At the HKBP Elim orphanage

We had a wonderful evening at the HKBP orphanage where several of our SALT participants teach. First we went a reception in the beautiful little chapel that had just been built. The director of the orphanage told us some things about the chapel, etc., and also told the kids some things about us. At several points during the evening different groups of students danced for us -- sort of modern/traditional dance to what sounded like Bahasa Indoensia pop favorites. They danced very gracefully, though they seemed a bit shy. (It was kind of refreshing when compared with MTV or American Idol.)

Later, we had dinner in the dining hall of the orphanage. All the Americans were seated at the 'head table' (but I snuck around and took photos of the kids and showed them my photos of my home, etc.) As always, dinner was delicious. And as a special surprise, we were served tuak (see previous post). As a further honor, the most senior and most 'high ranking' members of our party were presented with choice bits of -- uh, was that pig or water buffalo? I was too far down the pecking order to see, but I'm OK with that. Trust me.

I expected a visit to an orphanage to be heart-rending. But several factors made this visit one of the highlights for me:
- We knew some of the teachers, and I could tell that they loved the children dearly,
- The director seemed enthusiastic and competent (as well as socially adroit),
- The kids looked clean, healthy and, on the whole, happy,
- There weren't TOO MANY kids there. I learned that because of the strong family system in Indonesia, it's pretty unusual for kids to go to orphanages.

I didn't learn the stories of any of these kids. There simply wasn't time. But I did come away with the strong sense that they are in a safe place, they are well-cared-for and are being educated, and that their care-takers are very capable. May all the orphans of Indonesia -- and other countries too -- have such excellent and loving care!
MBF