Roasted Kopi Jawa 

Roasted Sulawesi Utara 

ready to be ground 

Cup Tasting #1

The final product was finally tasted last week and today. When I learned from a friend the basics of coffee roasting, we tried it with both the beans from the backyard of our house as well as with some better quality beans from Sulawesi.

First of all, I have to say that it was very fun to finally roast my own coffee. Watching the beans get darker as they passed through each stage and finally when they cracked open slightly and the oil reached the outside. I couldn't believe it, I had roasted my own coffee and the beans looked like what I get when I open up an 8oz from Starbucks.

'It Worked!'

So, the coffee from my yard, when it was ground, had a sweet smell to it, nice. When brewed, it also has some sweet notes to it, but it lacked the punch that I expected. Not bad for a first attempt though. I can always roast a bit darker.

Today I ground some of the lighter roasted Sulawesi Utara. It's aroma after grinding wasn't as strong as the Javenese that I grew here, but the flavor was far better. I really enjoyed it. It still had some sweet notes, but it had a good rounded flavor from the get-go. It's a good coffee to drink quickly. Some coffees taste better after they've sat for about 7-10 minutes but this one's 'bouquet' of flavor blooms right away. It was good!

So, there's my notes after my first 'cupping', thanks for all the interest and questions I got on this subject. I'll hopefully get many more opportunities to try my hand at roasting. Makes you want to join us here doesn't it ;-)

We're back!

Sorry it has been so long since we published a post. Time got away but we are now back in the information loop. If you are trying to catch up from where we left off, may I suggest that you read this blog from the bottom up. The photos are in order from bottom to top. Sorry if it's a bit confusing! Enjoy reading and looking! We'd love to hear from you. Oh and hopefully I'll add some more tomorrow.
Good night from here and Good morning to you there!
Bethany

Our Pembantus

I thought it would be fun for you all to see a photo of our Pembantus (house helpers). THe one in the patterned shirt is Ibu Sumini. She is our cook and house keeper. She is the quieter of the two but is such a sweet lady and wonderful helper to us! The one in the light shirt is Ibu Nur and she mainly takes care of Jack while we are at school but she also helps Ibu Sumini with things too! They work for us from 7:30am until 1:30pm and I can't imagine what we would do without them!

Then what you have left are the beans! You do this over and over until all the beans have been removed! All that is left is to roast them and brew them! Stay tuned for the final results of Joel's first attempt at growing and roasting his own coffee! 

...tossed in the air like removing the chaff from the wheat! 

The beans are then placed in a shallow basket and... 

When you have a good bit of separation, you can then remove them and separate them. 

Then pound this very heavy post into the hole and this de-husks the coffee from the berry. 

The Coffee Roasting Process - part 2

First put the dried beans in the concrete block

An update on Jack

Thank you for praying for Jack! He recovered after a few days of fevers and feeling miserable and is now back to his ornery self! He is beginning to really enjoy being read to and he loves watching his little videos! Funny story! Joel was out in town one day picking up a few things and noticed that one of the stores we regularly shop in had dvd's. So he decided to buy a few for Jack - Dora and Thomas the train! He was so excited to bring them home and he got a great deal! So we opened them up, sat down to watch and ... were surprised to hear....Indonesian dubbed over the voices. Oops! Maybe next time we'll look more closely at the packaging. Now Jack has 2 videos to help him learn Indonesian and well, I guess if we want to, it's a good tool for us too! Who'd of thought we could learn this language while watching Dora and Thomas!

Weeeeee! He loves to slide! 

Jack's early Christmas present from the family! 

Jack's new rocking horse! 

Jack on the porch with our neighbor boy, Samsul - An afternoon of play! 

Our silly little man! 

Independance Day - Indonesian style!

These past few weeks have been a whir of activity here in our little neighborhood, well actually all over Indonesia. Indepenance Day is coming up on the 17th but these people are seious when it comes to having parties for things. Two weekends ago was the kickoff here with games on Saturay for the little kids and then on Sunday games for the ladies and men. Sunday's activities started earlier than we thought and so we missed the biggest of the events – the greased banana tree climb. The day before, several men came to our yard asking to cut down one of our many banana trees and then carried it away to a nearby empty lot. That day, Saturday, they worked on trimming it down to where it was just the under layer of "skin". It's very slick once you remove the outer layers. They then put a ring around the top and hung prizes from it and then hung it (upside down) over an open pit that would later be filled with muddy water.
So then Sunday morning the fun began. There were several teams each having three men on them. They could use any means necessary to get one of their team up the pole to the top to get one of several prizes! Not something I want to ever try nor do I want Joel to try it!
One of our co-workers here also lives in our neighborhood and was participating in the contest. Tim, is a bit more broad shouldered than the average Indonesian man and so he was put at the base for his team. As the game continued, new strategies were put into place. The bottom man was to push the stalk over so it would be at more of an angle, helping the guys make their way up further. Unfortunately, as Tim was able to, he swung the stalk over to the bare ground and the middle guy, unable to readjust his grasp, slipped and fell right onto the middle of his back from about 10 feet high.
Narno, the guy who fell is now in the hospital with a dislocated backbone. Thankfully it was not broken. Because our neighborhood is like one big family, they are all very involved in what happens in the lives of one of their neighbors. So, the whole neighborhood is taking turns staying with this man at the hospital. Tim has been able to go to the hospital now several times, each with his car loaded with neighbors, to visit Narno. It's been hard on Tim as he feels more responsible as it was “his doing” but the neighbors are not feeling this way and keep telling us all that we are all in this together and that it was their game.
We have been praying for Narno that he would heal quickly and recover the use of his legs again. He is of the other religion but has asked Tim several times to pray for him. This is definitely not something anyone would ever wish for, but we do know that God will use times like this to bring people to the realization of their need for Him. We are praying now for open doors to share about the hope we have. Please pray for Narno and his family as they face a long recovery, he is still in the hospital.


Please pray with us for close ties with our neighbors as we work together in this situation. Pray also that our light will shine brightly and they will see the love and compassion of Jesus Christ in our lives.

The kids all decorate their bikes for a contest! They were actually pretty creative! 

This is the final look at the tree before the contest began. Except that they grease it up with car oil! Anyone up for a try? 

Can you walk quickly with a marble on a spoon and keep it there? 

This is like the donut eating contest we'd have at home but with what's called "Krupuk" - Jack loves it! 

Hauling the tree away from our yard 

Today's scare! And another reason to get this language!!

Well, today I think my heart might have stopped beating!  We were in class, it was around 11:30 – almost done and Joel’s phone rang.  It was our home number calling – uh oh, that’s not good. Our pembantus never would call unless something was wrong.  Joel left to answer the call and I would have joined him, but the teacher was calling on me to answer the next question.  I was so distracted I got it completely wrong and then excused myself from class to find Joel and see what was going on.  He was listening to our Pembantu say something on the phone and then said, “Sebantar” – just a moment, and handed the phone to me. 

There was worry in her voice as I thought I heard her say, Jack’s very hot, he wouldn’t eat or drink he’s been crying a lot and he’s been sleeping all morning but I can’t wake him up!”  Panic struck my heart and I said, “kami pulang, sekarang!” – we’re coming home right now!  We gathered our stuff and hopped on our motorbik, (I was so thankful to have it now as it’s a ten to fifteen minute walk and I don’t think I could have stood that!) going as fast as was safe to get home.  When we got there, Jack was in Ibu Nur’s arms and looking like a baby looks when they have a fever – a far off look in his eyes.  But he was awake!  Oh, my heart just beat all the faster.  Thank God it wasn’t what I thought! He was burning up and I took him to hold him as he wimpered.  I asked her what happened and it turns out I misunderstood her completely. 

He was fine until around 9am and then she put him down for his nap. He slept for only 20 minutes and woke up crying and wouldn’t be consoled – very unusual for him.  She tried to give him his cup of milk but he didn’t want it, then offered him a snack and got the same response.  All the while he was feeling very warm and getting hotter. By the time she called, she was very worried.  I know she did everything she could to figure out how to help him during that time and I am so thankful that I know she will always take good care of him.  I am still not sure how I got that he wouldn’t wake up from what she said, but I do know that it is a new motivation for learning this language.  Jack has fought the fever all day, but is sleeping peacefully now and hopefully we can just chalk it up to teething.  When you all are praying for us each day, and you pray for wisdom and peace, this is one of those tangible ways we benefit from your prayers.  This is a country of many unknowns yet to us but we have peace knowing that it is all known to our creator.  Even our little boy is in His hands and we can trust Him!  Bethany

Once again, we're ok!

Hello once more!  First of all, the latest earthquake, which happened on Sunday afternoon off the Island of Sulawesi has not affected any of our personnel or those they are working with.  If you are wondering what in the world is happening to this island nation with all its natural disasters, well, the folks here are wondering the same thing too!  Questions are being asked like, “Is God judging us?  Why so many things in a short amount of time?”  Please pray that as these questions are being asked, we might have some avenue to share the answers we believe can change lives.

We are into week 3 of unit 2 and are continuing to learn.  Today, while I was sharing my “pengalaman” – experience from yesterday (something we have to do in front of our class every day, in Indonesian), I came to a word I’ve heard a dozen times but so far hasn’t sunk in to memory, and all of a sudden it was there!  Joel let out a “wahoo!” on my behalf, knowing how I’ve struggled to remember this word!  I was so pleased! 

We are each getting out just about every day to speak with our neighbors and friends and are continuing to build relationships.  I am now teaching 2 English classes a week at our house. One for the neighboorhood kids and one for 8 adults from our neighborhood.  It has been a lot of fun and is also a great chance to learn Indonesian at the same time.  Pray for us as we have these folks in our home that they might begin asking questions about our faith.  We are not permitted to bring it up in an effort to evangelize so we must pray that they will be curious and ask, We are then free to share. One of our Pembantus was sharing with me the other day that all of the Christians she has ever met have been so friendly and helpful to her.  When she had a sick family member it was her Christian friends who came to her house to pray for them, not those of her religion.  Then she said, “I don’t know why, but they have all been so kind”.  It is doors like this that we hope for.  Pray for me to have wisdom as I share with her on these occasions.  She sees us day in and day out and so what I say must match what I live.  Please pray for that for us.  We want to be lights before these people but with our helpers, especially, that can be very hard!

I have one other prayer request tonight.  Many of you know that my dad has had some health problems in the past few years.  Right before we left to come here, we finally were given some answers as to what might be wrong and since then my Mom and Dad have been to several new doctors seeking concrete answers.  We still don’t know for sure what is wrong, it could be dimentia, it could be obsessive/compulsive disorder, it could be a reaction to a medication he took over a year ago, it could be alzheimers or it could be all of these combined.  It has been very hard for my family as my Dad seems to be slipping away from us.  It is hard to know that Mom is facing this and that I am not there to help her but I know our God is able to supply her every need and to be her strength.  Would you pray for us in this.  For Dad that daily life could be enjoyable and that the things that are consuming him would lessen and that he could have a clear mind.  For Mom to have strength each day to go to work and then come home to care for him.  For my brother, who is now living with them to know how to help best. And for us to trust God to care for them all.

We are so blessed to have so many people “following” us here and praying for us daily.  We are so thankful that you are interceding for us! 

In His daily care, Bethany

Most Recent Quake and Tsunami

I want to communicate that neither we or any of our team mates were anywhere near the south-western part of the isalnd of Java so we’re fine. We didn’t know it happened until this evening, Monday the 17^th here in our timezone. Just a quick update!

 

Joel

Wheels

Yahooo!!!!  No not the Internet search engine, but our engine!  Yes, we finally have wheels and thus independence.  On Friday, Joel was able to go and buy one of our motorbikes.  It’s called a Supra Fit by Honda and it has given us great joy!  Ok, well I shouldn’t take it too far with the whole joy thing, but we’re pretty excited!  We took it to school today and only had 2 close calls J!  Yeah, well, we will have to keep practicing in our little neighborhood before venturing out to the big bad world, but at least we can go when we want now!  Now even more reason to be praying for us.  Not only have we never driven motorbikes before, but we have never driven on the left side of the road before!  Lots of opportunities for God to show His ability to protect His children. 

These are coffee beans from our very own backyard, picked just today. Joel is drying them for a week and then will learn the next step in the process from our neighbor.  

Our new wheels! 

Jack wants to take a ride! 

Jack wearing his Guyana t-shirt from Gram and Gramps - hello in Guyana!!! 

A view from our front yard at night - wow! 

Has it really been 3 months?

Hello all!  Sorry for the laps in information here. We were on break and kept pretty busy.  But now our classes have begun again.  We just finished day three of Unit 2 and, whew, are we challenged.  Yeah, for those of you who find a joke in that, we are probably considered mentally challenged too!  Hee Hee.

Our break was wonderful in many ways. Our brains rested, maybe a little too much but none the less, they rested.  Our house got many needed projects finished. Jack got lots of “mommy/daddy” time and we even got away for a day without him to do some shopping in the city. 

Our class changed over the break. As for the students, we are now with all Americans.  Before it was the two of us and four Koreans.  Added to our class is a gal we know and are neighbors with.  She had to step out for a time to have a baby and so now is joining us. It’s been fun to have her there.  The other two students aren’t with our group – NTM but are here for the same reasons!  Amanda is a teacher at the International School here and is taking this unit while she is on summer break.  Justins parents “work” here and he has spent 11 of his 16 years here in Indonesia.  He’s a neat kid and we enjoy his youthfulness and what it adds to our class dynamic!  So we are now 5 English speakers trying to learn Indonesian and having fun together doing it. Our Korean friends are now in a class all their own and I’m sure are glad to be able to communicate together in Korean.  The class also changed in content.  We are now focusing on word conjugations.  Fun for me, but Joel finds it a little less desireable. I think it’s like figuring out a puzzle.  Right now we are learning all the affixes they put on words to change the root word from a noun to a verb and then to a command and to a passive verb, etc.  We are still learning new words every day but along with those are many more phrases for conversation.  Once again it’s like a fire hose aimed at our heads, but we just take in what we can and trust that the rest will come in time.

We’ve both just had our 2^nd RT meetings tonight for our neighborhood.  It’s amazing to me how much we are able to say and understand now. Just one month and it makes a huge difference.  I had an entire conversation about babies and how children sleep here and there, all in Indonesian!  Wow!  Oh and by the way, Indonesians have their children “sleep in” with them until they are maybe even 10 years old!  Waaaa, no thank you! I like a peaceful sleep and not being whacked in the head all through the night by a childs flailing arms!  It’s bad enough to share a bed with a 6 foot guy who forgets I’m there sometimes and whacks me with his elbow!  Add 2, 3 or 4 kids to the mix and I’m finding a different place to sleep.  They can’t believe we don’t want our kids in bed with us.  Funny how cultures can vary.  Neither being right, just different!

Ok so there’s the update.  We are still so glad to be here.  Keep praying for us.  It is making a difference!

Bethany

Sunday Morning

It’s about 8:30 here on Sunday morning.  There is a nice breeze coming in from outside, Maranatha is playing inside, we ate French Toast for breakfast with Maple Syrup and we are all healthy and content.  Well, except Jack who has decided he hates sitting on the potty!  He’ll get over it!  It really is beautiful here this morning. We love mornings like this.  Our service at church doesn’t begin till 10 am so we get to enjoy a slow quiet morning. 

We have one more week before we go back to classes again. Last week was nice and long and we were able to knock of some big projects that had been on our to-do lists.  This week will be more of the same but will have some relaxing elements to it as well.  “What do we do for relaxation here”, you might ask?  Well, there is a hotel in town that is easy for us to get to by public transportation and they have a really nice pool.  There is a little wading area, even Jack can stand up in.  We can order lunch by the pool and play for a few hours and except for the 5x a day call to prayer, broadcast all over the city, you’d never know you were in a foreign country!  We also have several little restaurants that cater to westerners, one of which is a little sandwich and fancy coffee drinks shop, called Fru Fru’s.  Joel’s been already but I hope to go this week with a girlfriend.  We also have a great big back yard and we just got some lawn furniture for it so maybe we’ll set up Jack’s blow up pool or the sprinkler and he can play in the water while we enjoy the great outdoors.  There is a place toward town called the Poncesilla. It’s similar to the town square and there are dozens of little vendors selling snacky foods, rides on little motor powered kiddie cars, and there are always lots of people there just hanging out. 

SO it’s not hard to find ways to relax.  I, Bethany left my scrapbooking stuff home so that hobby will have to wait till I can get it here.  Joel is hoping to get a bike soon so he can ride about the mountains.  Apparently there are some good trails around – it will be great exercise for him and a wonderful brain breather. 

We hope, on this Sunday morning in June, you are able to rest as we are. Relax a bit with your family and thank God for them.  Enjoy a time of peace and quiet together. Read a book, watch the stars, or play in the sprinkler.  Whatever you do, enjoy the people God has surrounded you with.  We are!