October 21, 2014  The village of Cikampek

Located about 70 kilometers from Jakarta, we had the privilege to visit different people who have been helped by Latter Day Saint charities. Some with prosthetics, others with wheelchairs, or cataracts, and one from recent cleft lip surgery. It was a wonderful day to go with Dr Titi as our guide and visit these special people in their homes, meet their families, loved ones and neighbors. And to  hear their stories, before and after, and the impact to their lives from the help they have received.

We always love to capture a few pictures of the countryside. This is the dry season...and yet it is still beautiful.

 

they have nice vegetable gardens out in the villages

 

Sari is 54. She has 3 children. Just a few weeks ago she had cleft lip surgery. This sweet lady looked so good, and was so grateful for the blessing of the surgery after so many years. She met us with tears of appreciation in her eyes. She was embarrassed by her home. But frankly we were the ones who were humbled to be with her and experience her deep feelings of gratitude.

 

Pictured left to right. Ibu (Miss) Hutu, one of the social volunteers that works in Cikampek and has been so instrumental in helping people within her community. Elder Lucherini who really isn't that tall, but appears to be with some of the Indonesian people. Sari, Agus, our driver and translator, Sister Lucherini, and Dr Titi.

 

Mrs Encem on the left. She lost her left leg when she contracted elephantitis from a mosquito bite in 2007, according to Dr Titi. The elephantitis condition causes the leg to swell and shape just like the leg of an elephant. It they can afford the medical help, it can be cured, but so many can't afford the care. She received a prosthesis two years later in 2009. She is 60 years old. She said the prosthesis has helped her to go out and do everything she would like to do and not be embarrassed.

                                 Encem has been married twice. Both husbands have passed away. She lives with one of her sisters and helps around the house. This is her sister that she lives with. They don't usually wear the Jilbab at home, but when they have company they put it on to show respect.

                  One of Encem's grandaughters packaging  a snack that will be sold on the street.

                As we leave the people will wave and say thank you, thank you.

                                                               The neighborhood

Dandi is 14. He contracted polio when he was 3. He loves to study the sciences and hopes to one day be a religion teacher of the Koran. Often in the villages the family lives close to their extended families. All of these people in this picture (below) are related to Dandi. His mother is the one in the striped shirt next to him.

Anda 63 and his wife Iyum. He had cateract surgery just a few months ago. He is a carpenter (and in fact built his home). He said before the surgery he sometimes had to hold on to the walls because he couldn't see. And he would always hit his thumb with his hammer. Since the surgery he can see clearly. They had 4 children, one son 28, and 3 daughters. All 3 daughters have passed away. It seemed to be a hard topic for them as they told us. We sensed that there was great sorrow in their hearts still and it is such a natural desire to lift their hearts and bring comfort. We hope that this little gift of cataract surgery can do this, can help lift their hearts and ease their burden. He did light up as we looked at his work on his home and gave him praise for a job well done. It was a great visit for us. This is the front of the new part of his home that he has been able to do since the surgery.

Salim 56, with his wife, daughter and granddaughter. He had cateract surgey just a few months ago. He said for 2 years he almost could'nt see at all. Now he rents a motorcycle and uses it as a taxi and can make on a good day $5.00/day. He can make a living on that and is very grateful.
                                             And he said, he can see his grandchildren!!

On a special note, no matter where one is, families are a true source of joy and happiness. Especially the new babies, they bring extra love with them!

 Lunch at a restaurant overlooking a manmade pond, a pretty setting. You should notice there is a nice hardwood floor and table to eat on, but no chairs! They use a mat. It is getting easier to sit on the floor like this, but still hard to get up!

 

Bapak Hidwan 72, and his wife Ibu Hidwan 67. They have 2 sons and 5 grandchildren. Both had cataract surgery recently. He said that for 2 years he couldn't see. She said that before there would be black spots on whatever she looked at, but now, "I can read and write!" They make cardboard boxes for a living and sell to the local factory. The picture doesn't portray it  but they had great smiles and were so very grateful for the gift of sight!

We thought they were quite the cute older couple! They had 5 children and all are educated and working. This family has improved their circumstances with good education for the children.

Reki with his brother and sister. He contracted cerebral palsy from tuberculosis when he was younger. He has limited ability to see or hear, but enjoys the opportunity to go outside in his wheelchair. We were touched by the tender kindness and love from his sister and brother. Both his parents were at work when we visited him. His brother stays at home instead of going to school to help out with Reki. His sister is married and has a little girl of her own, but lives close  and also helps out.

                                                         The exterior of Reki's home.

Ibu (Mrs) Enih. You can hardly tell but her left arm is a prosthesis. She lost her arm when she was hit by a car while in elementary school. She is 56 has 4 children and received her prosthesis in 2009.

 They are some of the tallest Indonesians we have ever met! The two tall girls on her left are her daughters with two of her grandchildren.

 

All the women together. One of the striking things about this picture is that several of the women are taller than Sister Lucherini. Which isn't very common.

 

 

Another special day. A wonderful blessing to meet with all of these people. To meet their families and loved ones. To hear their stories, each different and unique, and to hear and see their appreciation for the gift they have received. We wish we could better convey in writing and pictures how grateful the people are and how humbling it is to be with them, to laugh and cry with them, and love them for the special people they are.

 

We are all children of our Heavenly Father, and he is mindful of all his children in whatsoever land they live in. We are here to serve one another in many different ways.