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

KV Eagles!

Check out our school's new sports logo!

We're the SPH Eagles of Kemang Village!

And the best part is that Chris designed it! 

He's designed three different jerseys for our three teams this year! They got delivered just in time for the first tournament today!
(well, most of them. it's jakarta, so things like that happen)

Story time: 

When Chris and his brothers were younger, they would occasionally hang out at Corban (western baptist then) after school hours while their dad (marty) was grading or attending late meetings. Their mom (linda) would draw large blank helmets on computer paper and let them draw away! It started out as just copying NFL logos onto the helmets  and progressed into designing new team logos/jerseys as they got older. Chris is always the first to notice a team's new jersey design, and clues me in on the pros and cons of each. It's only fitting that he gets a chance to design his own! They look awesome! Here  are the boys sporting their away jerseys. 

The grade 7-9 boys team coached by Chris and Karl

All the 7-9 players

 Each of the teams played three games today (against the other SPH schools). The girls won all three of their games. The boys played some better competition and won one of three. It was a good day overall for Kemang Village basketball, and I give SO much credit to all the coaches! They have been working so hard with these kids, and its really showing.  The level of the game is rising for both teams, and you can just see the kids having fun and feeling proud of themselves. We love it! 

ps. I'm coaching the grade 5-6 girls team. For the most part, none of them have ever been coached before. It's been awesome to see them improve in just five weeks (two practices a week). I don't think we'll get to play any games until November, but I'll let ya know how that goes when the time comes. Right now we're just working on the basics :)
(and waiting for our cool uniforms designed by Chris!)

Kemang Village

Tonight, Chris, Erik, Amanda and I did a little exploring around Kemang Village (the developing area that our apartment and school is in). We started off at Starbucks for buy 2 get 2 Frapps (Ramadhan special!!) and went from there. When Kemang Village is finished, there will be seven apartment buildings (skyscrapers), a mall, and country club pools spanning between them (about 10 floors above ground level). 

Digital projection of the finished product:

Actual shot, as of 2011. It looks more developed now, but that's the most recent aerial shot that I could find online. I wish we could digitally clear up the smog like the previous picture. . .

For the first time, we actually did some exploring around the unfinished parts, and found ourselves inside the mall (the short building, with the curved front in the middle of the picture above). The grand opening is supposed to be Sept. 26th, so it will be interesting to see what all is actually finished. 

sorry I caught you blinking, Amanda!

When it's done entirely, it will be quite the place! We will be spoiled for sure with a mall, movie theater, and so many great restaurants just around the corner from our apartment! 

Kemang. . . you're not so bad.