We have had a busy week. Monday we went shopping to get some things to fix dinner. when we were at the store we heard someone say to their little boy they speak English go and talk to them. He was about 6 and he kept hiding behind his Dad, but they spoke English and we talked to them a little bit. They looked at our badges and said you are Christian. We said yes. We told them about the English class at the church on Thurs Night and they were interested but said they were from Bekasi. So our driver, John got their number and they gave him their number.

Tues we prepared to teach the English class. Before we left Ummi and her husband came to see us. She has been here several times, but she said, We want to know about LDS Charities and just what it really is. We tried to explain to her the best we could. She brought a tape and a DVD of music that she had made. She is going to do one for the earthquake in Bengkulu also and she is going to put the logo for LDS Charities on it. We realized after she left that she was really asking about the church and the reason she comes is because she she can feel the spirit and she doesn't know what it is. She is going to have a big party in Dec for all of us. She brought me a purse and some cookies. She is Muslin so we have to be careful. We told this story to Christine and she is going to put her name on the prayer roll at the Temple. It will be fun to see what happens with her. We know that the Lord placed her there in Bengkulu to help us because she was just there.

On Wed afternoon we had some people come from the US Embassy and the peace corp. They are thinking about locating a group here and they were told to visit the Mormons. The met with Pres and sister Marchant, Elder Subandriyo, Us and the four elders. We all told them about us and what we were there for. Then they asked all about their language training and what their schedule is like here etc. They ask about how safe we felt here and about the sister missionaries. It was a very interesting meeting. Of course they don't know about the special protection that we get from the Lord.

We went to English class and after when we were all in the car to go to McDonald's the sisters said, we like Elder and Sister Walker because they give us cookies and take us for ice cream and the Elders piped up and said we like them because of their spiritual and kindness.

On Fri we had an appt at the Presidential Palace of the Republic of Indonesia. With Nurhayati Ali Assegaf she is a special asst to the First Lady. Wow. I never thought I would ever be in such a place, Elder Subandriyo was to go with us, but he had to go to Hong Kong. So he sent a man named Jimmy whose Father was a Legislator at one time. Thank heavens because he really knew his way around that place. We had a great visit with her. We introduced the Family Enrichment Program to her. We told her about what we had done in Indonesia for earthquake victims, cleft lip and palate, clean water projects, and other. She has been aware of all that LDS Charities has done and they are all grateful for the service we do. She seems to have more interest in the manual than Lisa at Metro TV. She said that they have been looking for ways to strengthen families and this might be the answer. She took a copy to read and would get back with us. Ibu is a very strong Muslin lady, and dresses with a Cilbab which is the scarf over the head. She is also the sister-in-law to Alwi Shihab who was the Minster of Religion to Indonesia. Alwi Shihab is a good friend to President Packer and spoke to BYU students at a Forum. The First Lady has also been in Salt Lake City and visited with some of the brethren including President Packer. It is interesting how closely connected the church and Indonesia leaders are becoming. Elder Subandiyro who is Area Seventy for the South Asian area is well respected by many of the Government Leaders and as an excellent relationship with them.
The Presidential Palace