True Knowledge | Faith in Christ | Godly Character
16th Edition/2010
contents Editorial Team
16th Edition/2010
PUBLISHER Yayasan Pendidikan Pelita Harapan
3 HOPE By Brian Cox
ADVISOR Brian Cox
4 Light of Hope By David Michel 5 Time to do Something Different By Maureen Cox
MANAGING DIRECTOR Hana Herawati EDITOR & TRANSLATOR Budi Alto, Anita Purwanti, Maureen Cox GRAPHIC DESIGNER Iwan Werlin PHOTOGRAPHER Hariyanto, Clifford, Andreas, Jonathan Mauer
6 The Power of Hope By Nely Layanto
9 True Hope By Ian Sungkoro 10 The Hope of All Ages By Coral Cady 13 Changes By Angelina Ang 14 Goodbye SPH International Lippo Village: Hello SPH International Kemang Village 18 All about Butterflies By Claudia Natasia Aten 19 Retirement Home Fieldtrip By Melvin Hade
Address 2500 Bulevar Palem Raya, Lippo Village Tangerang 15811, Banten Phone: (021) 546 0232-33 Fax: (021) 546 9663 www.sph.edu
COVER
: School Activities
LOCATION
: SPH International Lippo Village
20 Grade 12 Mission Trip to Lampung 26 A Completed Journey By Mona Gloria Mustamu 28 What's On 29 Book Corner
PHOTOGRAPHER : Hariyanto
Creative Community Celebration 2010 (April 24th, 2010, SPH International Lippo Village)
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Brian Cox
Head of School SPH International Lippo Village Coordinator of SPH International Schools
Time for “Hope!” This year we have been focusing on “Godly Character” by looking at Paul’s comments to the Roman Church: “... we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.”
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E’ve covered “Sufferings and Hardship”, “Perseverance” and “Character” and now conclude with “Hope”. Our language, or our interpretation of it, can be so inadequate sometimes. Hope has come to suggest something that is quite uncertain, we usually use it in the context of not knowing what will occur but wishing that things would turn out OK. When the Bible uses the word “hope” it is always strong and rich; it is not just wishful thinking but the certain promise of God. So when Peter says “set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:13), this is a strong promise. When God promises something, that becomes the most secure thing in all eternity. Christian hope is when God has promised that something is going to happen and we put our trust in that promise. Christian hope is a confidence that something will come to pass because God has promised that it will come to pass. An accurate understanding of Christian hope determines how we live our lives. Hope in God’s promises means that we can live in the knowledge of a secure future and thus a secure present. When we understand that our security is in the hope that God promises,
anxiety is removed from our thinking, from our parenting, from our career and from our lives. If we do not see that we are secured and completely satisfied in our relationship with God, then there is no alternative but to be worried. We will become fearful about everything, which will either paralyze us into inaction and living a totally cautious life, or we will have a frantic desire to secure our own lives through greed and control. We inevitably become focused upon ourselves, our problems, our future ... we cease to be dependent upon God and we will therefore find ourselves not in a position where we are able to love other people. Our desires will be to secure ourselves rather than to live lives in security and generosity of spirit. Our understanding of Christian hope has an enormous effect upon or relationships with other people. We have to KNOW that God’s promises of hope secure us, otherwise we will be constantly scrambling to secure ourselves. If we are not convinced that God is securing us and that nothing can separate us from His love, then we will be engaged in selfpreservation and self glorification and we will teach our children to live in the same way. In the Romans passage that we have been looking at this year, Paul starts with the fact that we are to “rejoice in the hope of the glory of God”. He then proceeds to tell us that we will experience sufferings and hardship so that we will persevere; we will persevere BECAUSE we know the hope that is to be found in God. This perseverance will result in Godly character and prove the truth of God’s hope to us and to others. Ibu Virna was a well loved teacher at our school and went to live in the USA with her new husband about a year ago. She recently died whilst only in her mid thirties. She left behind a major impact on her colleagues
and her students as one who lived every day in the sure hope of her redemption in Jesus Christ. That hope has now been fulfilled as she lives in the eternal presence of God with great joy. Let’s put our hope FULLY in God who redeems us through Jesus Christ.
Blessings to you all as we come to the end of another great year. Brian Cox
There are two ways to read the Bible. The one way to read the Bible is that it’s basically about you: what you have to do in order to be right with God, in which case you’ll never have a sure and certain hope, because you’ll always know you’re not quite living up. You’ll never be sure about that future. Or you can read it as all about Jesus. Every single thing is not about what you must do in order to make yourself right with God, but what He has done to make you absolutely right with God. And Jesus Christ is saying, “Unless you can read the Bible right, unless you can understand salvation by grace, you’ll never have a sure and certain hope. But once you understand it’s all about Me, Jesus Christ, then you can know that you have peace. You can know that you have this future guaranteed, and you can face anything.”—Tim Keller
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LIGHT OF HOPE By David Michel (Principal SPH Kemang Village)
“Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is your faithfulness. ‘The Lord is my portion,’ says my soul, Therefore I hope in Him!”
Lamentations 3:22-24 (NKJ)
Recently, I again had opportunity to tour the Kemang area of South Jakarta. As the new Principal of Sekolah Pelita Harapan−Kemang Village, I wanted to get a feel for the community where this new school is to be located. However, as I traveled down the streets of Kemang, it wasn’t the colorful shops or diverse restaurants that caught my eye, nor was it the busyness of people wedged in traffic or walking along the sidewalks. Rather, my attention was drawn to a towering edifice that rises above the community. That building was in fact the new SPH International−Kemang Village campus. Now “topped” and standing almost eighteen storeys above ground level (including the parking lot), it reminded me of a lighthouse.
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lighthouse is a tower that is typically situated on the edge of a coastline. Its purpose is to provide a bright light for ships to follow as they navigate through a dangerous or hazardous harbour. Shipmasters put their hope and trust in the lighthouse keeper as they expect to be safely guided through the waters. Just as the lighthouse provides hope for safe passage, so did the prophet Jeremiah provide hope to the people of Israel. Jeremiah lived around 600 years before Jesus Christ was born, and through his prophecy urged the Israelites to put their trust in the Lord. While he was called the messenger of hope, Jeremiah was also in fact a messenger of doom. His life was one of many sorrows, because the people, whom he loved, refused to listen to his message or to heed his warnings. For over fifty years, Jeremiah warned the Israelites of their wrongdoings and especially of their disregard toward the Lord. He repeatedly called upon the people of Israel to repent, Maxwell, John C., The Maxwell Leadership Bible, page 896
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but they stubbornly refused, even after he foretold of their eventual destruction: “The corpses of this people will be food for the birds of the heaven and for the beasts of the earth. And no one will frighten them away. Then I will cause to cease from the cities of Judah and from the streets of Jerusalem the voice of mirth and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride. For the land shall be desolate.” Jeremiah 8:33, 34 (NKJ) God endowed Jeremiah with a very stern message to deliver to the Israelites. Jeremiah was ordered to declare judgment because God was about to destroy a sinful generation, “a group of stubborn men and women who had turned to the basest kind of idolatry.”1 Yet despite the indifference of the Israelites to his message, Jeremiah persisted in his belief that God would deliver His people and give them a hopeful future:
In the midst of his anguish and struggle, Jeremiah was able to express one of the most hopeful statements in the Old Testament. He found personal hope in the knowledge that God is compassionate and merciful, even though the people he loved chose to disregard and follow the Lord. Were a ship, not unlike the unrepentant Israelites, to refuse to observe the warning of the lighthouse, it would be ignoring its source of hope. The lighthouse represents and promises hope for safe passage. We too can rely on God to not only warn us of danger but also to guide us through the hardships of life. Our hope resides in the presence and promise of the Master Lighthouse Keeper. My prayer is that the Kemang Village campus will be a beacon of light and hope to the Kemang community, the nation and the world and that the experience of spiritual Light and the promise of eternal Hope will be integrated into the experience of every student who studies at SPH Kemang.
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Maureen Cox (left) and her husband−Brian
Time to do Something Different By Maureen Cox (Year 12 Lead Teacher SPH Lippo Village)
I always wanted to be a teacher. From the age of twelve that was my goal. I had two younger sisters and I enjoyed leading, guiding and influencing them although, on reflection, they would probably say I was very bossy!!!
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was encouraged to pursue my natural talent in sport and so became a PE teacher which I really enjoyed. There is a very special relationship that can be built up in that kind of subject and for twenty years in both Manchester UK and Adelaide, South Australia I really appreciated my role. I turned forty and knew I was too old to teach PE so decided to teach English and I guess that has been my main focus over the last twenty years. I have certainly enjoyed the numerous class discussions on important life issues that arise out of reading books. I have loved the challenge of seeing students write and express themselves in a way that they could not in oral language. I have loved sharing my own stories with each class. Even the mountains of marking gives pleasure when you can see how mature the students have become in their thinking and speaking. Now it is time to do other things and .... I hope that God will continue to use me in and around SPH I hope that I will be given other tasks that make a difference in the lives of others I hope that I will be able to support Brian more I hope that I will be able to spend more time with friends I hope that I will be able to attend a Ladies Bible study I hope that I will find time to exercise more regularly I hope that I will be able to see my family in Australia more I hope my Heavenly Father is pleased with me
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The Power of HOPE
By Nely Layanto
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S I was clearing out some drawers last week, I found a piece of my son’s article “The Chinese Gentleman”. Curious, I read on. It was about his Grandpa and a detailed account of the struggles he faced as a poor Canton boy who had to flee his homeland in China after the end of World War II to sail to England in the hope for a better life for himself. It was really tough for him because without much money, formal education or any English language skills, he had to make a living in a completely new environment. Yet against all odds, he became a true gentleman and a well respected restaurateur. Very few Chinese immigrants can claim equal to his achievements. Through hardship, he persevered and emerged triumphant for himself and his family. He succeeded in what he had hoped for.
tunnel. In my worst moment, when I had no one to turn to, I felt the most profound and intimate experience of encountering God’s presence for the first time. Jesus was the light and the source of HOPE that I yearned for, and I found Him.
But is this what the school theme “Through Hardship to Hope” means? Is there a deeper meaning of what HOPE really is?
Still in my depression, but coming out of my turmoil, I found I was hungry for God’s words. The Holy Spirit opened my eyes to the Scriptures and I was introduced to the concept of God transforming people through trouble. God uses circumstances, painful moments to transform us and develop our character. I understood that I was His, “work in progress”.
For over thirty years, I led a Godless life. Days just drifted by and every day I faced the same old routine, juggling between work, family and life’s other mundane tasks. As I met problems every day, “Don’t worry, be happy” was my attitude. Relying on my own strength and understanding, I plodded on with life’s burdens, coping the best I could. Life was just a series of persistent chores that I had to handle one by one. It was meaningless. One day life took a bad turn and I started to fall apart. The balls I was juggling started to drop one by one. I no longer had a hold of the things that I had. Troubles, again and again, bombarded me. I was losing my own battle at handling situations and I felt cornered to nothingness. Despite thinking that, with all my years of studies, intelligence and my worldly experience, I should be capable of dealing with every situation, but ... I could hardly cope anymore at that time. I went through periods of depression. I was a complete failure at my work, my marriage and myself. I was feeling dry and in utter hopelessness. Little did I know that God was always by my side through this time, walking right next to me, and watching while allowing all these things to happen to me .... At times, there seemed no hope. However hard I tried to find, there was no light at the end of the
I was terrified at first because I started hearing Jesus talking to me. But He spoke with such clarity and touched me so deeply that I concluded that it must be coming from above. Jesus was a real friend to me and I was doubtless about His presence in my life. I understood for the first time what having faith was. I believed something that the eyes cannot see. It was through this faith that I began to have a flicker of hope that something good was being laid out before me by Jesus, although at that time I didn’t know what hope that was.
Only after I finally received Christ as my personal savior and looked back at the journey God has taken me, did I realize how wonderful His mighty works are. All my sufferings were tailor-made for me to walk through to have an understanding how great He is and more importantly how great His love is for me. Had God not put me through those dark periods of difficult times and sufferings, definitely I will not have the hope which was the hope Jesus had prepared for me. What kind of hope am I in now? The Holy Spirit assures us that God works through the bad to bring about the good. His plan is always a far bigger and better plan than ours. As Jeremiah 29:11 says, “The plans I have for you (are) plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” As a Christian, I now lay my HOPE in Christ Jesus and Him alone. I know that every challenge that God brings upon me is not another chore I need to handle. He loves me. This challenge is another character and faith building opportunity. Therefore I’m no longer afraid of whatever trials God puts forth before me. It’s almost like saying, “God, Hit
me! Hit me with your best shot! Use whatever it takes to break me, to take away my pride and my stubbornness. Change me, mould me and transform me to be more like You. Let me turn to You and ask what do You want of me?” Only then can I be used by God freely to fulfill whatever plans and purposes He has for me. Romans 8:18 states that, “The sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” Any suffering is only temporal, because our hope is in eternity. Our Hope is to share the glory that is His.
My prayer to all is that we should learn to rejoice in every circumstance in which God chooses to place us. Refuse to give up, be patient and persistent in following God’s direction and calling. Sometimes God works very slowly and painfully. He may take us through mountains and valleys. But he truly loves us. Faith and character build us as we persevere through times of trouble. With this perseverance comes hope. It is the power of God’s promise through the Scriptures which is hope in our lives. I praise God for my journey “Through Hardship to Hope".
Nely Layanto
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Parents Advisory Group 2009-2010 Activities Greetings from PAG! Time has fly so fast, it is the time of the year again where we will end the school year soon. During these school year 2009–2010, PAG had been involved in the series of the activities with the school community both in Junior and Senior School. These were all fruitful experiences and we would like to take this opportunities to thank all the parents, teachers and the whole SPH Community for making these happened.
1. Parents-Students Relation Activities Junior School: The Junior School Young Author Tea Parties−one of the activities which are part of the series of activities in the Young Author Week. PAG had been supporting this event for the second year now by working together with Ms. Alexis to provide the cookies for the tea parties and help to serve it during the tea parties. This events not only support the good habit of reading for our children it was also a good opportunities where parents could mingled with other parents of their each grade level while serving the tea and observing their children reading the books. Some grades even organized making the cookies together which was really fun not only for the children but for the moms as well! Thanks to Ms. Alexis who are the coordinator of the Young Author Week.
especially in Senior School. The idea behind this event was having the Senior School parents to be more involved and get to know more about their children by getting together in a informal gathering within parents of their grade level. This was also a good forum as guest speaker was invited to give talk about the various issues so parents could ask questions and shared their experiences. Food Technologies−This year, Grade 9 Parents have had the opportunity to be involved in the assessment of student cooking demonstrations during Food Technology. It has been wonderful to see the interaction between students and parents, and to witness the eagerness and pride of the students in their cooking abilities. The students have demonstrated many skills including communication, powerpoint presentation, cooking, food presentation, cooperation and teamwork. This is a wonderful and beneficial program for the students, and we look forward to continued involvement with Food Technology.
2. Whole School Events Soccer Day, Athletic Day, Creative Community Celebration, Swimming Carnival and Senior School Bulan Bahasa Day. PAG had took parts in all these events by organizing the food stalls and games booth. For Soccer Day this year we had a carnival theme and an exciting giant slides which attracted not only students from Kindy and Junior School but the Senior students as well!
All fund raised from these various events goes to PAG’s Christian Service Project. Thanks to all the parents volunteers, the school community and also Mr. Bruce Comrie/ Physical Education Department whom had supported the PAG’s fund raising!
3. Parents Enrichment Programs Flower Arrangement Class−For the first time this year PAG had organized a Flower Arrangement Class which were opened for parents from all grades level. These were truly enjoyable learning experiences for the moms as they could learn new skills which could be use for decorating. All the participants proudly brought back their masterpiece after each session. Flower arrangement class will be commenced again for parents who are interested in learning for next school year term 2010–2011. Look out for the announcement soon and do not miss it this time! Mom’s Bible Study (in English)−Every Wednesday at 7.30 am Mom’s Bible Study Group are held in SPH. This is an on going program that had been initiated by the PAG members years ago. This is the forum where SPH parents can learn together the words of God and share our experiences in life with our God Jesus Christ. The Bible Study Group has 15 regular members and for this academic year 2009–2010 the group had been using the study guide book published by RBC: “Surviving the Storm of Stress”as topic of discussion and learning. Other regular annual events that were organized by Bible Study Group were the Christmas Gathering on December 2009 where Ibu
In Bulan Bahasa, PAG helped to organize food stalls with different types of food from Indonesia. Students had good exposure to different type of food which reflects the richness of Indonesian culture. The Junior School Young Author Tea Parties (February 18, 2010)
Senior School: Coffee Morning−this event was initiated by the PAG based on the concerns of how parents can communicate better with their children when they start to grow older
In Swimming Carnival, PAG organized the snack booth and refreshing drinks. It was the first time that this event being held in SPH. Lots of spectator came and cheered for their children, we definitely hope that this event will be in SPH agenda again next year. PAG Open Clinic with Obor Berkat Indonesia (May 7, 2010)
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Daisy was invited as guest speaker and Mother’s Day Luncheon on May 2010 with Evangelist Lita as guest speaker.
Mom’s Prayer (in Bahasa Indonesia)−Mom’s Prayer is also another PAG initiated activities that have been going on for years. This is the forum where moms who have the calling to pray for our SPH community gather and meet every Friday morning 7.30 am. During the session we will also have devotion lead in Bahasa Indonesia. Let’s come and join this forum and pray for our community as we are given this special gift from God to be a mother for each of our child.
4. PAG’s Christian Service Project This academic year 2009–2010 PAG had funded two Christian Service Project:
Scholarship Program for children under Yayasan Glori As we believed that education is the best gift for all children this is the second year that we continue to support the scholarship program for underprivileged children from Yayasan Glori. It is heart warming to see the children being able to continue on their study using the fund that we managed to raise form various school events throughout the year. Open Clinic May 2010 On May 7, 2010 PAG together with Obor Berkat Indonesia had held an Open Clinic for the underprivileged community in Sewan Kebon, a neighborhood which is 45 minutes drive from SPH Lippo Village. At that day we went to Sewan Kebon with 20 parents volunteer from SPH Lippo Village and a group of medical team from Obor Berkat Indonesia. Two hundreds patients from the neighborhood showed up on that day for free medical treatment. Aside
SPH International Lippo Village PAG Team
from the medical and dental clinic, we had parents volunteer who opened a small workshop for the kids, so while waiting for their turn to be checked by the doctors and dentist the kids can learn to recycle by making simple craft made from waste products (ping pong balls, used papers, etc.). Parents volunteer also taught the small children how to properly keep healthy by washing hands. We were so thankful that we got so much support from the parents volunteers who not only assisting in the registration, explaining medication given to the patients, examining the patients (one of our parents volunteer is a doctor) but also giving donations for the snack and water for the patients. It was a joy to our heart to see that by our fund raising throughout this year we can use it to reach out and help the less fortunate community nearby our school and we have decided to keep this Open Clinic project to be part of PAG Christian Service Project for next school year.
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Ian Sungkoro (Grade 11) SPH International Lippo Village
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T h e HOP E of All Ages
O God our help in ages past, Our hope for years to come, Our shelter from the stormy blast, And our eternal home.
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, These words of trust are from a much loved hymn that we often sing in church. As I reflect on my years here at SPH as well as the theme for this past school year, these words ring so true.
I’ve also been reflecting on these words of Scripture from Ecclesiastes 3 recently. There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance ....
Putting the hymn and the Scripture together serves to remind me that although God allows things to change around us, He never changes. He is the same yesterday, today and will be tomorrow. What hope we receive through Him and His Word!
farewell Coral Cady
When I was in Grade Three, I felt the call of God on my life to become a teacher. While friends around me seemed to change their minds constantly about what they wanted to be when they grew up, I never did. I could not wait to set up my own classroom; make name tags; get to know the young people who entered my classroom! When God took my hopes and dreams and made them a reality, I was thrilled. Being a teacher was everything I hoped it would be and more.
There was another hope, however, I still held in my heart−that of working overseas. I had heard about far away places from missionaries who came back with stories of service and I often prayed that God might open a door somewhere. It was not until I was in my mid-thirties that God saw fit for that to happen to me. Even though I had often hoped to serve overseas, I don’t think I truly understood what that meant. Moving to Indonesia where nothing seemed or felt familiar and leaving behind my family, friends and my “comfort zone” was a bigger challenge than I thought it would be. In some ways I wondered if I had misunderstood God’s call on my life.
Perhaps it’s that way for many others who must transition into a new life. After some time, I was finally able to see that Indonesia was exactly where God wanted me to be. He introduced me to so many things I could have never hoped or dreamed of−this wonderful school community of teachers, staff, students and parents−a small fellowship of believers with whom I worshipped−an orphanage of Ambonese war victims−the chance to see the beauty of the people and landscape of this amazing country .... But the thing I have treasured the most is the chances I have had to share Jesus with the people of Indonesia. Now as I prepare to move away from Indonesia and on to Hanoi, Vietnam, I have new hopes. Hopes for myself−as I serve in a different country and hopes for you, the people I leave behind. I pray that SPH, its teachers, staff and students will be a light for this nation. Teachers and staff−I hope that you will continue to find joy in your work of educating young people and strive to do your best. I pray that you will see your work as not just a labor of your hands but a labor of love. I pray that the leaders will have wisdom to move
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Students−I have so many hopes for you! I pray that you realize how precious you are in God’s sight; that He has created you to be the wonderful, unique people you are and gifted you with many talents and abilities that He wants you to use for His glory. I hope that you endure the hardships God has planned for you and are willing to learn from them. I hope
All of these hopes I have for myself and for the SPH community are rooted in the hope that we all have in Christ. Read His Word so that you can grow deeper in your knowledge of and love for the Lord. Be guided by his commands and learn from His teachings. As Psalm 25 says ... Show me your ways, O LORD, teach me your paths; 5 guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.
together. I will treasure the memories I have made here and I will continue to pray for you and the work you are doing in this country. I ask that you also keep me and my new work in your prayers as well. I hope that someday, we will meet again to share a cup of coffee, old memories and new experiences and if that doesn’t happen in this life then I live in the knowledge that we will one day be together forever.
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I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints. (Ephesians 1:18)
You are a precious people and I am so thankful that God saw fit to bring us all
In His Gracious Service, Coral Cady
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am Ibu Pauline and I have been teaching Mandarin at SPH Lippo Village for six months now. I was just becoming accustomed to and have enjoyed working here with the students. The time has gone by very quickly and I am a little apprehensive about moving from my new-found comfort zone. However, I am confident in knowing that God has a plan for me. While I would like to stay longer, I acknowledge that His ways are not my ways and that He knows what is best for me. I have many ideas and plans in my mind as to what I should do next but I am still praying and waiting patiently for God to lead me in this important decision.
Pauline Atmadewi Laujanto
Parents−it is my hope that you will be strong in raising your children. You have been given a special responsibility from God to raise them in the fear of the Lord. They so desperately need your love, discipline and guidance.
that you grow up to be witnesses for Christ wherever your life leads you.
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forward with the mission and vision of raising servant leaders with true knowledge, faith in Christ and Godly character.
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The things I think I will miss most about SPH-LV are the children, the weekly staff chapels (especially other staff’s testimonies) and the swimming pool too. I would like to encourage the staff here in their passion for Christ and desire to share Him with the students. I am grateful to God for His grace in allowing me the opportunity to briefly share this same passion with you all. Farewell my friends. God bless you. Pauline Atmadewi Laujanto
SPH International Lippo Village Teacher
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Y name is Rachel Lee and I had the privilege of teaching K1 in SPH for one year. Even though it has been a brief time, I have gained so much and feel truly blessed to be able to have learned lessons that I can apply in the future. Even though I would love to continue at SPH and live in this beautiful country of Indonesia, I will be moving to Singapore as I plan to marry this summer. My fiancĂŠ is currently working there and I will be joining him for a few years in Singapore.
Rachel Lee
God has always directed my steps and even if He moves me across different continents every year, I will gladly accept the challenge because I know that the best place to be is in the center of God’s will. Along with my calling to education, God has called me to serve in missions work and in church planting. I have participated in two church plantings so far (in Texas and right here in Jakarta) and now God is opening up another opportunity to start a church in Singapore with my future husband.
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Even though being a part of the foundation work is not easy, I am privileged to serve the Lord in this specific calling of laying down the foundation and doing the frontline work. After our commitment in Singapore, we will be an open book again and we are excited to see where God will lead us next to plant a church or even plant a school some day as it has always been my dream! Even though our future might be uncertain, we have this great hope that no matter where we live and
what we do, we have this great comfort and assurance from the Lord that He will always go ahead of us, open doors and provide everything that we need to do His will. One of the highlights of my time with SPH is definitely growing in love for my students. Teaching at the youngest age is the most challenging and the most exciting experience. As we are coming to the end of our year together, I am amazed to see the transformation in the students. I have a great hope for each and every one of them that they will succeed in their journey of learning but most of all, it is my sincere hope that they will all find a personal relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ in the years to come as they continue to study here at SPH. There are so many things I have enjoyed in SPH such as staff chapels and whole school assemblies. I will truly miss the Christ-like community where colleagues can become godly friends and spur one another on spiritually. I really thank the godly leadership and all the wonderful training and challenges given to us to develop as godly teachers. As I will be working in a secular school in Singapore, I am now ready to apply the biblical principles I have learned at SPH and shine the light of Christ in the new school where many people might not know Christ. I would like to say thank you to the SPH community and pray that this special Christ-like community will continue to give hope to the future of the next generation. Rachel Lee
SPH International Lippo Village Teacher
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Changes By Angelina Ang
It is never easy for me to embrace changes in my life. I am the type of person who always enjoy patterns, schedules, as well as the stability of my surroundings. I tend to be confused, panicked and scared when they change.
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HEN I first learned about my third pregnancy, I was thrilled yet edgy at the same time. Partly, it was because I knew I would not be able to work full time any longer. It has been two blessed years for me being in this school, working with my students and colleagues and I was not ready to leave yet. Nevertheless, God uniquely assures me through my children that I should have my trust and hope only in Him. As I see my 5 year old daughter pray trustingly almost every night for her new sister to be healthy and to ‘come out’ very soon, I sense that God is trying to teach me about trusting and believing in Him as well. Just as my 3.5 year old son who confidently assures me that he will take care of his new baby sister, I learn how I should have that attitude and tell God how I will be confident in His presence. It is my family that has reminded me of God’s wonderful grace and I know I should put my hope for my future in Him. Indeed, God ‘stirs’ our surroundings in different ways so that we will come out from our comfort zones. The changes we will have to face may not be convenient and easy but they are His blessings in disguise. Surely if we put our trust and hope in Him, our life will find its stability again. This is what I have learned and experienced about Him these days.
Gary Maxwell Baker
SPH International Lippo Village Teacher
After five years of serving God in SPH, it is now time for reflecting on the wide variety of experiences and divine provision that have happened to me during that period. With the benefit of hindsight it is always so much easier to see the Lord’s intervention than what is actually apparent in an earlier given time and situation, but this does not automatically nor easily equate to looking to the future with an unwavering confident hope.
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IVING in a new and still largely unfamiliar culture such as Indonesia, has taught me to expect the unexpected as a normal way of life, which has demanded so much more reliance on God’s guidance and help. Many times I have had to bite my tongue to not ask why, but rather to ask what the Lord’s purpose is and how I can best work through a difficult and often confusing situation. The importance of keeping the “big picture” of “God’s ways are higher and wiser than our ways” in perspective is never far from my mind, which was powerfully and personally demonstrated earlier this year, when my uncle was tragically and violently murdered. I believe that the Lord will remain true to His Word and to His numerous promises to me concerning direction and provision, despite out-of-the-ordinary and unanticipated experiences, and this is what gives me a genuine hope for the future.
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examples
Goodbye SPH International Lippo Village: Hello SPH International Kemang Village
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have been with SPH a year. It has been a wonderful experience for me. I cherish every moment being with you all. You are the best colleagues to work with. I am going to miss your laughter and your hospitality. I also will miss my students; they are like angels who kept me moving and focused. The reason I am leaving SPH Lippo Village is because I will be transferring to SPH Kemang. I am always amazed how God has been leading me or communicating His will for my life. God has become my stronghold and my strength to face this life. He has, is, and will encourage and comfort me through His words and His people. I totally believe and hold on to God’s words that say: “For a man’s ways are in full view of the LORD, and he examines all his paths.” (Proverbs 5:21) I am totally aware that moving to Kemang will be a new and challenging journey for me. I will continue to dedicate myself to what God has given me. I will continue to serve Him through teaching, no matter where I am, and let His will be done through me. I pray that God can use me and make me salt and light to my students. I will keep my faith and walk obediently with Him who has
been faithful in my life. “But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded” (2 Chronicles 15:7). “Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the LORD will be with you.” (2 chronicles 20:17) The message for SPH community: For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19and to know this love that surpasses knowledge−that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. 20Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. (Ephesians 3:14-21) 14
Erina Tan
SPH International Lippo Village Teacher
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IFE is a pilgrimage, and our calling is to journey ever onward, toward our final destination. Five years ago, following a two-year teaching term in Papua, with Mission Aviation Fellowship, my journey brought me to SPH Lippo Village. Many others who have already come and gone before me have expressed these words, and so I run the risk of sounding rather clichéd, but the fact remains that this community is truly unique, quite unlike any other I have been part of. SPH is a community that truly embraces the call to strive toward achieving the goal of attaining true knowledge, faith in Christ and Godly character. This has challenged me to be ever seeking the truth, living it and imparting it to my students day by day in all I do. I can only trust that shortcomings in my understanding will be worked out in the hearts of those I have been privileged to teach over the years, by the grace of God through the work of the Holy Spirit in their young lives. Along the way so many people have enriched my life in countless ways. Through collegial interaction (in the ever present meetings and committees), fellowship and friendships, I believe I have been
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shaped and sharpened toward becoming more effective in achieving my calling and purpose. Perhaps the most profound impact on my time here at SPH is without a doubt the connections and relationships I have formed with my students. The energy, the hope and optimism that these precious young people exude, infuses energy, hope and optimism in me, day by day. It is nothing less than humbling to know that I have been allowed to play a small, yet significant part in their lives. My time at SPH Lippo Village has now come to a close, however, I don’t feel as though I’m really leaving. My journey will take me just down the road to SPH Kemang Village, where I hope to be able to take all that I have learned and benefited from in SPH Lippo Village to the benefit and up building of our new school in our SPH family. I embrace this new challenge with confidence, going not in my own strength, but trusting that God will guide me every step of the way. I say “farewell”; it has been a good journey thus far, and, because I’m not really venturing far, which I do draw some comfort from, I’m quite hopeful that I’ll still see many of you from time to time. Johanna Wielenga
SPH International Lippo Village Teacher
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HEN people leave and say goodbye, I sometimes have wondered whether I was ready or not, as one day it would surely be my turn. It’s hard to believe that now is really the time for me to say goodbye to all of you. However, I will not really leave you because I will join the SPH Kemang Village campus. I have been working with SPH since June 2001. I was a fresh graduate at that time and just moved to Jakarta to join SPH. During these nine years of service, God has continued to faithfully mold me as a teacher and especially as an individual. I have been abundantly blessed with wonderful experiences working with many Christian teachers, students, staff, and parents from various cultures and family backgrounds. I can’t stop thanking Him for His blessings. If I look back at my life, I keep wondering and asking myself: who am I that He has chosen me to serve Him in this wonderful place and beautiful community? I have had countless highlights here at SPH. One of the best moments has been having the opportunity to meet
many different people from all over the globe and to share God’s words to our students. The people and the community is one of the things that I will miss most from this campus. I have been thinking and interceding for the opportunity to work closer to my home these past few years. God has opened the door just in time. SPH opens a new campus in Kemang and there I will go. I realize that I still need to continue learning about many different things in a new place but I also know that I am not alone. God has been so faithful in my life so far and I believe He will continue to do so until the end of my days. I pray and hope that SPH will continue shining for the Lord and be a great blessing for the people, community and for this country. I wish you the best in the coming school year. May God continue to bless you every day and every moment.
Blessings, Bernadhetta Roselita Anggorosari SPH International Lippo Village Teacher
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IME sure does fly by when you are having fun! It has been an exciting first year for me here at the SPH Lippo Village campus. I am not making long term goodbyes as I will only be a hop, skip, and a jump down the road at our new SPH Kemang campus. It has been so wonderful working with colleagues, staff and administration that love the Lord and are committed to being a blessing to the nation of Indonesia. I have had twenty-three highlights this year, my first class, the twenty-three 4A-ers. On the first day of school they walked in one way, but they will soon be leaving in quite a different spirit. The Bible says that wherever His Spirit is, freedom is also there. These children have blossomed during our short time together and each of them has found a special place in my heart. There are twenty-three Son-light carriers who are beginning to walk in God’s promise to them, in liberty and freedom. It is my hope and belief that this work, which our Father has started, will be seen through till the end. I love you 4A and farewell SPH Lippo Village!
Leah Lauren Rawdon
SPH International Lippo Village Teacher
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HERE is a time to meet, there is a time to say good bye. I have been teaching here for ten years. I have had many experiences in this school, and I am really thankful to God because He has molded me and I have learned God’s purpose in my life. I have been very happy to teach in SPH International Lippo Village because we have a good working atmosphere here and I have good relationships with all of my colleagues. We always support each other, we often pray together, my faith has grown and grown, while working with God’s family in this school. Now, God has asked me to teach in a different place which is located in Kemang. My hope in the future is that I want to keep obeying God wherever God puts me and continuing to serve Him. For me obeying is more pleasing to God. Moving to Kemang will be my act of obedience to Him. At this time, I would like to say good bye to all of you and God bless you all.
Heryulina Purbo
SPH International Lippo Village Teacher
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All about Butterflies “This story is not a love story This story is not about princes and princesses. This story is not about a ‘happily ever after’. This story is just about one girl, who discovered the beauty of faith and love, during a summer that changed everything.”
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had always wanted to write, from an early age. Being a bookworm, my biggest passion was to be like those authors who wrote the books I read. I wanted to craft characters from the figment of my imagination; to manipulate a melee of words into a soul-gripping plot. I started writing when I was eight years old. However, the things I wrote back then were mostly short stories, prologues or the first few pages of novels that I never continued to write. When I was given the chance of writing for my Year 10 Personal Project, I took it immediately, in the hope that this time I would finally have the incentive to finish a book. I was right. The novel took around six months to finish. Starting it was the hardest part−continuing was another story. I chose the theme of faith and love because those two attributes are what I feel most accustomed to as I believe everyone is slowly trying to decipher them more in life every day. I write best when I receive sporadic bursts of energy, especially after a day out with my friends, who up until today, have remained my biggest inspiration, not just for the novel, but life in general. I also enjoy the silent nights behind my laptop, with music turned to full swing, which I discovered was my second best inspiration. My novel, Just Like Butterflies, is narrated by Chantel, a sixteen year old fostered Chinese orphan, who finds it hard to accept love from the people around her. To her, love is something intangible, unreachable, in her skewed dark reality, where she lacks faith in life and all the wonderful possibilities it has for her. However, all it took was one summer to change everything. Just Like Butterflies delineates the common teenage ‘can of worms’, losing battles to love, understanding from family and having faith in the most simplest and yet impossible things. It is a story about life’s surprises, friendship, growing up, and falling in love. Mostly, it is about faith, and believing in the most impossible of things like broken friendships and families. I hope it will inspire.
Claudia Natasia Aten, Grade 11 SPH International Lippo Village
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Retirement Home Fieldtrip By Melvin Hade
Visiting a Retirement Home was never something I considered doing in my lifetime. I also didn’t expect to feel so happy when I met the people who lived there. In my mind, a retirement home was a place where old, sick people stay and spend their last days of life. At first, I was so upset that the CAS fieldtrip was going there because I thought I could not do anything there but I was very amused by the things I felt after the visit.
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sat on the bus and we arrived at the Retirement house. There was one grandparent, named Wilily, who waved at our bus. When I entered the home I was very scared and I thought I would not like the place, but I was wrong. The grandparents taught us many interesting things. My first thought about the visit was to feel really sorry for the grandparents. However the elderly people gave me a new perspective on life. They made me realize that there is another part of life that should be looked at. Listening to one of the grandparent’s stories was very funny and exciting, but it was also very sad. Wilily was the grandparent who shared her stories with me. I believe that she is a one of the luckiest grandparents at that retirement home because she said that she had never faced huge problems in her life. Even though she worked really hard to raise her nine children, she said that she had always lived a very happy life.
But there are also grandparents that have live in a very poor condition and spend their last days of their lives that way. I also felt there is no plausible reason for an elderly person to be placed in a retirement home; their families should be responsible for them. These grandparents that live in the retirement home should spend their last days of their lives with their families or in a family house not at the Retirement house with other old people, especially if they need special treatment or care.
members. However, I think they do not give enough love to them especially as these are the people who worked very hard to raise them.
It was so sad to see a lot of grandparents who had an abnormal physical condition and some with partial mental illness. There are things that happened in the past that shaped their condition today. Keeping good health is the first thing that I should be aware of. Their poor physical condition increased my awareness to eat healthy foods and to have a healthy lifestyle.
This field trip was very important and meaningful to my life. It made me not regret missing my Medan fieldtrip. I think I had more fun and learned more valuable things than most of my friends on the trip to Medan. Most of my friends were amazed with the beautiful scenery of Lake Toba. I am not jealous, nor do I regret not going, because I saw a whole new version of the beautiful Lake Toba at the retirement house. My friends saw Lake Toba with their eyes, but I felt my Lake Toba at the retirement house with the beauty of Grandmother Wilily.
Being thankful and grateful for what I have is the main thing that I realized after this field trip. I always forget that there are many people out there who live very tragic lives in poor conditions. Even one of the grandparents was thankful to God for what God has given to her and to her family, but sometimes I don’t even think of what God has given me. I realize that love from our parents is way more important than the money that they give to us, because the families of the grandparents at the Retirement home can pay for the living costs of their family
After this fieldtrip I made a promise to myself and God, that I would never let my parents or my parents-in-law spend their life in a retirement home. I couldn’t stand it when I saw about sixty-five grandparents living without their families! It is what made me decide to make this special promise with God.
Melvin Hade, Grade 9 SPH International Sentul City
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Grade 12
Mission Trip to Lampung
Some of our Grade 12s chose to be involved in a student initiated mission to Lampung immediately following their exams. I have great hope in young people who are gripped by the Gospel of Jesus Christ. These are some of their reflections .... YUNUS
I have no regrets. I never made a sacrifice. The time I spent in Lampung was definitely enjoyable. First of all, I know I am called to be a pastor, and one of the things I wish to do when I grow up is to preach wearing flip-flops, or as Indonesians call them, sendal jepit. This is not something I want to do just for the fun of it, but rather to make a statement; that legalism is not a part of the Christian faith. In Lampung, I experienced this, what C.S. Lewis calls “Mere Christianity”; Christianity without legalism. We sang praises with only guitars, wearing flip-flops, sitting on carpets, in short, nothing mattered but the joy we had together in Christ Jesus. I am a Christian hedonist, I believe that God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him, and I can say that in Lampung, I was very satisfied in Him. Although I left the comforts of home for the discomforts of Lampung, it was a small price to pay for the joy I experienced there. I never made a single sacrifice. It may have been hard work, but I got to see God work, changing people’s lives, and it was worth it. As I love to say, the cost of following Jesus is great, but the benefits far outweigh the costs.
PETER
This mission trip was a very rewarding and inspirational trip for me. Though at first I was fairly reluctant to go, I came home knowing that this trip was definitely worth the fight and I have no regrets. After spending four nights together with the students in Sekolah Lentera Harapan, I felt really guilty and ashamed of myself. I realized how ignorant I was in my faith and relationship with Christ, even though God has placed me in a welloff family with all the resources available that offer me opportunities to develop this. The kids there were on fire and extremely passionate in their relationship with Christ; they thirst for, and are even willing to fight for, their faith. I was moved.
ARIO “In learning you will teach and in teaching you will learn.” Meaningful. That is the word that describes the mission trip to Lampung. Despite the realities many of us never come close to realizing, the students of Sekolah Lentera Harapan (SLH) had spirits unimaginable and unfound in many SPH students. As many SLH students attending the retreat accepted Jesus as their savior, I saw God working through us, His tools, to do His will. It was amazing. Although we were there to teach the SLH students, we also learnt so much from them. It taught me personally to appreciate what He has given and all in all, it is not our will but His that matters.
special report MICH
I feel very privileged to have had the chance to not only go on a mission trip, but to also take part in the planning of it. At first it was difficult to see this trip become a reality because there were many obstacles that I personally faced, and planning a mission trip in the midst of the IB final exams is obviously not the best choice. However, thanks to Yunus and Andrew, whenever I started worrying about anything regarding this mission trip, they reminded me to surrender everything to God, and that the purpose of this trip is not for our glory but God's. I witnessed God at work throughout the planning as well as the trip itself in the teacher supervisors, the participants of the trip, the Grade 12 students who refused to take the cheat sheet for their exam, and the students who repented at the retreat. I feel blessed for being able to go on this trip. I learned a lot, especially in not worrying and letting God take control, appreciating what God has given me, and figuring out what God wants me to do with my life.
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ANGGA
I never understood the true meaning of being empowered by the Holy Spirit before the mission trip. For my less than extrovert self, going away to a less than affluent environment in an attempt to resurrect the less than healthy spiritual lives of Christians in a school where 75% of the kids are Muslim, not to mention having to relate to them despite the less than trivial barriers of language, wealth, and skin color, then having to present a workshop about media in front of 30 kids, was a challenge I found impossible. But God placed in me enough faith to want to try. Sure enough, when you really depend on God, he pulls through. He is the one who makes a boy with no right thumb and no right toe able to say in front of everyone that he hopes to be an architect, thus giving permission to them to dream despite their financial circumstances. He is the one who strengthens a group of children to take a stand and refuse to purchase answer keys to their final exams. He is the one who will sustain their prayer group who will lose all but three members next year due to graduation. And he is the one who brought tears of repentance to the eyes of those He loves during our altar call.
SAM
The pursuit of happiness is what drives every human being on this earth. However it begs the question of what truly is happiness? This question has been boggling the minds of humans since before anyone can remember. Between the 23rd to the 28th of May 2010, a team of fifteen which included nine SPH students decided to go on what we call a Missions Trip to the SLH school in Waypangebuan, Lampung which is the 5th poorest province in Indonesia seen from its GDP per capita. The thought of SPH students going to an impoverished area of one of the poorest provinces in a developing country as Indonesia sounds somewhat odd. Why would SPH students who are among the most comfortable in the world, go to such places to actually work and serve? This is the question which I faced with after I realized I was going. However what we learnt there is truly priceless and our experiences were truly authentic. This trip has taught me the answer to the question I posed above, what truly is happiness? The answer came from the smiles and enthusiasm of those kids when they praised God or participated in our activities. The same kids who are able to smile and say God is Good, all the while, not knowing what is to become of them after they finish school. Whose only source of hope is truly in Christ alone. I am somewhat envious of those kids who may not possess the same amount of money nor obvious hope however are able to rejoice in it nonetheless.
ANDREW
The Mission Trip to Lampung will never cease to be a fond memory to me. What started out as a scholarship program envisioned by the Student Council of 2008 has now materialized into a stronger relationship with our sister school Lentera. The students and teachers there share a loving bond that is the fruit of God-given passion, and an active, demonstrable faith in Jesus Christ. Watching my best friend preach the first two sermons of his pastoral career in flip-flops, the basketball sparring in similar looking PE shirts, and the vibrant atmosphere of prayer and praise among both students and teachers are the wonderful memories that Lampung will leave me with. Hearing about God at work is nothing compared to witnessing it firsthand. Seeing God's amazing and miraculous will at work in Lampung (or anywhere else) is an experience that should be shared as much as possible.
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WILSON
I am really glad that I could join this mission trip. I was so blessed by those people from SLH. They are so eager to know more about Christ the Lord more than my friend in SMAK V BPK Penabur. It was a fun trip with my new friends from SPH and Pak Pitaya a.s.k. as Pitoyo and I also enjoyed having fun with SLH students and teachers. They were all so friendly and kind to me. I hope that we can meet again someday. I learned so much from this mission trip. I learned to get out from my comfort zone. Last but not least, I learned that wherever God chooses us to spread the Gospel of Christ, we can forget those people who heard the Gospel but the Gospel itself can't be forgotten in the place where it was preached. May the Lord bless those who spread the Gospel of Christ.
JESSICA E.
This mission trip has been a very touching journey for most of us. Of course, this trip has not been easy. Some of us are not comfortable with new people, some of us have never led a group discussion or devotion before, some of us are not comfortable in talking in Bahasa in front of many people, but we managed to learn to do these things step by step through this mission trip. Just like everyone, I am touched by the spirit and enthusiasm of the students in Sekolah Lentera Harapan. The Christians in SLH are only a minority however their passion for the Lord is much more than us Christians in SPH who are the majority. I was very amazed. Not only that, the students and teachers in SLH give us the idea of a real community where everyone helped each other even though their race, age and religion are different with one another. I believe that this mission trip has not just changed their lives, but also changed our lives. I am truly inspired by each and every one of them and I hope that you all will be inspired as well. God bless.
ZEFANYA ABIGAIL
I learned so many things from this mission trip. I know that in our lives we need to depend on God and believe that He’ll provide our needs. But this mission trip taught me again how to be totally dependent on God and not to worry about what will happen next. He gave me strength and peace every single day. I also saw God’s work in this team; He used these young people to be good examples, to spread His word, His love. This team gave the best that they have for this mission trip. We all came with different reasons, but we all came home with the same feeling: blessed, joyful, and touched by God’s love. God calls His people in different ways, and it depends on us how we will respond to His call. We learned this during the mission trip. We found things that we never thought we could do before. I learned how to be total in every single thing in our lives. And how to not waste our time, chances, lives, and what we have now.
LILYANTI CERLIANA
Dalam mission trip ini, saya diajar untuk bersyukur dalam segala hal dan segala keadaan. Keceriaan anak-anak SLH membuat saya merenung bahwa dalam keterbatasan yang mereka miliki, kebahagiaan tetap selalu ada. Melihat anak-anak SPH juga menjadi refleksi bagi saya, bahwa segala fasilitas dan kenyamanan tidak sematamata membawa kebahagiaan dalam hidup. Kebahagiaan hidup entah kita kaya, entah miskin, sesungguhnya hanya ada dalam pengenalan akan Kristus. Mission trip ini mengingatkan saya kembali untuk peduli dan peka bahwa Allah mengasihi setiap jiwa, dan karena itu kerinduan membawa setiap jiwa dalam mengenal Allah seharusnya menjadi bagian dalam hidup kita sehari-hari. Thank you for the mission trip!
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DAVID MATTHEW The retreat was fun and it was a brand new experience for me. Before I went to this retreat, I thought that some of the things would be unpleasant, but in fact, there was hardly none of those. Imagined the school would not be good, however as I arrived, it was pretty comfortable and I had no problem in doing my showers or sleeping. There were many significant experiences I had there. One of them is to be able to meet with different kinds of people (SLH students). At first I thought, it would be for me to befriend them, but in fact they were very friendly to me. The second is to experience a different a new environment. Jakarta is far better when it comes to technology and infrastructure. However, I found that people could live without any major entertainment or malls. They live by communicating and experiencing togetherness with each other.
PITAYA RAHMADI Sebuah perjalanan yang memiliki arti yang dalam bagi kehidupan anak muda dalam melayani Tuhan. Mereka bisa menunjukkan kasih, memberikan penguatan dan harapan kepada saudara yang berbeda dunia kehidupannya. Melalui pelatihan (arsitek, jurnalisme, hukum-komunikasi, psikologi, art, dan pendidikan) untuk seluruh siswa sekolah Lentera Harapan di Pangubuan mereka mampu memberikan nilai yang sangat berharga untuk saudara mereka. Selain itu dengan retreat yang mereka rencanakan, mereka pimpin mampu membawa anak-anak pada pemahaman yang lebih baik tentang iman dan harapan mereka sebagai orang Kristen. Sungguh hal ini merupakan satu poin penting yang menjadi pengalaman rohani dalam perjalanan kehidupan mereka. Dengan mission trip ini para siswa merasa bisa lebih bersyukur akan kehidupan yang mereka miliki, juga terbukanya kesadaran akan perlunya kebutuhan membantu saudara seiman di manapun, kapanpun, dan dalam kondisi apapun. Semoga mission trip ini tidak berhenti di tahun ini, namun bisa berkelanjutan untuk waktu yang akan datang.
Pitaya Rahmadi
SPH International Lippo Village Teacher
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KARLIN MULYADI
Secara jujur, saya merasa salut dengan inisiatif dan keberanian tim dari SPH kali ini untuk mengadakan mission trip. Saya secara pribadi merasa tertegur dan sepanjang mission trip ini terus meminta kepada Tuhan akan hati misi ini. Selama di Lampung semangat saya juga dibakar kembali ketika saya melihat teladanteladan iman yang luar biasa dalam Kristus, baik itu melalui hamba Tuhan di gereja-gereja ataupun melalui teladan para guru di Sekolah Lentera Harapan. Para hamba Tuhan di Lampung seringkali mengalami berbagai tekanan bahkan sampai diancam nyawa, tetapi mereka tetap setia. Begitu juga dengan para guru yang ada. Di dalam kesederhanaan dalam keterbatasan fasilitas yang ada, mereka menampilkan adanya suatu sukacita, kepuasaan, kasih dan damai sejahtera di dalam Tuhan yang melampaui segala akal, yang sulit kita temui di kota besar ini. Mother Theresa suatu kali mengatakan, “ I’m not called to be successfull, but I’m called to be faithfull.” Saya rasa quote itu dapat merangkum apa yang saya pelajari selama mission trip ini, entah itu melalui kesetiaan tim SPH meresponi amanat agung Tuhan, maupun kesetiaan dari para hamba Tuhan dan guru Sekolah Lentera Harapan dalam memenuhi panggilan Tuhan terhadap mereka.
MICHELLE NOBELITA "Janganlah hendaknya kerajinanmu kendor, biarlah rohmu menyala-nyala dan layanilah Tuhan" (Roma 12:10). Semangat semua! Such a previllage for me bisa melihat bagaimana Tuhan bekerja atas setiap anak-anak SPH dalam mission trip to Lampung. Berbagai denominasi dan latar belakang yang berbeda dibuat satu untuk kemuliaan Tuhan.Saya percaya ini bukan sebuah kebetulan atau sekedar aktivitas belaka tapi saya berdoa biarlah ini menjadi sebuah pengalaman iman yang luar biasa bagi setiap pribadi, bahkan tidak hanya untuk temen-temen dari SPH melainkan juga untuk setiap pribadi dari muridmurid Sekolah Lentera Harapan di Way Pangubuan Lampung, bahwa Allah bekerja dalam segala hal dalam hidup kita. Ingat satu hal, bahwa setiap hal yang kalian tabur tidak akan pernah sia-sia, jadi maju terus dalam Tuhan dan lihat betapa dahsyat dan besar Allah Kita dalam hidup setiap kita. Thanks for all of you, such a blessings to know all of you guys! Fun! Keep being a blessing where ever you go and may God bless you all.
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Some students responses to Ibu Virna
In Memoriam:
Virna Carla Monica Tumengkol 18 September 1971−18 May 2010
• Ibu Virna was a great and loving teacher, friend, mentor and just a fun person to be with • She had the greatest, widest and prettiest smile ever • She was a person with a big heart and was always caring • She was a humble, friendly person • She will always be remembered as a bubbly and energetic person • She was a friend and mentor who guided us each day and taught us far more than atoms and particles • She was a highly intelligent teacher with a servant heart • She was an excellent role model as a true follower of Jesus Christ • She really loved us all • Learning science with her was never boring and she was always there to help • I will never forget the laughter we shared in class • She obviously needed a rest from all the hard work of teaching us • She always showed concern for our welfare • She lived an influential life • She was a true reflection of Christ and set a great example in our community • She is now in a far better place with her Heavenly Father • We will never forget her • This is not ‘goodbye’ but a ‘see you soon’ • Her presence has been a wonderful blessing in our lives−always remembered with love • We look forward to joining her in heaven • I am sure she is smiling and dancing in the presence of God now • We are praying for her family
Mona Gloria Mustamu
SPH International Lippo Village Teacher
In Memoriam:
Virna Carla Monica Tumengkol 18 September 1971−18 May 2010
special report Ibu Virna wasn’t just a teacher to us, she was more than that, she was a friend, a guide, and a mentor. Most of all, she was a gift to all of us from God. We were the last generation to be taught by her, and we are very thankful to have had that opportunity and how great is God’s plan and timing? In Memoriam:
Virna Carla Monica Tumengkol 18 September 1971−18 May 2010
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N the middle of exams when we heard the news, we were shocked, and the only thing in our heads, was the feeling of regret and sadness that we did not have the chance to see her again and talk to her and say how thankful and grateful we are for how she changed our lives. However, I don’t think Ibu Virna wants us to feel regret or sadness, but she wants us to learn from her that life is short. As human beings we are not just random chemical reactions, we are built for a reason and a purpose, in God’s own image, thus our lives are not built merely to receive as much blessings or wealth or rewards. But it is more about giving.
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Before I stood up to speak I prayed to God that He would use the time I had to convey an important message to all of the parents, teachers and students. I am thankful to God for the opportunity I was given. I have learned how important and gifted His children are, how He can use every single one of us differently for a useful purpose. I have always thought rather pessimistically about my life, how I make big hopes and plans for my future, but I feel that I cannot reach that future. However I have come to see that I am special, and I am made for a purpose and for a reason. A reason and a path much better than I have planned for myself. So why should I worry? I did my best in the IB exams and can now trust God that He will lead me to the best path, because my perfect plans are no way near or better than His Master plans for me. I believe Ibu Virna’s death has made me realize this. In that one sad event we see here how powerful God can be, how He can make things that are so negative, horrifying and depressing, where light is nowhere to be found, into something hopeful and positive to other people. Hardship to Hope.
Through Ibu Virna, we can learn that life is short, and we should give as much as we can, while we still can. Plus we all can start by showing value and gratefulness to the people closest to us such as teachers, parents and friends. Thank them for how they have and will shape us in the future; how they have inspired and supported each one of us and accompanied us through hardships.
Peter Putra Nugroho
Grade 12 SPH International Lippo Village
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only had the opportunity to work with Ibu Virna for a year, but even in that short time she impressed me with the genuine, heartfelt way that she cared about her students. I can’t recall a single time when she wasn’t encouraging, calm, poised and cheerful, even when circumstances could have dictated otherwise. She was an incredible example of how one could choose their attitude. I remember her dancing at a staff activity last year with so much grace and beauty, and although I am saddened by her loss, I am confident that she is dancing now with more freedom than she ever enjoyed here.
Tris White
SPH International Lippo Village Teacher
book corner
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HANDS OF GRACE Jesus: God’s Symphony of Hope By Geoff Bullock Strand, Sydney, 1998 This book is about Jesus, our HOPE. The life of Jesus is a symphony of Hope that compels us to rise above the restless noise of life. In JESUS, God’s living autobiography we find grace working itself into melody and harmonies that play upon souls and satisfy our deepest longings for love, acceptance and forgiveness. When we find ourselves at the end of our rope, God still finds enough of a handhold to hold on. When we are at the bottom of the barrel, God is waiting for us. When all have abandoned us and turned away, we will find one who knows exactly how we feel. And He Is Jesus.
GIFT FROM GOD Encouragement and Hope for Today’s Parents By Dr. David Jeremiah Chariot Victor, 1999 This is A BOOK OF ENCOURAGING BIBLICAL TRUTH. Rejoice in truth. In this book we will learn how to encourage parents to trust God for their children and believe that He will honor His Word. In this book we will know what Hope is. Hope is what shines through to others in times of trouble; Hope is the inner strength they glimpse in us when the pressure’s on; Hope is the dimension of life they simply can’t comprehend. With God we can get through anything, no matter how hard or difficult, if we know our purpose and goal and future and hope. The result of losing all hope is the loss of desire to live. With a Hope focussed upon Jesus, He will take us through even the most difficult circumstances. We walk with the Lord, show that we’re prepared to meet the challenge, when we have a quiet, meek spirit, the truth of God’s word, and a clean life-we’re the most powerful tool in God’s arsenal. There is nothing like the force of clear conscience in doing warfare for God!