Day 12 Choice

(This is a delayed posting)

You know I have enjoyed the food here. But for first 10 days here I had some choice of the buffet spread. These past two days, I have been brought food in a box, always in generous portions, but not always my choice. And I begun missing the cakes, the big Jaffa orange, milk for breakfast, lemonade, and scrambled rather than boiled eggs. The food I was brought is good, but I miss the choice.

I am sure this scenario can be used as an analogy for many a sermon, from coveting the forbidden fruit to grumbling in the desert. But right now, I just want juice.

The group gathered for the weekly sharing tonight, three of us sick ones attended on Zoom. Naturally, while we all like the group we are traveling with, each is having a very different experience from another. Some are enjoying the trip, others are feeling unhinged by events of the week. I am just grateful that I get to ask the Lord my questions.

I wish I can show you all the photos of the food I have taken since Day 1 on my now non-functional phone.

But here is one that I can show you, one which our chef Issa made a few days ago to the delight of my Malaysian taste buds. It is called the Beehoon Goreng, the fried vermicelli.

I said, “Issa I am loving these noodles!”

He said, “Great! I made them with you in mind!”

I said, “this is so good it reminds me of home!”

He said, “you are at home!”

I can’t tell if he is being serious or just humoring me, but I happily helped myself to a second serving. I am supposed to be experiencing the local life at Tantur, but they spoil the guests so it’s not working.

PS: I am glad to report that this woman have been delivered cake once and immediately aimed for cheesecake and juice upon her release on Day 16.