End Of Day Three - Quick Reflections on Jakarta

I sit here with Islamic Prayers and female Salvation Army cadets singing both filling the air. 

We have had an amazing three days. They have been tough, challenging and we have been stretched for sure. 

As Triniti has identified, we have thrown ourselves in at the deep end. For two days we only had buckets of water, but were back to cold showers in the last 24 hours. Connor and Kenzi have been brave and resilient. 

For all that Jakarta is and is not, we all agree that 3 days were too short. They were too short for decent visits, and too short to really take in all that the city and its people are. 

We were blessed on the first day with a wonderful translator from Compassion (Y). She was helpful, patient and extremely competent. We were sad to lose her and fly without a translator for two days. 

God has been good. Despite being exhausted, we are not sick. Despite having a driver who couldn't speak English, and none of us speaking Indonesian, we got through the last 48 hours. Our driver D was  an incredible driver. I stated on the first day that Indonesia should export their drivers as rally car drivers. We only had two near misses. 

Seeing Mega again on Day One was phenomenal. To meet her Mum and Dad this time, and to be reunited with both her Grandmother AND the project coordinator from four years ago was such a blessing. To see the project, what they do, and to visit Mega's home was so humbling and moving. One incredible point of impact was that Mega was clearly not interested in her presents, but clearly engaged with us. Over and again the message was made clear between Mega's family and ours, that we are actually one family. 

The return to Kampung Sawah yesterday, again after four years was important. Although Connor and Kenzi were tested by an incredibly long service, they are indeed brave. I am very proud of them. They have been stretched so much. But they continue to use their Bahasa Indonesian and do well. 

I had been told that Kampung Sawah had changed a great deal, but I found it not that different. The trip to the tip was impacting once again, but more so for Connor, Kenzi and Triniti as they saw it for the first time. 

After Kampung Sawah we thought Connor and Kenzi needed a break from the heat and humidity and so we thought we would take them to the Atlantis Water Park. Connor and Kenzi have commented quite often on the obvious lavishness of some buildings and venues (one of the five section malls comes to mind) with complete poverty right next door, literally. The paradox has challenged Connor a great deal and today it was clear he was quite angry about it. 

Connor has also been hating saying goodbye to our sponsor children. 

Jakarta is a city that can leave you feeling overstimulated. So may sights, smells, physical experiences. I think that is why we feel exhausted. So much in so few days. We feel like we have lived 3 weeks in 3 days. We have exceeded the balance that we normally try to aim for back home. 

Today we got to see Samuel again. Amazing. Reunited with both Samuel and his mother was a blessing. Being the first time for Connor, Kenzi and Trin was great and the good news was we got to meet Samuel's father. 

We are aware that some visits for sponsors can be a disappointment. With children feeling overwhelmed and not responding much while the visit takes place. But both visits were amazing, and we do not take that for granted. 

Tomorrow we take one step away from the extremes we have been in for four nights. No doubt we will all take a hot shower as soon as we can when we reach our hotel. 

The Officers and Cadets at the Training College have done all they could for us. It has been such a blessing in the midst of tough circumstances. 

If we had to come home tomorrow, we would not have any regrets. We have been over blessed. The rest is continued blessing. 

I now head to bed, with the same sounds I started with. Islamic Prayers (female now I think) and the Cadets in full voice. What an amazing place we have been in. 

Our other daughter Mega.

Our other son Samuel and his mother Hanna.

Our skillful driver D

The Second Year Cadets. 

The First Year Cadets 

Our friendly assistant and translator at the College, E.