After arriving back here on Tues at 4:00 A.M. we caught a couple of hours of sleep, then met the elders for district meeting at the Masai church building. We were glad to see them and they claim they missed us. We went to lunch at the Habib after our meeting and then laid in a few groceries and started to unpack and pack again. You see, the elders had asked President Clark several times for permission to visit a city about 2.5 hours from here called Melaka. And he'd always said no, but after our missionaries worked so hard in December and helped the mission reach its goal by completing several family baptisms, the President could just not say no one more time. So if we agreed to go with them, which we were anxious to see Melaka ourselves, he agreed we could make the trip. So back in January the date was set for Feb 8th, plans were made and the elders diligently saved some of their support money. Then we had to leave the country and when we asked about the trip before we left ... they said they'd postpone until we could go. We knew they didn't want to wait - someone might get transferred, and we'd all looked forward to it so we agreed to go the day after returning from the states. So with jet lag hangover and emotional overload we met them on Wednesday morning at 6:00 A.M. to begin our little trip. It was P day.
Elder Koay had arranged for a 14 passenger van - we'd all share the cost and we loaded up and headed out.
Actually it was dark when we left, these two pix were taken a little later in the day after we'd made a stop for fresh coconut milkshakes. They were yummmmy.
Two AP elders from S'pore met with us and the two missionaries currently serving in Melaka, plus two senior sisters. We were quite a group, but so proud of the way they always acted like missionaries - respectful, yet fun to be with. I must say how much I admire senior sisters. It must be very difficult at that age to go to a foreign country and be a companion with someone you've never met. The sisters in Melaka have been there 2 months and yes, they admit, there have been some issues in learning to live together, but they're making it. We got in their car and all the elders in the van and we had a very enjoyable day seeing the sights.
A bit of the "Chinese year of the Dragon" decor on the street.
First stop was breakfast - I snapped this pic as we went past the kitchen - I guess I'm getting accustomed to chickens with their heads on - that's just the way it is everywhere here. This was breakfast.
This is how the chicken looked after it arrived at our table. We were hungry so it was welcome. Chicken and rice... always. This was one of those stops where a bathroom break was essential, although not the kind we'd choose to use. Oh well, I took a pic - maybe I'll post it another time. One of the trials for sister missionaries in this country.
This is Sisters Kelsey and Huff and elder Gregory prepared to do some pedaling on one of the many colorful bicycle transportation options in the city. There's much history here, as this city was the beginning of West Malaysia. It's right on the ocean, but it was a clear day and very hot. We had fun but wilted fast.
Part of our group posing at an ancient historical building - mmmm think this was Buddhist, but can't remember for sure. We visited so many religious and cultural sites. This was the place where we lit incense burners along with other tourists doing the same thing.
Colorful things to see and watch the locals in their forms of worship - very interesting.
Another view with some of the city streets in the background. We traipsed all over the city, but about 5:00 when the elders were ready to go back to Jonkers Street to do some shopping, we had just plum run out of energy. They dropped us at a nice hotel called the Equatorial - and we crashed as soon as we got in where it was cool. Well, I did so after a nice long bath. First tub I've seen for over a year. Thoroughly enjoyed it. The elders headed back to JB and we stayed the night, wanting to do a little shopping in the morning. I purchased Nonya shoes - I'd seen them on some of the women in JB and they told me this was the place to get them. It was still very hot that next day, so we didn't shop for long. Sisters Kelsley and Huff took us to the bus depot around noon and we had a long hot ride home on a bus that had a poorly working air conditioner.
More touristy pix. The trip was fun - too bad it wasn't better timing for us, but oh well. We so enjoyed being with the missionaries and seeing them take a well deserved day off. We had to get back for Garald's district presidency meeting in the evening. Seems like the jet lag lasted several days and we finally got caught up with the change in nights\days. The elders had two baptisms while we were gone - two of the investigators wanted Elder G to baptize, so we felt bad that we missed it, but of course, they were very understanding.
This is a picture from last Sunday night's FHE get together with Masai members. We met for pot luck at a new member's home and it was was a very full house.
The last three days we've been at zone conference in S'pore. This was in the evening when we went with President & Sis Clark and the Garrett's (mission office couple) for a Valentines buffet at the Marriot Hotel. Very delicious. President Clark had taught 2 hrs in the morning and 2 hrs in the afternoon about the atonement. The AP's taught the rest of the time. Very inspiring. As we were asked to bear our testimonies at the end, we realized this is our last z conf. Kinda sad. The day started at 8:30 A.M. and we left the building at 8:30 P.M. Would have loved to even stay longer. What a great feeling was there - we enjoyed it. We were able to get over to S'pore on Monday evening in time to go to the hospital to visit Jeff - the JB branch presidency member. Suffering from Crohns. He's now been in the hospital for over a month. They've taken him off of all food and doing IV nutrition to give the intestinal tract time to heal. We do so hope it works. He's very needed in the branch and his fiance, Cheryl is having a hard time coping with it all right now. It's been a hard thing for them.
Of course, I must include some food pics from the buffet. It was absolutely amazing.
Lobster, crab, shrimp - even prime rib, steak - everything was beautiful and delicious.
A military\training we watched while in Melaka.
Elder Koay had arranged for a 14 passenger van - we'd all share the cost and we loaded up and headed out.
Actually it was dark when we left, these two pix were taken a little later in the day after we'd made a stop for fresh coconut milkshakes. They were yummmmy.
Two AP elders from S'pore met with us and the two missionaries currently serving in Melaka, plus two senior sisters. We were quite a group, but so proud of the way they always acted like missionaries - respectful, yet fun to be with. I must say how much I admire senior sisters. It must be very difficult at that age to go to a foreign country and be a companion with someone you've never met. The sisters in Melaka have been there 2 months and yes, they admit, there have been some issues in learning to live together, but they're making it. We got in their car and all the elders in the van and we had a very enjoyable day seeing the sights.
A bit of the "Chinese year of the Dragon" decor on the street.
First stop was breakfast - I snapped this pic as we went past the kitchen - I guess I'm getting accustomed to chickens with their heads on - that's just the way it is everywhere here. This was breakfast.
This is how the chicken looked after it arrived at our table. We were hungry so it was welcome. Chicken and rice... always. This was one of those stops where a bathroom break was essential, although not the kind we'd choose to use. Oh well, I took a pic - maybe I'll post it another time. One of the trials for sister missionaries in this country.
This is Sisters Kelsey and Huff and elder Gregory prepared to do some pedaling on one of the many colorful bicycle transportation options in the city. There's much history here, as this city was the beginning of West Malaysia. It's right on the ocean, but it was a clear day and very hot. We had fun but wilted fast.
Part of our group posing at an ancient historical building - mmmm think this was Buddhist, but can't remember for sure. We visited so many religious and cultural sites. This was the place where we lit incense burners along with other tourists doing the same thing.
Colorful things to see and watch the locals in their forms of worship - very interesting.
Another view with some of the city streets in the background. We traipsed all over the city, but about 5:00 when the elders were ready to go back to Jonkers Street to do some shopping, we had just plum run out of energy. They dropped us at a nice hotel called the Equatorial - and we crashed as soon as we got in where it was cool. Well, I did so after a nice long bath. First tub I've seen for over a year. Thoroughly enjoyed it. The elders headed back to JB and we stayed the night, wanting to do a little shopping in the morning. I purchased Nonya shoes - I'd seen them on some of the women in JB and they told me this was the place to get them. It was still very hot that next day, so we didn't shop for long. Sisters Kelsley and Huff took us to the bus depot around noon and we had a long hot ride home on a bus that had a poorly working air conditioner.
More touristy pix. The trip was fun - too bad it wasn't better timing for us, but oh well. We so enjoyed being with the missionaries and seeing them take a well deserved day off. We had to get back for Garald's district presidency meeting in the evening. Seems like the jet lag lasted several days and we finally got caught up with the change in nights\days. The elders had two baptisms while we were gone - two of the investigators wanted Elder G to baptize, so we felt bad that we missed it, but of course, they were very understanding.
This is a picture from last Sunday night's FHE get together with Masai members. We met for pot luck at a new member's home and it was was a very full house.
The last three days we've been at zone conference in S'pore. This was in the evening when we went with President & Sis Clark and the Garrett's (mission office couple) for a Valentines buffet at the Marriot Hotel. Very delicious. President Clark had taught 2 hrs in the morning and 2 hrs in the afternoon about the atonement. The AP's taught the rest of the time. Very inspiring. As we were asked to bear our testimonies at the end, we realized this is our last z conf. Kinda sad. The day started at 8:30 A.M. and we left the building at 8:30 P.M. Would have loved to even stay longer. What a great feeling was there - we enjoyed it. We were able to get over to S'pore on Monday evening in time to go to the hospital to visit Jeff - the JB branch presidency member. Suffering from Crohns. He's now been in the hospital for over a month. They've taken him off of all food and doing IV nutrition to give the intestinal tract time to heal. We do so hope it works. He's very needed in the branch and his fiance, Cheryl is having a hard time coping with it all right now. It's been a hard thing for them.
Of course, I must include some food pics from the buffet. It was absolutely amazing.
Lobster, crab, shrimp - even prime rib, steak - everything was beautiful and delicious. 
1 comment:
Looks delicious mom! Malaka looks super fun. Too bad it wasn't under better circumstances.
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