Encounters of the past week and looking forward

Island 1 - Bali: Christal has been here for a week now. Arriving in Bali, we visited the children's home. Although it was only half a day, we could tell that they were well taken care of and completely loved. They overflow with joy! Some of the children called me Esther as they remembered the story we told, in which I danced and acted as Queen Esther. Ambara remembered and took me to see her sister, Yulia. What a precious reunion! She came down the hall just as I was coming up the stairs. Glasses on her face and tears in her eyes, what a sweet hug I received! In a year, she keeps growing. I'm eager to see her interests develop. She currently wants to go to culinary school to be a chef and open her own restaurant! It's hard to believe it's already been a year. And yet, only a year! I am eager and excited to see them in just another week and a half at GLC!

Island 2 - Kalimantan: If I could choose only one highlight, it was the brief conversation I had with Simple. She has 3 children, ages 11, 7 and 3. The oldest was in school. The 7 yr. old is Mitra. The youngest is a boy. And it probably took me about 20 minutes to have the courage, let alone figure out how, to ask questions to find out that information! She was full of smiles and most gracious, as we could hardly understand what each other said.

Highlight #2 was definitely the boat ride in the small speed boat through the jungle rivers. We road through narrow places where tree branches hung low, and we had to duck from getting hit in the face! But how beautiful it was! Definitely what I dreamt the jungle would be like.

Island 3 - Java: Home.
A team of 5 has arrived from Philly. This week, they will do teacher training for teachers in the area. Also on Monday, I will begin teaching Lesson 2 - Art through ESL. Or ESL through Art... We have a few families coming in next weekend. So, I'm here for a week and a half before returning to Bali for Mosaic's GLC.