Kasih’s Journey

Kasih has arrived in Adelaide!

This is an excerpt from email from Martin Gare - Nurlaila and Kasih’s escort from Duma through to Adelaide over the last few days…. (pictured above at Adelaide Airport with Kasih and Nur)
His email is written on Thursday 25th September:

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Well we made it! We picked up Kasih and Nurlaila (who likes to be known as Nur) last Saturday arriving in Adelaide this morning. It’s quite an experience and honour to be a part of Kasih’s journey.

When we arrived Nur & Asri (Kasih’s Mum and Dad) were patiently waiting in the doorway of their home. Nur broke down and started crying because she was so happy and had been waiting for this. Asri immediately fetched both sets of grandparents - it was very obvious how much they all dote on Kasih. One of the grandmothers kept crying and had to leave the room.

The journey to get here was a major logistical exercise:
- A 2 hour drive back to the clinic where they stayed overnight.
- A bus to Kao on the west coast of Halmahera to catch a speedboat to the capital Ternate
- Then a plane to Manado, with another overnight stay.
- Finally a plane to Singapore and then overnight to Adelaide.

When we set out early on Monday morning a man on a motorbike was following the bus. It was Asri, following us as far as Kao to make sure that we were all OK. It was a very long journey for him and a very touching gesture.

We have really gotten to see Kasih’s personality during the trip. She is no shrinking violet! - very active and energetic, keen to run around and explore the moment she is put down!

Nur is very good with her and is quite playful in the way she interacts with Kasih. They both have such a cheeky sense of humour and outlook on what has been a tough life. They are a very likeable pair.

Adelaide Airport, the end of our journey for now! Kasih and Nur were met with flowers, chocolates, toys and clothes, thanks to the care of a group of ladies from church who have taken an interest in supporting Kasih during her time here.

Kasih and Nur have settled in well for day one (one of the photos is of them in their room with Kasih asleep on the bed). Even better, two other Indonesian women (both from Java) are also at the hospital with their wee ones having surgery at the cranio facial unit. Nurlaila and Kasih were made very welcome from the outset.

Nur speaks no English at all and when I asked her if she wants to try to learn whilst she is here she was very keen.

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Stay in touch with Kasih and Nur as their journey unfolds over the next few weeks with the first round of Kasih’s surgery coming up soon.

Check out the photos in the photos page - I will be adding these in over the next day or so as they arrive from Adelaide.

Blessings!

Lisa