Family History Update on Bali.

We, especially Mom, were looking forward to our planned visit to Bali. We fortunately were booked on a Garuda Airlines flight.

When we arrived on Friday around lunchtime, the Taxi driver immediately engaged in a happy conversation promoting Bali. By both of us experienced as a great welcome to this world wide famous tourist attraction. He drove us straight to our Hotel. It became instantly obvious that Bali traffic appeared much more organized & in line with traffic rules than Surabaya traffic. Including that we felt instantly that even though Bali is part of Indonesia, you are on different "terra firma". The fragrance that permeated the air is different as well. Our Hotel was located a few doors down from the Church. Another fact that amazed us that the allocated hotel room had no windows. We felt "held hostage" in a, nevertheless comfortable, holding cell. That night we were picked up by Bro. Sihol. He is a member of the Branch Presidency as well as owning his taxi & tour business. He drove us later that day way out of the city limits, some 1 1/2 hour away, to the Branch President Amat residence. Barely inside we were introduced to his Family & a single young member from Australia who rented a room in that house. That "Aussie" is operating his own landscaping business. President Amat showed us his table cloth sized chart with family names, dates & places of birth. He asked Sister Schmid if she would show him how to put the "masses" Online. Then we were treated to dinner prepared by his wife. As we are accustomed to when Members gather, way too much of delicious foods. However this time lacking the usual humongous amounts of refined "sugarized” treats.

The next day, Saturday we trotted the few hundred meters to the Bali Branch Meeting House. Mom helped Sister Anita Theresia with her 4 generations Online. Printing 9 names Temple ready to be presented at the Temple.

 When Sunday arrived, we were anxious and ready to give our Family History Power Point Presentation. The membership of the Bali Branch consists of a few "all year round” members and some additional visiting tourists. The "Year-Round" attendants are some of the most happy & committed members you can imagine. Led by Branch President Amat. He is an incredibly enthusiastic & most energetic leader. Including a compassionate individual. He hails from France. Somewhere near Lyon. He lived in New Zealand and ended up staying here in Bali. Then marrying his local Indonesian wife. His children speak English, Bahasa Indonesia & French. The three lingos mixed like we ourselves did with English & Dutch at home. After the block we gave our Presentation & immediately after, Mom helped getting some Temple Ready names documented and the Family history room in Motion. The instantly created "Momentum", we believe, will be maintained for a long time due to the enthusiasm & commitment of President Amat and members like Sister Anita. A lively family History session ensued, including answering questions as to how to get the 4 Generations Online.

To our pleasant surprise we met up with Rachel Utomo a former Missionary we met in Surabaya. She ended up declaring herself an adopted Schmid grandchild. To date still calling us Oma & Opa.

President Subandriyo allowed us to use our "accumulated" P-Days to stay a few days longer on Bali at our own expense. Including that he wished us a Happy 55 Year's Anniversary that was part of his consent to linger longer. We stayed at the Poppies Resort. An exclusive lusciously landscaped retreat secluded from the forever busy Bali city limits. Our own private cabin was an incredible experience of luxury. Added to the fun was a booked tour with Brother Sihol driving himself through Bali. Ending up in one of the most popular tourist towns on the island, Ubud. From our cabin, we walked to the beach some 500 meters from the resort. I picked up some volcanic rock & sea shells to take home.We visited among others the approximately 1K ancient Hindu Temple. Only to be treaded in official attire we rented. We stopped for lunch at the pure organic self-grown "sayoran" (veggies) nursery. At the famous "Warung Pulau Kelapa" resort & restaurant. We feasted on the Original Indonesian "Rijsttafel". Incredible!!! Look up their website; www.ubudgourmet.com & "click" on the picture at the right of the page to experience a well-documented story including pictures of some of their well-prepared cuisine. Visiting the authentic batik place was a test of keeping our wallets only slightly open. I stayed a distance from Mom to prevent her from stopping me to purchase some unique hand Bali handmade Batik items on my own. She added her purchases including some batik small souvenirs to take home. The wood carving place with artists still creating beautiful wood art including using old fashioned tools, was a treat of pure skilled unschooled artists. Thousands of items displayed in the warehouse sized building were on sale. Fortunately preventing from buying were the weight of the items as well as the to, most Australian, tourist liberally marked up  prices .

A week after we arrived on Bali, we flew back to Surabaya. Absolutely satisfied that we accomplished both a successful Family History visit & presentation. As well as enjoying a few well-earned days off.

Elder & Sister Schmid.

Bali Branch Family History Room

Dinner at President Amat's home.

Dinner at President Amat's home.

Bali Hotel court yard.

President Amat introducing the Family History presentation.

Map of Poppies Cottages

A few itmes "beach combed" from the Bali beach.

Original "Rijsttafel" at the famous "Warung Pulau Kelapa" resort & restaurant in the town of Ubud on the island of Bali

Original "Rijsttafel" at the famous "Warung Pulau Kelapa" resort & restaurant in the town of Ubud on the island of Bali

Original "Rijsttafel" at the famous "Warung Pulau Kelapa" resort & restaurant in the town of Ubud on the island of Bali

Feasted on original "Rijsttafel" twice at the Poppies Resort.

Our hidden bungalow at Poppies Resort

Our hidden bungalow at Poppies Resort

Sister Schmid starting a family history conversation!

Poppies Resort

Visiting original handmade Bali batik business.

Visiting original handmade Bali batik business.

Visit to a 1k old Buddhist Temple. We were required to wear temple grounds respecting "sarong" skirts.

Visit to a 1k old Buddhist Temple. We were required to wear temple grounds respecting "sarong" skirts.

We met up again with our self-declared granddaughter & former Missionary, Rachel Utomo.

Some street scenes behind Poppies Resort.

Medan Family HIstory Visit

On Friday 25 May we started on our, thus far, farthest location to give the Family History Presentation. Off to  Medan, a city located in the most west part of Sumatra, Indonesia. It was not a direct flight from Surabaya.

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  run down on how the Medan Branch functioned so well. 

The Family History Presentation was planned for Sunday after the "Block" and right after the "pot luck" lunch at 1.30 pm (13.30 siang) 

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.

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

Elder and Sister Schmid Road trip - First Stop SEMARANG

The Semarang Family history is another memorable Family History Mission experience that shows very little can be considered "Coincidence" in the life of Missionaries.

The Presentation preparation ran into another, never expected problem. The Relief Society Room was picked for obvious reasons:  "Comfort Zone Extraordinaire."

The monitor was an ancient relic of sorts. Trying to fit "New Tech Stuff" to "Old tech-less Stuff". proved to be a challenge. One of the fulltime Elders offered to visit a near by "Toko-Tech" to see if there was a remedy. They ( always move in "tandem" never alone) came back with the solution. Just in time. The Presentation was to start in less than 5 minutes. Thank goodness almost nothing starts on time here. A room full of Leaders & Members of the Semarang Ward in attendance. I dwarfed standing next to he 6' something Elder Schofield, my translator. At times he must have thought: "Please make short stops & time-outs in English, so I can translate short sentences instead of scratching my head remembering all that was said in English. Tired but happily satisfied we performed the only dangerous feat, cross the incredibly busy street. We obviously made it. I am writing while still alive & kicking.

The next Day Saturday we took part of the day to visit an historic building: "The House with a thousand doors, called: Lawang Sewu. Check it out Online. Amazing. I took some 100 pictures with the Nikon camera. have to figure out how to transfer photos from the camera "card" to the Lap-Top. We returned to Church for some additional "1on1" Family History work. After,all missionaries were invited by Senior Missionary Couple, Elder & Sister Miller and  treated to some awesome food the next day Saturday at a walking distance restaurant. Satisfied went home after performing a "repeat" of the only very dangerous move of the day. Cross the busy street to our Hotel on the other side on Saturday night.  We're still alive folks.

Now this, Miracles & Tender Mercies happen folks. Getting up & ready to attend Ward Conference, we discussed if we'd bring the Lap-Top. Why carry the pretty heavy thing around when, most likely, no additional Private Family history work was to be done on Ward Conference. Also, the Family History room is equipped with two PCs & adequate WiFi.  Finally we concluded that our main objective of this visit was Family History work. So I added a pretty heavy lap-top in addition to my shoulder bag. Sure enough, not any sign of anyone requesting the use of it. After the Ward Conference & some usual picture taking, we were both ready to go back to the Hotel after saying good bye to our new friends. Then out of nowhere one of the 2 Semarang Ward Family History Consultants approached us with the following: "We have a member who has been trying unsuccessfully, numerous attempts for a long time to get access to his existing FamilyTree Online account.  His problem? He forgot both his ID & Password. We filled the small family History room & went to work. Sister Schmid suggested: "Is he here today?" Yes he is. Finally he was rounded up. Sister Schmid went to work trying a few "missionary tricks" she learned from Brother Peter Bushi in India. Nothing worked. Sister Schmid could have called Salt Lake City, but it was midnight over there. The Ward Secretary, for no other reason than being curious why there was such commotion the small room next to the Bishop's Office, came by: "What are y'all still doing here?" in perfect English. Since he frequently contacts LC with the same phone number. He tried. Both PCs refused to work E U R E K A . He asked for a Lap-Top. Yep, the one we just about did not bring. Next problem. He needed a "Gadget" to connect it with the Church :WiFi". No such luck. As a last resort, absolutely NOT knowing what I was talking about I  said: Stop, Wait"

I remembered that I bought a connection "gadget" last year when Brother Peter Bushi from India & Brother Ouh from Hong Kong visited Surabaya Cabang Dua & he used a little connector gadget to make things work then for a different problem. After that I, not knowing why, insisted on purchasing one of the same for no apparent reason. I have it among my collection of "Flash Drives" & such, stashed in a pocket of my shoulder bag. I produced it with: "Perhaps dumb, but we are with our back against the walls ( also literally) & held up "the Thing". Exhilaration. It was just what we needed. The connection was made. The Secretary convinced us that phoning the number "24/7" was an option he had used several times himself as Ward Secretary.The Online connection (with Mom's Lap-Top) miraculously worked now as well. The very friendly Lady at the other side of the world, at midnight, did not sound sleepy of groggy but very friendly & helpful, She made it work after the Brother Rudi identified himself. She reminded him his ID & issued a temporary Password. Bro. Rudi then changed his temporary into a new Password & this time wrote it down. Than the "bombshell", He is the Stake Patriarch. Miracles & Tender Mercies happen folks. Nothing about this encounter last Sunday was a coincidence. Lap-top, confronting us with an ID & password problem after many had gone home, the member still there, the secretary showing up, the "Blue gadget" in my bag. You name it. The Lord was smiling. We all were happy & relieved. Bro. Rudi looked at his Family-tree for the 1st time in many years. 4-Generations plus more for him and his Family. Emotions filled the room. Patriarch Rudi ( withhold his last name) hugged everyone. Including Sister Schmid & me: The "Blue Gadget Man." & Mom, "the lap-Top Lady.". 

We then performed the final dangerous move across the (not on Sunday) dangerous road. Now off to Medan in Northern Sumatra.

Elder & Sister Schmid.