So said a sign at the cafe where we had lunch today. Sometimes life is a beautiful ride, and sometimes it’s also a very difficult ride. And sometimes it’s both at the same time. But this trip to Malang has been a beautiful ride. And a wonderfully inspiring and challenging ride.

This morning Rosie and I went with Karen (the Canadian lady) and Ida and Lila (the founders, entrepreneurs and leaders of House of Diamonds which gives women at risk a future of hope and dignity by training them with sustainable sewing skills) on their weekly shopping trip for fabrics for their business.

We drove to Arab Street. Where there are lots and lots of shops with fabrics. And not just fabrics – myriad rows and stacks of beads, ribbons, zips. Piles of rainbow coloured fabrics everywhere you look. I’m glad they knew what they were looking for. The whole experience was fascinating. No bargaining – the price was fixed.

We went to several shops, so they could pick their fabrics. Choosing materials for quilt tops and their backing. Materials for kimono dressing gowns which are becoming very popular in Western markets. Going to a hand-made batik shop – as opposed to machine-made batik – and hearing some stories behind batik. Rosie and I felt like conspicuous giants wherever we walked.

We got to hear more of Ida and Lila’s stories. They are the most amazing, courageous and inspirational women you will meet anywhere. Despite the hardships and setbacks, how they keep pushing forward slowly with their vision. And they have even bigger dreams. Wanting to make a wider difference. Amazing women of God.

Later this afternoon, Adam, Felicity and their two children Elijah and Isabella took Rosie and I for a drive outside Malang into the mountains close by. They live in an outer suburb of Malang so it was fairly easy to head out. The road was narrow, windey, very patched and lots of motorbikes still whizzing around. Hazy conditions so we couldn’t see the really high mountains around us.  Through fields of sugar cane and citrus trees and green, cropped land.  A vigorous soccer game with men on a green paddock. I sang songs with Elijah as we rode along.

We ended the day with a wonderful dinner with them and some Indonesian friends tonight. A wonderful end to another inspiringly wonderful day.