We are amazed at the service and continuous work and study evidenced by the young missionaries, ages 18-20 boys “Elders" and the 19-21 year old girls, “Sisters” that serve with us here in Solo. Many come from Indonesia others from all over the world. They learn the Indonesian language fluently, They pray for strength from God, ride their bikes through torrential rain storms everyday and arrive soaking wet to invite Christians to learn about our faith. They smile and love the people. They are so incredible in their outreach and obedience to missionary rules and learning to be great examples of leadership. Parents… they are guided and watched over by our Mission President Rowley.
We assisted Sister missionaries and Elders teach lessons, helped the Elders teach an English class, attended institute a religious study class and are making new friends. We went on our first visit to a very humble Indonesian local family that we supported with love at a difficult time for them. They offered us hot chocolate and the most delicious Indonesian pancake delicacy, Martabak Manis! Driving we noticed a huge billboard (see picture) which reads "Terrorism is the enemy of religion, enemy of the country and enemy together". What a wonderful message to the people. Most Javanese are Muslim.
We bought OPPO Smart phones this week that opened up language ability with Google Translate. We are studying hard learning the language. It is difficult to “teach two old dogs new tricks” ha ha! It was complicated to buy a phone as an immigrant here in Indonesia. We also are still waiting for the internet. The internet requires not only our official visa documentation, registration photo ID cards and passports but also the ID of an Indonesian sponsor.
We attended a Muslim funeral. A LDS woman with a 19 year old daughter and 14 year old son from a local congregation married to a Muslim man. The father was 44 years old and had a massive stroke on Wednesday. We learned about him on Thursday evening and went to the ICU on Friday to support the family. He was unconscious. We prayed with the wife and met his Muslim parents. He died late Friday night. We had an amazing cultural experience attending the funeral of this family man. Javanese Muslim burial rituals normally should take place as soon as possible, held within 24 hours of death. We arrived at noon on Saturday. We went to the gong (the street where they live) and at the time of the ceremony there were 200+ friends lining the 12 foot wide street on which they live. (see short video) Some Muslim women offered to shake Elder Miller’s hand, however, there are those who willl not touch the hand of a man so they touch their heart or put their hands together and bow their heads which is beautiful to experience. It was very hot, I have a little cloth fan that was given to me by the Mission Presidents wife and I used it! Muslim funerals are an important ritual that takes the spirit of the deceased into the afterworld.
The body was placed in the families home. The corpse had been washed and wrapped in white linen. It is important that the wrapping be done correctly so the deceased looks presentable to the angels that escort him to heaven. The Kafan is a simple and modest white cloth they wrap the body in. The orifices of his nose were plugged with clean white cloth. He looked handsome. A person on the street spoke in Javanese with a microphone so everyone that lined the streets of the gong could hear. He thanked people for coming and spoke a Javanese prayer then in Arabic. In conclusion the Imam aligned himself outside the family home with the body and prayed in Arabic. The Javanese believe in continuing ties with the dead and especially ties between parents and children. Slametans (remembrances) are held at intervals after death at three days, seven days, 40 and 100 day; the first and second anniversary date of passing and 1000 days after the death. This marks the point when the body has completely decayed to dust. We did not attend the burial it was far away.
Saturday evening we attended the baptism of a young wife. They were married 3 months ago. Three generations of a Mormon family at the chapel. The beautiful little elderly matriarch of this family is an Indonesian pioneer of the LDS faith. This grandmother was baptized in the 1970’s by Elder Funk who is now the Area President for Asia. (see picture) The Sisters taught her the lessons about our faith. She made the decision to be baptized. She looked beautiful. Her baptismal dress was simple with little clear beads sewn in a simple design placed conservatively on the sleeves and pockets etc.
We invite all of you to read the Book of Mormon. The power from the words if you ask with the desire to know can help you come to know the book is true. We promise you can come to know that Jesus Christ has restored his church on the earth. Love Elder and Sister Miller
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