MOTHERHOODS MATTER

Anna R is a deeply patriotic, Kartiniist citizen of the Republic Of Indonesia.

Anna embraces the modern world and international friendship. As a student of tourism, her decade long commitment to international engagement has won deep respect from all who know her.

This commitment from Anna reminds me of the words of R A Kartini written on February 1, 1903, “I am also glad to do what I can for “East and West.” I feel that I am only doing myself a service, for it is for our people, and I and my people are one.”

Anna, like Kartini, sees international engagement as a service to the Indonesian people.

But, like Kartini, whose great achievements were made at home and not abroad, there are certain issues where Anna steadfastly chooses her traditional culture ahead of the sometimes mechanical impersonal ways of the west.

For Anna R, for better or for worse, traditional medicine such as Jentungan Suntung has proved effective. Whereas in Anna’s real life experience modern surgery is terrifying and sometimes dangerous.

Her husband fully supports her in her choice. Today he carried her in his arms out of a modern hospital to seek traditional care.

I admire their courage.

Their bravery is founded in a reality of faith.

Today Anna wrote this prayer:

“Tuhan ini takdirku
Yang telah kau Tetapkan
Aku ikhlas semuanya
Tapi jgn biarkan Aku menyerah
Ajari aku tuntun aku agar bisa Kuat.”

(Lord, this is my fate, which you have ordained. I accept it all. But please do not let me become a quitter. Teach and lead me so I can be strong.)

Anna is suffering badly from a very serious illness. But her faith in God and the old ways of her people is rock solid strong.

Habislah gelap terbitlah Terang. (RA Kartini)

After the dark, let light rise.

Geoff Fox, in awe of Anna from Down Under, 16th February, 2025.