December 7-21, 2014 
Jakarta stake conference, Ibu Trusti and the Narendra Krisna foundation helping mothers of children with disabilities, Bandung Christmas party, Wheelchair visits in Bali, Hindu celebrations.

                                       December 7
Attended the Jakarta stake conference. Elder Funk from the Asia Area Presidency presided at the conference. The Bogor ward choir sang and it was one of the most beautiful choirs we have ever heard. They brought tears to our eyes as they sang with all their hearts. We truly witnessed an angelic choir.

 

Agus Ryaldi, our driver here in Jakarta was part of the choir. He said they have been practicing for more than 6 months. We are hopeful that we can secure a copy of their singing.

Sujud, in the front right with the coral color tie, also works in the office assisting us with projects.

Even the piano players were some of the best we have ever heard. Moses and Ezra. It was just spectacular.

                                  The Riyadi family. Agus, Annas, Kesya 6, Krysta 4,and Ana

                                     Ana from the service center, we need her in a picture!

 

                                                        

The Narendra Krida foundation focuses on education of children with disabilities and their parents. Helping to teach them skills towards greater independence. Here is Ibu Trusti, the foundations leader and a wonderful lady that we have worked with on several occasions from wheelchairs, vision projects and the Khristna Murti school roof project (see Nov excerpts).

This foundation has developed a center for teaching children and their parents. On this day Ibu Trusti was talking with the parents about the importance of proper nutrition during pregnancy. The children must attend with their parents because they have no other place to go. It makes for a long day but we were impressed with how quiet they keep especially being there all day.

 

                    This young boy was born blind. He had a beautiful voice and sang for us.

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The foundation has developed a day care center that will provide a place for poor families to bring their children while they work. This is a new center and most of all the funding has come from Ibu Trusti herself. She is very dedicated to wanting to help these families.She built all this on her own land behind her home. She says she wants a happy place for the children to come to.

She has begun to collect some playground equipment for the children. Again, from her own personal funds.

 

 

Bandung

We anticipate coming to Bandung one more time in January. When possible we like to visit with some of the families in the branch. Today we were able to visit with Unang, his wife Tinee and their 3 day old daughter Janealya. We gathered around them and sang Silent Night. It was like a lullabye to the new baby. A wonderful way to invite the spirit.

                             Sesi had returned home and had put up their Christmas tree already!

Another person we were able to visit with is Irwan. We have seen him on several occasions and he is always welcoming. This may well be the last time we see him and his family.

                                                   The Bandung Branch Christmas Party

You have to look very closely but the 4 elders are singing to the audience as the wide mouth frogs. The eyes didn't show up very well. But the children still found it amusing!

From left to right, Elder Gil, Elder Williams, Elder Widigdo and Elder Haws 

Sesi is a young lady that just returned from BYU Hawaii a few months ago. A young lady we have come to love and enjoy over the past few months. We will miss her. She has a great voice.

Now the Elders are in another skit with a new member, Laurent.

                                          Primary performing for us in a skit and songs

Of course Santa made a visit much to the delight of all in attendance, I think Elder Haws might know Santa!

 

Wheelchair visits in Densapar Bali

Dec 19-20

 

Our first visit was with Alfin, 10 years old. He received his first wheelchair in 2011. He has cerebral palsy. His mother pushes him to school for 3 hours each day. The school is a blessing for both Alfin and his mother. She says that it has helped her to better understand CP, and how she can be a better parent for him. She loves the wheelchair because it fits him properly and he can move around and even eat with the tray that goes with it. He is in the wheelchair all through school, it has a tray that attaches in front and that is his desk. His teacher writes for him.

                                            Ibu Sarita with her two sons, Alfin and his baby brother

Alfin loves soccer and science. He attends a special school for 3 hours each day. Before the wheelchair his mother had to carry him everywhere. Now he can go outside and enjoy many things with his family and friends. His father takes him to the soccer field almost everyday to watch them play soccer.

The wheelchair technician is adjusting the head and body strapes as Alfin continues to grow.

The two technicians that joined us on our visits have wonderful stories of their own. Behind Alfin is Gunung (Means mountain in bahasa Indonesian). He was born with out one hand but works about as efficient as ever. He told some of the children that a rat ate his hand because he didn't wash his hands with soap and water. That really got their attention!!! Gunung is married with 3 children, two sons and a daughter. He is Hindu and delighted in sharing with us that his father had 9 wives. But he is happy with just one. The other technician is Agustine. She has cerebral palsy and lives with her parents and their 7 dogs. She said that she recently completed her bachelors degree in Economics and hopes to get a masters. Her dream job is to teach people with disabilities how to effectively operate their own businesses. For two days everyone we met had a vision to want to give back and help others for the blessings they have received. Very lovely and choice people.

                                            Alfin with his best friend Farus, who is 15.
      The pictures say it all of the care and love he has for his friend. They are together everyday.

 

 

Our next visit was out in the kampung (village) to meet Eka. She is 28. She said that she was born premature and has never been able to walk. Because of the wheelchair she can work away from home and has a job as a security operator at the Banyan Tree Hotel for the past 3 years. She also studied at the local university in accounting. She loves to read novels and has a beautiful smile.

Eka's father, Ngarge is a priest in the Hindu religion. It was nice to visit with them to better understand the Hindu faith. We learn something new with every visit we make. The Hindu's do not have a set Sabbath day but rather every 15 days with every full moon. The Gods and Goddesses come down to bless the people. Just these past few days has been a major Hindu holiday called Galunang.

                                         Eka's family garden and some of the Hindu shrines

                                            Ngarge with Eka and her mother Mudiasih

 She has a beautiful smile.

This week the Hindu's of Bali were celebrating the Galungan . Which is a return of the Balinese gods and ancestors to Bali. It symbolizes the victory of good over evil.  Ponjors, which are tall bamboo poles beautifully decorated with woven coconut palm trees, fruit cakes and flowers are placed on the right side of every house entrance, up and down the streets, large and small.

 

                                                                 Hindu temples

Ibu (Mrs) Niemade. She is 65 years old and suffered a stroke 2 years ago. Up until today she has had 2 crawl. Today she received her new wheelchair and was delighted.

                                         Pictured with her son (Wali) and daughter in law.
                            Below, getting her into her chair for the final fitting and adjustment

She was pretty emotional when she was able to finally receive her chair and the technicians completed the final fittings. The people pictured in the blue shirts are from a local youth organization which looks for opportunities to help people in their community. They are the ones that found Niemade and identified her needs.

Before her stroke, Niemade made the ornaments and other offerings that the people give to the Gods when they worship.

                 Niemade had a lot of visitors today and it was obvious that she enjoyed it all.

                                                              Lots of thank you's.
Now she can have much more independence and her son will have a much easier time moving her around. The wheelchairs go to one person, but it blesses the lives of all the family members in many ways.

Ibu Komangayuman, with her son Biyu in the black shirt. She contracted polio when she was 8 months old. She said she has only had the wheelchair for1 year. Before she used crutches. The wheelchair allows her so much more mobility, and her arms don't get sore. Now she can take her son to school everyday.

Through the local yayasan (foundation) that LDS charities works with on the wheelchairs, they also provide education and training to help people develop skills and find employment. Komangayuman works for a hard wood store polishing the products for sale. It is heart warming to see these people who desire to do everything they can and have the opportunity to do so.

 

                                                We followed Jayamuda, 37 to his home

 

 

                                              Transferring from motorcycle to wheelchair

 

 

                 Jayamuda had polio when he was 1. He has had a wheelchair for the past 14 years.

 For years Jayamuda worked for a company as a wood carver. Now he operates his own business from home with his wife. They carve 8-10 pieces per day. He hand carves the details and makes about 2 million rupiah/month. Approximately $167.00.

                                                 Jayamuda with his wife Wayanmaini.
They make it look so easy as they work along side one another, but we are confident it isn't!

 

 

 Nikadikhindarl is 14. She was born with club feet. One year ago she received these braces and she said with a smile that it has made it much easier for her to walk. She wants to be a junior high school teacher some day.

 

Jayamudia with their 3 year old son, Wayan Bagia

 

I have found these flowers to be some of my favorite here in Indonesia. I asked them what they are called. They weren't sure, but they called it the banana flower. The petals do resemble a small banana. They are so cool!

 Ibu Putus. She contracted polio when she was 2years old. She has had a wheelchair for the past 20 years. Today the technicians came to change her front tires as they has completely worn out. She was using an old one until her rough rider gets the new tires.

                                          Her husband helps Gandung change the tires.

 

 Daughter Nova 7, with her husband Ketot. They operate this small grocery store and also have operated a local foundation that serves to provide education and skills training for others with disabilities.

                      Ketot, lifting his wife onto her seat on the motor, as her daughter watches.

 In visiting their yayasan, all the people who attend here have a disability, but they can do so many things. Having a disability doesn't stop these people from living life and using their talents.

As so often happens as we experience different humanitarian projects we are humbled by the people and their attitudes. Their smiles and expressions of gratitude, despite obstacles and challenges.
We are grateful to the church that provides these wheelchairs and for the partner organizations that are so committed to helping make a better life for so many. We say it so often, but believe it to be true. We are in the midst of angels. Seen and unseen.

 On the way back to the hotel Sister Lucherini saw some of her most favorite animals and had to get some photo time. Pig sculptures, too funny!

A bicyle built for more than two! So many pigs in one place!

 

On Sunday we were able to attend the Bali branch. They said normally they have between 10-20 in attendance.  But perhaps because of the Christmas holidays today there wasn't a chair available. We had to get a group photo with the locals and many visitors from New Zealand and Australia. President and Sister Donald would have been proud.

 

 

 Sunday afternoon we were invited to a farewell party of a family in the branch that was moving. On the way to their home we had the opportunity to watch a Sunday evening Hindu celebration. Another new and fascinating experience.

It was a very long procession and took up half the road. They were carrying offerings to the temple. So colorful and enjoyable to watch as they passed the side of our car. They would smile at me as I took a few pictures.

Everywhere we go there are so many wonderful things to see and experience. The people and their diversity. The cultures and customs. The countryside and its beauty

Wonderful Indonesia