Mud Art

Soren explained: 'I thought it would be a big surprise for you Mummy, like a painting!' My initial horror aside, I really liked my painting; it made me think of Jackson Pollock. Maybe they're gifted...

...or maybe they're just under fives.

Yanwar

On a recent trip to Bali we visited Yanwar, a young man whom Philip's Bible study group financially supported through a Salvation Army Boys' Home for a couple of years, before the group finished up and we took it on. It was great to meet him in person--he seemed really lovely and was very sweet with the boys. He is 17 now, in his last year of schooling and doing an apprenticeship in hospitality. It was nice to be able to chat in Indonesian!

Soren drawing with some of the other kids from the Home while we had a look around.
Reuben having a rare quiet, stationary, reflective moment.

Playing in the yard

I am sooo thankful for our little yard where the boys can play happily in the afternoons. Here Soren has constructed a clothes line, washed some of his shirts under the tap and hung them up to dry, Reuben his trusty assistant.

Parties

The boys recently went to a friend's dress-up birthday party. The very talented mum made two cardboard cut-out action figures for photo opportunities. The children were suitably impressed!

Delays

We were recently delayed at Bali ariport for about 6 hours, into the night. Reuben kept everyone entertained for as long as he could, but really wished someone would just put him to bed.

Snails

With the wet season comes lots of huge snails. Soren decided he would go 'snail hunting' and then make 'snail soup'.

So Ibu Anik showed him how. Thankfully I was at language school for the whole process. Step one: boil them up.

Step two: extract the meat.

The distinct look of a wild man in the making. Uh oh.

Step three: stir-fry said meat.

Soren was a tad disappointed at the lack of soupiness.

The moment of truth.

Dad leads the way, into the unknown.



A bit chewy...

Thumbs up!

I'll stick with the fish thanks.

Fun at the Mall

Every now and then, when the afternoon is dragging and the heat is awful, we pile into a mikrolet, a public minibus--which the boys think is great fun while I act as a human seat-belt--and head to the mall, where there are a couple of indoor playgrounds and a really nice frozen yoghurt shop.

Glorious Mud

It's wet season here, so...

Waltzing Matilda

Ever the good sport, Philip went along to a local Independence Day program (a month late due to the Ramadan fast in August). He thrilled everyone by obliging the presenter with an impromtu performance of an Australian song. Very glad it wasn't me up on that stage. It was a bit like a neighbourhood variety show (with rice).

Nesting

Philip and Soren get busy planting some flowers in the long-neglected garden bed at the side of our house.

Church in Malang

This church is about a 30min walk across the valley. We pass through a couple of 'village' suburbs on the way.

We meet Pak Mul, selling bakso, a broth-like soup with meat balls.
We pass many pet birds being put outside to enjoy the morning sun.
Stopping for a quick chat to answer the standard 'where are you going?' greeting.
Across the creek, up the hill..

..and we're ready for the air-conditioning. The song lyrics: '...that this story may be planted in my heart forever.'

Snack time.

Play time.

Time to get a lift home in one of the church vehicles. Nice!

Selamat Hari Raya Idul Fitri

Hari Raya Idul Fitri is the day Muslims celebrate the breaking of the month-long fast of Ramadan. During the holiday week, family and neighbours love to drop in on one another. Ketupat, the woven parcels of rice, is one of the special foods prepared and shared when extended family and neighbours visit. We visited Ibu Anik's (our house helper's) family and later that week they dropped in with this gift of food for us!

Ruby Reubs

Please Sir..

Get me away from these crazy people!

Local wildlife

A stray kitten--a common sight here.

One of our neighbours is crazy about animals, perhaps just crazy. She keeps more than ten cats in cages in the garage, turtles, two dogs, rabbits, exotic birds, relatives, and on it goes.