Out of reach

Upon my arrival in Ledalero at the seminary, I quickly learned that Wi-Fi connectivity is very very limited here.  In discussing this with some of the young priests this morning, one of them wisely said, "Perhaps that is how God wants it."  Indeed!

After lunch, some of them were trying to help me connect and pointed out where 2 of the routers are.  So at the moment, I am sitting outside on a folding chair right beneath the router box :-).  Everyone once in a while, I get connectivity here...more frequently than in my room or the dining hall.

Last night the dinner lineup included a large platter with 2 very large cooked fish (with skeleton, head, fins, the whole 9.)  The priests were very helpful and coached me how to pull some meat off the fish to put on my plate.  The texture and taste were fantastic.

Everyone is very friendly here.  The seminarians and young missionaries who are learning English seem excited to have a native English speaker from the states with whom to practice their English.  Fr. Bill arrived here last month from Australia, so he helps them with the British-style of pronunciation.  Now, with my arrival, they can practice American-style, too.

After a good night's sleep, I awoke and went to morning prayer at 5:30 a.m..   !!!!!!! This was followed by 30 minutes of meditative prayer, then Mass at 6:45 a.m.  (Yes, you read that right... I was there that early!)  The music was gorgeous... singing from the heart, very prayerful and heart, felt.  The men here sing confidently and beautifully, and the acoustics in the church make it sound like there are many more singing than actually are there.  There was also a 25-voiced choir upstairs in the choir loft.  Beautiful singing! I recorded a couple of snippets and will try to upload them here for you.

For breakfast, we had rice and fish and hard boiled egg and more good conversation.  After that, Fr. Lukas and I visited for a long time, getting to know each other.  He has been telling me fantastic stories of missionary work, Indonesian history and culture, and conversions resulting from the SVDs presence here.  Then we had coffee and a snack and more visiting with others.  I caught a 20-minute break then it was time for lunch.  My new food at lunch was some sort of yummy sweet avocado drink.  There is a large avocado tree right here on the property.  Can you imagine?

My large room is quite rustic.  It has a twin bed with a cloth canopy overhead and attached lace panels all the way around, aka mosquito netting.  I also have a desk, several chairs, and a wardrobe.  I do have my own bathroom with a sink, a toilet, and a very large plastic container holding maybe 10-15 gallons of water that have been filtered through a small cloth bag hanging at the faucet to remove dirt caused by the rains.  There is also a hand-held shower hose that I look forward to learning to use.

At times it is quite hot and sticky here, I.e. humid, muggy.  And at other times it is cool with a slight breeze.  It may take me awhile to adjust to the humidity and the proximity to the equator. 

I have been enjoying some great conversations about our Catholic faith and the universal church.  Also have been laughing and enjoying a much simpler life.

Everywhere I look I see flowers and trees and plants.  The rains are intermittent and lovely.

God is doing a mighty work here and I am privileged to be here to help out in my own way, according to God's will.  I am praying for you and thank you for your continued prayers as well.

Peace and blessings.

Love,

Joan