Lonnie and Mary through the Years

Week of August 10, 2014
Large group of great missionaries returning home. Limb project in village near Bandung.
Ward service/humanitarian projects: Solo 1st with Paud, Banjasari ward with Posyandu, Solo 2nd with Sanggar. Wedding reception with Kardisman and Yanti.

Sunday we had the opportunity to be invited to the mission home and participate in the 'going home'
devotional of 13elders and 1 sister. Wonderful young men and women that in most cases we have had the opportunity to interact with indifferent areas throughout Indonesia over the past year. We have grown to love and respect them for the fine stalwarts they are. They will now move on to the next phase of their lives...education, families, careers.

5 of the elders are Indonesian. They will make a major difference as 'returned missionaries,' to provide strength and leadership to branches and wards. We look forward to opportunities to continue to see them in the coming weeks and months.

Elders and Sisters with President and Sister Donald

Danny joined the church about 4 months ago. The only member of his family. He faithfully comes to church every week. Maybe a year from now, he will be on his mission.

It's hard to imagine you could get anything more on this motorcycle? The bags are full of crackers, going to different little shops to be sold. They eat the crackers like we eat bread.

Prosthetics
August 12 we drove about 135 kilometers from Jakarta to a village called Mukapayung , near Cililin. About 1 1/2 hours from Bandung. Here we were able to participate in seeing about 50 people receive a limb. The countryside is beautiful, and of course the people were so very grateful.

A rice farmer plowing up a field, preparing it to replant into another rice crop.

The people came from 8 different villages to receive their limbs. Some traveling as much as 4 hours. They waited all day to be fitted. Each has a special storyš to tell.

Jarenal 26. He was involved in a motorcycle accident about 7 years ago. He said when he had the accident he gave up and lost his confidence. With a new leg he said he will have more confidence and hope to find new work. Still single living with his mother.

Ibu (Mrs) Sitibarokah, 33. She was born without limbs and has some deformity on her hands. She received limbs for the first time in 2008. Before that she was so desperate to get off her knees that they made limbs out of wood and bamboo. She has never had a wheelchair. Notice how her knee is, after years of crawling. She is grateful to have these limbs.

Her husband Adung and their two children, daughter Askiah, 5, and their son Rahan 1 1/2 years. She sews part-time and stay at home with her children. The new limbs will allow her to better carry her children and have more activity. Rahan, their little son was not so sure about our white faces!

Sri Rhadhayu, 14. Born without a arm, this is the first time she has ever had a arm. Here she is with two of her school teachers, and is very happy.

Below, I interviewed this sweet lady, Eha, who is 51. She lost her leg due to an infection in her leg which turned her leg black and had a bad smell. In 2002 she had to finally have it amputated. The doctor told her that she would feel better after, but she still says she feels sick. She and her husband were workers in the rice fields and she is cared for by her daughter, Kartika, who lives close by. She cannot work anymore and all she has been able to do is sit at home. With her new leg, she is excited to help around her home more and go to the traditional marketplace again. That idea made her smile! After the interview, she came and sat beside me and wanted a picture. We are always happy to see their gratitude and new hope they have as they get their new limb. We feel their joy, too!

This is Agus, 52, who use to work as a public transportation driver, and can no longer drive. He had diabetes and lost his leg two years ago. Diabetes is a huge problem here. He tries to do odd jobs, but wants to return to being a driver. He said he has been a driver since 1975. He hopes to work again so that his wife can stay at home and be a mother for his children who still are at home. He has 4 children,two still at home, and 5 grandchildren. This is his first limb.

The patients and their families listening to the opening ceremonies, welcoming us and the staff of UCP.

Here is Eha, with her daughter,Kartika, being interviewed by Sister Lucherini

Rine , 36 with her husband Lele 38, and their son Redtira 18 months. She lost her arm to an electrical accident 8 months ago. She was working on the antenna cable to her TV. She was badly burned throughout much of her body. Very grateful for the blessing to have a arm again.

Kartika, her mother, Eha, and her husband, Maman. A big day for this family.

We were invited to their village resort, to have a celebration lunch with the leaders of the village. Sister Lucherini is headed down the path to the pyramid- top building past the flowery tree, where lunch will be served.

The countryside is spectacular, but sometimes the bathroom facilities can be challenging!!! In the case it is a hole in the upper left corner.

A swimming pool converted into a fish pond.

BBQ fish from the river, vegetables and rice.
The kitchen in the upper left of the picture below.

The community leaders who assisting in welcoming us at the limb fittings. At Elder Lucherini's right, Officer Usup from the military. Often in small villages the military will provide some security for the community. To Sister Lucherini's left, Sodikim, community volunteer and Yusuf, local police officer.

Kneeling left to right, Agus our driver and Dodring Komarudir, community coordinator for organizing this limb project.

Visiting a future potential project with the Solo stake president, President Budi. Called a MCK, it is a community shower, bathroom and washing area. In this case the pump no longer works and the elderly people have no way to receive water. The bathroom facilities are also in disrepair

Sister Saimen, 76, a member of the church in front of her home with President Budi. She is single and is grateful for her neighbors who help her in many ways.She is one who uses this bathroom area.

A community bathroom in a very poor area,that is in disrepair.
The community will make a proposal that will be reviewed by LDS charities. In many cases if the community will help by providing the labor, the church will assist in providing the materials.

The roof of the bathroom

The pathway to the bathroom

PAUD project working with the Solo 1st ward.
Each church unit had the opportunity to identify a community project that LDS Charities would assist with. It provides a wonderful opportunity for local church units to identify a need within the community and work together with them to build relationships and better their community.
A 'PAUD' is a pre-kindergarten. Like a preschool.

The project provided a new cement floor, replacing gravel, and a new aluminum roof, replacing plastic. Local church members and PAUD parents worked together.

The mothers and their children are sitting where the new floor is and has a nice metal roof overhead now to keep out the rain and the sun!

Look at this cute little girl and her hat!!

In the back of the schoolyard, they have the midwives and nurses come to measure, weigh, give immunizations as needed and vitamins. Today was the Vitamin A dose. Below, the blue swing, is acutally what they will put the child in and weigh them. Look close and you can see the scale above the hook.

Ibu Yekti Nugraheni, school principal thanking the church for making these renovations that makes the school for the children so much safer and nicer.

Consulting volunteers, Dr. Deni, in the blue shirt, and his nurse, tolonda, come and help the people with heath issues. They often give them information on who they need to go see if there is a problem that is bigger than what they can help with. Dr. Deni, has had his clinic here for just 4 months. They do this service for free.

Solo 1st Ward Bishop Siyamto. Thanking all who attended today, and all who helped to make these renovations. He mentioned that just a few years ago his daughter attended this PAUD, and he is grateful that the church could help them. He said the purpose of the work is to build unity with the church and the community. And he hopes this will be benefit to the community and the children.

RW Community leader. H. Kistiyo. Thank you to the church coming to us and offering to help on this project. If you had not offered, we may not have been brave enough to ask. Thank you to all, this will be a blessing to the children, parents and the community.

The children in the preschool class gathering for their picture. below, Sister Sperry, using her Indonesian to get this lady's story. This is Ibu Trias Darayu, another volunteer, who gives nutritional tips and care for the pregnant ladies and also the elderly. She trains them to take care of themselves in a healthier, more nutritious manner.She calls herself a motivator of good health! She has won many awards for Top Trainer. After her children grew up, she wanted to contribute and help her community. A happy lady, one who gives of herself!

Bro Kustedjo was instrumental in making this project happen. Had he not offered to help, the community leaders probably would have never asked. He also was there helping move the gravel and assist with the roof.

This young mother, Dwi, has been coming to this Paud, since her oldest son, Nikea, was small. Her smallest boy, Kendra, has come since birth! She brings them once a month for play socialization and also as a support group for mothers. This is such a wonderful place for these families, to stay connected and help one another.

Banjasari Ward. Posyandu refurbishing.
A posyandu is a small health clinic in the community. Mid wives will come to check up on the elderly and children under 5. Provide medical help, hygiene and nutrition advice and vaccines for babies. Materials were provided to rebuild the terrace, cement front and a tiled floor. The community and local members provided the labor.

Elder and Sister Lewis. New family history missionaries in the Solo area

RW Community leader, Dwi Ananto. We know the donation is not for a religion but to help the community. Thank you for your help.

Banjasari Ward Bishop Soeparno. This donation from our church is not so we can proselyte, but to provide a public service as neighbors to help our community.

L to R, Choki. A member of the church who lives just a few homes away who helped to coordinate and work to make this project a success. Heru Pramon (Grey shirt) RT leader, Bishop Soeparno,
Dwi Ananto, RW leader.

Choki , his wife and daughter.

Sanggar Project with Solo 2nd Ward
A sanggar is part of a community center that provides therapy or children with disabilities.
The Solo 2nd Ward gathered at the church and took a bus out into a village outside of Solo to assist with this project

Members and the awesome missionaries, all loading onto the bus heading to the service project!

"We are all Enlisted ....Happy Are We!!!!!......"

We found this center several months ago when visiting people who had received a wheelchair from LDS charities. The sanggar has about 58 children they work with. They had literally no equipment for therapy and very few materials of any sort for the children. The church provided puzzles, games, a trampoline, balls and other equipment. The Solo 2nd ward came the closing ceremony to sing and play with the children and clean up. It was one of the most special days of our mission. Hearts uniting in a common cause to help make the lives of children better.

Being welcomed by the mothers , teachers and volunteers

These 3 ladies are physical therapists who come and donate time to serving.

The children and their mothers were busy with the new puzzles and toys that were donated!

The sanggar leader Puji Handayani on the left, with Sri. She works for UCP, the wheelchair distributor that we work with. We were with Sri when we first came to the Sanggar to see wheelchair recepients. Sri asked if she could come when this ceremony was held. She is a special person that we have grown to love. A special lady with a radiating smile and personality

Can you see why we enjoy what we do? These children are so cute, and boy, did they love the puzzles!

Sister Lewis with one of the children. You want to do just what she did. Hold them and love them. What a wonderful blessing to be here and experience this special occasion.

Puji Handayani. Thank you to the church. We cannot thank everyone of you individually that has come today. But thank you for your care, and for all these resources for the children.

Bishop Joko and his wife. She said, "Many thanks to be able to help this center. We are grateful to God who gives us all things and as brothers and sisters we give thanks where there is a place where children can learn and grow. We have a happy heart to spend this time with you. We will sing together, and then we will clean together."

Some children needed more physical support, above is Yopi, in yellow, being held by his mom, Lestari. Next to them, the mom in maroon jilbab, with son, Hama. When you hold them by their hands and look into their eyes, they get a big smile on their face. They love to be noticed too!!

Still playing with the puzzles, they were shared very well for the most part, only a few turf struggles!!

Bishop Joko. "Thank you for the teachers and mothers for making this facility for the children. We are grateful to be together with you today in celebration, and joy."

Singing together, Popcorn popping, traditional Indonesian songs and Once there was a snowman. Not everyone knew the music but everyone loved the opportunity to clap hands, sing and dance along.

Even Elder Lucherini tried to be a snowman.

Members cleaning up on the outside and the children sang and danced on the inside.

Some of the toys purchased by the church

They don't have books in their homes, this little boy spent the whole time pouring over the pages of this book!. He was totally mesmerized! A bookworm!

Edi Suprayanto from a community ngo that helps with rehabilitation within the community. Thanking the church for their kindness and support

A few good hours and look how nice, no weeds and now they are washing the area. It looked so good.

More sweeping, washing and pulling stubborn weeds. So appreciate the willing hearts!

The storage cupboard for the toys and games we were able to provide through the donations of all who give to the Humanitarian Funds of the Church. Thanks to you, life just got better for these sweet children!

This has been a wonderful blessing for all who were in attendance. Service truly sanctifies and we left with warm hearts in being able to be here to enjoy this special occasion with the children, their parents, the teachers, and the Solo 2nd ward members.

Kardisman and Yanti's wedding reception.
August 16th Saturday evening in Jogja. A traditional Jawanese reception. We have known both the groom (Jogja), and the bride from Bandung for almost the entire time we have been here. It is wonderful to see them on this special occasion and to celebrate with them