Blessed are the poor.


 "Since the beginning of time, Heavenly Father has spoken with great clarity on the need to reach out to the poor. "If thou lovest me...thou wilt remember the poor, and consecrate of thy properties for their support." D&C 42:29,30.

These past two weeks we have had the opportunity of traveling throughout Jawa seeing many wonderful areas and sites, but by far the most memorable experiences have come as we were able to go visit some of the most poor and needy. These have been profoundly humbling and our hearts have ached. Yet in almost every case they are happy, gracious and most welcoming, and they find a way to carry on.

 Sister Sumarli from Surabaya. Relief Society President for her branch and a seminary teacher. She lived in a two room home. No furniture. We visited with her on the floor sitting much the same as she is in the picture. She makes a living delivering the green propane tanks. 5 per week to street vendors nearby. Providing the water bottles (pictured just behind the tanks) to a few people and making a banana (pisang) dessert for people in the local area. I would guess she makes about $1.00 per day. She was so gracious and kind as we entered her home and grateful for our visit. Later that day we attended a meeting at the church branch. She was there, driving 1 1/2 hours each way to attend. She brought her banana dessert for us to have for our trip, insisting that we not pay her. We were deeply touched by her devotion to serve so faithfully despite such difficult circumstances. And wondered how can we ever again complain about hardships or inconveniences in our lives?

A returned missionary sister showing us her gardening efforts. She had a great garden going, which was done completely organic. She had a homemade garlic mixture that kept the bugs at bay. She was the only member in her family.

The Maratoya family. The young man on the right returned home from his mission in Indonesia just one hour before we arrived. He hadn't even changed out of his clothes (except the tie). When we asked mom how she felt to have her son home she just beamed. Though it is not seen in the picture, she has a beautiful smile and a twinkle in her eyes. Their 1 room home (in the background) housed and supported mom and dad and 6 children. They sold snails for a living. Dad was out looking for snails  at the time we visited. It is humbling to see this devoted family, sending their son on a mission when he easily could have stayed home to help support the family. Yet they sacrifice and serve. Perhaps that is why they are able to carry on? There focus is on others.

 

 Rudiharjo and his wife. The roof on their home was a tarp. They lived next to a garbage dump as a means to find food and other items that could be salvaged. The church had provided through humanitarian funds some needed supplies and training for a garden and chickens. They had tried to grow a garden but the rats ate the vegetables. They tried chickens but the rats ate them as well. We prayed for guidance to understand what the Savior would do?

 Their granddaughter who lived next door is washing the dishes.

 Next to their baycek. A 3 wheeled bicycle used as a taxi. This was his primary form of employment

 Joko Susanto, his wife and two of their four children. They lived in this 2 room hut on land owned by the government.  If the government determined you needed to leave they would first ask, then tear your home down. In the area there were several homes that had been leveled. See the destroyed homes below.

Sulasih. A widowed women who was so gracious that we visited her. She lived alone. Her only family, a son, daughter -in-law and their 2 children lived on another island. Too far to visit very often. In her home she had a picture of her family, the Savior and the Manilla Temple. She had just recently been hit by a car and hurt her head, hand and leg. She had only recently been released from the hospital. She said she lived on 20 cents a day, enough to purchase some rice and save enough for a second meal. We asked her if we could have a prayer in her home. It was a special experience. We hope we left her knowing we cared for her and that her Heavenly Father loved her and was mindful of her. She was grateful that we came, and we left pondering upon whether we truly take the time to be grateful for all we have.

As we said good bye we looked around the area to see what potential opportunities there may be to offer some service.