Embracing Java

Wednesday was packed with activity. After our Indonesian class, we headed for a hotel that gave a lecture on making batik. We then made our own t-shirt design, and tried out batik. We made handkerchiefs. Batik is a lot harder than it looks. The wax is hot and pours out of the pen very fast. But... I LOVE IT! I am switching my art project in Bali to Batik. I am also still taking a jewelry making class.

my design turning blue

We then headed back to Godean village for dinner and dance class with our families. We have to perform on Saturday at our going away party in front of a lot of people. Java dance is very fun, but we look ridiculous. Don't worry, the performance will most likely be recorded...

When I returned home Kindi was drawing in the coloring book I bought him. He played with it for about 4 hours. I also saw him draw on four or five of the house walls... Maybe that is why he didn't have crayons before?

Earlier in the week, Markie bought a guitar from the market. I asked Nysa (cousin) if she could give us a couple of pointers and she said Wednesday was good for her! Nysa surprised us by inviting over a couple of her guitar playing friends. Family friend and Novan's English teacher joined the party with her sister as well as my mom, Kindi, Markie, Alex, and another neighbor. We played American and Indonesian songs and sang along. They helped us with our Indonesian and I we tried to help Novan with his English. 

We then asked Nysa and her friends if they could help us with the presentation we were preparing for the next day. It is on religion in America. They agreed and asked several questions beginning with... Indonesia has 5 religions, but America only has 1. We were stunned. They thought everyone in America was Christians. Their next question was what do Americans think of Muslims after the terrorist attacks. They were very pleased when we explained that Americans are not anti-Islam and that it is only a small group of ignorant Americans that group all Muslims with the terrorists. 

We continued to talk about religion and the differences in America. Later in the night, a neighbor asked me what i knew about Islam. He asked me to compare it with Christianity. I was terrified I would make a wrong assumption or comparison. However, he seemed pleased when I stated I thought of Muslims as peaceful people and that I could recall how Islam began. He continued to quiz me for the remainder of the evening on my knowledge on Islam and my pronunciation of Indonesian words. 

I have thoroughly enjoyed my time in Java. I feel as though I have known my Muslim family for years. They have helped me learn everything about their lifestyle and religion. I am grateful that God placed me with such a loving family that has been understanding of my Christian beliefs. We embraced our differences and formed a bond on a mutual understanding of love and a belief in God. 

Dah-Dah (bye bye) for now. 

Lots of love, Kak Shelly