Hello from Ash-covered Yogyakarta!
As many of you may have heard, Mt. Kelud in Eastern Java
erupted a few days ago, sending ash all over the Island. When I woke up, I did
not believe that it was already morning, because it was still dark outside. I
got a text from the Sisters to look outside, and so I did. It was crazy! Ash
was all over everything, and falling from the sky. We called a few people, and
they said not to leave the house, and if we had to, we should wear a mask. We
bought food since we had none in our house, and it was crazy to see the ash
everywhere.
After staying home for a bit, we received a warning that there
might be a very large earthquake, so we met the Sisters at the Church, and
stayed there for the rest of the day. But luckily, nothing happened, and we
went back to our homes.
Before the eruption, we were able to get a lot of work done,
and we have been trying to find more people to teach. I was very glad that we
had worked hard, because once the ash came, the city shut down. Everyone spent
most of the time cleaning, even though it seemed useless. We helped clean the
church, but after we got any surface clear of ash, the wind would blow it right
back on. Rain is the best thing to get rid of it all, but it did not rain for a
long time!
Our house is still full of ash, and it is so fine, that it
is hard to get rid of. But it is slowly going away, especially since it rained
really hard last night. It is not in the air as much because of that, which is
a lot better. But what a unique experience! I know my family is experiencing a
big snowstorm, and I am experiencing something somewhat similar but completely
different at the same time. Mother nature sure is incredible!
On Sunday, Bimo was confirmed a member, and given the gift
of the Holy Ghost. He has made such amazing progress, and I am glad to have
been able to help him. Now we are focusing on helping him build a relationship
with the members, so he will stay active. We have already explained to him that
if he wants to serve a Mission, he must remain active in the Church, and
continue to learn. He is doing so, and I hope it continues.
That same day we were also able to visit an investigator of
the Sisters who lived very far away in a small village. It was about an hour
bike ride there, but the people in the neighborhood treated us like kings. They
gave us a ton of food, and fresh coconuts to drink. They also took us to see a
burial site for Javanese Kings, which was cool. (no pictures of that—my camera
died) The people in those small areas are so down to earth, and very kind. It
was a great opportunity!
Right now in my studies, I am in Acts, which is great. But
the other day while I was studying, I looked in my study journal and found a
scripture that has now become one of my favorites. It is in Lamentations 3,
verses 19-26. I love how it says that the Lord's mercy is new every morning. I
shared that with a less active member, who said she felt like she had been away
from Church too long, and she still felt very guilty. This scripture helped her
feel better. I know that the Lord is always ready to forgive us, because
"...his compassions fail not. They are new every morning...", we just
have to come to him with a broken heart.
Thank you all for your support and prayers. I wish you the
best!
-Elder James
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| Sisters Believe & Allred with an sweet Javanese woman |
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| Riding bikes to an appointment with the sisters - we had to all wear glasses so the ash wouldn't get into our eyes. |
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| Here are women creating batik paintings with wax - I bought a couple from them |
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| Filling out our pass-along cards at home |
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| Malioboro Street the other night was crowded with people for some celebration |
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