When the Indonesians think about America they think about Cowboys. Eddy and Yanti were so delighted when we called Rolf and Jean and arranged for them to go out to watch a "real cowboy" at his work. We told them this is something that most American tourists don't get to do. They wanted a picture with Jay and I before we left Jay with a granddaughter Rebekah and drove out to their desert ranch at Ironwood.
We were talking so much as I drove that we went past these corrals at the ranch and had to turn around and come back. My brother Rolf was there waiting for us.
The first thing we saw on the ranch was a little pony. The other horses were out in the pasture and didn't come in while we were there so we didn't get to see them.
These livestock were in the corral next to the road waiting to be shipped.
Rolf was so good to explain to Eddy and Yanti about the cattle, horses, ranch, etc. They knew about Brigham Young so Rolf explained to them how our great grandfather William Jordan Flake was sent to Arizona to colonize the area. We also talked about how he and his parents first joined the church when the missionaries taught them at their southern plantation in Mississippi.
We talked about the different brands on the cattle and about the ranching business.
Rolf even took time to recite to them the poem "Cloud Watchers" that he is so famous far. The cattlemen being so dependant on rain was a new concept for Eddy and Yanti because where they live in Bogor, Indonesia it rains more than in any other area in the world.
Rolf was very gracious to our friends and seemed happy to answer all of their questions. They were so delighted with this experience of being with a cowboy.
It was fun for me to be with my friends and to have my brother tell them about the ranching business that my family has been involved with all of my life.
Rolf took us out to the tank where we could see more cattle on their desert ranch.
When the cattle saw us coming they started off to the pasture but soon came back so we could have a good look at them.
This brought back lots of memories for me of growing up in Snowflake where our family were involved with ranching.
Rolf's dog he named Boots went wherever he went.
Eddy and Yanti wanted a picture with their cowboy friend.
Rolf showed our Indonesian friends all of the cowboy gear they use. We saw saddles, bridles, ropes, spurs, etc.
Each cowboy has his own saddle that he uses. Rolf said that my brother Rey has our Dad's saddle.
Rolf also showed them how an auctioneer would auction off a corral of livestock. They were very well entertained and asked him to do it again so that they could video tape it. Eddy and Yanti took lots of photos and video of the ranch.
Eddy was excited to go back to Indonesia and tell his friends about being with a cowboy on a real ranch.
Rebekah was good to stay with her Grandpa while we were at the ranch.
Eddy and Yanti left a gift for Rebekah to thank her for her service.
We also enjoyed going to Rolf and Jean's home and seeing all of their cowboy decorations.
They enjoyed seeing the Ironwood Corral sign at their fireplace after having been out there.
Jean was so good to show us around their home and let them take videos and photos to take back to Indonesia.
Rolf and Jean gave them gifts of Rolf's cowboy poetry, cowboy music and cowboy videos. What Eddy enjoyed the most and will prize his whole life is a National Rodeo Belt Buckle. He said that he was going to keep it with him all the way back to Indonesia so it wouldn't get lost in the travel.
Jean took us out to their office so that they could see the stuffed long horn steer that we had as we grew up.
Rolf and Jean have this displayed at the front of their "cowboy home". They have many more things that they did out at Rawhide. We had a wonderful time and appreciate all the Rolf and Jean did for our Indonesian friends.
We enjoyed so much the visit of Eddy and Yanti from Bogor, Indonesia. It was hard to tell them goodbye on Tuesday, August 17, 2010 because we don't know when we will see them again. We have become such good friends since they helped us so much with our humanitarian projects in Indonesia. They also did so much for us when Amy and I returned to Indonesia in June. I think they had a good time in Arizona. I hope so. We tried to do everything we could to make their trip memorable.
Ray stopped by to tell Eddy and Yanti goodbye.
Our friends were interested in seeing the afghan from Snowflake and hearing about how Snowflake was founded by my great grandfather. They wanted a photo of it so I took one too.
It was fun also to show them the afghan showing some of the historic homes and businesses in Nauvoo where we also served as missionaries.
Eddy and Yanti put on their cowboy clothes to show us before left.
They wanted me to take their photo with Jay. They have shown so much compassion for him since they have been here.
Eddy likes his new boots. We had to go to several stores to find the boots like he wanted and he is so excited to take them back to Indonesia with him.
They said that they are "wantabe cowboys". They will enjoy showing their friends in Indonesia the cowboy stuff they brought from America.
I found cowboy hats for Jay and I and we all had one last photo taken together before Amy took them to the airport.
Amy is telling Eddy how much she likes his boots.
Eddy and Yanti have their luggage ready to load in. 
Before leaving they had to give Jay one last hug. They gave me a hug too but I had the camera so didn't get in the photo.
I am so grateful for these good folks and all that they have done for us and for Latter-day Saints Charities. Without them we could not have done all the wonderful projects we did in Indonesia to help people. I hope and pray that we can meet again. I know that we will continue to keep in touch.
