This will be long- but really, have fun reading. this is my new school and i thought a proper introduction was necessary!
The first day of school was Monday, September 20th, 2010 for me, Sinikka, at Tirta Marta Christian School- which is about 5-7minutes away from our home.
The night before, I got to bed around 10:30pm, after crying out to God to really help me for the next day.
He had already been showing me himself all over Indonesia to calm my nerves and remind me that I'm doing this for Him, not for myself.
The times when I was holding the baby- and realized that all I needed to do was "Be still, and know that [He] is God", or when I was sitting in church not realizing what the preacher was saying until Mama explained he was talking about standing up as a Christian minority and continuing to be pure and Christ-like in this world.
Then there was when I watched this movie- Wild Child- which was about a girl going to a boarding school where she didn't know anyone, and at first she hated it and it wasn't working, but like in the movies- by the end it was good :) So that was good speaking to me, saying everything would be alright.
So with all of those things God said to me, and many things from the one year devotional my mom gave to me before leaving- I was able to fall asleep, completely trusting God.
The time before actually starting school was really good with God, because that was such a test- since sometimes anticipation is worse than the actual event.
The next morning I woke up at 5am for school- my school starts at 7:30am, and I wanted ample time to talk to God and get things worked with Him before leaving, which I did! Papa took Chiqua and Naomi to school- Chiqua starts at 7am, Naomi starts at 6:30am- they both go to catholic schools.
Then he came back to get me and Mama, and we headed over to the school. The whole time over, I was just praying. And when i arrived I walked in with a high head, thinking with God's mind, and wearing God's eyes- it was a bit hard though, to not take up the "bulle" attitude and act cool :) but I was able to keep that down.
So we talked to my counselor- who doesn't know English well, and before I knew it she was showing me to my first class.
I asked her some questions but I didn't get many answers- I didn't know where I was going after that class, what locker I had, if there was an agenda-- or anything else. So i just went with it.
I walked into the class with her, and she introduced me- and everyone was excited to see me. I could tell by the shouting and talking, haha.
I still don't know Bahasa fluently, I've only been here like 13days- so I tried to say "Nama saya Sinikka" (My name is Sinikka) with got laughter- and I took it with a grain of salt. I was prepared to be laughed at, and ignored- which would've been the worst thing, and my emotions were totally at peace with God- becuase this was all His, and none of it mine :)
There's about 10 boys and 10 girls total. and they love to cluster together, girls on one side, boys on the other. Not all classes are like that, but we just like to do that I guess- it's how we roll. haha
So I sat down, and wasn't talking at first but then Alan's phrase that I thought he said one time came into my mind - "Sinikka, don't do this to yourself".
So i started talking in English, to all of them :) asking their names, and how the classes worked. So all the girls and I were talking for the whole period. There was a teacher, but he was talking to the guys, so in History- which i learned after the fact was the class I was in- i didn't learn anything that had to do with History :)
In Tirta Marta Christian School, and in Indonesia in general they had two different set of classes a student can take- science classes or social classes. When you get up to your senior year, I believe, you have to pick either science or social classes. Then you will be in either Science Group 1, 2, or 3- or Social Group 1, 2, or 3:: these are just different groups, they don't have to do with being harder.
So you will be grouped with about 19 other students, and will all be going to the same classes if your in the same group.
I'm in social classes Group 2 so I am with 19 other students the whole year, and we have all our classes together.
You have four classes a day, two breaks- where you can eat of just hang out, and each day you have different classes. Unless they repeat.
The social classes I'm taking are History, Sociology, Accounting, Mathematics, P.E., Geography, Bahasa Indonesia, English, Choir, Computer, Skills Class, Conomics, Civics, Religion, and Entrepreneurship.
I will also have a church service in the morning every Thursday and a Guidance and Counseling Session with my counselor Mrs. Rani- every Friday, if I'm thinking correctly. .
So I was never alone :)
The girls walked me to our next class, where there was a substitute so we all talked more: or they asked me questions and I asked them questions.
After Sociology there was a break and I had lunch with Taysa in the cafeteria- which only seniors are allowed to sit in, so it's never full.
Also I found out that the further up in class you are the shorter your skirt- so we've given mine back to the tailors to shorten, since I'm a senior!
I was reading in a book about kindness and I really saw kindness in everyone the first day- also my goal before going into the day was to be overwhelmingly kind, see them with God's eyes, and love them like Jesus would- no matter what.
Taysa was so kind, I definitely saw God.
Then we went to accounting where I didn't know anything anyway, and none of the other girls understood what she was talking about, so I translated- with their help- a math question that was a paragraph. and
HIGHLIGHT::!!! after we were done translating and I read the Bahasa in English, they cheered so loud for only knowing me one day- I smiled so big and almost wanted to cry I felt so loved, and I felt God- and I knew it was all good and I could be myself :)
After- we had another break, where we just hung out, outside the classroom, and everyone was talking Bahasa- this was one of two times where I honestly felt that I wanted to break down and cry and disappear.. and then reappear back home in Indiana- because I don't know Bahasa and I felt so left out.
But each time I even felt a bit like this- there is this amazing girl Jessica- that touches my shoulder, hugs me, or leans on me- and that love keeps me going, and reminds me that I'm loved. I don't think she realizes how much it does, but just that much shows that I am wanted here.
Afterwards we had PE. where I saw Sasha's kindness- I had to go to the nurse because of my wound from falling in the hole, and she interpreted the nurse and my conversation- since the nurse didn't speak English. and Now my leg and foot are totally fine- and just have some scabs :)
That kindness was beautiful, and so over-the-top not necessary, even though she would probably say it was no big deal.
I also don't have a school uniform shorts and shirt for gym- so I didn't want to participate, but the teacher encouraged me and we just stood there practicing volleyball- since I also didn't want to play because of my foot :)
Lastly, in geography- the teacher was so exciting and talked the whole period- the rest of the teachers didn't do that. they talked for about 5min. and then let us hang out- so i don't know if it's supposed to be like that or not, but it wasn't very educational today.
But in geography, I was able to tell the class about the geography of America- and they all listened :) because I think Indonesians- or the ones in Tirta Marta have a tendency to talk no matter who else is talking, and they haven't been stopped in the first or second day.. so that's just initial observation :)
I saw God in that too.
Some of the girls walked out with me and Papa met me at the door- then I went to the car, jumped in, and hugged Chiqua for almost a minute- I was so happy to be back with people that knew me, and knew what I was about, and totally accepted me, and I didn't have to be proper or anything in front of them, and I was just so happy to be able to be with her- who I have had some seriously good laughs with- and I realized then, that when i come home- I will want to cry so bad, leaving these two girls- Naomi and Chiqua, who I just adore- I just love them so much, it's unreal.
They're phenomenal :)
That was my first day at school!
The second even outdid that- God is so intensely amazing.
The highlights of the second day- I won't give you every minute detail!
We're in English, during break, and Choir.
It was a half day- since the kids have midterms starting Wednesday- until Thursday next week I believe. So we got out at noon.
In English, the teacher commanded attention more than the others- and made each of us stand up and talk in English about our holiday, I went last and told all about the plane trip, my last days in America, what I thought of Tirta Marta, and Jakarta-itself- so far. She let me go last so I could tell more. While I was up there, no one talked- which was so cool, even though I did have to ask for it.
I think that's very interesting how in America, we listen immediately cause we're trained to- but here they don't, or at least in my class.
I know I am supposed to immerse as much as possible, but this is one thing that I know they don't think is rude- but I do, and that's been imbedded into my system so deep from my family that it won't be leaving anytime soon :)
During break, I met with a girl named Melani that i met the first day- I'm assuming she loves music, since she's always listening to her iPod- Which you can have openly in school, and cell phones too!
I sat down next to her and shared my clementine, we chatted a bit and then she asked what religion i was- which I think was instigated by God :) I said Christian, and immediately she had me listen to "Beautiful Savior" by Planetshakers.
So I listened and during it, she started crying and put her arm on my shoulder, and I almost started crying because God has led me to I believe:
strengthen and inspire here- and I was so happy that God had brought me such a good friend that was so crazy about Him as well
And! Her boyfriend just left for college in Washington State- which is another thing we have in common, because I'm here while Alan is in Indiana :)
That was SO amazing, and SO God
Finally, in Choir I learned how to sing Bahasa even though I don't understand it. haha.
They use "do, re, mi, fa, so, la, ti, do" and match them with "1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7" so when we're practicing without the words, we say:: "do-do-re-mi-fa-fa-mi-re". which i didn't know- so when I figured out the code, it was easy. and super cool :)
Last thing before I leave you to your peace of mind wherever you are-
we pray at the beginning and end of each day of school- and even though it's in Bahasa and I don't understand, I pray along :)
And! they bring guitars to class just because sometimes and play American music, which is most popular over here!
alright. I'm headed of to Yogajakarta in a couple hours for 6days, since I don't need to be here because of their midterms!! I'm glad, because I will come to terms on what God wants me to do here even more, and be a touist again, instead of a student- for a couple days :)
Please be praying for their midterms- i don't know how many of them studied!! and Thank God for their hospitality, love, and invitations to go to a movie, the mall, hang out, and bowling when I come home!!
Golden Nuggets of Indonesia:
7. Papa likes fresh bread, baguettes- so we get them EVERY DAY FRESH! This has got to be in Heaven for sure
8. instead of forks, Indonesian fast food and restaurants hand you chopsticks right off the bat- and i'm not to shabby with them!!
9. Noodles are everywhere- even in Pizza Hut, where there seem to honestly be more noodles and rice than pizza-which is in the BACK of the menu. haha.
10. Because of the heat and humidity- which i've become totally used to- my hair is too oily with conditioner, so I only use shampoo and it's perfect!
:)
"Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit's leading in every part of our lives." Galatians 5:25
-hey God. Help us all to follow Your Spirit every step of the day, this is your life we're living, not our own- because with You it's so much better. Lead us in the right direction, God- give us Your eyes, and help us to feel You move- and help me to feel your deep deep joy, because I feel that it's not as big as it was at home-
apologies if the length tested your patience a bit- but it's a great lesson, and every sentence here was important- i promise.
Love you all!