Sampai Ketemu Lagi!

  Our visas expired the end of the year so on December 18, 2013, we bid a fond farewell to Indonesia, until we meet again.  We will hold the friendships we made here dear to our hearts forever.  It has been such a blessing to serve among the loving, faithful Saints of this beautiful country.  We so appreciate the friendship and support they have offered us during our mission in their homeland.

Indonesians love a party and we were honored to be given farewell parties at the Soepomo Chapel and the Kepatihan Chapel in Solo where we had made so many good friends.

Choki and Esti welcomed us into their Batak family, Simanungkalit.  They wrapped us in an Ulos, woven with their family pattern while they did a traditional dance around us.

Tommy, Ida (Tommy's daughter), Esti and Coki (Tommy's daughter-in-law and son)

We had such a laugh at the local Elders and the young men in the ward as they danced and then performed a Samoan warrior chant led by Elder Hobbs.

The Relief Society performed a traditional dance that was lovely!  Our dearYuli seemed to be the leader.

 Brother Haryono and his wife Lute were so cute as he sang a love song to her.

Uskup (Bishop) Awik, Inda his wife and Javi.

At the Soepomo Chapel we had a buffet dinner outside hosted by these amazing women!

The Primary kids loved having their picture taken.  So cute!

Uskup Cator with his tired, but beautiful family including his wife's mother, the lovely Sister Asnibar.

Our little friend, Lily, who spoke amazing English and was working so hard on her family history.

Didit, Ima and their son made a trip to the airport to see us off.  They were so kind to us and we shared some tender moments with them in Solo as we worked together on family history, watched their children perform their talents and as we attended the funeral of Didit's father.  Sweet memories.

We leave with a tear in our eye as we say "Sampai ketemu lagi" (good-bye until another time) to our driver, Purwono (Franky) and his daughters, Karen, Sidney and Paris and all our dear friends in Indonesia.  It has truly been an amazing adventure!