Lauren and Emily visit from Laos!

We got someone to take our picture, as "payment" you might say, for getting to take a picture with us. . . Hey, it works!

In places outside of Jakarta, "bules" are always a picture worthy attraction. That day was no different. Lauren decided to snap one along with this guy. This was the first of about six different groups asking to get pictures with us. We were so nice, for so long. But after awhile, you just have to say no! 

I know I've posted pictures from this volcano before, but I had to do it again. There wasn't any of the cool sea foam colored water at the bottom of the crater last time. 

But, this post isn't about the volcano. It's about how fun it was to host friends and show them what we know of Indonesia! Lauren (with the beautiful red hair) was on one of my very first soccer teams, that played together for several years. Besides what we knew about each other's lives through facebook, we hadn't really stayed connected since then, but she went to Sprague (the same high school as Chris). Through that, and church, we know almost all of the same people.

She and Emily, who are room mates/teachers at a Christian school in Laos, had a free five days after a conference in Thailand. Lauren knew Chris and I were here, and Emily also had a connection with someone here (in Kemang of all places!) through her parents. 

 It was so much fun catching up with Lauren, and hearing about their past 6 months teaching in Laos. And even though I just met Emily when I picked them up from the airport, I already feel like I've known her for years. . . I love it when people are so quick to open up and be themselves. It made the four days we got to spend together so much fun!

Chris and I had to teach the first two days they were here, so they took advantage of the malls and got some shopping done. Jakarta is pretty big compared to their rural area of Laos. We also took advantage of some good American style food at TGI Friday's and Amigos (Mexican is basically American food to me). We also spent a day in Bandung. I wanted to make sure they got to see the more cultural and rural side of Indonesia, which makes up most of the area outside of Jakarta. We spent a lot of the day in the car, but it was worth it for the volcano, shopping at the factory outlets, and seeing the famous Angklung show -- it was just as great as the first time I saw it! 

The night before they left, we were all invited to dinner by the couple in Kemang who Emily knew. We went to a new steak and ribs place that Chris and I had been eyeing for awhile. Unfortunately, Chris had so much work that he had to stay home (Sunday night), but I made sure to bring him home some good food! We had a great time talking with this couple, and we (Chris and I) actually know quite a few of the same people around Jakarta (through our school and church friends).  We got a group picture, but not on my camera :( I'd love to have a copy to post here. . . hopefully it turns up on facebook soon :)

That night out to dinner was blustery, and the three of us were MORE than happy to sport our "matching" (northface, patagonia, columbia) rain jackets! 

I was pretty sad to see them go. Although I worked part of the time they were here, it still felt like a mini vacation for me. Since moving to Indonesia, I've also found that I have an automatic connection with anyone who is or has lived internationally. It changes you. Your perspective. Your passions. Your  urge to travel any and everywhere. Your faith. And even your palette. In case you're wondering, it HAS been changing Chris' ;)  It was so refreshing and encouraging to hear their perspectives on life in Laos, and how they've found joy in so many ways, despite conditions always being ideal. They've only been there six months, and they have some great language skills! I'm so jealous. My Bahasa Indonesian can't match their Laotian. But then again, we do have a TGI Friday's within walking distance, and live in one of the biggest expat communities here. . . Indonesian hasn't really been crucial for us to learn.  Anyways. . . these girls are great, and I'm so thankful they were able to stay with us! We're definitely planning for our trip to Laos next year!!! 

Service Week {grade 1}

The past week at our school was Service Week. All classes and normal routine were put on hold, in order for us as a whole school to devote an entire week to serving not only the community around us, but other parts of Indonesia as well. Plans and preparation started last spring, and were in the works up until the day before (and during as well - it was crazy!)

The senior school classes (Grades 9-11), took week long trips to outside locations (Malang, Bali, and Sulawesi). The rest of the grades were at school during the week, but had the freedom to do whatever. . . and by whatever, I mean 'be involved with as many service projects as possible for your respective grade level'. Most of the specialist classes were canceled (because those teachers were also involved in service projects) which made for a lot of 'teaching hours' during the day, but created the opportunity to leave school and serve in many ways. Classes went to visit orphanages, Omas & Opas  (Senior Homes), nearby villages, and more. We were also encouraged to invite others to our school and host events. Our service week took so many different forms - it was incredible to see. 

My class, along with the other grade 1 and grade 2 classes, went to visit one of SPH's sister schools, SLH Koja. Our school system has three tiers of schools: Pelita (ours), Dian, and Lentera (all words are a different forms of light). SPH stands for School of Light and Hope. The Lentera schools aren't international like ours. They are located within national villages, and all instruction is done in the native language, Bahasa Indonesia. 

The main point of our 'service' trip wasn't as much for service, as it was to build relationships. The last thing we want our 6 year-olds thinking, is that they are in any way better than the kids at this school. I'm making a stereotypical generalization, but school hours are about the only part of these kids' days where they aren't spoiled and waited on. Some of them still don't feed themselves at home. We have a lot of work cut out for us at school - trying to teach responsibility, common sense, and self-sufficiency. So instead of focusing on helping other kids who are "less-fortunate", we focused on building friendships, and being kind and loving to their brothers and sisters in Christ. 

For our time there, we prepared a time of worship through singing (English and Bahasa), craft time (Chinese Lanterns to decorate the classrooms for Chinese New Year), and game time. The way we incorporated service into this trip, was by having our students earn money at home (by doing jobs/chores for their parents) to pay for a special lunch for them, and a buddy at SLH Koja. This got the kids thinking about ways even they can serve - right in their homes! We also talked about being thankful for what we have - especially the nice school they get to go to. We had to prepare them to go to a school with no AC or running water. We prayed that there would be no complaining, even though it was definitely hot enough to! The kids were so good!

Here's some pictures from our day spent at SLH Koja.

This is Helen - one of our wonderful national teachers

introductions - Putri, my incredible teaching partner!

singing, "This is the day that the Lord has made"

my sweet girls who are always doing the actions for songs :)

A little too shy to introduce themselves. . .

. . . it was a work in progress

Our kids made cards to give to their new friends at SLH 

We plan on inviting them to our school during Term 4

starting to make the paper lanterns

My sweet Korean boy who can't speak Bahasa, but was still so willing to interact.

funniest kid in my class. . . without trying, haha

admiring the finished products

This group shot was difficult. I promise they were happier than the look. . .it was getting a little hot in there.

playing together

sweet faces

praying before lunch

chowing down on KFC :)

caught the spill in action!

Saying our "see ya later's" 

I know this is already a long post, but our class also made peanut butter balls in the kitchen one day, to pass out the people in our school who serve them. The kids put the treats in little baggies, and attached thank you notes. Then we spent part of the day walking through the school and handing them out one by one. 

Service week was long and tiring as a teacher, but oh so rewarding! It's such a blessing to be a part of a school that devotes an entire week to serving others. I love it! The only "bad" part about it, was my missing husband. He led the 9th grade service trip to Malang for the week. It's SO great to have him back home now! Soon, I/he will post all about his trip! Stay tuned :)