Ramadan 2012 and the SHARE HOUSE

The Islamic holy month of Ramadan, when many Muslims abstain from eating, drinking, or smoking during daylight hours, began last week and will conclude the middle of August with a three-day public holiday celebrating Eid al-Fitr (comparable to our Thanksgiving).  See the blog posting dated August 11, 2011 for more information about Ramadan.

One of the church members, Jesse Morgan, is married to Sema, a muslim.  They and her family have been over to our apartment for dinner.  This past friday we we invited to their home for a break the fast meal.  We had a great time meeting people and visiting.

They live in an interesting house and living situation.  The house has four large bedrooms plus maid's quarters---they rent three rooms which brings in enough income to pay all of the expenses of the house including the rent he pays to the landlord plus the maid and security personel.  There is a large central area where you can sit and relax.  There is also a kitichen area that is shared.  They call the place the SHARE HOUSE.

Not the best pictures--taken with my cell phone!

 This is the lobby area.  There is not wall, just this open garden area which is about 15 feet deep and 30 feet wide.  There are bi-fold doors that can be pulled shut but are usually left open day and night.  The back wall of the garden is at least 20 feet high.  There is overhead watering system to "rain" on the plants when the need arises.

Gail and Sema.  Sema is about 4 months pregant.  Needless to say, everyone is excited!

Jesse and Sema

Sema's mother is second from the left.  The lady in purple is Sema's aunt.  They wear the traditional head covering called a "jillbob".  The other two ladies are Sema's sisters who are about the same age as the aunt.  All very nice and friendly ladies.

The girl on the right is Sema's niece--they wear some very colorful outfits.

Zone Conference

Each quarter the Mission President and his Assistants hold a one day training meeting for all of the missionaries.  Because the mission boundry is the entire country of Indonesia, the training is done at three difference locations over a period of one week.  The training is focused on improving the "teaching and finding" skills of the missionaries.  The meetings are always spiritual and uplifting.

 Missionaries serving in the Jakarta (western) area.  President Groberg, Mission President, is in the middle with his wife to his right.  Their three year period of service will end during the summer of 2013.

 Missionaries serving in the Surabaya (eastern) area of the country.

Missionaries serving in the Solo (central) area of the country.

Exercise can hurt you! Gail's experience in the hospital.

Gail was on an early morning walk with Sister Healy who also lives at our apartment complex.  While walking, Gail stepped on an uneven area of pavers and fell---resulting in a cracked knee cap and a broken wrist.  We are forunate that one of the better hospitals in Jakarta is 10 minutes from our apartment.  The church physican from Hong Kong just happen to be in Jakarta and was able to review Gail's case and confer with the local orthopedic surgeon before the surgery which put all of us at ease.  The care was very good--everyone at the hospital was very nice and helpful.  This all happened on July 11th--exactly one year from the date we entered the Mission Training Center last year!

Hmmm, how much do we want to spend on this?

Waiting for surgery.  The sign reads "Fasting".  We went to the ER around 8am, surgery was that evening at 7pm.  July 11th was a holiday in Jakarta, so it took time to get an OR team called in, etc.  The surgery seems to have been successful.

Following are some pictures of her room.  It was a nice, private room with air conditioning, etc.  The food was excellent. Depending on the level of care you choose, you can be in a room with up to eight other patients, no air conditioning, provide your own food, etc.  We were there for two days. 

Gale's bed.

The nurse's station.

All the nurses wear white uniforms with caps!

Leaving the hospital.  Three of the many people that took care of Gail.  The people at the Service Center where we work brought her the flowers.

Fish Farm

While visiting the cleft lip project n Bogor, we also visited a fish farm at an orphanage. LDS Charities gave them $300 to buy 35 breeder fish, and the project is making this orphanage self sufficient 7 years later! The children have school in the morning, and work on the farm in the afternoon. They have fish, cows, chickens, geese, and a vegetable garden all year round.

breeder fish

A few of the 70+ children at the orphanage.

Owner (middle) and others who help keep the orphanage going.

Cleft Lip/Cleft Palate Project

At the end of June, Sister Healy (the female half of the Humanitarian Missionary couple) and I went to Bogor to oversee an LDS charities Cleft Lip and Cleft Palate project. Fifty one children were registered for free corrective surgery, and 44 passed the screening. Those who did not pass this year will be put on the list first for next year. Those who failed the screening were either too small or had symptoms of an illness (cold, etc.) that could not be cleared up before surgery. This is Sister Healy's special project, she participated in 19 Project Smile clinics before coming on her mission. The doctors donate their services and the church provides any funds needed for the entire project. A group of Indonesian ladies sponsor this project every year, and do all the coordinating with the hospitals, doctors, and local referring clinics.  Gail

One happy mom.  Successful surgery!

These children are precious.

A pretty severe case.

Sister Healy (second from right seated) and I with the group of ladies organizing the event.

This 2 year old came back this year for more repair. love the jilbob.

Pasar

Following are pictures of a local pasar--a traditional market.  This pasar is about two blocks from our apartment.  There are hundreds of pasars all thru the city.  They serve the needs of the people living in the kampungs--small neighborhoods--around the pasar.  Almost anything can be purchased from food to copier paper to clothes....  People shop each day for much of their daily needs.  There are also various grocery stores (walmart type), hardware stores (ACE), malls, etc. for those that prefer to not shop in a pasar. 

Notice in the background the non food items.

Since most people don't eat pork--I am not sure what type of meat this is.  Since beef is expensive, I am guessing goat or dog.  Yes, they do eat dog!

Fish--this is not on ice.  Based on how dirty the water is in the local rivers and streams, I would not buy any.........

Chicken, etc.  And, yes there are flies all around...........

More fish.  Notice the men in the back cooking.  They sell both cooked and raw fish.

This store sells jewery, clothes, etc.

Traffic on a Saturday morning!

Notice the fish is being wrapped in newpaper.

Building and hardware supplies

Motorcycle cleaning and repair

A street vendor selling ballons and small toys

Very Busy!

There are a number of shops that recondition doors, windows, etc and also take old discarded wood and make items.

This is a road leading from the kampung into the pasar

Another road leading from a kampung into the pasar

This is our apartment complex.  The pasar is just behind me.