http://www.gpdiny.com/wp/?p=697

We have been planning to start our banana farm some months a go. We have decided to do it from end of February or March. Based on our experience when we are opening the rice field , it will take some 3 months plus ( the existing bushes are full of thorny trees and the thorns can be as long as 7 cm). Some costs adjustments must be made as the prices of the materials are increased in the 4 months span.
Who wants to participate ?
If any one wants to participate it means a good and protective shoes must be prepared beside some good working gloves.
If we are looking at the current bush which is our future banana farm, most of us will say impossible but if we are given some 4 months after the land clearing is being started it will be a different answer to it. It will a 25 000 M2 of farm where by inside the farm we will be having some 50 – 100 cows. Some goats, free range chicken and other potential animals in it.
In two years time we are seeing that we will be able to have harvest all year round and we can create jobs for at least 10 people. For this our status to be a self sufficient can be closer and closer.

Please pray along with us so that we will be strong upon facing the challenges. If it was said impossible ,the answer is ” it is possible”
If it is said to be too hard to do it,we can say it can be done if we put our efforts to it.

Nothing is impossible to The Lord and to the people who believe in

One word which will be use more often daily for me us is thank you and thank you words for The Lord’s provision in the form of the job that has been given back to me timely and for more friends which are now helping us to run the orphanage in the form of more prayers , financial assistance and physical help too. Thank you to The Lord for using CNN and Channel news Asia as His instrument to spread His love through His work that has been done through Roslin orphanage’s activities . It is His Work all along and His work alone , Praise The Lord to be part of His instruments.

Blessings after blessings has been pouring since we are running the orphanage. No shortages at all as God Himself providing all whats needed. The children are healthy and able to study well , no food shortages as God has given us a productive farm. A new farm will be commenced in March and we are aiming towards self sufficiency to be reached sooner. So far what ever we grow has been blessed and fruitful. More sharing can be done with others as we are so blessed with an abundant harvest.

The children are healthy and well , Praise The Lord. It is hard if the children are sick especially during the rainy season. At the moment Peggy must stay back in Jakarta as our house is flooded from the roof ( the gutter is clogging and an immediate repair must be conducted). We feel bad as at the moment we are having two visitors from Singapore at the orphanage ( Chris and Rachel) . I hope that they can fill up their time properly. Without us being around sometime the activity is not happening except the routine day to day matter. With us around the children will get some extra educative activities.

One good news that Joel ( Christian Joel Pascalis) is growing well and all the vaccination went well. We are seeing a healthy baby Joel growing properly. It is such a joy to see them growing well.

Christian Joel Pascalis

This January 13th Singapore’s Channel News Asia was broadcasting Roslin Orphanage. From this broadcast we have more new friends who contacting us  for visiting and offering help too. Praise The Lord. When I get the copy of the broadcast I will put them on the blog asap.

these picture was taken from the TV

http://www.roslinorphanage.flyingcart.com

HAPPIEST NEW YEAR TO ALL

THANK YOU FOR ALL THE PRAYERS AND SUPPORTS

MAY THE LORD BLESS YOU ON EVERY STEP THAT WE DO

MAY A GOOD HEALTH BE GRANTED TO YOU ALL

HAVE A BLESSED DAY ALWAYS

I was only spending about 2 hours in Singapore on Dec 20th when I am arriving from Los Angeles. It has been planned for me to go directly to the orphanage as soon as I am arriving. Yes it was a long flight but yes it was so excited to be there with the children and many more children out side the orphanage.The flight from LA to Singapore and to Timor was great as we were flying on smooth air all the way. Praise The Lord .

lighting up the Christmas tree

As soon as I arrived there I am helping Peggy and the  rest to continue packing the Christmas gifts and making arrangements for the events till my departure date ( going back to Singapore for my flying duties). We managed to wrapped some 400 basic family needs for a nice meal with the family and some other gifts for a family just for something different during a Christmas evening with a family. To our opinion the gifts are nothing special but to them it is something that they might not have it for a long period of time.

preparing for the gifts

garlic and shallot peeling

spices preparation

part of the cooking

For the 3 days activities ( from Dec 21st to 23rd) we were sharing what we have with some 1100 children mostly  under 10 year old at few villages and from the 24th0 25th we were dealing with another 300-400 children at Tasipa and Oefafi Village. We cooked the meals our self. It was a miracle that during all of our activities the sky has been cleared from any cloud and no rain ( even though it is the rainy season now). For the activities at Tasipa and Oefafi we were having the privilege of a visit by such a fine young lady Ms Marissa Maren , from Manhattan,New York. It was a real big different for her to be with us rather what she could have been having in Manhattan ( New York) during the Christmas time. We were not having any  Christmas lighting nor great musical instruments. we were having a simple pine tree with one short series of lights and actual candle being used as the decorations. Instead of great band we were having groups of vegetable seller at the wet market singing Christmas song for us , a group of people who are selling woods ( for cooking), children choir and the rest are farmers. No fancy clothes or outfit but the ladies mostly are wearing their party outfit ( which is a simple pink tops and sarong . Most of them are bare footed). At least 6 choirs from different kampong/ village were singing their best.Some of them came from some 4 – 5 km away and they must walk in the complete darkness.

This Christmas is so special because some of the funding is provided by a special efforts by Kirten, a very special and sweet girl of 12 years old from Sydney Australia. She was targeting to raise AUD 15o but she was able to raised AUD 693.40. Praise The Lord for having such a fantastic young lady at the age of 12 having such a great spirit upon helping others in need. I hope that one day we will be able to visit Sydney and to meet up with Kirsten. Indeed the people are so blessed because of her efforts and kind gifts to them.

Kirsten Parker passing the money that she collected to Mrs Janet Collins who has been with us at the orphanage for a month

December 25th at Tasipa Village

During our busiest day we were also able to host some 52 ladies who are selling vegetable at the wet market. It was about some micro financing assistance to them since 5 years ago . Their income is about 3 USD per day for the work of the whole family some 6 – 8 hours.

briefing and sharing with vegetable sellers for some micro loan for them

Indeed it has been busy days when we were there but we were also managed to spend some time and making up some quality time with the children at the orphanage. It was so good to see them growing up from babies into the schooling age children. Not only they are able to do things them self but they are also able to help out for some house chorus too. Praise The Lord. We managed to have a picnic too . we took them to the beach and spent our time till the darkness came. We were able to play so many things including swimming and ended by eating our dinner together at the beach of freshly catch of the day fish. We bought it there and we BBQ them also at the beach. It was a great day indeed that was.

Quality time it doesn’t mean to be playing with expensive toys or at a nice place . It can be done with so many ways and it can be anywhere. Simple running around the beach and laughing together can be a very exciting thing to do in a group. Running competition is fun.

http://www.roslinorphanage.flyingcart.com

http://www.roslinorphanage.flyingcart.com

CELEBRATING CHRISTMAS TOGETHER WITH TRANS NUSA AND FRIENDS

Merry Christmas to everyone.

It was a great evening last night when we were celebrating Christmas together with Trans Nusa and all of the its agents in Kupang. It was great to be able to bring the children out for a Christmas gathering and let the children see what a Santa and assistance looks like. It was a night dedicated for the children and at the same time we are celebrating Our Lord Jesus’s birthday and remembering why He was here on earth and His deliverance of our sins through the cross.  Praise The Lord indeed.

Thank you for pak Juvy , pak Andre and pak Allen who were making the arrangements for the children to have fun with you All. It is a privilege to Peggy and I for letting the children feel great about them self and boosting their existence in this modern society. Even though we are the orphanage family, last night they were feeling like stars . Thank you for making them so special.

For the first time the children were singing for public and yes the stage have made them a little nervous ha ha ha . They can sing and perform much better at their home ( the orphanage) but it was great too last night as it was their very first performance and which was based on few hours of notice only. We will train the children for more confidence and their voice quality too gradually. All in all it was great to be performing to celebrate Christmas with others.

It was a mighty big day for Peggy to do the hair for all of our girls , big and small. Choosing clothes for all boys and girls and must ran out to be new shoes for those who does not have one yet. It was not that easy to look fix all the 52 children to get ready

It was started at 2 pm for the 5 pm function and the work was completed at 5 20 pm.

the orphanage children performing for the very first time

Vony leading the group

bible reading by Gerson and Vony

First of all my family and I are so happy and blessed as I got my job back. Yes my contract with Singapore Airlines was extended for another 3 years . Praise The Lord indeed.  It was extended just  before I am doing my very last flight . It was so unexpected and it was a solid prove that The Lord will arranged things according to His timing somehow it is right on time. Who would have thought about it that the contract was extended at the very last day where all of my house has been packed and a mover is ready to shift things back to Indonesia. With the job for another 3 years means we can go on with our orphanage’s projects and we must prepare well for the next 3 years . We have to make our orphanage to be self sufficient as soon as possible so that even though I am loosing the job ( just in case in th enext 3 years) we can still run the orphanage based on our own strength ( the strength from The Lord).

To add up God’s blessings we are being chosen to be one of the top ten of The CNN Heroes program. Anderson Cooper and his team found us and he thinks that we are doing something for others . It was through Grace Ong’s nomination CNN came to know about our activities. Praise The Lord for all of the connection that The Lord has made.  If we are looking that our work place is a slump area, very backwards and dirty and dark villages how can it be possible we are being nominated for such a program with CNN. Indeed God has made them all possible through the correct friends and channels.   Being one of the top ten CNN Heroes we are awarded some 25 000 USD ( minus USA Tax). This will be a very substantial back up for us to conduct our activities.

Thinking about our working place which is in the village area and away from the city it is rather miracle for us to be brought to the Kodak Theater. We can only be thankful to the whole thing.

With CNN Heroes program we are blessed with so many new wonderful friends. Some are becoming so close to us even though we have been friends only for the last 3 months. Indeed we are so blessed. Some will be visiting our orphanage as early as this Dec 23rd like Marissa Maren , a banker and a professional ballroom dancer from New York. She is coming to be celebrating this up coming Christmas with the orphanage children.  We are so thankful that some more people are willing to come and sharing their precious time just to be with us at the orphanage.

Because of CNN Heroes program we are getting the chance to meet up with our friend Jorge ,The Angel from Queens , New York. He is a real angel where people will not be turned away hungry at night. Simple hot food was handed  to those homeless people under the railway track of 73rd street and Roosevelt avenue in Queens. I was having the privilege to assist him on Dec 5th . It was a cold night and it will be a real suffer for those who are not having a place to stay and food to eat. Our friend Jorge Munoz was able to provide food to all of the people who were coming to him. Praise The Lord for connecting me with such wonderful people like Jorge. We are so blessed that we are on the side of giving away rather than being given away the food .   At this occasion we were joined by our dear bro Andy Naibaho , our other bro Welem and his dear wife Nina Adrians and a great Manhattan couple Katie and Steve the rock and roll singer for the kids.   It was a beautiful night where we can be together witnessing and assisting Jorge giving away food for the homeless.

helping Jorge distributing food for the homeless in Queens , New York

Katie  Steve and Nina Adrians sharing the vegetables

bro Andy Naibaho making coffee for the people

From this New York flight I went straight to the orphanage for 1,5 days as Singapore Channel News Asia was already waiting for us at Kupang.  Channel News Asia was having me some tme back when I was doing an effort to help out the earth quake victims at Jogja. Now they are coming to the orphanage . It is a privilege to have them with us at the orphanage. A team of three led by My Zainudin  Afandi , Png choo  Pee and Mohamad Radzi Basyunan were with us.

Peggy being interviewed

Gerson Mangi being interviewed . Gerson by January will be on his 4th semester for his medical school

This time of the year is the rainy season for Timor Island and its vicinity. While we were there the rain was on and off intensely. If the rain is falling for few hours continuously flash flood can happen. It is rather ironic that the dry season is too long and when the rain comes the soil is not able to hold the water too much. This is because the soil is mostly consist of thin layer of good soil and the rest are coral.  One thing that is making us happy is the fact that we still some mangoes hanging on its trees. The Jackfruit is not having any more fruits after August but the breadfruit is starting toi have good fruits.

some mangoes are still hanging for us

Seeing the children growing it is making us happy especially if they are able to do their best in school. It is their efforts that is more important rather than the end result. It is ok if the children are not able to get a god grade but  we are making sure that they are doing  their best already. Children may not be all good on their academical skills but may be they are good with heir vocational skills. Our efforts has been supported by my father in law’s effort upon teaching them so many things. Cornelis Lakusa ( my father in law) is so good with math, science , physics and he speaks perfect English and Dutch as well as German. Without him we will have to work harder ha ha ha . He is only 79 years young ha ha ha .

Our newest baby , Christian Joel Pascalis Funuk has been progressing well. He is almost done with the initial vaccination and other check ups in Jakarta. While Martina is faithfully with him and trying her best to give her love to the new comer baby. Indeed for all these years the children have been showing such a good togetherness being performed by all of them. Seeing them progressing has been a real rewarding matters to Peggy and myself.

19 months old Martina has been eating on her own

trying to entertain her new “orphanage’s sibling”

Mr Cornelis Lakusa teaching he older children

To add up God’s blessings we are happy to share with you that a Swedish cosmetic company in Indonesia has chosen us to be their partner upon helping the children education in Nusa Tenggara Province and especially in Kupang. We will try to start the program right after the rainy season ended in March. We share the same vision about how to help out people out of poverty through enhancement on their education.

Symbolic partnership of Oriflame Roslin Orphanage and Yayasan Tunas Cendekia

Dik Doang, Yudhistira Juwono,Peggy Budi and president of Oriflame for Indonesia

www.fr-roslinorphanage.webs.com