Sunday, May 10, 2009

Good food and friends at the beach

We’ve enjoyed reconnecting with our Indonesian friends during these first few weeks back in Tarakan. One of our favorite things to do with our friends, Ema and Ilham and their 4-year-old son, Nanda, is eat clams and shrimp and drink young coconut juice at a little eatery by the beach.



So, today, a Sunday, we did just that. The last time we’d gone was the week before we left for our six-month furlough—back in October. This time, Evan, almost 1 year old, is old enough to eat. So, he got to show off his love for Indonesian food by eating rice and fried noodles. This was the first time he’d had the young coconut juice and he loved it. Our friends very generously treated us to the meal, even though Brad kept trying to pay.

Ema had given Evan a shirt that matches the one Nanda was wearing. She had to ask what the English word “Rebel” written on the front of it meant. Evan is easily entertained by other little kids, including his friend, Nanda. And Nanda, an only child, did his best to dangle toys in front of the giggling Evan.





After dinner, we stopped by Ema’s house to meet with her mother and aunt. They are going to help us with a birthday party for Evan next week. Unlike American parties, where cake is the main food, Indonesian parties serve the guests a main dish. We plan to invite both our American MAF friends and our Indonesian friends and their kids. In Indonesia, the guest is considered a king and must be served well. So, Ema volunteered her family to help buy and prepare the meal, so that it would taste Indonesian-enough, and not be too much trouble for me to pull off. They plan to make Soto Ayam (Chicken Soup). And I’ll make the cake.

While we were there, her aunt, who had just made some fried noodles, insisted we eat some of her food. I’m always amazed at the hospitality of Indonesians, as we were unexpected guests, and yet she generously fed us. So, while we were stuffed, we did enjoy eating her yummy noodles.

While I (Rebecca) chatted with the ladies about the upcoming party for Evan, Brad tried to answer Ilham’s questions about his faith.

We went home stuffed and excited about our time with our friends.