The Flood in Jakarta

Just in case you've seen anything about Jakarta flooding on the news, know that we are in a very safe place, and have no reason to be worried about our safety. I'm sitting at my  desk right now, and normally wouldn't be blogging from school, but we just got the PA announcement that we won't have school tomorrow (Friday). While part of me wants to jump up and down about having a three-day weekend, my heart also hurts for all the people who are suffering this very minute. 

Government authorities have placed the city on the highest flood alert. I've heard it has been classified as a monsoon, but that's on top of the everyday rain we receive in the wet season (of which we still have two months to go). 

"This year's rainy season has brought some of the heaviest downpours in five years. In the centre of Jakarta, overflowing with cars at the best of times, traffic was brought to a near standstill by waist-high floodwaters."
- Jakarta Guardian

See below:

this picture was taken this morning, and the rain isn't supposed to stop anytime soon

Zoomed out view of the city center

Most of our Indonesian staff, who aren't housed near the school in tall apartments, left school early today. Mostly to avoid hours of traffic, but some have already posted pictures of their drive-ways under water. The complex we live in (Kemang Village) is higher in elevation, but out the window of our apartment, we can see the river that has flooded into the nearby kampungs (villages). 

I'm so thankful that we live where we do. We are SO spoiled in times like these. We have a grocery store just an elevator ride away, and a mall next door. On our day off tomorrow, we could see a movie for about $3, and go out to eat at the newly opened TGI Friday's. I feel embarrassed to write this, knowing how many others have been forced out of their homes, and yet we can do nothing (physically) to help them. Please join us in prayer for the people of Jakarta who are affected. 

 Here's a link to a video/news report if you want more info.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-01-17/thousands-flee-from-jakarta-floods/4468382

Australia Recap

We've been back for over a week now, and most of our pictures are already on facebook. . . but I decided that I'd be sad in years to come, if I look back through our blog and have no record that we had an amazing vacation in Australia with wonderful friends. Facebook is handy for a good photo dump, but our blog will hopefully hold more details and be a good stroll down memory lane in the future {that's my hope at least, and what motivates me to keep sharing and writing}.

SO. Here's a short recap of what we did in the three different cities we visited, and then pictures of course!

Sydney [ stayed in an apartment at a seminary college campus ]

- Saw the Opera House (of course!)

- took the ferry to Manly Island 

- Sydney Aquarium

- explored The Rocks

- took a train to the Blue Mountains in Katoomba, and hiked to a waterfall

- watched the Seahawks using NFL Game pass and mall internet

- became experienced (kind of) subway travelers

Melbourne [ stayed with Amanda's family's friends from years past ]

- toured the city on foot, explored the quaint alley ways - full of the cutest coffee shops, cafes, and plenty of culture

- Healesville Wildlife Sanctuary

- Aussi BBQ with the Stafford family

- watched the cutest Little Penguins come in from the sea to find and feed their babies on Phillip Island

- ate fish and chips of course!

- traveled the Great Ocean Road, which was beautiful!

Adelaide [ stayed with the Cheesman family, who taught at SPH with us last year ]

- walked the beach at night (just several miles away from the Cheesman's house!)

- enjoyed the company of the whole Cheesman family (Sam, Heather, Jack (11), and Bella (13)

- toured the city and saw where Sam and Heather have taught in past years, and where they're at now

- went to a Christmas morning church service
- had two wonderful Christmas dinners, getting to meet their family on both sides

- lots of quality hang out and chill time (playing games, reading, water fights, etc.

- saw the Hobbit on Boxing Day

- the boys went to a cricket match

-the girls went to a moonlight movie in the park - Grease Sing-a-long

- went to Victor Harbor for the day (with another couple from SPH at home in Adelaide for Christmas)

- went to another animal sanctuary where we got to feed and pet koalas and kangaroos!

- swimming at Port Wilunga - a Cheesman family favorite spot

- saw the twinkling Adelaide lights at night

- said our sad good-byes, but more like "see ya laters" (since we expect them to visit us in Oregon :)

Some recap pictures in order: 

                 

                                       

                  

                  

                  

                  

                  

                  

                  

                                  

                   

                                   

                  

                                     

                    

                    

                    

                    

                    

                    

                    

                    

                    

                    

                   
                                      

                                      

                     

                     

                     

                                     

                     

                                      

                                                

                      

                      

                     
                      

                      

                      

Sooo, maybe this turned into a photo dump too, but I just couldn't help it! Too many good things! 

I also want to take the time to say how unbelievably blessed we were to have such amazing hosts! Both the Staffords in Melbourne, and the Cheesmans in Adelaide welcomed us with such generosity into their homes, fed us, and took time away from their work/daily lives to show us their beautiful country! We couldn't have taken a trip like this if it wasn't for them. After being so taken care of, Chris and I hope that someday we can be the kind of couple/family that graciously hosts others as they did for us.

Cheers!