A Very Different Day

God's timing is perfect. 

The last five days have been full on. We received news today that rocked our world, and had we received it at any point in the last five days would have made these days even harder, and perhaps even a distraction. No access to email until today has meant that an email sent a few days ago only was read today. So on the same day we decided to take it easy, the news came through. 

So after breakfast we stayed at our hotel until midday, and then decided to hire a driver and we went out to just relax and take in some "familiar" settings for lunch. We did try a new restaurant, and without a translator took a punt with the food. 50% of what we ordered was what we were expecting. As result I ate two plates of nasi goreng that had chilli throughout. 

Mackenzi thought she would be brave last night and tried some chilli. We warned her against it, but if you know Kenzi, she is strong willed and not always easily swayed. Needless to say it wasn't pretty. But she is still alive and no permanent damage. 

I took the children and Triniti to see the monument to Christ. 

Today has been a very relaxing day before heading on to Bunaken Island. 

I get to have dinner with another old Manado Compassion friend, S, and have the family enjoy her. Tonight S is joining us to go look for material with Triniti. Again, timely and a blessing. 

Speaking of meals, we are all pretty convinced we never want to go out to dinner in Australia again. A meal in a cafe in Australia can cost over $100 for six people. Three times now we have had the privilege of being out to dinner with sponsored families and friends here in Indonesia. One was a meal for 8 people and cost less than $32 AUS, another with 10 people less than $30 AUS and on Tuesday night with 7 of us for less than $22 AUS. We love being able to be in community and also bless in this way. However, we do not want to spend money we don't need to in Australia so we can save up and come back, do it again and more often. The conversations and bonding over meals is priceless. The people we eat with, a blessing and gift to us! 

An even stranger thing is petrol. We have worked out that petrol here costs .47 cents AUS per litre! WHAT IS THAT ABOUT!?!

 Mega, her Mum and our Compassion staff member Y.