A Trip to the Temples

This past Sunday we were invited to accompany some friends in the afternoon to some Hindu temples about an hour's drive from our house.  This kind of trip is right up our alley, and we signed up right away.  We had a great time and marveled at what life must have been like for those that built and worshiped at these temples over 900 years ago.  They were built in a valley high up in the mountains.  All 9 of them had a unique shape and were scattered over about a 1 mile trail.  It was nice to be up a little higher elevation and enjoy some cooler air and some awesome views.

My blonde princess enjoying her daily time in fairylandia.  The valley behind her is where we live about 2-3,000 feet below.

This is looking across the valley from one temple to a few others built on the other side.  No doubt that the people were in good shape that lived there.

This is one of the 9 temples that we walked to.  More pictures of our trip can be seen on my photo album.  Rebecca is going to explain a few of the other pictures.  As she mentioned in this post, our Sunday was very full.  Stay tuned for more from her...

Mt. Merbabu Pics.

A few posts ago, I showed a picture of a nearby volcano and incorrectly called it Mt. Merapi.  This volcano does exist, but it is about 8 miles behind this one...Mt. Merbabu.  Mt. Merbabu is the volcano I am currently planning to climb.  It is only about 8 miles from my house, and very near the town we drove through yesterday.  Read yesterday's post for info on that trip.

I took this photo from Brooklyn's school soccer field this morning after I dropped her off.  They have a beautifully manicured soccer field.

This photo I took of the same mountain when I got out of school from the public soccer field.  The two soccer fields are vastly different.  One is nice manicured grass with metal soccer goals and nets, the other, a dirt field with bamboo goal posts without nets.  One of the reasons I believe soccer is so cosmopolitan is due to that fact that the overhead is very low.  All you really need is a ball!

While taking the photo from Brooklyn's school, I almost walked through this spider web.  I seem to walk through a lot of those here since I am taller than most, and my head reaches places that have not been "walked through" yet.

Everywhere here there are little "warungs" or stores that sell various things.  This one sells snacks and "bensin," aka, gasoline.  Because of the amount of scooters and motorcycles here, many people just buy a liter at a time.  You can see the glass bottles full of gas for sale.

Back-road Drivin'

Instead of doing homework today, I was invited by a coworker who has a car to take a road trip without any purpose...just the kind I like...

(Post Script-I forgot to add this picture yesterday.)  Andong Volcano is just north of Merbabu Volcano, and is dormant.  Both Volcanos, among others, can easily be seen on Google Earth for those of you who like that kind of thing.  (Ahem...dad.)

We went south into the mountains and stopped to pick up some friends near a market.  This is typical here, although it was late in the day so there was not much left to buy.

Across the street from the market was a bamboo yard.  The man seen in the photo is scrubbing down the bamboo in order to sell, probably as fence posts.  Green beans are growing in the background.

While not the best picture, you can see the types of animals and birds we have here are beautiful.  By the time we backed up and I was composing a better picture, the bird flew off...that always happens!

The higher elevation we were driving in must have been conducive to growing tobacco.  It was growing everywhere.  After the leaves are picked, they are dried and then put into bales like in the photo above.

While driving by a Mosque, we stopped and talked with some of the people sitting outside.  They were all very nice and cordial and we talked for a few minutes with them.

Many people keep goats and horses on their property, but have to walk to nearby fields to gather food for them.

The rice was a lot farther along in this part of Java, and the workers were all out in earnest doing whatever it is they do in the rice world.

There are no heavy machines used in the rice world, so, use a water buffalo instead.

This cracked us up!  This man was herding his ducks, there must have been 30+ ducks.  It was almost as if those ducks had traveled this road numerous times and knew exactly where to go.  I cannot say that before today I had ever seen so many ducks running (not flying).  It was pretty funny!

I posted a pic a few day ago of the what the horse drawn carts look like here in Central Java, here is one in action.  Notice the bag between the horse and cart...don't leave home without it!

Several times a week I try to get away in the afternoons and practice my Indonesian with some of our local neighbors.  Brooklyn was bored today (that's the last time she'll whine to me) so I took her with me.  After exhuasting all I could of my vast Indonesian conversational skills (or lack thereof) my friend wanted to send us home with some fresh young coconuts and a special sugar to eat with them.  When we got home we all tried this new food and really liked it.  The coconut milk was the best part in my opinion.  The soft inner flesh was also good with the special sugar.  Once again, the kindness, patience and friendliness of the local people is very comforting.  Rebecca and I both have already found special people to practice with, which is a blessing as we stumble over ourselves trying to make simple sentences.

Another Sunday Afternoon Bike Ride

After looking at pics from Google Earth, I set out today on my bike to find some nearby rice fields.  I rode right to them and enjoyed the surrounding beauty of a type of field unlike anything I am used to.

I don't know much about rice, but at least at this location it appeared that they were just beginning to sow the fields.  I hope to return later when the fields are more mature.  Also, when we get a clear day, the nearby volcanoes will appear in the background as well.

As with most places I go, there always seems to be a troop of playful kids that want their picture taken.  These guys knew the typical english phrase..."hey meester, take foto!"

Yard Work

Since we arrived in Salatiga our yard has needed some work. A common way to take care of them around here is to hire a gardener. It sounds a lot more luxurious in an American context, but it is basically just a yard man. It is a good way to provide simple employment to the local economy and practice language as well. Today, when our gardener came to begin his work, he didn't waste time in scurrying up one of the trees in our backyard, barefoot, to take care of a few scraggly branches.

Our Neighborhood

Although we have only been here a short time, everyday we see things to remind us we are not in Kansas (Colorado) anymore. While I cannot say what the rest of Indonesia does, here in Central Java, horse buggies are a common form of transport. Once I learn the language a little better I am going to take a ride on one of these.

Currently, we are without transportation, except for my bicycle. So, Brooklyn and I currently walk to school every morning and this is one of the houses that is on the way. Our walk to school takes about 20 minutes. For a few days I have noticed how the early morning light made a neat abstract in the humid early morning air at this house.

In Keeping with the Reptile Theme...

A friend of our's caught this lizard yesterday and showed me how it changed colors.  While it is not a chameleon, it sure could change colors drastically.  Normally dingy brown, he turned bright yellow and green when we agitated him.

Bedroom Surprise

This post is dedicated to the grandmas...

Last night, Becca excitedly (yet calmly) asked me to quickly come see what was in our bedroom.  Lo and behold, on her side of the bed, (of course) there was this slithery little thing about 7 inches long on the floor.  It looked like a snake but it had 4 legs.  I quickly scooped it into a plastic container to show to the girls and then searched the internet to see what it was.  After a little looking, we determined it was a skink.  Skinks are very similar to snakes and lizards and it sounds like there are numerous species of them.  If you look closely in the photo above you can see his 2 rear legs.  The front 2 are tucked in as he was getting ready to slither away this morning as I released him back into the great outdoors.

Our First Holiday

Today is Independence Day in Indonesia so we had the day off from school.  We were invited by some friends to go swimming at a local pool/hotel and had a great time.  We spent a few hours swimming and even had lunch by the pool.  The girls had a blast and did great.  The hotel grounds were beautiful and the setting was very relaxing.  We will be sure to return to this place and enjoy some more time in the water.

Madison was a little unsure of how her floaties worked today but she slowly began to get used to them.  Hopefully with some more practice all of our girls will take to water a little more and learn how to swim while we are here in Salatiga.

These were some water lilies growing near the swimming pool among other things.  Hopefully next time I will have some more time to get some more pictures of the property.

A Sunday Afternoon Bike Ride

With all that is going on in our lives now as we adjust to a new culture and try to learn their language, sometimes it is nice to put those things on the back burner and just enjoy a bike ride.  While I am still learning about the culture and speaking the language while riding, it is still not a formal setting, just a relaxed bike ride in the tropics.

Agriculture is big in our area, although not quite to the same scale we were used to seeing in Colorado.  All farms are prepared, sown, and harvested by hand.  Hopefully I will find some rice paddies soon and get some photos of those.  I have seen them while driving around but I don't know how to get back to them yet on my bicycle.

Bamboo...They use it for a lot of things here.  It is the world's largest grass species and once it germinates it grows faster than most plants of it's size.  It is growing everywhere.  Brooklyn thinks she will see a Panda  Bear any moment.  We tried to explain that most of them are in China, a long distance away, but she doesn't get it yet.

My old Schwinn.  This bike has been with me for a LONG time and it just keeps going.  This bike has seen almost as much of the world as I have; Canada, most of the Western USA, Mexico, Ecuador, and Indonesia.  Since I didn't have anyone to pose for me in my photo, my bike did the job fine.  There are numerous little trails and paths in our area.  It looks like I will have plenty to explore and see while we are here for the next year.

This is what most of the streets look like in our area.  This would be considered a large street.  As we walk along these streets they are lined with people doing various things.  The people here are the nicest we have EVER met in any country.  Their genuine desire to talk with you and look you in the eyes with a smile is really neat.  I cannot wait until I can speak a little better to really engage in some more meaningful conversation than just telling them my name, the name of my wife, how many kids I have, and where I am from.  But, that is more than I could say a week ago!

Future Plans

Mt. Merapi, originally uploaded by Cielo Azul Images.

Nearby our home in Central Java there are a few volcanoes. I find it ironic that everywhere we have lived outside of our hometown in Colorado there are very real, and very active volcanoes. Salatiga is still no exception as the volcano pictured above is only about 15 miles away. Mt. Merapi rises to almost 10,000ft. above sea level, a vast contrast to the humid jungle we are living in right now.  Mr. Merapi...we will meet soon.  In fact, a tea party on your summit sounds like fun!  I'll keep you updated...

On the Ground Salatiga, Indonesia

The Streets of Salatiga, originally uploaded by Cielo Azul Images.

Is it possible we have only been in Indonesia one week?! Having arrived into Jakarta last Monday and now living in Salatiga since last Friday the last week feels like four! We have accomplished a lot and still have a lot to do...but it will happen little by little.

I started language school today. The plan was to wait until September but I couldn't stand not knowing what was happening and what was being said so I got in today for school. Rebecca will work with a tutor for a month and then begin formal school as planned in a month.
Salatiga is a really neat town, very similar to our other jungle tours in Latin America, yet very different. If only I could record the call to prayer and play it for you at 430am you could get a good sense that you are not in Kansas anymore.
Also, our newest prayer letter is out for those of you who have not seen it.  Click here to view it.

Trip Details

Hong Kong Airport, originally uploaded by Cielo Azul Images.

Rather than repeat what has already been written, go to Rebecca's blog to read about our trip to the other side of planet earth. As she says, it was a great trip considering how far we traveled and how long it took. The photo above was our trusty steed from San Fransico-Hong Kong-Singapore; a Boeing 777ER. For those of you who get the opportunity to fly with Singapore Airlines, you will not regret it. It was the most enjoyable airline experience we have EVER had! They know a thing or two about customer service.  It was our first time flying on a Boeing 777 which was also great, very quiet and smooth.  The airports in Hong Kong and Singapore were the nicest we have ever been to as well, a very pleasant experience.

We are in Jakarta for two more days getting over jet lag and activating our work visas.  We will fly to Salatiga on Friday and hopefully begin the process of getting settled in for the next year.

Made It!

Were safely in Jakarta, Indonesia!  We arrived safe and well and the kids did great!  More details to follow...I need sleep!

See You on the Other Side

In a matter of hours, we will get in our Suburban for the last time on the way to the Boise airport.  We'll take our pile of stuff through security and take our shoes off and do the same thing.  Shortly thereafter we'll board a baby plane (Canadair Regional Jet) and head to San Fransisco.  We'll enjoy a nice layover for dinner, and then about 1am we'll board a big plane (Boeing 777ER) and head out over the Pacific Ocean on our way to Jakarta, Indonesia via Singapore, Malaysia; over 8,000 miles away.  Our next few hours, days, and weeks are sure to be crazy.  Stay tuned for updates as we start this adventure in earnest.  Talk to ya from the other side...

My Recent Reading List

Over the past few months, I have had the privilege of reading some great books and thought some of you might be interested in reading them, if you haven't already.

Radical: Taking Back Your Faith from the American Dream

Currently, I am reading this book by Pastor David Platt. He also had a sermon series which can be heard on his website under a similar title. Very challenging, very liberating book.

Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God

Forgotten God: Reversing Our Tragic Neglect of the Holy Spirit

The two books above were written by Pastor Francis Chan. We actually listened to these books a few times in all of our recent travels.

The Christian Atheist: Believing in God but Living As If He Doesn't Exist 

The above book is currently "on deck" to be read after I finish the Radical book. I have heard about this book a few times recently and decided to get my hands on it today when I had a chance.
"Coincidentally," all these books have a similar theme. Reading Scripture, believing scripture, living scripture. I have found these three things to be very lacking as we have traveled around and seen America's Christian body in various states of dis-repair. Could it be that God is moving amongst His people drawing them back to what it is to TRULY follow Him? Don't read any of these books if you want to feel warm fuzzies and see sweet gumdrops. They will challenge you, and convict you in ways that you don't like. But, isn't that what Jesus promised He would do to those He loves; prune them to bear more fruit, discipline them because He loves them? Despite the challenges posed by these books, they are very good and speak directly to our human condition. Happy reading!

Float Plane Flying

My Future Office, originally uploaded by Cielo Azul Images.

As stated in my previous post, last week may have been my last landing on land for a long time.  This will be due to the fact that after we finish language school in the summer of 2011, we will move to the float plane base of PalangkaRaya, Kalamantan.  I am absolutely stoked to learn this type of flying.  As pilots, most of us jump at the chance to learn something new and fly different airplanes.  This will be totally different from anything I have ever done.  From what little I know, the flying is the same, but the takeoff and landing are obviously extremely different.

My Future Office, originally uploaded by Cielo Azul Images.

PalangkaRaya is located in Central Kalimantan and therefore has numerous river systems running throughout it.  Therefore we can use this type of aircraft to access otherwise inaccessible places in a much faster manner than by boat.  From what I am told, some of the villages are located on wide and "easy" stretches of river, whereas other villages are located on narrow rivers.  I can't wait!

Restandardization Complete

My Flying Crew, originally uploaded by Cielo Azul Images.

Today I wrapped up my MAF flying refresher (a.k.a. re-standardization) into some very fun airstrips.  We started off the day by navigating by heading, time and groundspeed (dead reckoning) up into the Idaho Backcountry enroute to a strip called Deadwood.  Along the way I also stopped at a strip called Loomis.  Once we made it to Deadwood, about an hour after leaving Nampa, we did some takeoff and landing work on the strip there.  The guy on the left in the photo above is an old friend from MAF-Mexico.  He is here in Nampa doing extensive work on one of the Mexico airplanes, one I used to fly.  It was a great surprise to see him here and we have had fun getting re-connected.  He joined along today just for fun.  The man in the middle was my flight instructor.

Deadwood Airstrip, Idaho, originally uploaded by Cielo Azul Images.

At the top of the Deadwood airstrip there is this sign.  Idaho is known for it's backcountry airstrips and many are accesable by road as well.  Therefore, the road at the top of the airstrip also warned cars to stay off!

Deadwood Airstrip, Idaho, originally uploaded by Cielo Azul Images. 

Here is the view from the other side of the airstrip.  It is 1500 feet long with 8% slope and a beautiful lake on the end.  It was very similar to some of the airstrips I visited in Mexico (except for the lake) and was a lot of fun.  

 

After leaving deadwood we made our way back to Boise where I shot a few instrument approaches and then broke it off to do even more short field work in the Snake River area.  Overall, my MAF flying skills came back very fast and I had a blast getting brushed up on things.  However, today might have also been my last landing on terra firma for a while.  After we finish language school, we have been assigned to serve at a float plane base in Kalimantan  (landing on rivers).  More on that later...

Bush Flyin' Again

Idaho Bush Flying, originally uploaded by Cielo Azul Images.

These past few days I have been busy flying with an MAF instructor dusting off the cobwebs of my MAF flying skills in Idaho. It seems to be coming back well and I am having a blast. We have been doing some great airwork, terrain flying, and lots of landings and takeoffs into short dirt patches they call airstrips. Tomorrow should conclude my flying refresher. We are heading north into the mountains to do a little more intense flying at some even more challenging airstrips. Can't wait!

Road Trip - Lake City, Colorado

San Juan Moose, originally uploaded by Cielo Azul Images.

Knowing that our days are literally numbered here in our home area, there are a few places that we want to see before we launch out to Indonesia. Yesterday, we enjoyed a beautiful drive to Lake City, Colorado and saw some stunning scenery. On the way home Rebecca even spotted this young moose sitting next to the side of the road. At first all we saw was a big black shape in the shadows. We though it was a bear. After we stopped the car however we realized the black shape for it's true form...a rare sight on public roads in Colorado.

Back Roads

Colorado's Wet Mountain Valley, originally uploaded by Cielo Azul Images.

A few days ago we had to make a return trip to Pueblo two hours away in order to buy more typhoid vaccination. We had already done this at the end of May, but Rebecca and I forgot about our pills midway through the vaccination schedule. Then I started traveling and all hope was lost to try and get back on schedule. So, we took the highways and interstates to make our appointment time, and five minutes later I spend another $55 for 4 pills and we were ready to come home.

Rather than return on the highways and interstates however, we decided to take the back roads home and enjoy the prime of summer in one of the Unions prettiest states. It was a beautiful drive. But, we found ourselves at the side of the road in the picture above not to take a picture, but to clean up the spilled chocolate milk Madison had showered all over the back seat. That's another good story and another reason to drive an older model, paid off car.

Countdown

Big Meadows Reservoir, originally uploaded by Cielo Azul Images.

Seven more days in our hometown! WOW! Looking over our past year and what God has done in us, and through us and the speed at which it all has happened is amazing.

We received word that our visas are actually in process, on step 2 of 3. From experience, those at MAF HQ are telling us still 3-4 more weeks until all the steps are completed. Please continue to pray that the process continues smoothly.

Noise Converters

Potato Spraying, originally uploaded by Cielo Azul Images.

During the summer months, you don't have to drive very far to hear a very unique sound...that of the local crop dusters converting Avgas into a lot of noise and thrust.

The local pilots got an early start this morning and were actually spraying all the fields surrounding our house. After we finished up an early morning phone call to Indonesia (it was evening there) I went out and grabbed a few shots of the Grumman Ag Cat working it's magic. It also happened to be piloted by one of my flight instructors from years ago. He took me through my instrument rating, commercial, and CFII tickets. Nathan and Becky, if you were wondering why it was so noisy when we were talking to you, now you know why.

A Very Happy 4th of July Weekend

Alamosa Fireworks Display, originally uploaded by Cielo Azul Images.

As noted on Rebecca's blog, this was a great weekend spent making many memories with both sides of the family. Last night we burned the midnight oil and kept the little girls up late for the local fireworks display. It was a blast and the weather was perfect. I was experimenting with taking pictures of the fireworks, something I have never done before. I had read about it some online and gained a few tips. Several of them turned out pretty neat. The rest can be seen on my photo album. What a blessing it is to live in the country we do, and enjoy the freedoms and luxuries that most only dream about. As we gear up to move to the other side of the planet soon, we have really been trying to soak up the small things that will be 3-4 years until we enjoy them again.

Made it Back Home

Potato Sprinkler Sunrise, originally uploaded by Cielo Azul Images.

I arrived as planned back home to Colorado to 4 very excited girls. It was great to be back together and have the fellowship of my family after having been gone 3 weeks without them.

Since I have been home, we have been busy getting our shipment finished, appointments to the dentist and eye doctor, and all the other little things like wills and powers of attorney that need to get done. We are planning on leaving from Colorado to Idaho in about 2 weeks. Still no word on our work visas for Indonesia, so we covet your prayers with us for them. We know God has perfect timing, and we are just trying to be flexible to see what God would have for us wherever we are.