I am going back to Indonesia!

This is a reflection from 2014 which I never published.  It tells the story of why and how I returned to Indonesia nearly nearly 3 years ago as an SVD lay missionary at St. Paul Major Seminary-Ledalero near Maumere, Flores, in remote Eastern Indonesia.

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It is with great joy that I announce my return to Indonesia in September, 2014!

Since returning from my trip in April, I have processed about God's powerful healing and intervention in my life while I was there.  I am changed.  Following much prayer and consultation with my spiritual director, pastor, close friends and family, I have discerned that I am to return.  As an official guest of the Bishops' Conference in the Diocese of Maumere on Flores Island, and for the Fall semester at the seminary, I will again be exchanging ideas about the universal Catholic Church and experiencing more of the Church and local culture there. 

While there I will continue discerning God's will for the next stage in my life.  I have placed myself
at God's disposal, having sold my house in Fort Worth along with most of my worldly possessions.  I I couldn't be more excited.



Here I am, Lord.  Send me! -- Isaiah 6:8

Check out this great song if you'd like:  Let them See You

Traditional Weaving and a local Catholic Hospital near Ledalero, Maumere Indonesia

I like to visit Lepo Lorun, a fantastic place in Nita, Sikka, Flores, Indonesia -- near St. Paul Major Seminary, Ledalero, where I am an SVD volunteer lay missionary.  Lepo Lorun is a living museum dedicated to education and the preservation of the fine art of "tenun ikat"/hand-weaving, not only in Indonesia but world-wide. In many ways, it is a dying art and the founder, Alfonsa Horeng Ikat Flores, is dedicated to keeping the art alive. Father Kamilus "Milto" Seran, SVD, recently made a documentary film about their work, and he took me there personally. You can click here to see "LEPO LORUN UNTUK DUNIA", a short documentary about Alfonsa and her mission. 
 I always look forward to taking my friends here when they come to Maumere. 

Hand spun thread, organically dyed, awaits the traditional "tenun ikat" hand-weaving process. 

The traditional weaving process known as "tenun ikat", still very much alive in Flores, Indonesia.  

Nearby in Kewapante, Sikka, on Flores Island there is a hospital and dental clinic run by Holy Spirit Servant Sisters (SSpS).  Visiting their hospital has been a comfort to me as it provides health care in an atmosphere of Catholic faith and spirituality.  I takes me back to the days when religious sisters ran so many Catholic hospitals in the United States.  In every room there are religious pictures, symbols, crosses...evidence of our faith everywhere.  And the Angelus is played over a loud speaker at the appropriate times for all to pray.  What a comfort for the sick!  The dental clinic is run by a sister and a lay assistant.  The sister is not a dentist, nor is the assistant.  But may people prefer to come there for dental care because of the pastoral approach of the sisters.  The rector of the seminary once told me he likes to go there because they do a good job pulling teeth.  (!) 

The entrance to the dental clinic leads to a "comfort room" to help alleviate dental anxiety.

 The dental chair