Defeating Plasmodium falciparum

After one-half year I've been in Papua, finally i got special welcoming from Plasmodium falciparum. Yeah, i got malaria. Something that I thought I would not have at least for three years of my contract here.
As my seniors said, malaria can be prevented by regular rest and meal, also happy feeling. I got those. I am one hundred percent fit! Even now, i feel well. I am still confused why should i got malaria last week.
It started on Sunday, Jan 18, i joined outing with Catholic youth to Laskar Kristus in Kertosari. I felt dizzy because it was noon bright and so hot, then i got wet because they splashed water to me.
That night i just got fever and headache. I thought it was only usual fever which would be better at night.
On Monday i forced myself to go to school and teaching, but i dropped and felt so dizzy, then got fever again. My housemates felt anxious i got malaria, they suggested me to get plenty rest and eat a lot.
I felt better so i decided to go to school again on Tuesday. Actually, i didn't feel well but i forced myself to walk to school and teach. I stand just for one class. I asked permission to leave early and had blood test.
Amazingly, I got brave suddenly to have blood test in Talenta Lima laboratory in Sentani. The result was shocking me to the moon and back hahaha.. Positive malaria tropica +4 Leukocyte 4700
The lab man said, i have to get proper treatment if late, it will be worse and affect my brain. *sigh*
I couldn't think well and just cried asking to send me back home. I don't want to be there anymore, i don't like here because i got horrible sickness here.
My boyfriend tried to comfort me, but i just felt bad mood and drop. At 3pm i got fever again. On evening, my boyfriend accompanied me to consult to doctor and get medicines. The doctor said i probably got two kind of malaria :tropica and tertiana.
From articles that I've read:
Malaria tropica is caused by plasmodium falciparum which attack brain by blood artery
Malaria tertiana is caused by plasmodium vivax which attack heart

at night i got bad headache also fever, muscle pain and felt so cold even i got sweating. I just pray and hold it as i can because i didn't want to call my housemates.
On Wednesday the cycle was better, i didn't feel too bad headache and fever, i still could hold it because i took the medicine regularly. I still couldn't eat much since i lost my appetite *FYI : lost of appetite is one of malaria symptoms.

Thursday and Friday were the same, i got bored to be at home and doing nothing. Beside that i couldn't enjoy my sleep because sometimes the headache attacked. I also felt starving for some food and beverage but i couldn't taste it well.
I had blood test again on friday evening, the result was negative malaria and 10700 for Leukocyte. I just so happy to win the war defeating malaria without hospitalized. Hahaha.. But doctor said it could be false because of the medicine effects, i have to get tested when i am not consuming malaria medicine and feel better.

Saturday and Sunday, i got better and eat much than last week. I still took antibiotics and vitamins regularly also hold myself from overwork. Because my seniors said malaria could attack back and it will be worse if it is back then.

I reflected some things from this war against malaria.
1. Without Christ, I am nothing
2. Surrender my life to Him, He is the Healer
3. Thankful for people around me, they are God's angels in my life
4. When i am about to give up being teacher here, think of Jesus, His life on earth compared to mine. I am nothing. I haven't done much as a teacher here.
Compared to His suffering on the cross, malaria is nothing.
Compared to His pain being apart from His mom, my homesickness is nothing.
Compared to all my wishlist, prayers, wants, that God hears every second, books and paperwork of my students which await on my desk those are nothing.
Compared to disappointments I've caused, my disappointment to some people is nothing.

Finally, I would like to say Jesus wins me in the war against malaria!

Just like in Matthew 8:8 and in every eucharist i love to say it repeatedly
"Tuhan, aku tidak pantas Tuhan datang padaku, tapi bersabdalah saja maka aku akan sembuh "

Thanks Jesus!

Chapel grade 7 Selasa, 12 Agustus 2014

Matius 5:13-16

13 ¶  "Kamu adalah garam dunia. Jika garam itu menjadi tawar, dengan apakah ia diasinkan? Tidak ada lagi gunanya selain dibuang dan diinjak orang.
14  Kamu adalah terang dunia. Kota yang terletak di atas gunung tidak mungkin tersembunyi.
15  Lagipula orang tidak menyalakan pelita lalu meletakkannya di bawah gantang, melainkan di atas kaki dian sehingga menerangi semua orang di dalam rumah itu.
16  Demikianlah hendaknya terangmu bercahaya di depan orang, supaya mereka melihat perbuatanmu yang baik dan memuliakan Bapamu yang di sorga."

Pelita tak berguna jika disimpan di dalam lemari, dan garam tak berguna jika masih berada di wadahnya.

-          Apakah fungsi garam?

o   Penyedap, bukan hanya menciptakan kesenangan bagi orang tapi kesenangan bagi Tuhan. Contoh perbuatan yang menyenangkan hati Tuhan? Tidak boleh kehilangan rasa asinnya (Lukas 14:34-35)

o   Pengawet

o   Penyembuh luka

-          Ayat 13: kamu adalah garam dunia, adalah merujuk pada eksistensi bukan hanya perubahan. Garam mempengaruhi, bukan dipengaruhi.

Contoh:merokok, mencontek, minta uang, bolos, mengobrol saat ibadah, memaki, kata kotor.

-          Ayat 16 Yesus adalah terang dunia (Yohanes 1:9), manusia hanya memantulkan terang Tuhan.

o   Terang menyolok dalam gelap

o   Terang tidak boleh disembunyikan

o   Terang memberi petunjuk

o   Terang makin dibutuhkan di tempat yang semakin gelap

o   Terang mempengaruhi yang gelap bukan sebaliknya (Yoh 1:5)

o   rumah-rumah di Palestina, tempat Yesus pada saat itu mengajar, semua rumah sangat gelap, karena biasanya hanya mempunyai satu jendela kecil dengan garis tengah kira-kira 30-40 cm saja. Pelita yang dipakai di rumah-rumah itu berbentuk seperti perahu kecil yang diisi minyak, dengan sumbu yang terapung. Biasanya pelita itu ditempatkan pada sebuah tiang kecil (dian), yang terbuat dari potongan dahan kayu. Dengan demikian maka pelita itu akan terlihat. Jelaslah bahwa fungsi utama dari pelita itu ialah untuk dapat dilihat dan dapat menyinari kegelapan sehingga menjadi terang. gambaran tentang pelita inilah yang di ambil oleh Yesus dalam hal Dia mengajarkan tentang peran dari setiap pengikutnya.

-          Dalam Filipi 2:13-16, kita dapat melihat dalam ayat ini bahwa kita harus lebih lagi menjadi terang dunia. Yesus berkata: terangmu harus memancar seperti bintang-bintang di dunia dan kita juga harus memancarkan Firman hidup. Ayat ini merupakan sebuah kunci. Yesus mengatakan dalam hal yang baik agar orang lain bisa memuliakan Bapamu di surga.

-          Seorang teolog besar (John Stott) berkata; “ jangan bertanya kenapa dunia ini semakin gelap, tetapi bertanyalah dimanakah terangnya, jangan bertanya kenapa dunia ini semakin busuk tetapi bertanyalah dimanakah garamnya”

KESIMPULAN

-          Agar dunia menikmati keberadaan kita dan mengenal Kristus, Markus 9:50 (pembawa damai)

-          Agar dunia merasakan kasih Kristus dan memuliakan-Nya (ay 14&16)

Young People should be Connected!

Young people should not stop in one place, they should explore what they have, who they can be, where they can go, and how they can be on the top.

 We sometimes limit ourselves with family, financial, education and so many things that should not be a limitation but a way to be a great young people! And I think, young people should not only think about themselves but also about other people. These things are made up in one organization called Global Explorers. For me, this is not the first time I met a group of foreign young people that wanted to know about Indonesian culture, but in Papua? Yes this was my first time and I am excitedly impressed with them.
I thought you don't need to finish up your savings only to travel in Indonesia. I have read some blogs that said Indonesia is classified as a third or fourth class for backpacking countries, which means a daily cost for being in Indonesia will not as expensive as in Europe, US, SG, HK, and so on. However all my thoughts about Indonesia is 'cheap' destroyed since I heard a testimony from Pastor Nico Syukur, OFM. Students in Global explorer who came to Indonesia from Netherlands should collect their own money by part-time work, find sponsors and even asking money from their families! what a hard work!
I haven't been so long in Sentani, only one year, but I think that I might be not here if I could choose my own place to teach. I would choose a place that close to hometown and beautiful... That's why I haven't been so long to join Youth Catholic in local church. Actually, this is my first time to join a youth because I often to limit myself. Therefore I am so excited to join the events and routines that Orang Muda Katolik (OMK) Sang Penebus Sentani holds.
For welcoming friends from Global Explorer, we had been rehearse for several times during last two weeks. I am not a good singer, but one thing that I am confident with, singing in choir especially for serving God would not require the best voice, but a sincere heart that will make the me sing with my best. There were some songs that we sang last Sunday (July 20, 2014): Hatiku, Mipa Yesus, Blessed the Lord, one more song I forgot the title :(
These are the photos of the mass that we had. It was so deep o:)
Special thanks to Ko Willy who took the photographs, i think pictures say more than words, isn't it?

Pastor Nico lead the mass

Soloist singer for Psalms

OMK's guitarist leaded "Mipa Yesus" song, Papua language song

Consecration

Holy Communion (some OMK members)

Holy Communion (friends from Netherlands)

After mass, may God bless our friendship :)

another picture of us! 

After having mass together, we were get ready to have an outdoor recreation together in Amay Beach, Depapre, it was about one hour by car. We went separated, they went by bus and OMK went by SAR truck ;p
Actually there was so unorganized when we arrived there. I think there should be games or activities that can make us feel more togetherness. I just enjoyed the beach by sitting in the sand and have a deep sharing with one of them. Lisa, the birthday girl is a smart and tough girl, she is 21 years old, now studying Anthropology of cultural development in university and have much passion in social work. She has her part-time work in a elder social house or panti jompo. She has been traveled to some other countries to learn the culture and helping people. I was so impressed, how come a younger girl could travel countries with her own hard work without expecting any complimentary? If I been her, i would choose to travel to some other beautiful and popular countries! Hahaaa.. (I think that's why God sends me here ;p)

It was an unforgettable experience for me and blessed indeed!
If you want to know more about them i found the website :http://www.global-exploration.nl/wordpress/


Happy exploring young people!

 “The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.” – St. Augustine

Bolang episode Biak: Christmas eve in St. Maria diangkat ke surga Catholic Church

Christmas is only a season of christmas when Christ isn't the reason. This Christmas mass was different than I used to. It was not the first time I celebrated it without family. I haven't celebrated it yet with my family and had mass with them even once. I wish someday I could have once...

I had mass for this Christmas in a new land, in a new phase of life, as a teacher, which is the calling that He wanted me to be. But since it was not in my hometown neither my current domicile, I felt I was a stranger there.

My junior, Tika accompanied me to have mass there. This Church is the only Catholic church in Biak, she said that there are not many local people who are Catholic, most of them are Protestant.

twilight before Christmas eve

inside the church, I came early so there weren't many people yet

Merry Christmas from the east of Indonesia!

Thank you, Biak... i want to keep being grateful wherever I am.

 Thanks God for every people that you've called. Christmas happens everyday in our heart.

BoLang episode Biak: pasar ikan Biak Numfor

From Jl. Samofa (my host's place) I can get there by taking a 'taksi' it costs IDR 4k for one person for one way. Actually, I hadn't been shopped in traditional market for my own cooking...hahaha... I do like eating, but for cooking? I suggest you to think twice before trying my cooking ;p
There are different traditional markets in Biak: Pasar Ikan and Pasar Sayur (vegetables). It depends on major commodities that are sold in that market. Because it was the nearest market and we just wanted to eat seafood, we decided to shop there.

welcome to pasar ikan Biak Numfor

yellow tail fish, isn't it?

look at to the sea!

There are so many ladies (we called 'mama') who sold this kind of fish, ikan julung. It has unique shape and delicious taste.

ikan julung IDR 15k for 20 pieces

giant julung fish ;p

tomatoes, a bit more expensive than in Java *sigh

What we bought:
squids IDR 100k for 2 packets (about 15 pieces)
ikan julung IDR 15k (20 pieces)fixed price
tomatoes, onion and chilies IDR 10k
limes IDR 5k (4 pieces)
seasoning flour+tomatoes 10k

Transportation 4k+5k

what would we make?

• fried squid 
• fried ikan julung
• dabu-dabu

how did we make it? please wait for next post! ;p

Bolang episode Biak: landed in Biak

It was my first time to have vacation in an island by using my own saving in my first year of teaching. Rasanya berbeda sekali dengan liburan atau perbolangan sebelumnya. Meskipun saya selalu menabung untuk setiap perbolangannya tapi sumbernya berbeda2.. ada yang hadiah lomba OSN, jualan Oriflame atau menyisakan uang jajan..hehehe...

Dengan bermodalkan tiket PP seharga Rp 1,6 juta dan 1 juta untuk akomodasi selama di Biak, saya memberanikan diri terbang bersama 3 bolang-mates saya: Kak Nur, Kak Lisa dan Deby.

Kami mendarat di Bandara Frans Kaiseipo, dulunya ini adalah bandara transit penerbangan Jakarta-Amerika untuk Garuda Indonesia. Namun sekarang sudah tidak melayani lagi, hanya ada penerbangan domestik.

Dari Jakarta ada penerbangan langsung ke Biak, beberapa airlines juga ada penerbangan menuju daerah lain di Papua yang transit di pulau ini. Harganya bervariasi, tinggal pilih yang sesuai budget. Lebih mahal daripada penerbangan Jakarta Singapore atau Kuala Lumpur? YA! 

Bersyukurnya, ada seorang junior saya yang berdomisili di Biak, saya cukup dekat dengannya karena saya pernah menjadi mentor sewaktu ada Youth camp di kampus :) Dia adalah orang pertama yang saya hubungi ketika berpikir untuk menjelajah pulau Biak. Dengan ramah Brenda, namanya, dia mempersilakhan kami untuk menginap di rumahnya sambil kami mencari penginapan di sana, bahkan ia mempersilakhan kami tinggal di rumahnya selama di Biak! what a blessing :) *thanks God

Bahkan, Brenda pun menjemput kami di Bandara Frans Kaiseipo dengan mobil pick upnya. 

Bersih dan rapi adalah dua hal yang istimewa kutemukan selepas dari bandara. Pemandangan bibir pantai, matahari yang cerah dan angin semilir menghiasi perjalanan kami menuju rumah Brenda.

mencoba berdiri di atas mobil yang melaju tapi...gagal ;p

Jalanan yang kami lalui sangat lengang, padahal ini hari Senin, harusnya di kota banyak aktivitas perkantoran dan sekolah yang nampak.

welcome to BIAK!

Saya mengamati tiap keunikan bangunan yang ada, hampir di setiap bangunan pemerintah ada gapura beraneka bentuk, ada yang kerang seperti gambar di bawah, ada burung cendrawasih, dan sebagainya. Tata kotanya sangat rapi, tiap rumah tidak berimpitan satu sama lain, selalu ada taman atau jarak yang cukup antar rumahnya.

gapura di salah satu gerbang gedung pemerintahan, lambang kota Biak, kerang

Berbeda dengan kota-kota di Jawa atau di Jayapura, jalanannya sangat lengang, tidak ada angkutan umum yang berpacu untuk berebut penumpang. Kebanyakan penduduk bermodakan sepeda motor atau mobil. Angkutan umum yang berbentuk mini van disebut taksi di sini.

transportation in Biak: taksi, mobil, motor

Pusat perbelanjaan yang ada kebanyakan berbentuk toko atau ruko-ruko di pinggir jalan, sepengamatanku banyak toko yang menjual kebutuhan sehari-hari.

deretan pertokoan

Kami pun melewati pusat kota yang merupakan juga pusat perbelanjaan dan pusat keramaian di Biak, Jl. Imam Bonjol yaitu Hadi Department Store *kalogasalah*

Hadi, supermarket satu-satunya dan yang terbesar di Biak

Semakin penasaran mengeksplor kota sekaligus pulau ini. List panjang tempat-tempat yang ingin kukunjungi sudah kusimpan rapi dalam tas. Nantikan cerita bolang berikutnya ;p

budget (4 orang):

tiket PP Jayapura-Biak Rp 1.617.200,-

taxi airport ke bandara Sentani Rp 100.000,-

airport tax Sentani airport Rp 120.000,-

oleh-oleh untuk host kami (kue abon gulung) Rp 240.000,-

transport ke rumah host: gratis

Bolang episode Biak: Bosnik Beach

The first day being there was so unforgettable, we were escorted by my host (my junior in college, Brenda) to a beach in East Biak, Bosnik beach.
This beach seems famous to foreigners and locals. My host said that locals used to come there every weekend, but at that day, there wasn't much tourist here.

post office near to the beach

welcome to Bosnik

 There was any entrance ticket to get there, we only need to pay park service to the locals there, but one thing that you have to watch out that there will always any drunk man. Especially in Christmas season. It was not a good habit, but it is kind of their tradition to celebrate everything by beer-ing! :(

small cottages

 Speechless! Bosnik is so adorable! It is a perfect combination of white sand and turquoise sea!
Some tips if you want to get there:

1. use private transportation (you can rent car about IDR 500k or renting taxi or public minivan about 200k, it depends on how you bargain)
2. use sunblock and sunglasses
3. enjoy the sun and wind! I bet you will regret if you don't
4. keep small change money in your pocket, we couldn't predict how drunk man could ask money from us -_-''
5. you can go home wet! locals there used to picnic by using motorcycle or pick up car and let our wet clothes are dried by the wind hohooho.. (there is not any good facility for take a bath or changing clothes)
6. youth locals used to rinse the salty sands in nearby streams, there are two streams known as 'kali baru' 

wooohooooo beach!

like a diamond in the sea

YEAH!