Has giving to someone ever made you cry because you felt so happy?
For quite awhile I’ve passed this couple on the road. They are an older couple and they push a cart from which they sell soup. Just from the times that I have passed them, I know that they travel quite a distance each day. Sometimes I see older people and I am just touched by how “cute” they are. This couple has pulled on my heart strings that way. The old man is a little shorter than me and he wears a hat. His pants are 70-ish…maybe a polyester blend. The clothes are old and have a worn look, but they aren’t dirty. His wife is shorter and wears a blouse, skirt and flip-flop sandals. Together they push the cart up and down hills, dodging traffic along the way.
I’ve seen this couple when I’m out with my kids and I’ve commented on them more than once. I’m sure if I asked my older boys, they would know who I was talking about. Usually we’re on our way home from enjoying an afternoon at the pool and we see them pushing their cart home. I’ve just felt humbled by their effort and dedication to their work. I love seeing them and how they work together. I’ve wanted to talk to them and do something nice for them.
Today I got my chance. I saw them when Chase and I stopped at a little convenience store. They were stopped outside, serving up soup. As I got Chase out, they packed up and started moving down the road. I smiled at them and got a smile in return, but felt so awkward about asking them to stop and talk. I went into the convenience store and got what I needed, and then came back out. As I came out, I decided today was going to be the day I was going to stop and introduce myself to them, no matter what….
I saw them up the road and I went and parked nearby. As they got close, I got out of the car to talk to them. I told them I was a little embarrassed to be stopping them. I told them how I had seen them so many times and was touched by how hard they worked. They laughed, saying the walk was “good exercise”. I asked how far they went and they told me where they started and where they go each day. It’s a distance of about 3-4 miles each way! They asked where I lived and I told them. We live pretty near to one another. We exchanged names and I said that I wanted to give them something and slipped some money into her hand. They thanked me and blessed me. They didn’t see how much I gave them but seemed a little surprised that I stopped and talked to them and did that. They were very nice and friendly.
After my encounter with them, I cried. I just have wanted to do that for so long! I don’t know if I’ll run into them again. I don’t know exactly where they live and I don’t know if I can stop again when I do see them. I hope sometime I can. I just felt like my opportunity was today and that God gave that to me. I felt that pretty strongly when I went into the convenience store….that I knew I shouldn’t ignore this opportunity. Most of all, I just felt so thankful. I don’t know why God put this in my path today of all days, but I pray that they were blessed in some measure.
It was just beautiful……
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Driving....me nuts
I wonder, if one day, I actually will not get upset by the traffic here. I doubt that day will ever come. Today I watched a car almost plough into a security guard at school who was trying to help a student cross the street and help me turn out. Last week I had a day when I was at a green light and no one going the other direction was stopping. The very same day I was at a red light and everyone in front of me started going. It just made me shake my head with disbelief. Plus, a motorcyclist drove into our friend's car a few weeks ago and smashed it up pretty good. We're still dealing with that wreck and the money that has to be paid for this, that and the other. Although the bike hit them, they've had to cover medical and the cost of repair for the motorcycle and the very irresponsible drivers get to deal with some pain---but no money lost on their side of the deal. What a mess. It's still not over and has been pretty stressful.
Although I'm used to driving here now for the most part, I stop and consider on these days that I am so thankful for God's protection. I'm thankful for the driving skills that Casey and I have and that God has blessed us with those. I know that He is with us and I don't want to ever take that for granted. I still shake my head---and sometimes driving just drives me nuts.
Speaking of being DRIVEN NUTS....it's raining. Again. It's been raining, and raining and raining. For the record, it's still supposed to be dry season. Ugh.
Although I'm used to driving here now for the most part, I stop and consider on these days that I am so thankful for God's protection. I'm thankful for the driving skills that Casey and I have and that God has blessed us with those. I know that He is with us and I don't want to ever take that for granted. I still shake my head---and sometimes driving just drives me nuts.
Speaking of being DRIVEN NUTS....it's raining. Again. It's been raining, and raining and raining. For the record, it's still supposed to be dry season. Ugh.
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Happenings
We have been absorbed with work, which has been mostly good. There have been a few "bumps" along the way but that's the way things go I think. I am prayerfully trying not to keep focused on the "bumps" I've run into, hoping that I can let them go and continue to focus on why God has put us here. I have loved the classroom though--it's been fabulous. Ryan is doing well in 3rd grade, but finds school pretty tiring for some reason. Niko jumped from 1st to 2nd a couple weeks ago and that has been good. It's much more challenging and a better match. Chase is growing like a weed and is saying more words--and is just into everything!
I wanted to share about just a few happenings over the last few weeks. A couple of weeks ago Casey went on a "men's night" to Yogyakarta (2.5 hrs away). They went to dinner and went bowling. As they left, I took my three munchkin's downtown to the market to shop for some "pets". We wanted to pick up some hermit crabs. I was carrying Chase in my left arm and had a hold on Niko with my right hand. Ryan was walking in front of us. The road was in pretty bad shape, with lots of potholes and uneven places. Well, with Chase in my arms, I wasn't keeping a close eye on the potholes and into one I went! My ankle/foot twisted pretty horribly and both Chase and I went down. Thankfully I didn't land on him and he didn't get scaped or scratched, but I cried out and he started screaming too of course. Niko grabbed at me yelling, "Mom, a motorcycle is coming!" and tried to help us up. We made it up and I didn't have any blood, although my leg burned from where it scraped against the road. No one came to our aid. No one offered a hand or asked if we were okay. We got up and I hobbled to buy the pets. Then I hobbled back to the car. That night Casey was gone and Ryan went to a friend's house. I had pretty bad pain in my foot that night, but over the next few days it got better and better. It never swelled or turned color at all, but I can tell there's something still funny about it. Just yesterday I tried lifting my left toes to pull off the back of my right shoe and it HURT. But, hopefully any day now I can get back to a slow jog around the track!!
I also finally made it to visit our friend, Ibu Tukiman. If you recall, she is the mother of Ester and the wife of Pak Tukiman who both passed away. Just a month ago Ibu Tukiman finally moved to the house of the oldest daughter, Yanti. Yanti doesn't have a job now just so she can help take care of her mother. They haven't had money for schooling, etc, so I was glad to find out that she is beginning to help a friend with making "bread" (probably snacks) for special orders. That is something she can hopefully do from home and not leave her Mom alone. When I got there, I found my way to the house--which was a little tough. It's on the narrowest little alley. It looked unoccupied and there was a bunch of junk outside. The door was closed. I knocked and I called out. I heard Bu Man's voice. She had been left alone, which made me so sad. The window has no glass and no screen--just a piece of cloth in front ot it. I put my head in the window and grabbed her hand. A neighbor came up and told me that the door was unlocked. The boys and I went ahead and went in. It was SO good to see her. She looks well, except that she has lost one or two more teeth. I thought Chase was amazing. It was sort of like he remembered her! He walked right up to her and shook her hand and hugged her--and touched her leg...without prodding on my part. It was really amazing to watch. Her room is very small and it's in bad shape. I hope that she has what she needs and is comfortable. At least family is around... most of the time... :(
Our helper has been a little shaken this week. Her daughter-in-law, who has a different faith, came over last weekend and was really upset. She was jealous and was suspicious of her husband. She was really angry and attacked a young woman who was at my helper's house. My helper got hurt and the neighbors all got involved. Please remember all of the people involved in this situation, including the precious grandchildren. Their parents need the Lord, and they are experiencing some bad things because of what is going on.
I've also gotten a Bible study started for ladies at school. So far there are 5 Americans coming and 3 Indonesians. We're starting to read through Galatians and have had some good discussions already. I love being in groups like this with different people. They are have been some of the richest moments in my life.
This weekend is Idul Fitri, the end of the Muslim month of fasting. It is raining, raining, raining. I kind of like the rain, because it probably means a little less noise tonight (if it continues), Usually there's a parade, loud mosque music, and MANY firecrackers. There still might be if the rain lets up. Today is their final day of fasting, so its time to celebrate. We are kind of stuck at home too because the traffic is ROTTEN as people travel home to see family and ask for forgiveness for wrongs done this year. The traffic will be rotten for awhile actually. (It's usually rotten...now it's just compounded!!) The only bummer on rain is that the school is having it's high school retreat and the kids are camping out in tents. I've heard the tents leak, so that part doesn't sound too great :(. I am hoping they have figured out how to deal with that or that it hasn't been raining at the retreat center! Over the next couple of weeks we'll make arrangements to go and visit some of our Muslim friends and give them our good wishes. We usually wait until they've returned from seeing family and are not so busy.
Well, that's it for the moment from here.... :)
I wanted to share about just a few happenings over the last few weeks. A couple of weeks ago Casey went on a "men's night" to Yogyakarta (2.5 hrs away). They went to dinner and went bowling. As they left, I took my three munchkin's downtown to the market to shop for some "pets". We wanted to pick up some hermit crabs. I was carrying Chase in my left arm and had a hold on Niko with my right hand. Ryan was walking in front of us. The road was in pretty bad shape, with lots of potholes and uneven places. Well, with Chase in my arms, I wasn't keeping a close eye on the potholes and into one I went! My ankle/foot twisted pretty horribly and both Chase and I went down. Thankfully I didn't land on him and he didn't get scaped or scratched, but I cried out and he started screaming too of course. Niko grabbed at me yelling, "Mom, a motorcycle is coming!" and tried to help us up. We made it up and I didn't have any blood, although my leg burned from where it scraped against the road. No one came to our aid. No one offered a hand or asked if we were okay. We got up and I hobbled to buy the pets. Then I hobbled back to the car. That night Casey was gone and Ryan went to a friend's house. I had pretty bad pain in my foot that night, but over the next few days it got better and better. It never swelled or turned color at all, but I can tell there's something still funny about it. Just yesterday I tried lifting my left toes to pull off the back of my right shoe and it HURT. But, hopefully any day now I can get back to a slow jog around the track!!
I also finally made it to visit our friend, Ibu Tukiman. If you recall, she is the mother of Ester and the wife of Pak Tukiman who both passed away. Just a month ago Ibu Tukiman finally moved to the house of the oldest daughter, Yanti. Yanti doesn't have a job now just so she can help take care of her mother. They haven't had money for schooling, etc, so I was glad to find out that she is beginning to help a friend with making "bread" (probably snacks) for special orders. That is something she can hopefully do from home and not leave her Mom alone. When I got there, I found my way to the house--which was a little tough. It's on the narrowest little alley. It looked unoccupied and there was a bunch of junk outside. The door was closed. I knocked and I called out. I heard Bu Man's voice. She had been left alone, which made me so sad. The window has no glass and no screen--just a piece of cloth in front ot it. I put my head in the window and grabbed her hand. A neighbor came up and told me that the door was unlocked. The boys and I went ahead and went in. It was SO good to see her. She looks well, except that she has lost one or two more teeth. I thought Chase was amazing. It was sort of like he remembered her! He walked right up to her and shook her hand and hugged her--and touched her leg...without prodding on my part. It was really amazing to watch. Her room is very small and it's in bad shape. I hope that she has what she needs and is comfortable. At least family is around... most of the time... :(
Our helper has been a little shaken this week. Her daughter-in-law, who has a different faith, came over last weekend and was really upset. She was jealous and was suspicious of her husband. She was really angry and attacked a young woman who was at my helper's house. My helper got hurt and the neighbors all got involved. Please remember all of the people involved in this situation, including the precious grandchildren. Their parents need the Lord, and they are experiencing some bad things because of what is going on.
I've also gotten a Bible study started for ladies at school. So far there are 5 Americans coming and 3 Indonesians. We're starting to read through Galatians and have had some good discussions already. I love being in groups like this with different people. They are have been some of the richest moments in my life.
This weekend is Idul Fitri, the end of the Muslim month of fasting. It is raining, raining, raining. I kind of like the rain, because it probably means a little less noise tonight (if it continues), Usually there's a parade, loud mosque music, and MANY firecrackers. There still might be if the rain lets up. Today is their final day of fasting, so its time to celebrate. We are kind of stuck at home too because the traffic is ROTTEN as people travel home to see family and ask for forgiveness for wrongs done this year. The traffic will be rotten for awhile actually. (It's usually rotten...now it's just compounded!!) The only bummer on rain is that the school is having it's high school retreat and the kids are camping out in tents. I've heard the tents leak, so that part doesn't sound too great :(. I am hoping they have figured out how to deal with that or that it hasn't been raining at the retreat center! Over the next couple of weeks we'll make arrangements to go and visit some of our Muslim friends and give them our good wishes. We usually wait until they've returned from seeing family and are not so busy.
Well, that's it for the moment from here.... :)
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