The Light 2011 Volume 19 by Sekolah Pelita Harapan

True Knowledge | Faith in Christ | Godly Character

19th Edition/2011

contents Editorial Team PUBLISHER Yayasan Pendidikan Pelita Harapan ADVISOR Brian Cox, Aileen H. Riady

19th Edition/2011 3 Redemptive Servants By Brian Cox 4 Redemptive Servants By Patricia Renyut 5 Redemptive Servants By Dan Fennell

7 History through Christian Lenses By James M. Boldosser, Sr.

MANAGING DIRECTOR Hana Herawati

8 Shine Like Stars By Jason Myers

EDITOR & TRANSLATOR Budi Alto, Anita Purwanti

10 Saved to Serve By Lea Setyaningrum

GRAPHIC DESIGNER Iwan Werlin

13 SPH International Sentul City By Nick Combes

PHOTOGRAPHER Hariyanto, Clifford, Andreas

9 Psalm 23 11 The Report of Merapi Victim Visit By Bernadhetta Roselita Anggorosari 14 Redemptive Servant By SPH International Sentul City students 19 Visit to Bukit Karmel Orphanage By SPH International Sentul City students 20 He is the Light and He is here ... By Bernadhetta Roselita Anggorosari

Address 2500 Bulevar Palem Raya, Lippo Village Tangerang 15811, Banten Phone: (021) 546 0232-33 Fax: (021) 546 9663 www.sph.edu

COVER

: Vanessa Eustacia Jackson

(Grade 4 SPH International Sentul City)

LOCATION

: Senior Home Hanna, Bogor

PHOTOGRAPHER : Grace Herjawan

21 Book Corner 22 Community Service Project Update By PAG 24 SPH International Biennial Concert By Geoff Marriott 26 Soccer Carnival

Redemptive Servants regular

Left to our own desires would any one of us want to serve others? We live in a world where we are preoccupied by self. We are constantly being told, particularly through the advertising media, that the most important person is us. We are encouraged to pursue comfort and self satisfaction.

HERE is much more concern for selffulfillment than for pleasing God and truly serving Him and others, as seen in the life of Jesus. Servant living stands opposed to the primary self-serving concerns we see today where the focus of our culture and society is more on our own personal happiness and comfort. I am always saddened when I go into Christian bookshops and discover that so many of the books are “how-to-books” aimed at forming better relationships, becoming a better or more successful person, improving our diet, managing our money etc which tend to take the focus off what is truly at the heart of Christianity—knowing and loving God, and as an outworking of that relationship, living as servants in the power of the Holy Spirit according to the example of Jesus Christ. A major quality that characterized the life of Jesus Christ was that of unselfish servant hood. Jesus said, “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many”.1

or status—it means that we are to live as a servant. A servant is first of all one who is under submission to another. Servants have masters! For Christians, this means submission to God first, and then submission to one another. Then, as a person in submission, a servant is one who seeks to meet the real needs of others rather than the service of self. It means willingly giving of oneself to minister to others and to do whatever it takes to accomplish what is best and right for them. Servanthood always has a cost. It may be a cost of status, reputation, position, possessions, rights or recognition. There is a danger when serving others. We must be careful to check our underlying motives as it can easily be done for the praise of others usually in the futile pursuit of personal significance through something like

praise, power, or status.

However, we also have to reject the common thought that servanthood is only genuine when our motivation is perfect and it “feels right”. For Christ’s disciples, there is no option; being a servant IS right. As someone said to me recently, “Doing what’s right, even when we don’t feel like it, is not hypocrisy, its integrity.” Jesus came as a servant with a commitment to serve. If that is not true then our redemption would not have been possible. The real test of whether we are truly maturing and learning to become a Christ-like servant is how we act when people treat us like one. Blessings, Brian Cox

"You can easily judge the character of a man by how he treats those who can do nothing for him."—attributed to Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

The apostle Paul said that each of us should be concerned not only about our own interests, but the interests of others as well.2 He also encouraged us to have the same attitude toward one another that Jesus had, and reminded us that Jesus, even though he was God, had displayed great humility when he “made himself nothing” by taking the form of a slave.3 There is no question that if we as Christians are going to grow and mature into Christlike character, we must experience progress in giving of ourselves in ministry to and for others. But what exactly is servanthood? It’s not an act or a performance; rather it’s state of being Mark 10:45 Philippians 1:4 3 Philippians 2:6–8 1 2

Brian Cox

Head of School SPH International Lippo Village and Coordinator of SPH International Schools

examples

Redemptive Servants (The need to be agents of redemption and transformation) By Patricia Renyut, Grade 12 SPH International Lippo Village

As a teenager, I see examples of self-serving attitudes being advertised by the media quite often. Whether it be a music video proclaiming about one’s “way to the top” or a reality TV show bent on showing the back-stabbing and rumor-spreading lifestyle of the rich. More than once I find myself disconcerted at the amount of distorted ideals I have to sort through in watching TV casually at home.

OWEVER, before ridiculing the characters on the screen, it is imperative that we examine the existence of the same self-serving attitudes apparent in our lives. It is not hard to notice moments in our lives when we choose to disregard God’s blessings and claim them as fruits of our own labor. Too often we take for granted what we have been given and refuse to become agents of redemption in our surroundings. Being joyful in the blessings God has given us is not something to look down upon. Yet the problem lies in us being too comfortable in our own lives that we forget our true calling, which is to glorify His name and create disciples on earth: “Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” — (Matthew 28:18–20) We need to become agents of redemption because we must share the awe and wonder we have of our Creator, and follow what He has asked of us. His instructions will take

us to places where we will be shaped to become more like Him, despite hardships and obstacles that will follow. People will undoubtedly cringe at the thought of leaving worldly security behind, yet He calls us to become his agents in transforming the earth in which he has placed us. To do this, we need to be aware of the work that God has done in our lives. Take a step back and examine how God has brought you to the condition you are in now. There must have been times you struggled, yet those were the times that God was working in your life to strengthen you. Christ has prepared us for the journey he wants us to take, and He will never ask us to do what He has not equipped us to do. Perhaps we have become too comfortable with the regular routines of our lives, creating no significant impact in our surroundings. I have to admit that I myself often fail to see this crucial point: that to make the change we want to see happening in our surroundings, we have to be a part of it. “In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” — (Matthew 5:16) Now this may be harder to relate to for some, but the essence is that despite our differences and problems, we have been called to be the change God seeks to create on earth. Through his redemption, He calls on us to spread the love that He has to others: “We love because He first loved us. If anyone says, “I love God”, yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother.” — (1 John 4: 19-21) See the importance that is placed on us acting out the love that we have for God to our brothers and sisters? The God that is almighty,

and beyond our understanding, wants us to express the same love we have for Him to our surrounding communities. He goes completely against the self-serving attitude so prevalent in today’s media. Jesus in fact calls on us, as he did Simon Peter, to testify to His majesty, and continue to become people who motivate others to develop in their spiritual growth: “When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” — (John 21:15) Many of us think that by becoming Christians we have achieved what is good for ourselves, and that in the end God will always support our actions and punish those who wrong us. Yet this distorted idea of Christianity is self-centered and leaves no room for sharing God’s love with others. We need to become the agents that God calls us to be. And feeling gratitude for our redemption on the cross, we must be willing to make sacrifices for the sake of glorifying God’s name, as selfless and compassionate as His love allows us to be.

examples

By Dan Fennell

Biblical Foundations Coordinator SPH International Lippo Village

few years ago SIL, a faith-based nonprofit literacy organization committed to serving language communities worldwide, ran a recruitment campaign. It consisted of a picture of a strong, athletic young man wading through a jungle river with a water bottle. SIL’s most successful recruitment advertisement began with these words: "Jim was voted the most likely to succeed. It's too bad. Jim had it made. Personality, initiative, a college degree with honors; everything was his for the asking. Now look at him back packing across a jungle river, giving his life to a preliterate people barely out of the Stone Age, painstakingly creating a written alphabet from a previously unrecorded babble of sound. Working night and day ... relieving pain and introducing the possibility of health, building a bridge of understanding to a neglected people; and to think Jim could have been a success." Measured by modern standards of success— neither Jim nor Jesus were successful. If success means wealth—Jesus had ‘no place to lay His head” (Matthew 8:20 NLT). If success means beauty—Jesus’ “appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any human being” (Isaiah 52:14 NLT). If success means having everything for the asking—Jesus “gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being” (Philippians 2:7 NLT). From the perspective of popular culture—whether in the jungle or in Jerusalem—Jim and Jesus were spectacular failures. Why would an honors student refuse the allure of rewards and the acclaim of ‘having a name’ and instead choose a hidden life of self-giving service? What motivated Jesus to leave his moment of transfiguration glory and the adoring worship of prophets and apostles to return to the begging crowds and to a bloody cross? Jesus tells us why. 'The Son of Man came to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.' (Mark 10:45). Jesus’ point is unambiguous. He came to serve and His service is redemptive. Jesus is the redemptive Servant. The blue print for Jesus’ ministry motto is the prophet Isaiah’s promised Servant who would bring justice to the nations. The Apostle John tells us that Isaiah “saw Jesus’ glory and spoke about him” (John 12:41). Matthew confirms that Christ is the Servant identified by Isaiah.

“He healed all the sick among them, but he warned them not to reveal who he was. This fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah concerning him: “Look at my Servant, whom I have chosen. He is my Beloved, who pleases me. I will put my Spirit upon him, and he will proclaim justice to the nations. He will not fight or shout or raise his voice in public. He will not crush the weakest reed or put out a flickering candle. Finally he will cause justice to be victorious.” And his name will be the hope of all the world.” (Matthew 12:15–21) How did the Servant Jesus ‘proclaim justice to the nations’? How did the Servant Jesus ‘cause justice to be victorious’? Each of us has said at some time or other, “That’s not fair?” Whether as a child in a playground seeing another child cheat in a contest; whether in a crowd watching a referee’s wrong decision that changes the result of a game; whether as an employee watching an incompetent colleague being promoted far above their qualifications; we are all hardwired with an innate sense of justice. We are outraged when an election is rigged or a guilty criminal goes unpunished. And we cheer when the innocent are freed. Would it matter if God was unjust—if He winked his eye at evil? If God did act that way the moral fabric of the universe would fracture and humanity would tear each other to pieces. The Bible teaches that God never perverts justice! (Proverbs 17:15) God is the Judge of all the earth and he always acts justly. But if God is just—is it possible for him to justly forgive? In his letter to the Romans the Apostle Paul takes us into God's courtroom where the entire human race stands on trial and under the sentence of death because of their sinful rebellion against their Creator. In God’s courtroom humans are without excuse and deserve the just punishment of death. But, Paul says, something wonderful has happened. The trial has turned. Our deserved judgment has been deflected to Jesus Christ through his death on the cross. The perfect death of Jesus Christ satisfies God’s righteous justice and believers in Jesus “are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.” God is just! Sin has been punished, incredibly, in His own Son—“so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.” (Romans 3:26) Therefore “if we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins.” (1 John 1:9) This is Jesus’ victorious justice. Who but God could redeem at the cost of the Cross?

examples

Biblical justice has in view not merely individual people but the entire planet. Not just Christians but the entire cosmos. Paul writes in his letter to the Colossians, “God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.” (Colossians 1:19-20) The justice of the Cross restores harmony to the cosmos, re-establishes relationship between humanity and their Creator, between human beings and between the rest of creation. God “cares very much about this present world and our present selves, and ... has made us and the world for a purpose which will indeed involve justice, things being put to rights, ourselves being put to rights, the world being rescued at last.” (N. T. Wright Simply Christian p. 9) Christians are called to proclaim justice to the nations. This is the calling of the Cross. “To work for a healing, restorative justice—whether in individual relationships, or international relations, or anywhere in between—is therefore a primary

Christian calling ... Every Christian is called to work, at every level of life, for a world in which reconciliation and restoration are put into practice, and so to anticipate that day when God will indeed put everything to rights.” (N.T. Wright Simply Christian p. 226) However we must never forget that “all we may do to reconcile men to God is but the following up of a great and final deed of God—the cross.”

(P. T. Forsyth The Cruciality of the Cross p. 17)

“The gospel is the good news of what God has done, especially in Christ Jesus, especially in his cross and resurrection; it is not what we do. Because it is news, it is to be proclaimed. But because it is powerful, it not only reconciles us to God, but transforms us, and that necessarily shapes our behavior, priorities, values, relationships with people, and much more. These are not optional extras for the extremely sanctified, but entailments of the gospel.” (Don Carson: The Gospel Coalition: How Do We Work for Justice and Not Undermine Evangelism?)

Have you seen injustice? In SPH? In society? How is a redemptive Christian to respond? Theologian John Stott writes: “It is never enough to have pity on the victims of injustice, if we do nothing to change the unjust situation itself. Good Samaritans will always be needed to succour those who are assaulted and robbed; yet it would be even better to rid the Jerusalem–Jericho road of brigands ... Injustice must bring pain to the God whose justice flared brightly at the cross; it should bring pain to God’s people too. Contemporary injustices take many forms. They are international (the invasion and annexation of foreign territory), political (the subjugation of minorities), legal (the punishment of untried and unsentenced citizens), racial (the humiliating discrimination against people on the ground of race or color), economic (the toleration of gross inequality and of the traumas of poverty and unemployment), sexual (the oppression of women), educational (the denial of equal opportunity for all) or religious (the failure to take the gospel to the nations). Love and justice combine to oppose all these situations. If we love people, we shall be concerned to secure their basic rights as human beings, which is also the concern of justice. The community of the cross, which has truly absorbed the message of the cross, will always be motivated to action by the demands of justice and love.” (John Stott: The Cross of Christ p. 292–3) We live in Indonesia? We are the community of Sekolah Pelita Harapan International! Are our eyes open to the sights of exploitation and inequality; our ears to the sound of discrimination and relational dysfunction; our emotions to feel another’s humiliation; our mind to thinking how the cross of Christ brings healing and hope? Then we must put on our Gospel shoes and proclaim God’s salvation justice! We must bring the victory of the cross,its healing and hope, to the least and the lost. That was the vision of Isaiah! That is the victory of Jesus. That is the Christian vocation. That’s redemptive service! That’s real success!

By James M. Boldosser, Sr.

examples

Junior School Teacher SPH International Lippo Village

History through Christian Lenses “I don’t know what your destiny will be, but one thing I know: the only ones among you who will be really happy are those who have sought and found how to serve.” This quote by Schweitzer rings true today as it did then. I recently read the book The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein to a variety of grade levels. It’s interesting to consider the lenses through which students consider this book’s meaning. The metaphorical lenses we use to interpret different situations influence our actions and words. As Christians, our worldview, or our lenses through which we interpret our surroundings, are often influenced by history.

EUTERONOMY 4:9 states, "Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them." How did God prepare the world for Christ’s birth was a driving question I had considered this unit. From an historical perspective, all events serve a purpose to the coming of Christ.

Building upon this foundation, students have come to understand the historical relevance of not only secular points in history but also Christian points in history, all of which are intertwined and purposeful. The profoundness of this understanding is everlasting. Another question I had concerning history was why do we study history? More importantly, why should we study history through Christian lenses. The Roman statesman Cicero writes, “To be ignorant of what has happened before your birth is to always remain a child. For what is the meaning of one’s life unless it is integrated with that of our ancestors by history.” Individuals who choose to live a life of historical ignorance remain in a state of intellectual infancy. When I had considered our history unit, I asked myself, do I really want our students growing from intellectual infancy based upon a secular point of view? Our thoughts, actions, and words often reflect our hearts. Proverbs 27:19 reads, “As water reflects a face, so a man's heart reflects the man.” When our young leaders look to the examples of the past for direction, will they reference a pool of secular leaders, such as Hannibal and Julius Caesar, both of whom are worthy of study, or will they reference an intellectual plethora of both secular and Biblical leaders? Many history programs would suggest the former. My stance on historical study through Christian lenses is best reflected by apologist

Dr. Jefrey Breshears’ comment, “A Christian view of history recognizes the reality of a complex paradox incorporating two fundamental theological truths: divine sovereignty and human free will [both secular and Christian]”. When students, both young and old, recognize the theological truth of divine sovereignty and human free will, they are better equipped to reference historical events, and critically compare these events while determining their actions, thoughts, words and servanthood. As I complete this history unit, I have solace in the fact that my students have recognized the irrefutable truth that all historical events have led to the redemption we have in the blood of Jesus Christ. The awe and intrigue of the tremendous battles of Roman legionnaires is now joined by similar, God directed Biblical accounts of Jacob’s march to the promise land. Stories that often dramatize worldlytype relationships, such as Marc Antony and Cleopatra are easily measured to lesser known stories, such as the hesed-type relationship found in Ruth and Boaz. Lastly, viewing history through the eyes of Paul and other early Church leaders further equips our students with the experiences and perspectives of Biblical heroes. The principles found in these experiences and perspectives are ones which we hope to cement in the hearts of our students. They are the principles that contribute to a lifelong, redemptive servant.

examples

By Jason Myers

Sports Program Director SPH International Lippo Village

HRISTIAN leadership is focused on being imitators of Christ. “In Jesus’ paradigm, leadership is supportive, with authority at the bottom of the pyramid and followers being served by the leader and subject to the nurturing oversight of the leader.” (Anthony et al., 2005). The very nature of God is a servant, therefore the sending of Jesus Christ was the perfect example of servant leadership for humankind. Sending His only Son to die on the cross taking the sins of the world and fulfilling the prophecies of the Holy Scriptures. “If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all.” (Mark 9:35). This type of servant leadership of the Savior is in contrast to secular thinking. Jesus displayed humility and service and did not use his heavenly status to lord or exercise authority. Servant leadership is focused on leading from relationship, not position. This type of leading as a servant invites others to join in the ministry as servants. (Anthony et al., 2005). It is one of the paradoxes of the Christian life that the more we give, the more we receive; the more we sacrifice, the more God blesses. This is why the submissive mind leads to joy; it makes us more like Christ. This means sharing His joy as we also share in His sufferings. Of course, when love is the motive, sacrifice is never measured or mentioned.

Faithful Christian leaders will ‘shine like stars’ in this dark world and spread the light of Jesus Christ to everyone they encounter. This could be on the sports field, in the classroom, on the performance stage, in a business office; each Christian leader has an open-ended opportunity to reflect the image of Christ. The sports arenas are filled with darkness and need to see the light of God’s image. There is an egocentric concept of power, position, and winning at all costs, making this concept of Christian leadership difficult to convey and even more challenging to live. Sacrifice and service are marks of the submissive mind (Phil 2:7–8, 21–22, 30), and the submissive mind experiences joy even in the midst of suffering. It takes faith to exercise the submissive mind. We must believe that God's promises are true and that they are going to work in our lives just as they worked in Paul's life. God works in us through the Word, prayer, and suffering; and this works out in daily living and service. God fulfills His purposes in us as we receive and believe His Word. Life is not a series of disappointing ‘ups and downs.’ Rather, it is a sequence of delightful ‘ins and outs.’ God works in—we work out! The example comes from Christ, the energy comes from the Holy Spirit, and the result is—JOY!

Reference: Anthony, M. J., & Estep, J., Jr. (2005). Management Essentials for Christian Ministries. Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman. ISBN: 9780805431230.

In Memoriam:

Charissa Christine Risen (May 20, 2006–March 19, 2011)

ERE is a glimpse of memories and present thoughts from Charissa Risen’s Kindergarten class (K2A) as told by Miss Nadine. Cha Cha was a sweet little girl who was a blessing to all of us in K2A. She loved learning about letters and the sounds they make. She was very excited to sing songs to God at devotions and chapel time. Anytime she saw her mom or her sister her face would light up and her smile was so big and bright. She definitely loved her classmates, her family and her God. We talked about Cha Cha this morning in class. We talked about how she is in heaven now where she is not sick anymore. One student said that she was living with both of her Fathers now. How precious as we know that Cha Cha’s earthly father passed away when she was a baby so we thought that was pretty special for her to now be taken care of by both her Daddy and her heavenly Father. Later in the morning we were seeing who had not had a turn doing the calendar in our class and one student said Cha Cha. We again had to talk about how she was not living with us anymore but in heaven. I said that it will probably take some time for us to get used to Cha Cha not being here. We will sometimes find her work or her presence somewhere in our classroom and that we just need to stop and remember how beautiful she was and that she was God’s child and is now living with Him. As well we see how hard it must also be for her Mom and sister Grace as they will too miss Cha Cha very much. We know that God loves us and takes care of us as he always has and always will. (From: Miss Nadine – K2 Teacher)

Psalm 23 I

MAGINE you are in Senayan City on a Saturday afternoon. You are having coffee with a friend and the topic of discussion turns to God. You tell your friend that God is a Shepherd who looks after his people who are like sheep. Your friend doesn’t get it. They’ve never seen a Shepherd or a sheep. How would you communicate to them who you know God to be? Grade 10 Biblical Studies students study the Psalms during Term 2. One of their required tasks is called ‘Teen Talk’. This involves students reading and studying Psalm 23 and then communicating it using contemporary language so that a 21st century teen who has no Bible background could connect with its essential meaning. We call this transliteration. Transliteration in its purest form involves converting the sound of a word from one language to another—for example from English into Eskimo. As you read these brilliant Psalms, can you see the shape and hear “the sound” of Psalm 23?

special report

On November 7, 2010, Merapi mountain erupted with an explosion even bigger than its devastating 1894 eruption, killing more than 200 people in the surrounding area. The eruption required the evacuation of nearly 300,000 people.

Saved to Serve (By: Lea Setyaningrum, Senior School Teacher SPH International Lippo Village)

HORTLY after the eruption occurred, two students in the senior school initiated conversation with the school counselor to consider ways in which they could respond. They saw that around the country different people and organizations such as the Red Cross were collecting funds to help. They saw that SPH’s student council was also working to collect funds for those whose lives had been affected. These students wanted to do something in addition to the funds that were already being collected. Similarly, Ibu Kiky who is from a small town approximately 2 hours from Mount Merapi also wanted to do something. She had received news from one of her friends in that some areas near Merapi barely had resources to survive. The area was dead—no electricity, no stores, and a lack of water. Many babies were suffering from lack of nutrition as well. It was obviously the love of God who moved Ibu Kiky’s and my heart to do more to help. After getting school permission for raising donations, both of us began to work together with the grade 11 students who had been

thinking about it as well. Ibu Antonia, one of the Bahasa Indonesia teachers jumped in to help. In less than two weeks, we managed to raise lots of baby food, clothes, men and women clothes, instant food, toiletries, and blankets to donate. Personally, I was amazed at how God worked in every heart of the Senior School students, parents, and teachers to give more to the community. Moreover, we, then worked with approximately 30 students to categorize those donations, and

pack them in two afternoons. As a result, the Senior School sent around 150 boxes of donations to people around Magelang and Yogyakarta. This school worked together with I-ShareIndonesia organization to deliver the donations. Ibu Kiky and Ibu Antonia had a wonderful opportunity to go with the people from this organization to Magelang and Yogya to directly donate these boxes. These people were touched by the fact that High School students were the ones who donated the aids to them. Their smiles and gratefulness were the extra gift that God gave to us and reflected more on how wonderful God has reminded us of His salvation in action. To be parts of God’s works is a privilege for me as well as for Ibu Kiky and Ibu Antonia. Our hope and our prayer is that this will not stop here and that God will keep continue to work in the heart of every single student in SPH and exercise the salvation that Jesus gave to each one of us.

special report

The Report of Merapi Victim Visit In reflecting on what happened last year made me realize again how great God’s love is toward us. Starting from an e-mail from a friend, then discussing it with my husband, talking and praying with some colleagues, followed by some discussions with principals, we then resented the issue to the students and the whole school community in Kemang Village. Throughout we continued to maintain endless communication with the pastor and some volunteers ... finally the aid could be transferred successfully to the people in the Merapi area. It reminded me of the song ... it only takes a spark to get a fire going, and soon all those around will warm up to its glowing, That’s how it is with God’s love ....

ERSONALLY, I would like to thank each one of you: teachers, students, parents from Kemang and Lippo Village, Lippo Village PAG, and staff for your support and prayers, especially the way God moved your heart to touch the people here in Indonesia. It did require a lot of organization and effort to collect, organize the donations, pack them, and deliver them to the designated places. God’s grace was really sufficient for us so that we were able to complete the entire process smoothly. We experienced this when we needed to find the right agency to deliver the donations, to get the right vehicle to transfer the boxes of donated goods, choose the best programs with the financial donation we had, and many other things along the way. God really opened the door, guiding us along the way and his hands always came on time ... it is just right in His time. We met wonderful and dedicated persons who were committed to serving others along our journey to the villages or while we were there. The donations from SPH schools were dropped off at two different locations. The

first location was Desa Srumbung, Magelang. This was the community to whom most of the goods, especially clothes and school supplies were given. We did not deliver them directly to the victims as this would require more time and organization and we needed to ensure first that every family received according to their need. Therefore, we delivered the goods to the posko, which was a house belonging to a local priest, and was opened as a center for the disaster relief coordination. Together with other donations from other places, they distributed them during the rapat kampung/RT. We met Mas Agus here, who was one of the leaders in charge of coordinating programs for Merapi victims in his village. We were blessed to be able to meet with him. He is a person with integrity and has a servant leadership heart. He was the one that came up with a great idea of how we should spend the financial support wisely. As we know, money can be very sensitive issue sometimes and we needed to find the right ways to use it. He wanted to educate the villagers so that the people would not develop a dependency attitude. He said that the villagers basically wanted to be independent and continue to live their life. In fact, the villagers are really hard working people. He came up with the idea to purchase plant seeds while waiting for the salak trees to recover. It needs about 2 to 3 years for the soil to be ready for the next salak plantation. Mas Agus suggested to plant vegetables like cabai, papaya, and corn that can be harvested in short terms. Another sustainable program that we chose was fish breeding.

The second place that we visited was located a few kilometers from the first village and we needed to go through more hilly ups and downs to reach this village. By the time we reached the place, it was late in the afternoon and already past our lunch time. Romo Agung was the one who guided us to this place. None of us met the people in the house before but they were so friendly to open their house and even provided lunch for each one of us, including the drivers who helped us to carry the donations. It was still Christmas season and they generously opened their house to guests and visitors. Here we delivered several boxes of milk and snacks for children, clothes, and other goods for the people in the village. The next destination was a church in Pakem. The church was located 15 km from the center of the city. It meant we needed to go around the village and drive back to the town. The church was located on the south slope of the volcano, whereas the first two villages were on the northern slopes of the volcano. We visited the church because we

special report

received information that the church was used to provide shelter for the victims and that aid distribution originated there. The church now set up a few shelters closer to the villages for the refugees and they needed water tanks to supply water for the people. A few days later, we bought 5 water tanks, 550 liter each, and had them delivered to the church. Our last destination was Desa Kinahrejo, the village that located about 4 km from the crater. We realized that we wouldn’t be able to meet anyone there but we liked to see the view after the eruption. Unfortunately we arrived so late in the afternoon. Some people, apparently the villagers, closed and guarded the portal to the uphill location. They said that we could not enter the location for safety reasons and needed to park our car in the designated area. We were disappointed but nothing else we could do. The heavy clouds covered the sun and the rain started to pour, causing the atmosphere to feel even gloomier on that day. After we parked the

w h a t ’s o n

car, we took a walk and observed the village that had existed just a few meters ahead of us. There were many visitors on that day. It seemed the endless news of the eruption successfully attracted the people all around the place to visit Merapi area. We did not successfully make it to the village closest to the crater but we witnessed how devastated the impact of the eruption was from where we were standing. The houses in the kampong remained empty, with evidence that people just left in a rush, leaving all their possessions behind. The burnt things were everywhere you turned your head. Everything was covered up with thick layer of ash. While we were wandering around, we met a CD seller who offered Johanna a CD to buy. The amateur CD had been recorded by the first hand people who had experienced the disaster. He said that he was also one of the disaster’s victims and now some of the villagers, especially the men, tried to make a living from visitors. Some of them became ojek drivers who will take visitors to

the location of the disaster. The day before the disaster, they might have been farmers, teachers, officers, but now everything had changed and yet, life must go on. They tried anything to continue their life .... The short visit to the disaster area left deep feelings in each one of us. The memory of burning land, empty houses, and the look of the villagers were all evidence of the deathly disaster that we can still witness until this moment. As we walked on the land, we whispered quiet prayers in our heart that the death of each life would find peace in God’s presence ... May the people stay strong in this calamity ... May the land continue to bring new life ... May the hope grow in people’s heart ... May the broken hearts, the ruined dreams, the hidden pains be healed ... May the light of God be seen in this dark moment of their life .... Blessings, Bernadhetta Roselita Anggorosari SPH International Kemang Village Teacher

special report

SPH International Sentul City

The content of our teaching as well as methods of teaching are international best practice. Our students are challenged to succeed academically. They are also challenged to reach their potential in cultural, artistic, service and sporting areas.

"SPH International Sentul City is a Christian School located in the pleasant hills south of Jakarta near Bogor enroute to the picturesque Puncak Pass. Here at Sentul City we offer International standards of education. SPH represents three Indonesian words, Sekolah Pelita Harapanâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;meaning School of Light and Hope. Our International status is granted by the Indonesian government. We aim to prepare our students to contribute significantly in a global society. SPH is internationally acknowledged as an excellent school through accreditation with the Council of International Schools (CIS) as well as the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) and membership of the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI). Our curriculum programs are internationally recognized and accredited through the world renowned International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO).

HE most critical factor in determining high educational outcomes at SPH Sentul City, is the quality of teachers. Highly qualified and effective teachers are recruited locally, as well as from overseas, including the United States of America, United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. All teachers and staff are involved in professional development programs which enable continuous improvements to take place.

Our goal is that our students will become qualified leaders, and significant contributors, in Indonesia and throughout the world and effective global citizens as disciples of Jesus Christ. Our Vision is True Knowledge; Faith in Christ and Godly Character never waivers and is a constant reminder to students throughout the year with discussions held during chapel and biblical studies lessons. Students are equipped to be visionary leaders who are intelligent, creative people of good character walking with God through

Pelita Harapan House

"We hope that Pelita Harapan House (PHH) will be seen as a second home for your child. The administrators and supervisors at PHH create a family atmosphere. Our PHH family is responsible for providing supervision and tender loving care to all the students under their authority. Highly dedicated supervisors work 24 hours a day to help students discover their true potential as individuals. We nurture, develop and shape each student based on his or her creativity and talent for the purpose of helping the student become part of an educated and self-supporting generation that has faith in God. Students are supported in their academic studies by providing daily homework sessions and tutoring. The study time is provided and supervised to ensure that students are able to keep abreast of their studies. Tutorials for students who require additional support are provided free of charge. Computer and library facilities located at PHH and at school to aid the students in their studies. Periodically all students receive report cards relating to their life at PHH. These reports monitor the studentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s behaviour, cleanliness, spiritual growth and other aspects of development. Parents are invited to meet with the PHH supervisors at any time to discuss any aspects of their childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s progress and adjustment.

a wonderfully diverse and ever changing world. They are encouraged to have sensitive ears, eyes, and hearts and be able to address the problems of those who are in need and marginalized.

As well as the need to operate in a global society we recognize the importance of local culture. Our students gain an appreciation of Indonesian identity, developing an understanding of language, culture, character and history. We are committed to the development of leaders who are disciples of Jesus Christ and who have a well thought out, and practical, Biblical Christian Worldview." Nick Combes Head of School SPH International Sentul City Pelita Harapan House is divided into a boys and girls section and is separated by the administration offices. The rooms are comfortable and practical. Each student is provided a bed, a secure wardrobe and a study desk. Students are able to bring personal items that will make them feel more at home. The student council organizes many activities within the Pelita Harapan House. They are active in organizing outings and charity work, and in overseeing the praise and worship committee and the sports club."

Additional Information SPH International Sentul City was founded in 1994 in the pleasant hills area, south of Jakarta near Bogor on the way to the famous Puncak area. It was the first IB school to be authorised for all three programmes. The Boarding House (Pelita Harapan House) is available providing, spiritual guidance, individual learning schedules, social skills development, sports, music and recreation activities. It provides a family atmosphere with highly dedicated and enthusiastic domitory supervisors. E-learning is a major focus at SPH Sentul City. Pastoral Care is a major focus through the cell group time.

special report

SPH International Sentul City

RedemptiveServant Have you ever tried to be a redemptive servant? I have always wondered how it feels like to be a redemptive servant, now and whenever I have the chance I will become a redemptive servant I will do whatever it takes to become a good redemptive servant. In this paper I am going to write about what it truly means to become a redemptive servant and what being a redemptive servant means to me. In this paper I am also going to write about how I can aply the concept of being a redemptive servant in my own life. In short I always wanted to be someone that could help pehople to become a better person. I think that being a redemptive servant means that we are servants that save people from certain errors or evil. I think that’s the meaning of being a redemptive servant because the word redemptive means “Acting to save someone from error or evil”, and the meaning of servant is “A person who performs duties for others”. I also think that being a redemptive servant means that we must perform duties to people who have sinned and help them to not do that sin anymore. People who are redemptive servants will always know what is the right thing to do when a certain problem comes across the person they want to help. They are going to have to do whatever they can as a servant to help others become the right image of God. I can apply this concept in my life by trying to help people that need help with clearing a certain bad habit. I will also try and clear my mind and become a better person first before telling people what they’re doing is wrong. So what I’m going to do first is, becoming a better person, than help anyone I can to become a better person. If everyone is a better person we could all live in a much better world. I want everyone in this world to live happily and all the bad habits that they used to have is forgotten. I want everyone to be a good, faithful person and everyone lives in a similar image of God. Being a true Redemptive servant to me and to other people means that someone is trying to make someone else a better person. A redemptive servant can also be one friend that saves another friend that might have a bad habit or just a friend that needs a friend. From writing this assignment I learned that being a redemptive servant is to become a person that helps others become an image of God.

SPH’s theme for this year is Saved to Serve. This year we are learning how to be a good servant and to serve others. Like Jesus, we have to serve others even though they don’t serve us. We must not expect something in return for our good deeds. We are now focusing on being a redemptive servant. This article, which I wrote is what I think ‘redemptive servant’ might mean. In my opinion, being a redemptive servant means to save or correct others from evil or error. It is to show and correct the mistakes that others make. It is to save others from error instead of saving themselves. A redemptive servant will always think about others first before themselves. That’s what I think redemptive servant means. I can be a redemptive servant if I wanted to. It’s just that there are always temptations to do something evil or even only correcting my own errors and not others. If I am a redemptive servant, I can be a teacher, who helps his or her students to learn things correctly. I can also be a priest who helps to spread God’s words and can stop others from doing evil. Though, the only right redemptive servant is Jesus. He has died on the cross to save us from our sins, He has corrected us the ways that we have done wrong. So in conclusion, everyone can be a redemptive servant if they have the motivation and courage to do it.

Thank you for reading … God Bless You.

From writing this article, I’ve learned that a redemptive servant saves or corrects mistakes caused by others from evil or errors. A redemptive servant will let others know about their mistakes. After writing this article, I hope that I will be able to be a redemptive servant sometime in the near future.

[ Permata Ardy Almatsir, Grade 7 ]

[ Cahyarini Hariga, Grade 7 ]

A Second Home for Your Children

special report

SPH International Sentul City

RedemptiveServant

What will you think of when you hear the words “redemptive servant?” Have you ever thought of saving others from sin? In this essay I will explain what is the true meaning of being a redemptive servant and how to be one through this report. It basically starts from our attitude by being the “light” towards our surroundings, which also mean to be a good testimony towards others. From my opinion, it might be a difficult task, but I’m willing to be a redemptive servant for God have saved me (1 Corinthians 1:30 – But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption).

Did you ever hear about being a redemptive servant to others? I have heard about it but it is very difficult to be a redemptive servant to others. We have to try to save and serve people. In this world there are a lot of people who are greedy and boastful. Some people don’t like to serve people because they think that they are great and mighty. Jesus is a redemptive servant. This article is about what a ‘redemptive servant’ means for me. The meaning of redemptive in the dictionary is “acting to save someone from error or evil; to be saved from error or evil.” The definition of servant means “someone whose job is to cook, clean, or do other work in someone else’s home.” Being a redemptive servant for me means we have to serve; to save someone from error or evil. An example for a redemptive servant for me is Jesus. Even though he was God’s important and valuable son, he used his life for a sinful human being like me. He saved us and even though we were really bad and not trusting God, He still loved us for us. Jesus was a savior and a redemptive servant for us. There was temptation on earth and because he was a human there could have been many hardships. As I said, Jesus is a good example of being a redemptive servant. If we see in John 13: 1–17 we can see that Jesus was in place of a servant who was supposed to wash the disciples’ feet. He told to the disciples to be other people’s servant, and because I am God’s disciple I learned that I should serve other people as well. I learned that I can apply this concept to my life by using my talents. In the Bible we can see the parable in Matthew 25:14–30 which talks about talents. I want to serve others in my life by using my talents. I want to help them by using my talents to save them. I want to use my life efficiently with the talents that God gave to me and also serving others. God explains to us in Matthew 28:19–20 that He wants us to serve and save people. I learned that I can do what God commanded me by using my talents. During this writing assignment, I learned and reflected about how I can save and serve others. I reflected and it reminded me of a person who save people with the talent that God gave them. I reflected but soon I realized I didn’t serve anybody like Jesus did. In fact I realized that I was too afraid to serve others. Jesus could serve others so I learned that I can too, if I try. [ Juhee Lee, Grade 7 ]

True Knowledge

The phrase “redemptive servant” was made up of two words. The first word, redemptive, theologically means deliverance from sin, which is salvation. The second word, servant, sometimes denotes a man who voluntarily dedicates himself to serve others, in other words people who serve others. Therefore, being a true “redemptive servant” is someone that is willing to lead others to God by being a good testimony. We can be redemptive servants not only through our words but also through our actions. Have you given a thought of how to apply this concept into your daily life? I have decided three ways of my own. Firstly, we should demonstrate love to others (Matthew 7:2 – For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.) through servility (serve others by doing good things to them). Secondly, we must obey God and seek His favor (Galatians 1:10 – For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ) (we should obey God by doing his commandments). At some point, others will find out about God and His miracles through our witnesses (Acts 5:32 – And we are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him) (Tell our friends to. Keep praying, we have God’s power within us to influence others. Finally, have you understand the meaning of a redemptive servant? Will you dare to accept the challenge to be one? A redemptive servant means somebody who is a good testimony of God towards others. May you be a redemptive servant after you read my report. Thank you and May God bless you. “A GOOD EXAMPLE IS SOMEONE WHO KNOWS THE WAY, GOES THE WAY, AND SHOWS THE WAY” [ Axel Prasetio, Grade 7 ]

Faith in Christ

Godly Character

special report

SPH International Sentul City

RedemptiveServant

As Christians we have all heard of the term ‘Redemptive Servant’, but have we actually taken time out to really consider the meaning of the term? Is it necessary for us all to undergo special training at an appointed place? Ivs it a must for us to be a pastor or preacher for us to share God’s Word’s with others? Must we travel around the world or can we share the Word with people in our direct community? Who can be a redemptive servant, is there a certain criteria that God feels we must meet before we can assume this title, or, can any true and committed believer in Christ take on the task? Fortunately for us, the latter is true. All God requires is a faithful, committed and focused servant who can step out in boldness and proclaim His truth. Let us look at the meaning of redemption as this is the hopeful outcome that we have for the people we reach out to. Redemption means ‘the action of saving or being saved from sin, error, or evil.’ The word servant can be defined as ‘a person who performs duties for others’. Committing ourselves in this manner can be achieved in our daily lives, more so than some may think. Take for example that even in our immediate communities that many have not been saved, in fact, many have not even had the Gospel preached to them. We are surrounded by opportunities to voice His greatness and promise of eternal life for all who believe on Him and His Son. A redemptive servant doesn’t only attract the lost through the proclamation of His Word. A redemptive servant, you and I, will ourselves become an avenue to guide the lost home by living exemplary lives that are an example to those around us. Yes, that’s right, just imagine, without the utterance of a single word our honestly, integrity, perseverance, and compassion can lead others to Him. A redemptive servant serves God just as the title suggests. He or she serves God by redeeming the lost, misguided, and the backsliders among us so that we may be as one with our Creator. This is not a chore for the redemptive servant, but rather he or she delights in the fruits yielded by proclaiming His Sovereignty and Omniscience. As Christians it is not only our pleasure, by our duty, to lead others to Jesus Christ. As Jesus told His disciples in Mark 16:15 “Go into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature”. Did you realize that He was talking to you and I us being His disciples? In fact, James 5:20 says, “Let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.” The sheer joy and fulfillment that one derives from successfully leading a soul to God cannot be measured. No amount of money, no worldly possessions, nothing can compare with the act of serving God in this way. Although, I have a vision of something that I feel would exceed even this. Imagine the inexplicable joy of having guided someone to Him and then that redeemed soul becoming a redemptive servant him or herself resulting in the redemption of another. Overall, the true meaning and purpose of being a redemptive servant is to share God’s Word, helping the lost by bringing them back to His Light. What an honor it is to serve our one and only God. The fact that we may have the pleasure of adding more souls to His Kingdom, more names to His book of life is amazing, just like Him. So next time the opportunity presents itself, step out in faith and share the Message that brings eternal life. Don’t allow doubt or fear to become an obstacle, but rather trust in the Spirit to guide you and relay the message of life and then rejoice in the knowledge that one day you may be enjoying fellowship with that very redeemed soul in Heaven. [ Christina L. Ticoalu, Grade 7 ]

Would you ever consider being out of your comfort zone to be a redemptive servant? This article is about being a redemptive servant and how you can be a redemptive servant. Most people I know, thinks being a servant is more about being a worker in jobs. Well being a servant does not always mean people who work for jobs or people who clean and work under for another person. My opinion of a servant would also mean helping others, for an example like when Jesus washed His disciples’ feet. I think this is a good example of being a redemptive servant helping others without being paid or recieve anything back for helping. Redemptive servant, two words that explain one thing. Redemptive means to redeem. Servant means to work for others. I think to be a redemptive servant means to redeem and serve others such as our theme, “Saved 2 Serve.” Sometimes we need to help others even though it would mean we need to sometimes get out of our comfort zone and maybe even suffer a bit to be a redemptive servant. How could I make this be a part of my life? This being a concept to my life would mean me be doing more voluntary work. Getting out of my comfort zone in order to help others would be a way to be a redemptive servant. Like my first example of when Jesus washed his disciples feet and getting out of His comfort zone. Jesus gave an example of being a redeptive servant to us and we could use this for helping us be more of a redemtive servant! Why would we become a redemptive servant? I think we should also help others like being a redemptive servant because we want to express God’s love for others and make healthy enviorment. It would be nice that we could get out of our comfort zones for a little. For example if we weren’t able to get out of our comfort zones it would be like living in a box without doing something out of the box and getting used to other things. These are some of the reasons and examples of being a redemptive servant. [ Natasha Dougherty, Grade 7 ]

A Second Home for Your Children

special report

SPH International Sentul City

RedemptiveServant

Do you know what being a redemptive servant means? If not this article will tell you what does it means. If yes do you know how to apply it in life? If yes it is good but we will get deeper in this topic. This article is about what is a redemptive servant and how can we apply it on our life. Redemptive means to redeem something and servant means someone that serves someone. To be a redemptive servant you have to be a servant of God that redeems other people’s sins like Jesus. It also means to be a person that helps other people if they fall into sin. Example if someone wants to sin we can be a redemptive servant by saying to them don’t do it because you will commit sin. An example is we can influence other people to do good things by showing them how to do good things. I can apply it by being a redemptive servant by not being afraid to accept our sins that we have done. We can apply it by obeying God words and apply into our life. We can also give money to the poor so they can use it for their needs. We can apply it our life by being good to everyone. We can also care for anybody even if they hurt us. These are some verses about redemption: 1 Corinthians 6:20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's. 1 Corinthians 7:23 Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men. Luke 1:68 Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people, Matthew 20:28 Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. Galatians 3:13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: Acts 20:28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. Hebrews 9:12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. Galatians 4:4–5 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. 1 Corinthians 1:30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: Galatians 4:5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.

Do you know someone who is trying to help other people getting away from the errors or evil? Or are you someone who wants to help people find the truths? If me, I do know someone who is trying to help me which are my parents and my friends, they will always try to help me. I also feel like helping them back because it feels nice to help other people. That is what I am going to talk about. All of that is called a Redemptive Servant, Redemptive Servant is some one who is willing to help other people to know the right way to the right one or the truths. Redemptive Servant is where people listen, praise and follow God too, not only helping people. Redemptive Servant means a person who performs duties in a house, esp. by acting to save someone from errors or evilness. In other words someone who works for their master and he/she tries to save people from error and evilness. In some other reasons it means for me to help my friends or people who needed my help. I wont only help but I will try to make them avoid the evil or the errors. I will help them to know the truths or the right ones. Those people who needed help from evil or errors will get help from a redemptive servant. Not only helping people but also listening to God by reading the Bible. This concept can apply to my life by me starting to help people. I have to start to be a redemptive servant where I help people who needed my help to get out of evil or errors. I will have to help little by little to be a real redemptive person. Starting with my family and friends, trying to let the out of the evil or errors. It doesn’t mean that I have to do house duties. Its just that I have to help people to get out of evil and errors, I’ll just help the find the truths and the right ones. It will also apply to my life if I pray to God, listen to God, and also follow God.

This article is about what is a redemptive servant and how can we apply it on our life. Being a redemptive servant is being a servant to God that saves other people from sin. It also means to accept the blame for your and people’s problem. From this writing I’ve learned how to make an article even though I’m not so good at it. Through this article I hope that the readers understand what is being a redemptive servant and how to be one.

So overall, being a redemptive servant is to help other people helping people who need help by people who wants to help. It also tells us to help other people and help them find the truths, the right way/right one, and also telling them to get rid of the evilness or the errors away. It also will apply to your life, if you help other people. You just basically help people in evilness and errors. Other words, not only helping people but also you pray, praise, and listen to God. Being a redemptive servant is not a must its just if you want too. Be a helper, Be a redemptive servant!

[ Nicholas Abraham, Grade 7 ]

[ Natasha C. Herjawan, Grade 7 ]

Galatians 3:13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: Psalms 49:15 But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave: for he shall receive me. Selah.

True Knowledge

Faith in Christ

Godly Character

special report

Do you know the true meaning of being a redemptive servant? Have you ever thought of being a redemptive servant? According to my opinion, being a redemptive servant is to be a servant of God. Most of the people around my environment think that being a servant is just a job. These jobs is working for someone else. This essay is going to be about being a redemptive servant, a servant of God. From my opinion, being a redemptive servant to help my friends and people around me to stay away from the evil and also to be a servant is to help those who are lost. By lost, I mean, people around me who knows what the truth is, but doesn’t want to do it. If I am a redemptive servant, I want to help them to go to the right path with Jesus. A person who is a redemptive servant is to be employed to God and doing their job on Earth to help people out from evil. So, the point is, for me, being a redemptive servant to help people to understand the Bible and to follow God. Being a servant to

SPH International Sentul City

RedemptiveServant

God is to do the “chores” God assigned us to do on Earth. From my opinion, I can apply this concept to life by small things that can turn into a big help. First, we can tell our friends that are being mean to be kinder. We can show others to do good things by our behaviour of obeying our parents. Actually, to obey our parents is also like obeying God. To be a servant of God, we can also help others by helping them with their problems. We can help our friends who are new so they can be more comfortable in their new school. We also can help our friend who is lonely. So, basically as servants of God, we can show good examples to our environment. Being a redemptive servant doesn’t mean being a servant that work for someone else. It is actually to be a servant/ student of God that does what God has asked us to do, since the time of our ancestors, which is to spread the Good News to the world. So overall, being a redemptive servant is to be a servant of God that helps Him spread the Word on Earth. I hope you have learned something from my essay. Remember, servanthood isn’t just literally an occupation. [ Josephine Asima Romaris, Grade 7 ]

What is a redemptive servant? In this “article”, I will try to explain what it means to be a redemptive servant. Looking at the dictionary, “redemptive” can mean “to be saved from error or evil, especially in Christian theology,” while “servant” means “a person who serves another.” Putting them together, a redemptive servant is a servant who has been set free from evil. In this context, [explain the context in the intro] the servant is a servant of God. By being redeemed, a redemptive servant is guaranteed eternal life in heaven. A redemptive servant serves God by helping other people and worshiping Him. We could apply this to our life by, for example, giving to those who are in need or .... [ Gerardus S. Sembiring, Grade 7 ]

A Second Home for Your Children

special report

SPH International Sentul City

Visit to Bukit Karmel Orphanage “I have always loved playing with babies and little kids and it just made me happy to show our love and care towards them, even if it was just spending some time together to make them happy.” [ Jessica Sanantha ]

"Nothing makes me happier than making a baby smile. After all, there is no smile more genuine than a child's. And that day, their smiles made me sure that the true way to get happiness is to give happiness." [ Natasha Alessandra ]

"In my heart, I felt unworthy to complain at all about my life. I realized this after my visit with the boy I kissed and everybody else, and you should realize this too. We should give thanks." [ Melvin Hade ]

“Love and attention are the things they really desire. No matter who you are, what you wear and what you do, they'll welcome you with open hands. It was a delight to know that even though they always see people come and go everyday, they can still find happiness and enjoy every minute of their life. “ [ Zsazsa Daniella ]

I really had a great time taking care of the babies in the Bukit Karmel Orphanage. I am not actually a person who can socialize with babies or little kids, but the experience I had taught me a lot of things about babies. It was a really useful experience and I am really glad that we could visit them, accompany them, and play with them, because they don't get visitors very often I think. It was fun, even though I made a lot of babies cry though because I panicked and did nothing when they started to cry, which made the crying worse, but at the end I was glad I "only" made 2 babies cry. Also, I am so glad I finally learned how to carry babies. If Ms. Terri didn't teach me how, I don't know how many more babies would cry.” [ Wendy Winata ]

“I've always enjoyed being around kids of any age, and to comfort one when they’re sick and let them know that I'm there to help them is the best thing that can ever be done for an orphan because for once in their life they can feel that love they should receive. That warm feeling of hugging such a young kid or baby is the best feeling in the world.” [ William Lukita ]

"Spending just a few hours with them has given me an impact to last a lifetime." [ Agnes Abigail ]

When Fredric finally fell asleep, I just to just lay there with him for a moment and watch as peace spread over his countenance. [ Terri Davis ]

“A simple gesture; like a cuddle or maybe a biscuit could represent infinite tenderness or endless care because, indirectly, love was given. It was a great opportunity to be able to share that emotion, and get it back in return. Like baby Kevin who just won't let a second of his young life waste when it could actually be filled with a warm cuddle or a soft lap to lay on. It's great to know that another soul, no matter if he's still a toddler, still desires for that innocent love.” [ Christina Erwin ]

True Knowledge

Faith in Christ

Godly Character

examples

He is the Light and He is here ...

... the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned ... From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near ....” Matthew 4:12–23

HEN people are doing something which is not right or truthful, the first warning signal would be their sincere calling in their heart, guilty or doubtful feeling, but when the first alarm did not work for one or other reasons for quite some time, it is the family and the community that has an obligation to bring the person to the right track. But ... what if the community itself corrupts? What if the people around us are doing what we believe is not right? What if everybody does it anyway? Are we innocent just because the majority does it? Or is it an excuse for us not to stand up for the truth? Once, I was locked by accident in a rest room on the 11th floor of a newly constructed office building. The office building was indeed still under construction in many of its area and therefore, not all of the facilities are ready and working. To go to the rest room, I had to pass a very long corridor to the right end of it, and there lies the one and only working restroom. When I entered the room, everything was all right but all of a sudden in the middle of “the business”, the power was off and the room turned to be a totally pitched dark. I noticed at a glance before the absence of light that the surrounding of all the four sides of the 3D room was concrete covered with cold tiles. There was no ventilation or openings whatsoever to the outside world. This is one of the disadvantages of a high raise building. However, it was not the right time to give some advice to the building manager. It only

left the darkness and me. That was all. My first reaction was panic ... what if I would need to stay there for quite some time ... what if nobody had known I had been there ... what if the power would take sometimes to turn back on ... I really did not like the situation. First, a rest room is not my favorite place for hanging around. Second, it was so dark and I was just by my very self. After taking a few deep breaths, I tried to calm myself. I tried to locate where the position of the door was. My mind told me the direction and I moved my feet and stretched my arms to touch the door only to find that I bumped myself into a trash can, which was located at the right corner of the room. I hate it when my brain does not work clearly as it should. Finding the way out game started to be not funny at all for me ... please bring back the light ... my soul shouted loudly but my mouth was shut perfectly. And as you can guess nobody in the building could hear the calling of my soul. In the midst of my confusion, my eyes glanced around the room ... it was only black and just as dark as before ... but out of the blue, out of sudden, hey ... what is that? My eyes recognized a tiny light; just as small as a dot ... and I figured out that it was a key hole on the door. It was a small opening on the key place on the wooden door where a tiny light could come through the dark room. The light was there from the very beginning. It was me that was covered by the darkness plus the sudden confusion that I let overcome and stop me from realizing the presence of the light on the door. I was as pleased as the Archimedes shouted Eureka when he discovered the principle of buoyancy. The light guided me to the opening and brought me to the outside world. The verse at the beginning of this writing mentioned about the condition of a person,

Bernadhetta Roselita Anggorosari SPH International Kemang Village Teacher

individually or communal, who live in darkness. The condition of the people in darkness is described as those who lived in the land of the shadow of death. The community or nation, where we hope will bring good change will become useless if it also stays in the darkness. Can a blind man lead a blind man? Will they not both fall into a pit? I could just ignore the presence of the light in that dark room and worked hard to find another way out. That was another choice but I would not know what could have happened to me in the future if I did so. I might still be in the dark room and condemned my bad luck for hours ... In the midst of the darkness and hopeless world, that is when we need the Light. Jesus, the light himself, brings hope to both the individual and to the community. He is God who does not choose to stay in the highest throne and rules the world from the untouchable place. He is not far away God who stays in a faraway wonderland above the earth. He is not God who let the creation deal with all the complexity and watch them struggle with their own problem from heaven. He is a God who has seen people living in darkness and offered them a way out, a light, so that they do not need to stay in the land of the shadow of death anymore. When the kingdom of heaven is near, it does not merely mean that the calamity is close, or that the Armageddon is here, or that the end of the world will be here soon. Once again nobody knows when the day will come. The kingdom of heaven is near because the Light, the one that loves you and me is here. He is here with us so that we do not need to live in the darkness anymore. When the light is around then you can have freedom ... freedom to love God and love others. Then, how shall we react to personal/ communal fall? First of all we need to bear in

examples mind that there was not, there is not, and there will not be a single person in this universe that is free from the darkness. Every one of us experiences this falling moment in our daily life again and again and our endless struggle will not stop until our time here on earth ends. Second, living in this desperation requires uncommon, unnatural, unusual, and out of ordinary action that must be done by out of ordinary man. The creator of the universe humbles himself to be a creation and has shown a mysterious and unconditional love. Third, for we experience it ourselves of how useless we are to be “a better man”, we shall get rid the judgmental as well as I am better than you attitude. Redemption spirit which God provides within us shall be the attribute that

clothes us when dealing with falling minds and actions of ourselves and others. For the conclusion, darkness or sin is a humiliation to God. Everything that is opposite to His attributes is against Him, just like the darkness is the opposite of light. The absence of light is the cause of darkness. Marx Lucado wrote in his daily devotion Come Thirsty: Where we might think of a sin as slip-ups or missteps, God views sin as a godless attitude that leads to godless actions. “All of us have strayed away like sheep. We have left God’s paths to follow our own” (Isaiah 53:6). The sinful mind dismisses God. Let us be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly

Father is perfect. When someone that loves you so much, the one that surrenders His life for you, the one that dies for you, which gives you perfect love, comes near you. What will you do? You will try your very best to match His standard, right? Jesus is the light. He is always there from the very beginning to give us hope in the midst of the darkness and the shadow of death will be just our past .... Blessings, Bernadhetta Roselita Anggorosari

Written as a reflection of the sermon in Herculanus church, The last mass of the day, 23 January 2011

book corner THE PURPOSE DRIVEN LIFE What on earth am i here for? By Rick Warren (Zondervan, 2008) This book will help you understand why you are alive and God’s amazing plan for you, both here and now and for eternity. What on earth am I here for? Knowing God’s purpose for creating you will reduce your stress, focus your energy, simplify your decisions, give meaning to your life and most important, prepare you for eternity. In this book you will also read the topic: How real servants act, Whoever wants to be great must become a servant: Mark 10:43. We serve God by serving others. Jesus, however, measured greatness in terms of service, not status. God determines your greatness by how many people you serve, not how many people serve you. To be like Jesus is to be a servant. That’s what we called himself. Remember God shaped you for service, not for selfcenteredness. Without a servant’s heart, you will be tempted to misuse your personal gain. It is possible to serve in church for a life time without ever being a servant.You must have a servant’s heart. How can you know of you have the heart of a servant? Jesus said, “You can tell what they are by what they do" Real servants make themselves available to serve. Real servants pay attention to needs. The good example is John Wesley: “Do all the good you can, by all means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, as long as you ever can” NAMES OF GOD By Mary Loeks (Thomas Nelson, 2007) Names of God explores the meaning and message each has to offer. In this book we will read about servant, Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him and he will bring justice to the nations (Isa 42:1; Matt 12:18). His (Jesus) was not a conditional submission: I’ll submit you if you submit to me; or I’ll serve you if you’ll give me lots of sympathy for doing this job, or I’ll do it in exchange for a generous supply of credit, attention and pats on the back. Most of us don’t understand servanthood very well. Jesus laid aside his God-ness to help us understand. Being a servant means considering others better than oneself. It means looking out for the other person’s interests and needs first. Being a servant means being obedient. It means attributing all credit and honor to the one served. To truly serve takes the truest sort of nobility.

pag

Community Service Project Update Parent Advisory Group – SPH International Lippo Village

Bonding ...

We are blessed to have 13 Parent Advisory Group (PAG) members and 41 Class Parent Representatives (CPRs) this year to foster a sense of community among parents and between parents and the school.

PAG Shop

PAG Shop is an ongoing fund raising project for natural disasters. All proceeds will go towards the ‘Disaster Relief’ fund. PAG Shop accepts 2nd hand goods and donations. Teachers, staff, parents and students are encouraged to shop, save and support.

Bazaars ...

With the help of parents, PAG supported the school by organizing 6 Bazaars during 1. Junior School Athletics Day 2. Senior School Athletics Day 3. 'Bulan Bahasa' 4. Junior School SPH Cup Soccer Tournament 5. Christmas 6. Easter

Easter Bazaar

On March 9, PAG organized a final Bazaar for the year to coincide with the school’s soccer carnival. Parents gave full support and showed much enthusiasm. Proceeds will go towards funding future community projects.

Blessing ...

All the proceeds from the bazaars were donated to Merapi and Mentawai victims and were also used to organize other community projects such as ‘Dad’s Day’ and ‘New Eyes for the Needy’.

Class Parent Representative Gathering

Easter Bazaar

Dads' Day

March 19 and 26 was Dads’ Day out to help build a basketball court and bless the children at Sekolah Lentara Harapan in Binong. It was heart-warming to see Father-son/daughter bonding. PAG also made a donation towards the cost of the construction.

New Eyes for the Needy

To close the year, the final project for PAG is giving recycled glasses to the poor on May 11. Prior to the event, PAG will organize a donation drive for the school community to donate their old or used glasses. With improved vision, our goal is to bring hope for a better and brighter future to the needy.

Praying together – school and parents

Visit to Panti Jompo

Christmas Bazaar

pag

Comments from PAG Members

word of life" (Philippians 2:15â&#x20AC;&#x201C;16a).

was brought up by a father who was a businessman. Started from very young I was trained to follow my dad's footstep. My dad always said that if I own a business, it will give me freedom. I didn't realize what kind of freedom he talked about until I started to be involved in ministry. Running my own business gives me more times and flexibility to minister. Even though being a full time minister is always my dream, I am happy enough to do what I'm doing right now. It is not always easy to juggling between work and ministry, but that's the joy of serving. We are not serving when it's convenient for us, but real servant does what's needed, even when it's inconvenient. Lots of sacrifice need to be made. Christ is a perfect example ... our role model.

transform him into Christ like. It's a long process but I know he is in the right path. As parent, my job is to prepare him to be used by God. I want him to use his unique talent to serve God's purposes.

I don't have any expectation or set a certain goal for my son. My responsibility is to direct him and to prepare him to be God's vessel. By putting him in Christian school and being thought in christian way, will shape and

To be redemptive servants in this world, we need to become "blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which [we] shine like stars in the universe as [we] hold out the

If we want our children to become redemptive servants, we need to ask ourselves, are we ourselves shining like stars in this crooked and depraved world? In our work? In our home? In our community? Are we regularly praying for our children so that they will shine like stars wherever God calls them to serve?

What is a redemptive servant? We have the perfect example in Christ, "who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped ... taking the very nature of a servant ... He humbled himself and become obedient to death, even death on a cross" (Philippians 2:6â&#x20AC;&#x201C;8). By His death, we are redeemed. His death paid the price for our sins and saved us from eternal death.

There is also a cost associated with redemption. The cost of our redemption was the precious blood of Jesus Christ. So there will also be a cost for us as we become redemptive servants. Cost of time, cost of stepping outside our comfort zones, cost of letting go of our egoism ... and many more. May we, who have been redeemed by Christ, be willing to shine our little lights amongst the darkness, so that we can do our part in redeeming the world for God.

HAT a great blessing and joy to be serving as year 12 PAG and CPRs. We've learned a lot and felt reassured that our school is consistently focused on educating our children with Christ as the centre of all learning.

So far, we've had 3 Year 12 parents lunch gatherings and all has been enjoyable and inspiring where we are relaxed and open to share concerns and discuss activities that are related with our children and SPH. These moments are priceless. With natural disasters and knowing a teacher had serious health problems, triggered a united effort from parents to raise funds. Several parents reponded and transferred their donations. Also at the Christmas Bazaar,parents participated in donating foods and sell non-food items to raise funds. Donation was sent through the Yayasan Pelita Harapan to help Pak Purba and to our partners for Mentawai and Merapi.

Meeting with Head of School, Principals, Lead Teachers and Class Parent Representatives

We also had the pleasure of providing a pot luck Christmas lunch for the whole grade on their last day of school before the Christmas holidays. Students, teachers and parents had our first and last Christmas lunch together that day. Again these moments are priceless. We still have 3 months left before our children graduate beginning of June and year 12 parents are united and very enthusiastic to work together with teachers and students to make this our BEST year EVER!

Class Parent Representative meeting

special report

On Friday 11th and Saturday 12th March 2011 all Sekolah Pelita Harapan International schools came together to perform in the inaugural SPHI Biennial Concert. The purpose of the concert was to unite all the International schools of the Yayasan together through music.

ANY months of planning went into the concert. The music directors of each school met to establish the concert structure and repertoire. Each school presented items that showcased their own unique talents from their respective music programs. A rich diverse program was developed that included ballet, band, choir and strings. There were also many beautiful small ensemble and solo performances from all schools. The Suzuki School led by Mrs. Therese Wirakesuma also played a vital part in this inaugural concert with these young students entertaining the audience with their precise violin skills and dedication to excellence. One of the most challenging items to produce was the massed choir and orchestra. There were over 200 students in the massed choir. Mr. John Nickel, music director from SPHI Kemang Village rehearsed and conducted this massed group. Prior to the performances Mr. John rehearsed all the parts on a few occasions to ensure the highest standards of choral excellence would ensue. The massed choir and orchestra capped off each nights performances in grand style.

The concert was held in the charming Gedung Kesenian Concert Hall in Pasar Baru. It was wonderful to come together with staff and students alike to perform music that was glorifying to God. On Saturday 12th March the performance was taped and a concert DVD will be produced. It was a wonderful feeling to mix and mingle with 350 performers back stage and sense the excitement, nervous tension and enthusiasm that was part of the concert build up. A great sense of camaraderie was noted by all. We thank all the students and directors for their hard work in making this concert such a wonderful success. Bravo! Mr. Geoff Marriott Coordinator of Performing Arts SPH International Lippo Village Chairman of the Biennial Concert Committee

special report