Report from Indonesia.

My sister-in-law called from Indonesia this week with a report on my brother, Blane. He’s somewhere in the Aceh province of northern Indonesia, helping coordinate relief efforts.

Most of the cell towers were destroyed so calling home (1,000 miles to the south) is iffy, but Tonya got a call a few days ago. Blane says it’s far worse than anything shown on CNN. And the corruption is beyond description.

Because he speaks the language and knows the culture, his role seems to be more one of coordination than hands on. But it’s ugly, stressful work. They only allow team members to do body recovery for a couple of days at a time before rotating to other tasks. No shit.

He’s scheduled to return to Bandar Lampung late this week and we’re praying for safe return. On a brighter note… I learned that he, Tonya and the kids will return to the US (Tulsa) in June. Every four years, they return for six months furlough. I’m sure he will have some amazing stories to share.

Blane Mays.

My brother is now in Northern Sumatra and heads to Aceh on Wednesday. He reports:

“The death toll is greatly underestimated by CNN and other news organizations because hundred of thousands of bodies are under rubble. The figure is closer to 300,000 dead. Please pray for me and the other workers who are trying to bring comfort and hope to the survivors.”

“Please pray for these first teams who will be helping remove bodies that are badly decomposed; that our community development foundation will be able to quickly install clean water units; that the cease fire will hold between Acehnese rebels and the govt. Also, our teams will not be taken hostage or caught in crossfire.”

Roger that.

Blane Mays update.

Blane reports he and the family were out of town (Bandar Lampung) when the earthquake/tsunami hit and didn’t realize it had happened until they returned. That seems pretty amazing. His organization is sending disaster relief teams to assess needs but foreigners are not currently allowed into the province of Aceh due to the civil war going on there. He thinks the disaster will open some doors. Bottom line for the Mays family: Blane, Tonya and kids safe and sound.

8-point-9.

From Reuters report: “The tsunami — a menacing wall of water — caused death, chaos and devastation across southern Asia. The tsunami, up to 30 feet high, was triggered by an 8.9 magnitude underwater earthquake off the Indonesian island of Sumatra.”

My brother Blane and his family live in Bandar Lampung, about 1,000 miles to the southeast of the quake’s center. I sure hope that’s far enough. If you check out the Reuters story above, take 90 seconds to watch some scary video. The link is about half-way down the page on the left. Still waiting for a “we’re okay” email from my baby brother.

Family

Tulsa (2003) - 13No blogging this past week while visiting my brother Blane (with ball) and his family. They live in Bandar Lampung, Indonesia, and are home for just six weeks. Two years since we last saw each other and likely to be two more before next visit. I went bowling for the first time in 45 years. Played putt-putt. What is more important than family?

The only safe place.

Brother Blane writes from Indonesia: “Just wanted to let you know we are all OK here. Seems like Indonesia just can’t stay out of the news. We don’t feel at all threatened here, but then I guess you never do until the terrorists strike. It is total madness. As I read about the sniper in the D.C. area I am reminded that the only safe place is to be where God wants you to be.”

500 Walter Street

I sold the family home this week. Not really a home for the last few years, but the place my brother and I grew up. I actually remember some of the places we lived before Evelyn persuaded John it made more sense to own than rent. I think they paid about $5,000 for the house back in the early 50’s. Probably paid $50 a month for 30 years. Evelyn had our trash guy plant a couple of little sycamore trees and they grew to 70 foot monsters before John had cut down because he got tired of “having leaves all over the yard.” Evelyn was gone by then.

50 years at 500 Walter Street boiled down to set of mis-matched golf clubs; a box of trophies (Blane’s); some really heavy high school year books; a set of 78 RPM records from the 40’s; a couple of pounds of mold and mildew; and a lifetime of memories. Everyone kept asking me if it was difficult to sell the house in which our family had lived all those years. I said no and that was more true than not. But for two days I kept hearing Peter, Paul and Mary singing The House Song.

This room here once had childish laughter
And I come back to hear it now and again
I can’t say that I’m certain what you’re after
But in this room, a part of you will remain.