On Friday 25 May we started on our, thus far, farthest location to give the Family History Presentation. Off to
The plane left Surabaya too late.
Since we arrived at the international part of the Jakarta airport, the "lay-over" in just about forced us caused us to make a "long distance sprint like run to the Local part of the airport President Rowley style, to catch the flight to Medan. The gate was way at the other end of the Jakarta airport. We obviously just made it in time. The Medan Airport we were warned is more than some two hours away from the Medan Branch Meeting House.
We were welcomed at Medan KNO Kuala Namu Airport by two fulltime Missionaries Elders, Smart and Harris. Elder Harris we knew from Surabaya when he was just a few week "Greeny."
They gave us a pleasant introduction to the very clean City of Medan. The sight of motorized Bedjahs with the seats on the sides of the scooters rather than in front is, we were told, unique to Medan.
Friday afternoon we went for lunch with Elder & Sister Porter, the Senior Mission Couple in Medan. Sister Porter panned out to be an expert on the customs, traditions & local tribes of that part of Sumatra. They both gave us a very good
The Family History Presentation was planned for Sunday after the "Block" and right after the "pot luck" lunch at 1.30 pm
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| Elder Ostermiller getting the Family History Presentation in Medan "set up & ready to roll. |
Elder & Sister Porter went out of their way to make things comfortable and easy for us. Much appreciated since Medan "clicks" quite different & unique in many ways from other parts of Indonesia we have visited so far.
Saturday night we were re-introduced to Elders Ostermiller and Siddoway. They are in their final weeks of being released from their missions. We were fortunate to have worked with both in Surabaya. Awesome Missionaries & solid as a rock young men.They are both from the same small town somewhere in Idaho and High School "buddies". We had the honor to meet, greet & watch both full time Sister Missionaries in action. Sisters Dacian & Brush are much loved by the Medan Branch members.
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| Our enthusiastic hosts, Senior Family History Missionaries in Medan, Elder & Sister Porter. They prepared the Presentation & Organized a couple of awesome private visits. |
Saturday night the Porters planned a private visit to a very well knit Family who live all at the same location. Sister Schmid brought her LapTop in addition to the very enthusiastic and very well skilled Family History Consultant Sister Maria Sinaga. A great, enthusiastic, loaded with incredible work ethics, force in promoting the Family History Programs. Mom passed her laptop to a young member who input his names Online, while Sister Sinaga helped someone else on her lap-top using her own portable WiFi. Mom's "hotspot" portable WiFi ( here called "weefee") came in handy. An action packed night, no less. Some wonderful results followed. Everybody happy. Including the ancestors beyond the veil who's names will now be Temple Ready.
Later that night we visited yet another member family. One member's 12 yr old sons started his names on Mom's laptop & thus a good start was made to complete his 4 Generations Online.
The Family History Presentation was an obvious success. Judging by the, immediately after the Presentation, follow up of several Families getting their 4-Generations Online. Spear headed by the Branch President. A 25 year old, still single, President Batasi Mendrofa. He added his personal assistance to yet another member inputting names Online that afternoon. Leading his flock with fervor. Mom's laptop requested and used by a young member. Sister Sinaga personally using hers as well.
Completely satisfied and exhausted we returned to the Hotel that night.
The next morning the Porters picked us up and dropped us off at the Medan Airport. We and all involved that weekend had a great time. We just hope that the enormous enthusiastic "Momentum" we were able to create will be followed up and followed through for a long time to come. Then again, if it is left up to President Mendrofa, Sister Sinaga and the Porters to maintain that ever important Momentum, including the so important Following Through, it will be no problem in Medan.
Elder & Sister Schmid
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