Help from above in a helper from here

I find it hard to believe that it has been over a week since our last post. School is in full swing which means everyone is busy. Dana and I teach and then spend a few hours each night preparing to teach the next day. It is good to have meaningful work and the ability to do it. The beginning of school has been more significant for the kids. It has given them the opportunity to meet new friends and more importantly new playmates. The infusion of new playmates has lead to increased harmony at home. Before school started I think we had too much together time. When the kids aren't playing with friends they're doing homework or amusing themselves with something around the house. The pattern is familiar, just as in the states.

Well that's a brief update on the goings on here. Now I want to introduce you to one of the people God has blessed us with in this time of transition. Ibu Pasira is our pembantu, or helper. Ibu is the English equivalent of Mrs. It is a sign of respect for someone who is older or in a position of higher authority. At school, the Indonesian staff always call me Pak (Mr.) Jeff. If I were single they would call me Mas (Mr. for a younger man) Jeff.

While we are scurrying off to school, Ibu Pasira is making lunch, doing laundry, sweeping, mopping and shopping for food. I don't know what we would do without her. Again, Salatiga is not like living in the states. You can't just jump in your car, drive to the nearest super center, do all of your shopping and then go home. For starters, we don't have a car here, nor is there one stop shopping. Knowing where to get what your looking for is very important, however it doesn't mean that you'll find what you looking for. The availability of products comes and goes.

Our kids, especially Abby and Zach, have taken to Ibu Pasira. In many ways, she is our Indonesian Grandmother. Ibu Pasira has a number of grown children who are married and a daughter who just graduated from Indonesian high school last year. She comes at 7 AM and works til 2 PM Monday through Friday. We fend for ourselves on the weekends, during holidays and when Ibu wants off. Without Ibu Pasira, both of us could not teach. Maintaining the home and shopping is indeed a full time job in Salatiga without a car. Ibu Pasira is God's answer to our prayers regarding Him preparing a place for us in Salatiga. Our continued prayer is that Ibu Pasira may come to realize that she is a gift from God and come to faith in Christ. Blessings to each of you, Jeff