This is us on Christmas Day! What a tropical place. We went to church yet again. The place was even more packed out. The most interesting part about church here was the offering. Everyone got up and marched in rows to the front. There were big wooden boxes with three slots in them, and another miniature church with slots in it. You are expected to put bills in each of the slots while everyone watches. Then once you sit down they pass another offering basket! Wow, they make sure to get the offering. They also announced publically the offerings some rich people had given. That was a very different thing for me to observe.
Christmas day is very different in Indonesia. First of all they shoot of fireworks all day, which reminds me of 4th of July. Second, the little kids come to your house in shifts just like on Halloween in America. The kids want you to give them cookies like trick-or-treating, so the people have to be at their houses ready for the kids to come. Finally, the whole day is filled with visiting each others houses. We ate this pictured meal at a friend's house. People came to visit and we shook everyone's hand and said "Selamat Hari Natal" (Merry Christmas).
Since I got really worn out and my brain was fried from the culture immersion, I decided to go up on the balcony and sit alone reading and meditating. It was very peaceful up there (if I ignored the loud music blaring). I could see the volcano that we had hiked, I could feel a cool breeze, and I could rest and renew my spirit while I reflected on all the new experiences I was having. I praise God for His Word that never changes.
This is us on Christmas Day! What a tropical place. We went to church yet again. The place was even more packed out. The most interesting part about church here was the offering. Everyone got up and marched in rows to the front. There were big wooden boxes with three slots in them, and another miniature church with slots in it. You are expected to put bills in each of the slots while everyone watches. Then once you sit down they pass another offering basket! Wow, they make sure to get the offering. They also announced publically the offerings some rich people had given. That was a very different thing for me to observe.
Christmas day is very different in Indonesia. First of all they shoot of fireworks all day, which reminds me of 4th of July. Second, the little kids come to your house in shifts just like on Halloween in America. The kids want you to give them cookies like trick-or-treating, so the people have to be at their houses ready for the kids to come. Finally, the whole day is filled with visiting each others houses. We ate this pictured meal at a friend's house. People came to visit and we shook everyone's hand and said "Selamat Hari Natal" (Merry Christmas).
Since I got really worn out and my brain was fried from the culture immersion, I decided to go up on the balcony and sit alone reading and meditating. It was very peaceful up there (if I ignored the loud music blaring). I could see the volcano that we had hiked, I could feel a cool breeze, and I could rest and renew my spirit while I reflected on all the new experiences I was having. I praise God for His Word that never changes.
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