Week of March 17 and 24, 2014

Bogor Botanical Gardens, Seminar with Richard and Linda Eyre, and eye examinations in Jogja.

The Bogor Botanical gardens were first developed in the early 1900's when the island of Jawa was under an Indonesian king. Beautiful gardens located west of Jakarta.

 

                                     Good sized lizard enjoying the sunshine along the river bank

In the tops of the trees were the biggest bats we have ever seen. They were flying around in the daytime. We tried to get pictures but the pictures just didn't turn out. The bats were about at least 2 feet from wing to wing. Sister Lucherini enjoyed seeing the bats as much as anything else!

                                We always are fascinated by the enormity of some of the trees

                            Sister Lucherini and Sister Donald at the base of one of the trees.

Same tree with a view looking up. When I see these branches, I think of Bryce and how he loved to climb. These are perfect for climbing!!

 It was a pretty hazy day so some of the pictures aren't as bright as we had hoped.

This tree had huge clusters of yellow flowers on it, there are many trees that flower here.

                                                                The orchid garden

 Elder and Sister Kusumarmanto. A missionary couple from Indonesia on their last day. It has been a delight to work with them over these past several months. They have been a blessing to all they have served with. 

 Members of the Indonesia Service Center sang a beautiful number in tribute to them that we are still trying to figure how to capture on video.

 We had to capture a yellow school bus for our grandson 'Drew.' It is the first time we have seen one in yellow.

 Richard and Linda Eyre came to Indonesia to speak at a seminar on March 26th. It was especially memorable for Elder Lucherini as I served as a missionary 36 years ago under him in London. Who would have thought we would cross paths these many years later in Indonesia? We thouroughly enjoyed the short time to spend with them, share stories , experiences and wonderful memories. They spoke at the Christian theological college on families, values and keys to successful parenting. While we maybe from different religions we all have desires to be good and successful parents. Their teachings and ideas were well received and it was wonderful to have them here.

 

 March 29th we traveled to Jogja (Yogyakarta) to observe an eye examination where LDS Charities provided the eye glasses. The above picture is behind the building where the eye examinations were held.  Sometimes, especially in the country we just have to take a picture of what we see. These are catfish ponds in the middle of the village.

Much of the equipment used for the eye examinations were from donations by the church over the past couple of years. These examinations are ongoing every few weeks throughout this area and is a real blessing for many to have their eyes checked, helped with glasses if needed and cataract surgery.

 

 

 Meeting with Dr Suhardjo. Community Outreach Director for the Department of Ophthalmology at Gadjah Mada University. For years he has been committed to providing eye care to the needy in the surrounding area and been a wonderful partner to work with. We are grateful for our associations with these talented and devoted people.

 

 

Tatok, our translator, with his wife Anna, and their oldest daughter Lala. We couldn't do nearly as much without his assistance and are so grateful for the sacrifice he and many others offer to help us communicate. They have been doing this for many years, for many missionaries. We try and not let an opportunity pass without thanking them for their wonderful sacrifice and service to so many!