When times are rough and I have a million thoughts going through my head trying to process our new life here in Indonesia, or I am experiencing yet another tropical disease, I rarely have the time or energy to actually sit down and write them. It also feels strange to post about ministry related items, because it feels as if I am "letting the right hand know what the left hand is doing" and I don't want to come off sounding self-righteous, because that is far from how I feel about myself and how I want to be. That leaves me with the option of posting fun pictures, which leads everybody to think that I am on a cool "vacation", which is also far from the truth. Thoughts? Anybody? Bueller?
For today I'll talk about a problem we tend to run into here. Photos. Indonesians LOVE taking pictures, selfies especially. I love a good photo opportunity too, don't get me wrong. Indonesians also love kids, especially our kids because they look, well, foreign. Different. When our family is out and about and they see our kids they usually ask to take pictures with them. Sometimes we are asked in a very respectable way, and sometimes we are not asked in a respectable way. Sometimes the kids are up for it and sometimes they are not.
Once, at the park while I was pushing Macie on the swing, a man walked over, stopped her swing and took a picture of her. Colton has been literally chased after by a group of kids trying to get a picture with him. Those are the times that are hard to deal with.
Sometimes it can be a good, positive experience. Sometimes it opens up a good opportunity for a chat and can be fun. Sometimes people will play with the kids for awhile (and I can have an extra set of eyes watching my kids while out in public). Macie has learned that if she walks up to a group of girls, she will soon end up sitting on their laps taking "selfies" and have candy handed to her. She also uses this new trick at restaurants, she knows if she walks over to another table she will be invited to sit with them (and receive food).
