Week of November 24,2014
Closing ceremony with the Khrisna Murti school for children with disabilities in Jakarta.
Thanksgiving in the mission field.


                           The Khrisna Murti school
Created in 1985 to provide a school for children with disabilities. 68 children ages 6-18. Parents pay what they can for tuition, from no pay to $20.00/month. The 11 teachers teach general education of math and reading to helping the children develop skills towards becoming more independent such as sewing, cooking and craft making. The school had many needs but number one was renovating the roof and adding about 3 meters on the walls. Because of flooding and the need to raise the floor, the ceiling was too low. The roof was in major disrepair. Some places the ceiling had bowed and the wood was pulling away, leaving open gaps. This was a major project and took several months to complete. LDS charities provided the materials and the school provided the labor. We were very pleased with the final outcome and how quickly and smooth the project was undertaken and completed. Good people to work with.

A view of the school on the street in front. Hard to see the damaged roof from here, but it is quite damaged. When the rains come, the roof leaks into the classrooms.

Here are a few of the samples of the sewing projects that the students have done.

 

 

Here is a nice view of the beautiful new roof. These pictures also show how much it was raised. The right corner of the new wall has not been painted yet.

The roof structure, done in metal so that the termites won't damage it later. We are very pleased with the work. Again, the pictures below show how much the ceiling was lifted with higher walls.

We were a bit nervous to see this worker painting on a bamboo platform and no shoes.

Finished look! (below)

Good pictures of how nice it looks with the new ceiling and fresh paint.

 

Elder Lucherini standing with the principal and office staff of the school.

 

 The first visit was to watch the children during their dancing time with their horses.

 Nov 25 The official handover ceremony and celebrating the completion of the project 

Above, is Ibu Chairani, the director of the school (principal), sharing her thoughts and gratitude for the help of LDS Charities. She was willing to sell a bracelet of hers to help pay for the labor costs if needed. She shared that the school started in 1979 in a mosque at first ,then moved to this location later. She was excited for the new roof as it was badly needed and they feel hopeful that these improvements will greatly benefit the students that attend.

Ibu Trusti, above, is the person who first introduced us to this school. She does much to help mothers learn skills so that they can stay at home with their disabled children. We met her through Dr. Titi. She is a very sweet lady! She use to be a famous Javanese Traditional Dancer when she was younger. Now she does charity work. She said that her heart feels blessed when she helps others.  Service does that to a person!

Bishop Limbong from the Jakarta 2nd ward who represented the ward the school is located in. He presented to Ibu Chairani a plaque from the church that they will be able to post in their office 

 

A few pictures of the families of the children who attended the ceremony, mostly the mothers!

One of the benefits of doing the projects for students is that they love to perform and today was no exception! They love to dance, sing and put on a show! The horse is often used to use in a dance.

 

 

Ibu Chairani presenting a plaque that will be mounted on the wall of the school mentioning the renovation of the walls and roof by the Gereja Yesus Khristus Dari Orang Orang, Suci Zamon Akhir. It will provide a lasting memory of the church working in concert with the school, which provided the labor, to help the school have a better facility for the children.

                                         One more song from the students all together.

Sister Lucherini, with Ezra Subandriyo (2nd counselor Jakarta 2nd ) on her right and Elder
Wood, Bishop Limbong on her left.

Another wonderful conclusion in working with gifted people with a commitment to helping special children. We are grateful for the privilege to meet with such good parents, teachers and staff and of course these beautiful children.  Angels amongst us. This is a wonderful work!

                                 

                                       Thanksgiving in the mission field
The holidays can be a difficult time in the mission field because of thoughts of home and traditions with family and loved ones. We miss them!
But there is also something special about celebrating the holidays with the people you have grown to love here, and the knowledge that these experiences with these people my not happen again.
Thanksgiving is also a wonderful opportunity to reflect upon the bounteous blessings we have. We have always found it ironic that Thanksgiving falls right before Christmas, as if, we are given the opportunity to reflect, ponder, and give thanks for the greatest of all blessings.......the gift of the Savior of the world, Jesus Christ and the blessings of the atonement.

 

 Sister Lucherini working away for almost two days to prepare this wonderful meal for 12 young missionaries and 4 of us older ones. The meal was delicious and fit for a king and queen.

Sister Lucherini took over Sister Donalds kitchen for two days, Sister Donald is a Saint to let us invade her home and her kitchen as much as we do!

          The $76.00 turkey after it was all carved!  It tasted awesome ....just like home!!

                                                                 Before the feast, Sister Donald sets a festive table. She made the orange napkin holders on the plates, and even found matching cups!! wow, so pretty!

Sister Donald provided a nice touch to the place settings. A good reminder of the wonderful blessings we all have and the importance of giving thanks.

                                      Gearing up ..... lots of smiles and hungry missionaries, we love our hungry missionaries! All the work to make this meal is worth every minute if we can support our missionaries.

                                                                      The desserts.
                                       Chocolate cake, pecan, pumpkin and Swedish apple pie.
                                            All served with either ice cream or whipped cream.

                                   Does it look like they are enjoying themselves? Just like home.

Just wish we could have had all our missionaries here with us for the meal. Most serve too far away.

Sister Olsen expresses the sentiment for all of us. It was oh so very good. 

We miss our families at these special times of year, but it is wonderful to spend the holidays with these special young men and women.

Thank you Heavenly Father for all our blessings, the gospel, family, friends, good health and for the missionaries!