With home-made cookies in hand and curiosity in our minds (as this is our first real experience of Idul Fitri), we entered the humble home of our house-helper and her family. Her contagious smile greeted us at her half-collapsed gate. She eagerly lead us to her living room/kitchen/son's bedroom. We removed our shoes before climbing up into the room. Laid out before us was the meal and snacks that she had been preparing for the past week in preparation for her guest's arrival on this special day. She and her family were proudly dressed in their new clothes (as is the custom here). We were invited to sit as a glass 0f super-sweet syrup juice was served to us. The kids were overjoyed at the display of cookies and sugary juices laid before them...I'm not sure they ate anything healthy the entire day - that didn't seem to bother them in the slightest!
Our generous helper was very excited and proud to offer us the traditional Achnese food she had carefully and thoughtfully prepared. She assured us that it was not spicy (aka: not spicy according to Acehnese standards - but enough to start a fire in our untrained western mouths!). We sat and talked and got to know their family better than we had before. They laughed at Ella's relentless curiosity as she wandered into their only other room - their bedroom, to climb up on their bed and play. Our helper's extended family coming in and out greeting us and sitting next to us trying to make us feel welcomed and accepted. Corey and I still trying to maneuver around the conversations in a language that we are still students of. Understanding much of it, yet still some parts we just have to awkwardly move on from. But, a loving and gracious smile and heart transcends language. It was a good experience and wonderful opportunity to deepen our relationship with her and her family.
After an hour, it was on to our other helper's house (the brother of the family's house that we just left). His wife has been asking and asking for me, Megan, to come visit her house, yet the timing had yet to make that possible. So, when we arrived yesterday for Idul Fitri, she was estatic! Although there were a couple of other families there visiting as well, we were treated as the honored guests. The focus was on us and we had many engaging conversations with new people, as well as, with our precious hosts. Our kids laughed and played together (as they often do at our home) and got enough sugar inside of them to last the rest of the year! Our helper and his wife showed us their very small and even more humble home than the previous one we just saw. We were humbled by their living situation; there seemed to be more flies than people in their home, but they didn't seem to mind, and by the end of our stay, we didn't either. They are poor, but rich in hospitality. We were invited to their wedding by way of their photo album (a simple 3x5 leaflet photo insert booklet). We laughed like old friends as we poured over their childhood pictures. Their youngest daughter finally allowed me, the foreigner, to hold her, and not only allowed me to, but actually reached out for me. As we were leaving, my new friend hugged me and insisted that I come over many, many more times - what a welcome!
However, before we left, a member of the family informed us that the mother of both of our helpers was disappointed that we did not come to see her. What day goes by that we don't make some cultural mistake or insensitivity (after all, we are still students of the culture)? So, we sent our apologies along with this person and assured her that we'd come by after Ella's nap. So, once Ella awoke from her nap, we were off to another home. This time we entered a home of people we did not know (the mother herself we had only met in passing a few weeks back). So, as we sat down for some more food, cookies and syrup drinks, our comfort-level and language were tested and stretched once again. We were being given lessons in the Acehnese language (we barely speak Indonesian, let alone try to remember another one!). But as the mother walked into the room, you can sense her authority, she was respected. We were honored to have her personal invitation. Her face lit up at our greeting of her. We stayed a short time, but learned so much of the culture from that brief interaction and experience with this woman and her family.
At the end of the day, we were exhausted - both emotionally and physically. We were FLAT OUT tired. However, this morning, as I recall the events of yesterday, my heart is full. We loved with a Love that went beyond ourselves; one that stretched us beyond our own limits. For that we are grateful. Although we don't relate, nor fully understand the celebration that took place yesterday for these people, we were able to live among them; we were received by them. For this we give God thanks and glory - for we know His ways and His purposes are much greater and reach further than what we can possibly think or imagine. So, this experience, this precious time we had with these people, we will consider it a small stepping stone into our time here, and look forward to the next...
1 comment:
Hi guys, haven't checked the blog for a while, but there is a lot to catch up on! I'm continually inspired by your lives in such a far away place.
Post a Comment