We had our 2nd Indonesian Christmas right here in cozy, humid Tarakan. All that was missing was the snow, and of course all of our family back home...And let us not forget a delicious turkey with all the fixin's. Well, to be honest Amy made one exceptionally delicious Christmas dinner highlighted with an Indonesian turkey.
(Indonesian turkey's enjoying a pickup game of soccer - a quality that makes them easier to distinguish from other similar domesticated fowl)
Indonesian turkey's are like regular turkey's except they are smaller, look different, and, well, they don't quite taste the same either. And they don't say "gobble gobble", but rather they say "buck buck" or "cockle-doddle-doo", or a Southeast Asian variation thereof. (Please see this previous post for a more in depth look at the international cultural differences between common farm animals).
The fact that Christmas is not a super hyped up commercialized part of the culture over here is probably no surprise to anyone. But, for us it certainly causes the season to come and go a little less dramatically. That said, Christmas is certainly celebrated by the church here, as it is more specifically a religious holiday for Christians.
New Year's came with some serious fireworks. Not big 'symphony of fire' type fireworks, but approx. ten thousand of the type of fireworks widely available for purchase on the side of the road. No fireworks license needed here! Just a lighter, and some desire for excitement. I once desired such excitement (back in Salatiga), and it ended with Amy and the kids scared out of their wits, a burnt cloth diaper that was in the wrong place at the wrong time, and myself in serious contemplation of the importance to properly secure fireworks when in use. But hey! Live and learn. I'm sure that if they were actually dangerous, some level of Indonesian government would regulate them like back home in Canada...right!?
Fireowrks woke Amy and I up around 12am, as for about a 1/2 hour they were constant all over town. Yes, we were woken up at 12am on New Year's eve/morning. Sure we know how to PAR-TAY, but only till 10pm and then we're tuckered and crawl into bed. And guess what - all you childless people out there - it'll happen to you too one day soon!
What!? No more pictures? Sorry! I'm fresh out, "habis" as they say here. More to come, I promise. I have lots of ideas for pictures and posts, I just have to find the time!
From our family, we thank all of you who pray for us, MAF & the people of Indonesia, for your financial support, and the way you have been such an important part of MAF's ministry in Kalimantan in 2012. May God bless you and bless others through you in 2013!
May God be gracious to us and bless us
and make his face to shine upon us,
that your way may be known on earth,
your saving power among all nations.
Let the peoples praise you, O God;
let all the peoples praise you!
Psalm 67:1-3
Thanks for your kind wishes & blessing. Praying 2013 will be full of many opportunities to share the gospel. We are slowly digging out from a dump of snow. More to come they say.
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