Modern day Pioneers

 Some more of the same to report this week. We have enjoyed more time and fellowship with the Iranian members of our ward and the bonds of friendship are strengthening deeper as we share time together; our hopes, fears, laughter, and tears. And good food too! We can't possibly untangle now!

                       We're entwined for life!

We were going to bring in Pizza Hut but Nahid insisted hers was better. And boy, was it! 

Mmm..homemade yogurt! 

None of these friends of ours live in the business city district where we live or by the church building either, so we take a taxi out to their homes or invite them over to our apartment after church since we live only a 15 minute taxi ride to the church. 

We were overjoyed when Hiresh came to church this week. We'd never met him in person before, only through texting in the past. It only took him 3 scooter rides and a train to get to church.  

                         Now that's dedication! 

We invited him over for lunch after church. He brought with him 15 pieces he had painted that illustrated the stories in the Book of Mormon. His hope was that we could make an exhibition for his paintings. Wow. I know nothing about displaying artwork. But it so happens that there is an upcoming Stake Cultural Night of music and dance that the wards have been preparing for all summer. I wonder if we could showcase them there?  It seems like the perfect venue if we can get the logistics figured out. So he entrusted the paintings to us and after a nice lunch and hearing his life story, he hopped on a Grab Scooter for the long ride home.

 

Hiresh graduated from the University of Arts in Tehran but was targeted because his artwork was deemed too Western, too Christian in style. Despite his great talent, he had to leave his country for fear of persecution or worse, and thus became a refugee here in Indonesia. He then joined the church here and learned English, partly from the children's illustrated version of the Book of Mormon. He speaks fluently with the Gift of Tongues. We want so much to bring him to America where his talent can flourish. He wants to find a wife and have a family. 

I'd love to show you some of his artwork. I just think it's so unique and wonderful that someone from a Muslim country living as a refugee in another Muslim country would convert to Christianity and be inspired to understand the stories in a book about Jesus Christ enough to illustrate them so beautifully. 

Lehi preaching in Jerusalem, and commanded to leave in a vision. 

                   Obtaining the Brass Plates

      The Liahona guiding Lehi's family through the wilderness

Lehi's vision of The Tree of Life

The Book of Mormon coming forth to the young prophet Joseph Smith in latter days.

We feel so blessed to know these chosen individuals. It seems that the Lord chooses very special souls to be his pioneers in countries where the gospel has not yet penetrated its borders. He gives them visions and dreams so they will respond to the truth when they hear it. And because of their refugee status, they are like the Zoramites, who are humble enough to accept it. Our friends are truly the cream of the crop. They will blaze the trail for others to follow in their country someday.  For now, we can nurture them and be sort of like what Isaiah calls nursing fathers and mothers to bring them to Zion. It's going to be a long process. Nothing in bureaucracy ever goes quickly but we will not give up on them and plan to continue our quest to become sponsors for those we feel closest to. Because we have been blessed by our Savior through our whole lives and especially while serving Him in India, Timor-Leste and Indonesia, we feel to share our rich blessings with them. Because we have been given much, we too must give. 

Besides Sunday, the happiest part of our week is our online English classes with Mahdi, Nahid, and Kourosh. They are highly motivated students and want more than anything to integrate into American life so they study hard. The hardest sound of all for them is ih, "this is" instead of saying "theese ees." Isn't language just nutty? It's embarrassing how little Bahasa we remember when it's taught to us. Our brains just aren't absorbing new info these days. So we empathize with how hard it is. Every lesson in English Connect finishes with a gospel quote or theme or story so we always end up a little teary and choked up as we share our testimonies of God's goodness. The Spirit is such a good teacher and the Gift of Tongues is real! I hope to continue to be an ESL teacher after we return, even unofficially. All of my life experiences have prepared me to do this kind of work. 

Other great things happened this week. The Jakarta 3rd ward Relief Society had a service project making blankets and stuffed plushies for a children's hospital for the Women and Children's Initiative given worldwide from the church to every ward and branch. Did your ward do something too? We had fun cutting out the pieces to sew together. Rebecca invited her co-worker Dehka to come and see what our church is all about. Because the husbands of the senior missionaries were there, he didn't feel out of place being the only male attending.  He seemed to love the feeling of working together on a project for others..

                Many hands make light work

Afterwards, we introduced the Rorings to Billiongraves work. Because they are here as Family History Specialist missionaries, they were very excited to learn how to put the Billiongraves app on their phone and take photos. We took them to the War Memorial Cemetery. With the three  of us working, we finally finished the last of the graves! Hurrah! We took the time to look at the chapel again. Many historical photos had been put on the wall since we were there last. 

                     Preparing the grave sites

      A whole city has built around this gravesite

               Construction of the memorial 

                     Here's how it turned out 

   Beautiful etched glass and metal work doors

     Elder Dunlap preaching his fiery sermon 

Because we finished the last of the Dutch graves so quickly, we went and looked at the Commonwealth section where the British and Indian graves were. Inadvertantly I had missed 16 graves that were tucked in an area I had overlooked the first two visits. I bet those men were so glad we had a reason to come back with the Rorings! Then we went across the street and knocked out a whole section of Christian Indonesian graves. I loved working in a threesome! The work went so quickly.  And of course, I found some favorites again:

       Somebody obviously loved Hollywood 

                        No country bumpkin

    How could you not love your Grampa Geek?

 You know, I'm beyond thrilled to pass on the baton of this family history work to the Rorings as our time is coming to an end and theirs just begins. They love this work too and will continue to help the people of Indonesia find their ancestors and build their family trees.  I hope it will inspire any of you too when you go traveling to places all around the world, if you have some free time, download the app and visit a cemetery and take some photos. It's pretty easy to do. It's gotta get done. Our church has been given the behemoth task of finding and recording every single soul who has ever lived on this earth so that that person can be attached to a family and sealed to them in holy temple ordinances. We are 3 little drops of water in the Indonesian ocean but we have made a difference for those people we have found and recorded. (You know, the starfish story!). Find out where you can make an eternal difference for someone. Do some family history work! Invite a friend to a service project! Sponsor a pioneer refugee and give him the freedom to work and marry! Find out what the Lord has called you to do, and do it today! 

"...They did receive all the poor of the Zoramites that came over unto them; and they did nourish them, and did clothe them, and did give unto them lands for their inheritance; and they did administer unto them according to their wants"

Alma 35: 9

HELP!!!

 First, a recap of a few things that transpired this week.  We had our first Zone Conference with our new mission leaders, Pres. and Sis. Mak. He is wonderful and Sister Mak is true to her name, Mery.  She is a joy! Now that we know many of the young missionaries from our visit to Medan, it's like a grand reunion to see our young friends again. One young elder even adopted us!               Great things come in small packages

Seesters in Zion

                          Adoptee Elder Albert

We also welcomed a brand new, one day old senior couple, the Rorings from Tremonton, Utah. Come to find out we have mutual close friends in Strat and Nita Murdoch. SWISH! (Small world incident, so happy!)

Their assignment in Indonesia will be as Family History Specialists. What uncanny timing that I found this soldier only the day before at the War Cemetery.

Long lost great uncle, maybe? 

Besides the conference, our main focus, thrust, and passion has been with the refugees of our Jakarta ward. We are feeling the urgency of our limited time left in Indonesia to do all we can to help not only their plight but to also lighten the burden of good man Bishop Linton of the Jakarta 3rd ward who hears their cries for financial help continually. Because they are forbidden BY LAW to work here, self-reliance is not possible. The church can help them in certain areas like food and utilities but is not allowed to pay for their rent. The ones we've become especially close to say they simply couldn't bear to live in the refugee camps anymore. We haven't seen the camps first-hand but we have seen their sparse living conditions they live in now that is supposedly a step up from the camps. Wo. In essence, they have to become professional scroungers to even survive here, and those who are too ashamed or shy to ask for help and handouts, sometimes opt for suicide. These are the stories they tell us. It's the saddest situation and they've been this way for a very long time, some for over a decade. Can you even imagine? Their peaceful protests in front of embassies have changed nothing. They send emails to the organizations and get back computer generated responses. For years. It appears that no actual humans are actively advocating for them in any government, agency, or organization. Those that move out have some kind of sponsorship. The gospel of hope in Jesus Christ and the fellowship of the saints has helped many of them out of suicidal despair. They have developed patience and long suffering and a hope in Christ and because of their response to their suffering, they are humble and fit for the kingdom of God in my opinion. If the last shall be first, they will be leading the procession into Zion. These few photos are of the fortunate ones who have found sponsors already and are helping them along the way.

Mahdi the magnificent!

Mother and child

They have all captured our hearts

So when we recently learned of the WelcomeCorp program from some former senior missionaries that served here, the wheels started turning in our heads. We asked the Bishop to supply us with all the names and contact info of those refugees who are on our church records. 29 of them. (Actually, we started with the Iranians and Afghans first. Next we'll do the same with those from Africa.) We sent out a group text to invite them first of all, to sign up for the WelcomeCorp program that matches refugees with willing people committed to sponsor a refugee in America. I also asked them to send me their photo and a profile of themselves so I could share them with anyone and everyone. Many of the names on the list we'd never seen before at church. Most did not respond at all but a few bright stars responded immediately. Maybe some were afraid to hope again that there could be an end to their wait? Maybe the English in my text was difficult for them to understand? Who knows why only a few replied, but all we've ever been able to do on this mission is invite people to take action. 

Before I share a few photos and profiles with you, my miniscule readership, I'd like you to ponder the words to a hymn.

Have I done any good in the world today?

Have I helped anyone in need?

Have I cheered up the sad? 

And made someone feel glad?

If not I have failed indeed. 

Has anyone's burden been lighter today because I was willing to share?

Have the sick and the weary been helped on their way? (think refugees!)

When they needed my help was I there? 

Then wake up! And do something more

than dream of your mansions above 

Doing good is a pleasure, a joy beyond measure

A blessing of duty and love. 

There are chances for work all around just now, opportunities right in our way.

Do not let them pass by saying some day I'll try

But go and do something today. 

 First, meet Hiresh:

Next is Farzad:

Last for now is Sadia (SAH-diya)

Sadia hasn't sent me her profile yet, but what I know about her is she is from Afghanistan. She is sweet, quiet, stable in her emotions, and is currently taking BYU Pathways classes and is very grateful for the chance to better herself. I know she has to travel somewhere to get access to a computer so she can take the classes. I'm guessing she has been in Indonesia around 8 years. She is single. She wears the same nice sweatshirt and pants to church each week. She is so lovable!

I hope these faces and stories of survival and need are tugging at your hearts as you sit in your comfortable air conditioned house or car, eating to your hearts content, as you plan your next vacation on your bucket list. 

So here is my puny voice that has never had much clout to persuade others to do anything. I hate selling. So instead I "invite" you to take action to make a huge difference in the life of one of God's children that would change the entire course of their life story. Here's what to do: Get 4 of your friends (or couples) and sponsor a refugee. The commitment is not lifelong (although the friendship can be but is not required) it is mostly for the first 3 months they come to their new new country, their new state, their new city, their new life. The government helps them initially find housing and pays for 3 months while they look for employment to become self reliant. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the best resource of compassionate, service-minded people you'll find anywhere who want to follow Jesus Christ by helping their fellow man but there are plenty of other good non-profit organizations that help refugees find 2nd hand furniture and get a household set up. You as a sponsor can help get them connected to community resources, public transportation services, ESL classes, etc. In 1992, we helped a family of 4 from Azerbaijan get settled. We unofficially helped a family from Rwanda maybe 7 years ago and it was the most rewarding experience of our life. Just to drive them to work, to take them to a dollar movie, to have them in your home for a meal, to invite them to swim in a pool, all these small and simple experiences became a joyful discovery for them in their new life and the greatest joy for us to share what relative abundance we had with them. Now they are fully integrated citizens and have moved on. 

The urgency for my plea is that until July 31st, this WelcomeCorp organization is giving 100% grants to cover the initial $2450. Usually, when split 5 ways, that's $500 per sponsor unit. But right now it's zero. What??? Yes , if I understand correctly, they just want you and your willing hearts more than your money! Why delay? Make gut decisions from the heart quickly! 

I'm so sorry that these aren't actual links, just pictures of the links but it says right there they are covering the initial costs.  So I am SHOUTING as loud as I can for any of you to come to the aid of people while it's free, money wise. Time and effort may be required but we're used to effort aren't we?  Even at the least, we are to love our neighbors. It's the second great commandment. The Lord illustrated who  our neighbor is with the parable of the Good Samaritan. They are ANYONE who is in need. I know there are many of  you back in America who really are trying to keep the commandments.  I know for a fact there are some of you who are supporting us financially on this final leg of our mission, since it was twice as expensive as India. To you wonderful benefactors, we thank you humbly!  You have provided the experience of a lifetime for us and have furthered the work of the kingdom of God in 3 countries and for that we are forever grateful!! You know what it's like to give selflessly. We are nearly done now and this is our final push to do the most good we can on our mission before we come home. We would take the lot of them home with us if we could break all the rules and get away with it. We've opened our home to foreigners before and we will do so again. Not that this program requires that level of commitment. It's whatever you want to make of it.  Have you ever asked yourself if you'd be the kind of person that would risk your life to help the Jews during the Holocaust? Here's a mini trial run to find out. 

If per chance you feel a stirring, a sincere desire to respond to one of these particular profiles by July 31st, (or even later but why wait?), please contact us, so we can give them the joy of knowing someone wants to sponsor them. We'll get you connected to them. They will cry and cry with joy! They have never stopped praying for a miracle. You can partner with The Lord to be their miracle. There are so many more too, I just put out a handful.  There's a whole family of 6 from the Congo and a wonderful Wayne Brady lookalike from Sudan too. But we know there are thousands just like them in Indonesia from other countries displaced here, this was a mere sampling. These friends just want the chance to work again. They are skilled and talented people. They are not needy by choice. They just need a chance and a leg up to get them started in a place with basic human rights of freedom.

 Maybe you have the right heart to respond to this but it's just horrible timing for you or you live in a small town. Please do us a favor and pass thwebsite onto anyone you know who loves to do this kind of saving work. We appreciate it so much and Bishop Linton thanks you too. I will try to figure out how to post links to Welcomecorp. We've got 11 days to July 31st so let's act quickly.  Message us! 

Alma 5: 55, 57, 62:

..."Will ye persist in turning your backs upon the poor, and the needy, and in withholding your substance from them? I say into you, all you that are desirous to follow the voice of the good Shepherd, come ye out...I speak by way of command unto you that belong to the church, and unto those who do not belong to the church, I speak by way of invitation..."

 

https://welcomecorps.org/become-a-sponsor/sponsoring-someone-you-know/

https://welcomecorps.org/become-a-sponsor/sponsorship-duties/

Grand- friends, sons, men

How do you make a weekly photo blog without taking a single picture all week? Such is the predicament we find ourselves in for the first time in 93 weeks. Well, we have no choice but to dip into the archives. We flew home from Medan as you may recall from last week on Monday and that night we both felt sore throats coming on. We can either blame the Jakarta smog or the masked man sitting next to us on the plane.  Elder Rob especially got whammed with pain in his ears and sinuses all week long while I got off a little easier with just a few sneezes but no congestion. Neither of us had much oomph or energy to push through it and be amazing. Plus we wondered if what we had was catching and so we opted to not make any visits or appointments this week. These are the times we are grateful for technology because we were still able to teach our English classes online for our native missionaries as well as our refugee friends from the confines of our apartment. Our friendships with our fellow Iranian members are deepening quickly. We are wishing we could just pack them all up and take them home with us. The family of 4 is actually getting very close for their dream to become a reality. We hope they beat us home! After attending a culture class this week, all that remains on their checklist is to receive airline tickets and then they are literally on their way to America. How we hope and pray that nothing falls through! They have sold most of their belongings to have income and to be ready to vacate their rental home when those tickets come. So timing is of the essence and we are all praying it's very soon. Here's another example of how the Lord orchestrates blessings. We made friends with an expat family in India, who just recently were reassigned back to a city in America, the same city our Iranian friends are assigned to. When I contacted them this week, they said a friend in their ward works for an agency that helps refugee families get furniture and household items. Mere coinkidink? I think not. So we will get them in touch and they will have people helping them on both ends of this journey. Our Iranian friends here have great faith and have exhibited so much hope and patience in the Lord for their deliverance. And it's nigh!  If you want to pray for them or put their names in the temple, they are the Rastgoo Family.

As for our other single brother, he has already been working with some past senior missionaries from the IJM who love him as we do. The WelcomeCorp program is a way that ordinary, like-minded people like us can band together and help refugees. It requires a minimum of 5 people and not an unreasonable amount of money to be a support team. Recently some of his support team members had to drop out for family obligations so now just at the precise time, we are able to step in and take their place and all of us will work together to get this dear brother to Utah. The timing couldn't have been better. Our dream is to get him to Utah before we go home but the refugee agency really holds all the strings. So we will continue to be his friend and bolster him while he waits here and be his advocate, along with these other wonderful returned missionaries, and keep praying for him that his time is coming too. 

                      Brothers united in Christ

Since it's been a slow week here, the most exciting news I can share is about our two mission grandsons back home. Silas turns 1 year old, today in fact! Wow, has it really been a whole year? We loved getting some FaceTime with him this morning and only wish we could be there in person to celebrate his birthday, but our time is coming. Hang tight, Si! We're on the home stretch!

         Happy Birthday Silas!! Love Pop & Ajji

           1 year and already growing a beard

                         Cuteness overload 

And for grandson #2...Luke and his parents were ALL thrilled to get the cast removed from his leg and hips. (Imagine having to sponge bath and Febreeze a baby instead of bathe him for 4 weeks?!) They celebrated by going on an Alaskan cruise, which was planned long before his accident, but what joy and perfect timing for them to be able to go unencumbered and sweet smelling! I think you all deserve this getaway!

Cast off, Luke! 

                        Brrr! It's COLD in Alaska!

               Looks like we got us a redhead!!

Cap'n Luke and his lobster shack

To conclude this blog, as you can imagine, I've had oodles of time to transcribe gravestones this week. I've been working on the Netherlands Field of Honor Cemetery in Jakarta and I've found some names that just make me chuckle and maybe you will too. I have to remember these are real men and I honor them for giving their lives in war. But at the same time, we will share a moment of gladness with them, not only for the joy of recording their names for their posterity to find them, but just because they are funny without trying to be, the wryest kind of humor. 

                                   Oooh, really?

         Yeah, we know you are but what am I?

         There's a defeatist in every platoon

                            Well, obviously 

                         The slightly kooky one

              Best friend of B. A. Dass in India

Until next week....

"And we desire that everyone of you do show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end. That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises. And so, after (you) had patiently endured, (you) obtained the promise.... that we might have a strong consolation, ye who have fled for refuge to lay upon the hope set before us. Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast."

Hebrews 6: 11-12, 15, 18-19