Why go to the campuses?

Last Wednesday, Indonesia

Island hopping my way from Papua (formerly Irian Jaya) to Yogyakarta in Java takes all day! Get down, load up. Leave the plane, board the plane. Embark, disembark.  All means the same thing–”take your stuff and get off, come back in 30 minutes.”

 When I got back on at Makasa just now I knew my row was supposed to be empty (compliments of the governor’s staff) and had hopes of a nap across 3 seats!  In the waiting room though, I had met a lovely lady with MAF in Papua on her way home to the states.  It was a good talk and she was very helpful with info about expat living in Jayapura.  Needless to say, I was one of the last passengers to re-board the packed 737.

Arriving at my row, I found it occupied by a couple who obviously had my same plan in mind! Somewhat disappointing for all parties to suddenly meet face to face! With lots of smiles we overcame our expectations and I settled into the aisle seat.

Some while into the flight I realized that though they looked Indonesian and were obviously M’s in dress and demeanor, the husband did not speak Bahasa Indonesia-he was desperately trying to communicate with the air crew in English about their next connection to Riyadh.

Lunch came about then–at least I think it was lunch—I had lost track of the time a few time zones earlier!  We started to chat.  Thinking they might be Malaysians, I asked where they were from.  I was taken by surprise!  He was a Filipino born and raised 40 km north of Manila!  His wife was in fact Indonesian from Makasa.  Both had been working in Saudi Arabia, he for 22 years, she for the last 12. Not married long but with one small son, they had just left him with her mother so they could go back to work again in Riyadh.

As we talked the conversation came around to the question of faith and he said they were M’s.  He said he had converted while living in Riyadh 10 years before he met his wife.  He said, “It’s very nice being an M… pleasant… peaceful.” He explained that he had been a Christian before, but clarified meaning Catholic.  He talked about going on the Haj 2 times together with his wife.  He talked about the miracle water.  He talked about the things he did there.  He talked about Medina, a holy place.

And then I asked him, “A Catholic all your life… how did it happen that you left it all behind and converted?”

He was quick to reply in a matter-of-fact tone… “I met a professor in university in Riyadh and he took the time to teach me.  It was so clear.  It just made sense.”