Settling into SPH and Lippo Village

July 21, 2016

Outside our new home, waiting for our ride to school...
an hour early.

We set our phone alarms to rouse us in the morning, but since we hadn't accessed wifi since arriving in Indonesia our phones were still set to Singapore time--an hour earlier than here. Neither Seth nor I realized this, though, until all five of us were ready and waiting outside our home for 20 minutes wondering why our ride was so late. After asking a neighbor what time it really was, we headed back inside for a half hour. At least we were ready on time!

We arrived at school at the correct time and enjoyed breakfast and devotions with the other new families. Our devotions focused on 1 Corinthians 13: faith, hope, and love. Each of these traits seem more important that ever at this moment of our lives.

We spent the morning touring the school, setting up bank accounts, and getting to know the other new teachers.

The afternoon found us shopping at the local mall--nothing like we have in Michigan. The mall is three stories (four if you count the basement) and includes grocery stores, an amusement park/arcade,  and pharmacies in addition to the traditional salons, clothing stores, restaurants, and kiosks. Setting up house again is extremely expensive, especially when you shop with rupiah, the local currency! We spent over 4.5 million rupiah on our first shopping trip, and we still don't have everything we need! We were relieved to have our host family, Bruce and Judy, with us, guiding us through the crowds and stores and offering ideas for what we'll need in our new home.

Hypermart!

I've NEVER spent this much money before!
Thankfully, this is rupiah, not US dollars! 

The five of us were exhausted after shopping all afternoon. Bruce and Judy provided a delicious spaghetti meal for us (they know the way to my kids' hearts!) and we returned home for some much needed sleep.





Prayers for us:
-Koen seems to have developed heat rash on top of his poison ivy. He says he feels OK, but small, red bumps cover his body and he has rosy, rosy cheeks. Pray for quick relief!
-We survived our first shopping trip, but we need many other items as we settle into our home. Pray that we feel settled quickly.
-We still have no curriculum, and school begins August 1. Valerie, especially, is feeling anxious about this. Plus, she needs to set up a classroom but didn't bring any posters, etc. along due to lack of space. Pray that her classroom comes together ok.