October 22, 2018
In 1883 Krakatau “colored the skies worldwide for more than a year". We had a Senior Couple Retreat this last week at Anyer Beach about 2 1/2 hours travel south west from Jakarta. One activity we shared was we traveled by boat out in the middle of the Indian Ocean and circled around one of the many famous volcanoes Mt. Krakatau. The original island of Krakatau was vaporized in 1883 in a series of catastropic explosions heard as far away as Alice Springs in Australia. In 1928 the island was reborn emerging from the seas as “Anak Krakatau” or Child of Krakatau. It continues to grow and it was fascinating. She proved herself active as we saw two separate huge bursts of bellowing smoke shoot out from the crater as we circled as close as allowed and it was amazing! It is surrounded by other smaller islands fragments of the explosions. We had a wonderful guide who shared lots of information and it was a wonderful trip.
There is another famous Indonesian volcano that is written about in the new history book “Saints” published by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints that is closer to Bali. It is named “ Mt Tambora”. I don’t know if we will travel there while we are here. We hope so. In 1815, a series of shattering explosions literally blew the mountain apart. Mt Tambora was the site of the most catastrophic eruption in recorded history with tens of thousands died during the eruption and in the famines which followed, and the debris created spectacular sunsets and disastrous harvests around the world-there were food riots throughout Europe as a result in 1816. What a wonderful exciting and interesting “Ring of Fire" that we are living in amongst volcanos and earthquakes!
The Palu earthquake and tsunami continues to reveal terrible destruction and many many many deaths!
We spent many hours with 5 other Senior Couples who have also interrupted their retirement years to spend 18-23 months serving here in Indonesia. We were with the Mission President and his wife to spiritually strengthen each other and share the different ways in which we each minister and serve in our various assignments throughout the mission. We discussed teaching the English Language, water projects, and small efficiency farming. Many missionaries are serving in leadership assignments, supporting the accuracy of record keeping, Family History, Young Women Leaders, Bishopric assignments. There is equally much service with the young missionaries, fellowship of friends and small congregations, service projects, temple preparation lessons, strengthening families in the gospel of Jesus Christ, public affairs, visiting the sick, the elderly, and the list goes on. We left with many new insights and love for all the missionaries and service in the Indonesia Jakarta Mission.
Elder Miller and I traveled from Solo to Jakarta by train. It took us 8 1/2 hours. We enjoyed seeing the rice fields, the country side, the homes and the people as we looked out the window. We returned home to Solo by airplane and that took one hour! Of course, we were so happy to return home to our tiny comfy apartment and return to our work here in Solo!!
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On the train and a little friend sitting in front of us could not stay awake! Even looking at the beautiful rice fields!!
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Volcano……”Anak Mt Krakatau”. The boat ride out and back took 5 hours into the Indian ocean. It was quite the adventure. This volcano put on a show for us and it was very exciting!!! The most distressing was the condition of the boat. A young man by hand was pumping fuel to both engines the entire trip! This is not America for sure!! Everything has been repaired over and over again and the cosmetics are not important but they seem to fix it up and make it do!
Our guide was great. We had a great fish BBQ and enjoyed a snack upon arrival back to the hotel. A great Senior Missionary Meeting at Anyer Beach.
