ngga mo boring. =) Tapi, gua ngga mau aja orang mikir, udah sekola ke luar, atau udah kerja di luar, jadi beda... Bukan bilang ngga boleh robah sih. Ini bukan masalah keselamatan, so not important! Tiap orang beda aja... And kadang, robah itu bagus. Kaya ade gua, ato sepupu2 gua. Mereka robah, and it doesn't matter. Yang penting kan, bukan penampilan luar. =)

Yang berarti, kalo gua juga sebenernya robah banyak banget seudah ninggalin rumah! =) Gua dah dikasih kesempatan buat jadi Pengikut Yesus yang sejati, dan jadi orang yang diselamatkan! =) Tapi, dari luar/penampilan gua, ngga akan keliatan banyak kalo gua pernah kemana aja seudah ninggalin rumah waktu SMP... =)

Glimpses of Life Over Here - Part 6

Disini, kebanyakan anak2 yang kerja sembahyang lima hari sekali menurut ajaran agama mereka. Jadi, ada waktu selama jam kerja mereka, dimana mereka juga mesti "membersihkan diri" buat sembahyang.

Kalo yang cowo2, suka pada cuci-cuci tangan dan kaki di keran depan kamar mandi. Kalo yang cewe2 sih bersih2 di dalem kamar mandi.

Di rumah ini, gua mungkin ampe lupa deh, gua lagi idup dimana... soalnya, selalu aja ada yang ngingetin gua... ngingetin kalo se-'rumah' apapun tempat ini buat gua... gua belom nyampe 'rumah' gua yang asli. Gua masih di negeri perantauan... belom nyampe 'rumah' gua yang asli...

Bukan di tempat laen ngga diingetin... Tapi disini, ngga mungkin lupa aja, kalo ini bener2 belom "rumah".

Glimpses of Life Over Here - Part 5

Gua suka mikir, kalo pas lagi di Sydney yah, pas sebelom pulang, pasti mikirnya tuh... Ah, jangan belanja disini. Belanja di Indo aja. Sebentar lagi juga pulang. Harga barang disana kan murah2. Jadi aja ngga pada jadi dibeli barang2nya.

Tapi, kalo pas disini, biarpun harga barang2 relatif murah dibandingin ama harga2 di Aussie, tapi sebenernya, buat ukuran orang sini, apalagi orang kelas bawah, itu tuh mahal banget!!!

Kadang, suka sedih mikirin - I spend that much money on clothes, and they don't have enough for food!!! - Padahal, gua bukan royal segimana. Tapi, tetep aja!

Kaya pedagang2 asongan yang di pinggir jalan. Ato pengumpul2 sampah. Apalagi anak2 kecil yang mesti idup kaya gitu!

Suka bingung...

Gua tau, emang dunia ini tuh under curse. Emang ini tuh sinful world aja. Dunia yang berada di bawah kutuk, karena manusia2nya memberontak terhadap Allah!

Tapi, kemiskinan tuh, menurut gua, tetep merupakan sesuatu, yang kita sebagai orang Kristen, ngga boleh ngerasa indifferent, ngerasa ngga peduli, atau bahkan bersikap pasrah atau cuek.

Soalnya, penderitaan orang2 yang dikarenakan oleh kemiskinan tuh, ngga akan ada di sorga nanti. Anak2 dan orang2 yang menderita, orang2 kelaparan, orang2 yang mati karena penyakit2 yang bisa semestinya bisa disembuhkan, orang2 yang menderita karena ditindas sama orang yang lebih kaya atau berkuasa - mereka tuh ngga akan menderita lagi di sorga!

Di sorga ngga akan ada ratap tangis... Di sorga ngga akan ada dukacita... Di sorga ngga akan ada maut dan perkabungan... ngga ada air mata...

Dan karena itulah, kita sebagai orang2 yang mengaku sebagai anak Allah, udah sepantasnya hidup seperti Allah yang kita sembah, Allah yang telah menyelamatkan kita, dan Allah yang karakter-Nya mau kita ikuti dengan bantuan-Nya.

Kita sebagai manusia biasa, mungkin bisa ngga ambil peduli. Tapi kita sebagai orang2 yang udah diselamatkan dan ditebus, dan udah dikaruniai Roh Kudus Allah - masih bisakah kita bersikap "ngga peduli"? Atau lebih 'sopannya' - bersikap - "bisa apa" and memalingkan wajah kita???

Kalo Allah peduli sama mereka, bukankah kita, yang memiliki Roh-Nya seharusnya peduli juga???

Tapi, memang bener, gitu banyak masalah di negara kita ini! Kita cuma perlu baca koran, langsung kita tau separah apa keadaan negara kita ini... Dan satu2nya yang bisa memberikan harapan hanyalah harapan kita akan sorga - sorga tanpa dosa...

Makanya, sepeduli apapun kita ama orang2, ga akan ada guna kalo akhirnya mereka ngga akan nyampe tempat yang tanpa dosa itu... Sebagian dari kita perlu diingetin soal ini. Soalnya kita kadang terlalu terpaku ama kebutuhan2 idup mereka di dunia ini, ampe lupa kalo kita idup disini tuh cuma 50-60 ato 70, 80, ato lebih kalo ada umur panjang. Tapi, gimana nanti seudahnya?

Tapi juga, ada sebagian dari kita yang perlu juga diingetin... Kalo pesen yang bisa mendamaikan mereka sama Penguasa tempat tanpa dosa itu, adalah pesen tentang kasih Penguasa itu. Dan mana bisa kita menyebarkan pesan kasih itu kalau cuma disebarkan lewat omongan doang, tapi sikap dan tindakan kita ngga ngegambarin kasih yang begitu dalam itu? Kasih yang udah ditunjukin ama Dia ke kita - kasih yang memberi kita lebih daripada apa yang layak kita terima!

Indo Blog Posts

Gua sadar kalo bahasa dominan di otak gua sekarang - and has been for a while - tuh, bukan Indo, tapi Inggris. Bukan sombong ato gimana. Cuma kenyataan aja. Kenyataan bahwa kalo gua lagi refleksi, most likely bakalan switch ke Inggris.

Tapi, berhubung sekarang gua sedang berusaha memperbaiki Indo gua, gua coba nulis2 blog post kaya ginian pake Indo lagi. Biar aja Indo-nya mo amburadul soalnya campur pake segala macem bahasa yang gua tau, yang penting gua berusaha memfamiliarkan gua sendiri lagi ama bahasa Indo.

Selaen itu, ada alesan laen sih, kenapa gua coba nulis2 pake Indo gini... Sehubungan dengan alesan yang dah gua bilang diatas, yaitu kalo gua lebih comfy nulis/mengekspresikan pikiran2 gua pake Inggris, sekarang, kalo nulis pake Indo, gua cuma bisa nulis yang ringan2 n ga terlalu berat. Dan ini sebenernya mungkin bagus, biar kalo orang baca, ngga terlalu overwhelmed gimana ama apa yang gua tulis... =)

Glimpses of Life Over Here - Part 4

Di depan rumah gua, banyak banget pedagang kaki lima! Sepanjang jalan depan rumah gua, semua pedagang kaki lima!

Kalo sore, sekitar jam 5-7-an gitu, suka banyak anak muda nyanyi di depan. Toko sih dah tutup, tapi gua kadang bisa denger dari jendela kamar. Lagu yang mereka nyanyiin bagus2 sih, and lumayan bikin orang mikir, kalo menurut gua. Soalnya mereka bukan cuma nyanyi lagu2 yang populer, tapi juga lagu2 yang menggambarkan kenyataan hidup - lagu2 yang merupakan warta sosial masyarakat kita.

Dulu, malem sebelom tidur juga sering denger. Sekarang dah lebih jarang siih...

Mereka2 inilah alasan kenapa lagu "Bujangan" tuh salah satu lagu favourite gua kalo karaoke! =) Gua bukan suka lagunya per se ato suka liriknya. Gua suka lagu itu, soalnya lagu itu ngingetin gua ama rumah... and ngingetin gua juga ama penyanyi2 di bawah jendela! =)

Glimpses of Life Over Here - Part 3

Selama ini gua selalu berpikir kalo 'tempat2 persekutuan' yang ditutup itu cuma ada di deket tempat gua, tapi ngga di tempat gua sendiri.

Well, ampe hari ini, I guess. Hari ini, gua denger, ternyata ada satu tempat pertemuan anak2 Allah yang ditutup di kota gua juga.

Kaget? Well, ngga juga sih. Gua tau soalnya emang daerah gua gini sih, to a certain extent. So yeah, kaget sih, tapi ngga segimana, I guess...

Glimpses of Life Over Here - Part 2

Gua ada anjing tiga disini. Dulu ada empat. Tapi dalmatian gua mati baru2 ini, jadi tinggal sisa tiga doang. =(

Anjing gua yang pertama anjing kampung. Ngga tau keturunan apa. Galak banget. Dulu suka gigit orang. Sekarang dah lebih mending. =) Mungkin dulu dia sering dijahatin kali yah, as a puppy. Soalnya, kita kan beli dia di pinggir jalan gitu. And denger2, di daerah sana, banyak anjing yang dijual buat dimakan gitu, so... I'm glad that he was saved! =) Dulu belinya dua sih. Tapi yang satu dah mati beberapa taon lalu. Sakit.

Anjing gua yang itu pinter banget loncatnya! Bisa tinggiiiii banget kalo dia loncat. Dulu, gua and ade2 gua suka joke kalo dia tuh mungkin ada keturunan kucingnya, makanya pinter loncat. Tapi mungkin ada keturunan pitbull juga, makanya ganas banget! =) Anyway, gua sayang ama dia. =) Lucu mukannya kata gua! And dia bae ama gua kok =)

Anjing gua yang kedua, doberman. Gagah banget! =) Kalo jadi orang, dari antara tiga, dia pasti jadi yang paling cakep! =) Keren abis! =) Kalo menurut gua, ini anjing paling pinter juga dari antara 3. And gua paling suka kalo pas dia maen ama bola yang ada talinya. Lucu banget!!! =)

Anjing gua yang terakhir yang paling manja and paling dimanja. Paling kecil umurnya, tapi paling gede badannya! =) Anjing Rotwiller. Gede banget. Kaya beruang item! =) Apalagi kalo dia lagi makan buah ato sayur (iya, yang ini suka buah n sayur!) - jadi beneran kaya beruang, soalnya omnivora gitu! =) Pemakan segala tepatnya! =) Dia lucu and cantik! =) And very cuddly! =) Kurang olah raga sih dia tapinya. =( A problem for health concern not for beauty concern. =)

Glimpses of Life Over Here - Part 1

Idup disini menarik. =)

Interesting aja liat anak-anak toko yang baru terus liat mereka grow over the years...

Pulang sekali ini, ada satu anak rumah baru ama tiga anak toko baru, dua cewe ama dua cowo. Yang cowo yang satu masih kecil banget. Kentara banget dia masih lugu n polos! =)

Interesting juga sih liat beberapa anak toko yang lama yang dulu masih diangggap kecil, sekarang dah ga dianggap anak bawang lagi =) Biarpun ngga semua badannya ikut ngegedein =P Ada sebagean yang badannya tetep aja kecil kaya dulu. =)

Denger2, ada salah satu anak toko yang kalo lolos seleksi, bakalan jadi pemaen sepak bola kabupaten kita! Gila, keren abis! =) Dia udah lulus seleksi tingkat kecamatan. Padahal badannya kecil loh. Lebih kecil dari gua. Tapi emang badan kecil bukan jaminan maen bagus ngga bagus sih. =P

Gua ngga yakin sih, pengen dia lulus apa ngga. Soalnya, kalo dia mpe lulus, ngga tentu bisa nerusin kerja disini... Padahal anaknya lumayan lucu =) Selaen itu, kerja disini lumayan sih...

Tapi, ngerti sih, apalagi seudah baca bukunya Walt Disney, kadang, ngejar impian juga sesuatu yang mesti kita coba lakuin. So yeah, I guess I do want him to pass the selection process and be chosen. =) Tapi, itu artinya mungkin liburan sekali ini, terakhir kalinya gua liat dia... =(

Hmmm... thinking... apa mestinya gua minta tanda tangan dia aja gitu yah? Siapa tau aja kan, dia jadi terkenal, jadi pemaen sepak bola propinsi, terus nasional, terus tim kita menang World Cup (hahaha, mimpi boleh dong?! =)) kan gua jadi ada tanda tangan dia.... =) hmmm, worth considering! =P

Temporary... but better than nothing...

I have decided to just concentrate on what I can do and do as much as I can do while I have the time to do them and not on what I can't do.

It is easy to be paralised with a sense of inadequacy. But then, if I lose to my fear or if I got overwhelmed by the need to the point of being paralysed - I would be of no use to anyone!

So yeah, better just be thankful that even though I'm here only temporarily, I still can do something. And whatever that small something I can do, I will do while I can - for whatever short time I have! =) It may not change things in the long run. But it may...

But even if it really doesn't change things in the long run, hopefully, those whose lives I touched, can look back to this point of time - this temporary time - and think that - those time were only temporary and not here to stay - but it was a good time.

I want that. I will pray for that. And I will do all I can to do all I can.

It may not change the future for good, but it may just give people good time to look back to... =)

(Now why do I feel that I sound so much like a person whose biography I have just finished reading?! =P)

Something I'm thankful to God for today! =)

I'm very thankful to God for the two new brothers that I have at work! They are such a blessing to have in the office - well, so far anyway! =P

Went to the last Tues lunch time talk with one of them last week, although I haven't really got a chance to talk to him again since then! =( Hopefully I'd be able to chat a bit more with him tomorrow! =)

Anyway, today, I went with the other one to the two Christian bookstores nearby and then had lunch with him. And honestly, I was greatly encouraged by what I learnt about him today!

I mean, it has been good to have both brothers at work. They are very enthusiastic about their work! Well, not enthusiastic in the way that they probably would describe it. But 'enthusiastic' in the sense that they are still willing to do almost anything that's required of them. They start early! They work really hard and don't take break that often (although I don't think this is actually a good thing for their health! and I do think they need to take more shorter breaks for their own good!). And yeah, you can just really see that they are still working for God!

Not saying that we - the 'older' workers don't work for God. Well, it's kind of hard to forget that you are working for God and His people when you work in our office and when each day is started with a prayer meeting! =) And I know it's just normal for older workers to feel... I don't know, not as enthusiastic about doing whatever God has given you to do for that day?! At least I do feel that way at times... I even have started complaining recently! (something that I need to repent of, I know!)

So it has been great to just have the two of them in the office and just observing, learning and being challenged by what they do. =)

But yeah, I'm very thankful to God for the chance to get to know one of them a bit better today - thankful especially for the encouragements that he was to me today.

He led in prayer straight away - when saying grace for the meal - no hesitation whatsoever - and no awkwardness! (I know it could just be a cultural thing...)

And what he prayed for! Honestly, I was quite amazed that he was able to see the good out of the situation - and be able to thank God for that!

And then he challenged me to obey the authorities and obey God to the max! - by observing traffic lights and not crossing when the pedestrian light's red! =) And as much as I don't really like 'wasting time' waiting for the lights to change, I respected and commended his desire and his determination to follow the rule out of obeying God! =) (I have now decided to give myself a lot more time when I go to places, so I have time to wait at traffic lights and use the "waiting time" to pray! =) Need to see how long I can actually do this though. Although after his reasoning today, it's hard not to do "the right thing" now! - at least when I'm in Sydney! =))

And when I asked him what I could be praying for him (and his friends) while they are travelling - (again) he gave me an unexpected answer! (I know, now it does sound as if I had a low opinion on him before today... =P I didn't... I just don't usually think much of people - and have decided to be surprised by good answers than expecting good things out of people! =))

Well, he did give me another 'normal' / reasonable prayer point - but his first prayer point was a very encouraging one to hear! =) (unexpected because I know he didn't expect me to ask him that question, too!)

Anyway, as I said, I'm very thankful to God for all the encouragement He's given me today! Including the ones from one of the 'new' brothers at work! =)

Be praying that they both will continue to grow in their knowledge and love for God, and so in their Christ-likeness, and that they will continue to consider it a privilege to be given a chance to serve God and His people, partly through what they are doing in the office! =) And also that He will help them to keep working faithfully always - as for Him, and not for man... =)

Christmas present for self =P

Yes, I am a dog person. Not a cat person. I love dogs... And I don't like small (house/pet) cats. But I do love big cats(!) like lions, tigers and snow leopards! Oh, and I love brown bears, too! They all look very cuddly! =) (Although I know that's not an easy thing to do in real life - giving them a cuddle, I mean! =))

Anyway, after visiting Taronga Zoo every so often and being reminded about the real dangers that these big cats are in... after installing and displaying the Endangered Species box in my facebook profile for a while... and after visiting the Wildlife Photography Exhibition at the Australian Museum on Wednesday... I finally decided to make two symbolic adoptions - of Amur Leopard and Grizzly Bear - through WWF website.

It's called symbolic adoptions, because:

World Wildlife Fund helps endangered animals by working on immediate threats to animal conservation and saving the environment in which the animals live. WWF does not single out individual animals, or families, for adoption. Your donation is directed to field programs to support science, research, and animal study. The adoption is symbolic in the sense that many animals benefit from your generous support.

And so now, I can really display the Endangered Species box on my facebook profile without any conscience issue! =P

I know some people might think why support conservation efforts like this instead of supporting gospel works around the world etc. And I have actually spent some time thinking about this... I might post an entry about it a bit later in my other blog though - since it might be a more worthwhile post to be shared with a wider audience. =P

P.S.: I know that since it is symbolic adoption, it doesn't actually made much difference which animals I chose. But I decided to adopt Grizzly Bear because it's one of my favourite animals - SO cute! And Amur Leopard to help raise awareness of their plight - as even though their status is actually critically endangered, they are not as popular or well known by the wider public as snow leopards.

Mulling on Christmas Eve

Couldn't bring myself to go to Eastgardens this afternoon, so went back home after I went to send some stuff to the Post Office.

Somehow, I find that there are just so many things I need to do this Christmas - rushing from one thing to another.

I have had a quiet-er morning today - to just spend some quality time alone with God... (well, not alone alone, as I did bring a few people into my conversation with Him)

But yeah, I just couldn't bring myself to go to the shopping mall...

I know it could just be a personal preference/thought, but I do find the whole 'celebration' thing a bit distracting at times... And I think, sometimes, even as Christians, it is easy for us to forget to be different to the world around us during this Christmas time...

I mean, why buy an extra Christmas present that would go to waste? Just because it is Christmas, it does not mean that you have to buy things you don't really need...

Some people have to go without this Christmas! Many people can't afford getting even one gift for their loved ones! Why be wasteful?

I asked my dear friends to please get me something from Anglicare if they were thinking to get something for my bday. And I am very thankful when they did! Because really, what do I lack? Sure I don't have everything this world can offer, but I have something this world can't offer! I have Christ(!), and I do have food and shelter, and enough clothes... and even more!

When my brothers and sisters in Christ asked me what my wish was for my bday, I told them I wish for Rev 7 and Rev 21. And it was a real wish!

Because, how can we grow in our understanding and knowledge of what it would mean to finally be there - to be with Christ - to see Him face to face(!)... and not long for heaven?

How can we know better of that world to come, while having to live in the mess that this world is in(!) - and not long for heaven?!

I can't...

And yet I know that there are still some of my loved ones who are still part of that mess who would be cleaned up on that judgement day!

And that's why, I'm torn every day...

I do want the new world to come. I do want to see everything set right - no more pain, no more sorrow, no more death, no more sickness, no more poverty, no more injustice, no more tears, no more death, no more sin....

And yet I also do want (and ask for His mercy for) my loved ones to be reconciled to God before then...

But then - shouldn't I long more for Christ to be glorified, and for sin to be dealt away with than for anything else??? I probably should... and yet at the same time, live in thankfulness for His patience and so keep doing my bit while I'm waiting (with my brothers and sisters in Christ) for our Bridegroom to come! =)

Terharu...

Gua cape banget sih hari ini, so agak mati rasa at the moment... Which is probably kenapa gua belom nangis kayanya =)

Tapi beneran terharu banget!

Someone rang me at 8! I missed his call, but that was very nice of him! =)

And then another person rang me when I was on my way to work - missed her first call!

Of course my siblings and parents have said happy bday or sent me bday greetings in the morning! =)

And then Pak Samuel ama Bu Esther ngirim SMS! Gila, beneran unexpected banget!!! Bener2 terharu banget gua!

Terus di tempat kerja, gua sekarang ada dua anak baru yang udah gua angkat ade, hehe! =) And yeah, both wrote interesting and encouraging things on my bday card. Terus orang laen juga bae2 gitu ke gua.

And then, banyak banget juga yang sms, dari Indo juga!

Mama n Papa nge-fax something juga! And ade2 asli gua nulis something yang bener2 encouraging! =)

Wah, beneran terharu deh...

Sedih sih, soalnya tadi said goodbye ama one of a very good workmates of mine... That's why it's good that I get along well with the two new guys! Will still have two more new workmates. Not sure how well I will get along with them. But yeah, the brothers have been great to have around the office! =)

Anyway, a day full of mixed emotions...

=(

I have come to a new realisation that I can switch between English and Indonesian in my mind very quickly nowadays and that I do use the two languages interchangeably when I talk to my Indo friends! =(

Annoying because sometimes I myself don't even understand the message that I wrote to someone in those mixed languages! =(

Highlight of the Day

Choosing the right spot at Taronga Zoo Free Bird Flight Show so I had Billy the Brolga and Boo the Barking Owl at Taronga flying right above my head and then having a close up look at Angus, the rare Rufous Owl!

It was an especially nice surprise with Billy, since they changed the way they did the Bird Show and so he actually flew down towards the stage without being introduced first - which is a really nice surprise for me! =)

And I actually sat only a seat away from the girl who got a chance to hold Boo the Barking Owl! And so it was a really nice close up look at him! =)

And Angus' flight was another surprise, just because I didn't expect him to fly that close to the top of my head! =)

I had a REALLY great time at the Bird Show today!!! =)