Tembagapura Blog

Louis M. “D.D.” Scarabin, Jr.

Birthday: 08/01/40

Not born in Tembagapura.

Carriere, MS, USA

Spouse: Marilyn A. Scarabin

Arrival: April 27 1976 and August 1995

Departure: December 1982 and September 1997 (Kuala Kencana)

Family

Deron Patrick Scarabin, Jason Louis Scarabin, Joshua Henry Scarabin & Kessie Helen (Scarabin) Bratko

Experience

Living in Tembagapura had to have been one of the greatest experiences of my life. The work was rugged and challenging. The weather was often dreary and rain or fog prevailing, but on a clear day or night it is one of the most spectacular and beautiful places in the world. What really sticks out in my mind is the bonding that took place between diverse nationalities and cultures particularly the sub-diversity of the Indonesian people and cultures. There in Tembagapura was a collection of some of the hardest working most wonderful people you would ever meet inspired and motivated by the challenges and opportunities presented by Freeport and the Indonesian Government. People came and left, some serving shorter periods than others, some returning after a pause in the world they had previously lived in, but the progress continued, the producton increased, and the individuals, families, and processes grew and improved. We all left a better person for having lived there. I had the opportunity to share this experience with my wife and three young sons, to witness the birth of my daughter onsite, to live in Hidden Valley and Kuala Kencana, to work throughout the contract of work area, including Timika and Portsite, and to serve four years in Jakarta. I thank the management of Freeport, the Government of Indonesia, my co workers, my family, and the people of Indonesia for this opportunity.

Marilyn Scarabin

Birthday: 11-25-46

Not born in Tembagapura

Carriere, Mississippi, USA

Spouse: Louis (D.D.) Scarabin

Arrival: April 27 1976

Departure: 2nd time Sept. 1997

Family

Deron Scarabin Carriere, Ms., Jason Scarabin L.A. CA., Joshua Scarabin Oxford, Ms., Kessie Scarabin Chicago, Il.

Experience

It is an experience that will stay with me for the rest of my life, for many reasons. We learned the culture of many different people We respected and loved the Indonesian people. We were invited into their homes, sat at their tables, and ate their delicious food. Never knew rice could taste so good. ha At the time we were there we didn’t have t.v., we had to make our own fun, and boy did we ever do that. There were dinner parties, dances, talent shows, casino nite, video nites at the club, volley ball, tennis, baseball, squash, the womens club, or just women getting together to sew or learn new recipes. We were never bored, our kids, Deron, Jason and Josh were happy, doing their own thing. In 1977 I had a baby girl, Kessie by a mid-wife at the ole hospital, was served pork-n-beans every morning for breakfast while in the hospital for seven days. That was the rule at that time in Tembagapura to stay 7 days after having a baby. The nurses were great, and made me feel special. All the Indonesian people had a way about them to always make you feel welcome, and loved in their country. We loved our time we spent there, what a blessing it was in our lives! Because of our experiences there, our lives are different.