Anyer

Janet and I achieved three milestones this week:

Eric the teen on a bike

• After 13 years of practice raising kids now comes the hard part! The first milestone—we became parents of a teenager. (Eric turned 13 on Friday, Neil turned 11 two weeks before and Hope is only 4 GOING on 13).


• Almost 3 years ago, we hiked the Grand Canyon as a family. I had done it twice previously (once with my nephew and once with 4 of my basketball players) and had the desire to do it with the entire family. I submitted for permits to camp at the bottom and after getting them, we made our plans (buying and borrowing boots, walking sticks, tents and a stove to add to our sleeping bags ect…). On November 11 of 2005 we headed down in the snow and came up the next day in the sun. Things went flawlessly but by end when we crested the canyon as the sun, temperature, energy levels and coping mechanisms were dropping, we realized just how hard it was to complete such a hike successfully and I truly recognized the providence of God through that mini ordeal. This story I think summarizes our feelings about moving here well. It’s gone well, but we now realize how hard it is (and will be). The second milestone—we survived the first quarter of this school year.

Hope contemplates sin and grace under a baby palm tree at Anyer

• All religions except Christianity are based on works righteousness (pleasing God through deeds). This shows itself in things as different as Jewish ceremonial law or Eastern religions emphasis on Karma (you get what you deserve). Unfortunately Christianity has a long history of slipping into works righteousness as well. Islam, however, wins the prize as the most works oriented religion complete with complex routines of washing and prayer, confessing and fasting. Throughout this month of Ramadan (Muslim holy month of fasting), the Muslim call to prayer has gotten louder and louder and more and more frequent—it seems to go on all night. This week Wednesday, Ramadan culminates in Idul Fitri (Eid Al Fitr in Arabic speaking countries). For that purpose, we have entire week off from school as people return to family with gifts and for a time of celebrating. This break was well timed (the date of Idul Fitri floats from year to year) as it coincided with the end of our first quarter. The third milestone—we used the first weekend of our break to venture out of Jakarta for the first time. This week’s blog is coming to you from Anyer—a beach about 70 miles from our house. Highlights of this break include:


• Body surfing with Eric and Neil in the ocean


• Watching Hope make friends at the swimming pool.


• “Breaking the fast” at a great Sunday night buffet.


• Catching crabs on the beach


• Visiting a local market and being stared because we were the only white people (Neil had his curly hair rubbed more than a few times).


• Unsuccessfully dealing with the very aggressive vendors at the beach (a lowlight).

Talk more later, sweeda

You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. Galatians 5:13

Rubber Time

Handy Indonesian phrase “jem karet” – translation “rubber time”. When things take a long time or when people arrive late, just remember “jem karet”. This term is similar to the handy New Mexico phrase “rez time” and, from what I’ve heard, the handy Jamaican phrase “island time” ect...

Here is a great example of when to say “rubber time”.

After completing a test for class tomorrow on my computer and printing it up I wish to photocopy it. Here is what happens:

At Rehoboth: I would send the print job directly to the photocopier from the computer where it would print, collate and staple everything. I pick up the job in 2 minutes.

At SPH: All photocopying takes place in the office where an office boy photocopies things. I walk it down to the office to find it closed (“jem karet”). I must return in the morning to photocopy it. The office only opens 20 minutes before school begins (“jem karet”). I show up when it opens to find the copy boy not there yet (“jem karet”). I then run Hope to her Kindergarten class (which is supposed to open its doors 10 minutes before school starts (“jem karet”), only to find that the teacher not there yet (“jem karet”). After the teacher arrives I run back to the office to find the office help there. I hand him the paper and then find out he has other copy jobs from yesterday still to do (“jem karet”).

Some people (Chinese and western expats) confuse rubber time with laziness, which I don’t think is true. Indonesians are incredibly hard working. The Senior school hallways ceilings were replaced (along with new recessed lights) and painted in the last week. All the work was done in a few nights and was transparent to most students. Workers may have arrived a few minutes late but they got lots done!

By the way: I’m writing this on my home high speed internet connection in Indonesia…. something I was unable to get at 6 Hogan in Rehoboth, New Mexico. (“jem karat”)

Answer to last week’s picture (temperature gauge in our new car): If you checked the comments, you saw that the Zylstra’s guessed correctly… our new car has no heater (if you want heat…ROLL DOWN THE WINDOW!!).

We covet your prayers and emails,

Sweeda

Our transportation (Part II)

We got our car this week. While trying not to dwell on the trivial (material possessions), I thought that it might be fun to compare it to a typical vehicle in North America. Below are some pictures of this vehicle along with explanations (sometimes obvious) how it differs from cars we are used to:

Funky brand name and license- the logo is Daihatsu and the thing below is the license plate.



Speedometer is only in Kilometers per hour Km/h.

The Steering wheel is on the right hand side (because we drive on the left side of the road). More difficult than that: shifting with your left hand and blinking with your right. Fortunately the gas, brake and clutch are normal.

Our car has a small 3rd seat, which has no seatbelts. Other safety features missing: Airbags. Fortunately, between the 1.5 liter engine and the traffic here, we will never go faster than 95 Km/h (55 MPH).

This picture highlights differences from Steve and Janet vehicles in the states. It is not a minivan (its sort of a SUV looking thing) and it is black (a color which wouldn't have worked in New Mexico or Florida- the only states we have lived in as a family). While Jakarta is hot, it is not particularly sunny (thanks to a blanket of smog), therefore black works. Truth be told: we were given two options for colors (black and silver).

Getting the hang of it? Your turn. What's different with this picture from what you would see in North America? Post answers in the comments section of the blog or email it to me. Answer will be posted next week.


Other unique things about car purchasing here:

• Some cars actually appreciate in value. Because of high tariffs (which lead to 2-6 month waits for new cars), unscroupulous used car dealers, and strong demand for used cars at all prices, some new cars actually appreciate in value and all new cars hold their value quite well. After hearing horror stories about bad used car deals, we bought a new one. It will be the first (and last) time I will buy a car as an investment.


• Gas is 6000 Rupiah a liter ($2.75 a gallon). It is subsidized by the government.

Our Transportation

Today (September 6) was not a typical day for transportation for us, however it gives a great example of the transportation options exercised by our family. It started when Janet and I took an ojak (see definition below) to school to catch a ride in a private car to Jakarta. After returning home, Janet and kids walked back to SPH to go swimming. I later biked there to meet them. To return home they took a city bus, while I returned via the bike. Near the end of the day, we decided to go out to eat and again took an ojak, after which we returned home in a Taksi. While fun and unique, this travel “lifestyle” can be maddening for a family (especially with rainy season on the way) and on Monday we should have a car. We still hope to make use of all these other options on a more sporadic basis.

Ode to Ojaks

Ojak driver and I before school

Ojaks are scooters/motorcycles equipped with friendly drivers. For fifty cents to a dollar (5000 to 10000 Rupiah) you can ride for a mile or two. I take one to school every morning and once and a while to the mall. Once, Eric, Neil and I (and a driver) all squeezed on one for a ride on his 150cc scooter (I tipped heavily for that one). One driver, without me asking, shows up at my door and waits for me every weekday morning (see picture above).

Eric and Neil on Ojak heading to mall. Don't worry, we

since bought them helmets

Other News:

I was supposed to be in Bangkok this weekend with 15 students at Harvard Model Congress Asia, a simulation of U.S. Congress set up, obviously, by Harvard students. Unfortunately, because of political unrest in Thailand, we were unable to go. Please pray for a peaceful solution to the rioting.

For the first 5+ weeks we were here it rained only 3 or 4 times (less than in New Mexico) However in the last week it has rained as much.

My students

Quiz on Students at SPH.

In an attempt to be Teacherly (sic), I have prepared a short quiz about students at SPH. It will be a fun way of telling you my perceptions of them (which after only one month, may be way off).

True or False.

___1. Students here sport the latest Kobe Bryant and Lebron James basketball shoes

___2. Public affection between males and females is common.

___3. Because of uniforms, dress code violations are minimal.

___4. In class, the front seats are the most coveted seats.

___5. Students here are more talkative here than at Rehoboth.

___6. The writing abilities of my students are better than anywhere else I have taught.

___7. Students here are "gadget freaks", and often have the latest camera, IPhone, or MP3 player.


(see answers below picture)

My homeroom (grade 11)

Answers:

True- Members of the basketball team all have the latest expensive Kobe, Lebron, ect… shoes.
False- Haven’t observed this at all and don’t think I will.
False- Uniforms only add an element of challenge in the drive for individuality. Even though boys have to wear white shirts, red ties, blue pants, white socks and black shoes, they still forever push the boundaries (top button undone when it should be done, pants sag way down when it shouldn’t, shoes with markings of white instead of pure black, ect…).
True- Students complain when I put them in the back. I finally arranged my room to have 8 desks in the front row instead to 6 to accommodate more students.
True- These kids all LOVE to talk. Unsupervised classrooms, chapels and hallways are loud with talking (in Bahasa) and laughing. In my quest to find a culture where teenage girls don't giggle, yell and scream, I have failed miserably.
False- So far, I have not been impressed with the students writing ability here. Although, because English is their second language, it shouldn't be too surprising.

True- Ipod touch, Blackberries, IPhones.... I can't keep them all straight... but the students sure do.

I hope this gives you a bit of information about the kids I teach without stereo typing them too much. Please write or comment if you have questions.

sweeda

Churches

A common email a few years ago was this:

Question: What is the truest definition of Globalization?

Answer: Princess Diana's death.

An English princess, with an Egyptian boyfriend, crashes in a French tunnel, driving a German car, with a Dutch engine, driven by a Belgian who was drunk on Scottish whisky, chased by Italian Paparazzi, on Japanese motorcycles; was treated by an American doctor, using medicines found in Brazil. This is sent to you by an American, and you're probably reading this on your computer,that use Taiwanese chips, and a Korean monitor, assembled by Bangladeshi workers, in a Singapore plant, transported by Indian lorry-drivers, hijacked by Indonesians, unloaded by Sicilian longshoremen, and trucked to you by Mexican illegals.....

Here is my attempt at the same joke… about the Global Church.

Question: What is the truest definition of Christian Globalization?

Answer: The church we went to in Indonesia the first week we were here.

The church service was led in English (through a thick Dutch brogue) by a Hollander (named William Hekman), who spent 30 years as a missionary in Papua. The sermon was preached by a German citizen of Middle East extraction (Lebanese, I think). Worship was lead by Chinese Indonesians and a men’s chorus of young African men (young Nigerians and other West Africans who got to Indonesia by unscrupulous agents who promise them large professional soccer contracts here only to take their money). The service was attended by a mix of Native Indonesians, Chinese Indonesians, Africans, Canadians, Europeans, Americans and Australians.

Following a promise to truly experience as many different churches as possible before settling in to one, since week one, we have made the rounds to many different churches. Here is a sampling:

* A Reformed fellowship led by a Chinese Indonesian Billionaire turned hardcore Calvinist (google James Riady to find out more—he is also the founder of SPH)
* Two truly Pentecostal services (speaking in tongues ect…)
* An Assemblies of God service where the music was so loud Janet said she just wanted to “run away”
* A non denominational service at a Bank building in downturn Jakarta
* A Saturday night service where people sit around tables (to discuss the sermon)

Next week we hope to attend All Saints Anglican Church which promises to be a completely different experience! Below are just a few thoughts on churches here so far:

* While Church buildings are around, most new churches meet in convention centers, country clubs, banquet halls, to avoid unwanted attention from a majority Muslim country. In spite of this they still are very outreach oriented (by bringing friends and neighbors ect.). Many churches have security guards (see picture below).

Security gaurd outside Church service

* All but one of the churches we have attended consist of mostly Asians (Chinese Indonesians)
* These churches are all less than 20 years old showing the growth of the church in Asia.
* Most churches here are very “intentional” in style. What I mean by this is that personal piety (showing your faith) is important. Therefore dressing up for church is important, as well as getting into the service through loud singing and heavy emotions, not to mention fasting which many churches do. It is ironic because in North America, for better or worse, our churches seem to be getting away from “intentional” and moving towards “authentic” worship (feeling comfortable, not putting on false pretenses).

Keep in touch,

sweeda

Funny T- Shirt

Neil contemplates purchasing funny shirt and

hopefully NOT future career options.

The kinds of shirts found above are common in Indonesia as well as all non english speaking countries. English words, no matter what they say, convey modernity, youth and Western fashion. Right before we saw this shirt in a store, we spotted a man wearing a t shirt with the Intel logo which said "Insane Inside" (instead of "Intel inside"). In fact, there is a whole web site dedicated to these absurd t shirts and signs (www.engrish.com).

The next time you buy something with Asian lettering, you may want to find out what you are saying :)