True Knowledge | Faith in Christ | Godly Character
29th Edition/May/2014
contents Editorial Team PUBLISHER Yayasan Pendidikan Pelita Harapan ADVISOR Phillip Nash MANAGING EDITOR Hana Herawati EDITORS Maureen Cox, Elizabeth Santosa GRAPHIC DESIGNER Iwan Werlin PHOTOGRAPHERS Hariyanto, Simon, Clifford, Dody, Melissa
Address 2500 Bulevar Palem Raya, Lippo Village Tangerang 15811, Banten Phone: (021) 546 0233-34, Fax: (021) 546 9663 www.sph.edu
29th Edition/May/2014 3 Truth in Action By Phillip Nash 4 Mirror Ball Reflection By Hilary Bergen 5 The Truth of Love (Teachers Reflection) By Sarah Seibert 6 Art Communicates Passion By Rebecca Mercer 7 SPORTS Ministry By Jason Myers 8 True Light and Hope Found in SPH International's Parent Advisory Group By Shannan Jones 10 Man's Work in the Light of God's Work: A Biblical Survey on Vocation By Adeline Ika Sani 12 SPH International Pluit Village By Gregg Faddegon 13 Living in Boarding House By Pastor Chuck French 14 STRIVE By Terri Davis 20 SPH International Lippo Village IB Diploma Visual Arts Exhibition By Grace Ryan Go 22 SPH International Lippo Cikarang IB Diploma Visual Arts Exhibition By Livia Anastasia 23 Book Week: Treasure from Books By Janessa Huizenga 24 Run for A Reason By SPH International Lippo Village Student Council 25 Spelling Bee 2014 By Spelling Bee Team 26 USA Study Group 2013–2014 28 Fathers Gathering Parents Reflection 30 Harvard Model Congress Asia
COVER : Teaching the Truth LOCATION : SPH International Lippo Village
Friday Night Band Concert
4 April 2014 – SPH International Lippo Village
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Truth in Action
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By Phillip Nash
Head of School SPH International Lippo Village and Coordinator of Pelita Harapan International Schools
In the third of our Light publications this academic year, we conclude by highlighting again how the SPH schools have sought to practically live out our vision and mission statements. This year we have focused on the first part of our Vision statement – True Knowledge, and have explored this in various ways as part of our annual theme.
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E were excited to send our first of what we hope may be a number of study teams to Calvin College in Michigan, USA to undertake Masters level study in curriculum and development in preparation for returning to support our UPH Teachers College graduates in Sekolah Lentera Harapan schools throughout Indonesia. This was the vision of a Canadian teacher, Miss Helena Wunderink who taught at SPH International Lippo Village for some years. We are very proud of the way our team have acquitted themselves at Calvin and represented Indonesia and the Yayasan Pendidikan Pelita Harapan so well. SPH alumni, Adeline Ika Sani explores how true knowledge applies in our approach to work in her short essay on a Biblical survey of vocation. Here we see a past student expressing what we plan for all our students to come to know. That work is part of God’s divine plan for us and that when we discover his calling for us, we can truly engage in the redemptive restoration of this broken world which will brought to completion at the second coming of Christ. Lippo Village teacher, Rebecca Mercer’s reflections on how we can communicate truth through art calls us to align our passions with those of God. Art exhibitions by Lippo Village and Lippo Cikarang IBO Diploma students demonstrate how they have sought to express this in their work. Hilary Bergen from Kemang Village writes of how she tried to guide her students into the truth through a science unit on light. Jason Myers, Director of Sport at Lippo Village reminds us how much truth we can learn through sport and reflect God’s image in us in the way we approach sport.
The sports festival at Sentul City also focused on how we can grow and learn through sport and what a great event it was. Partnering with parents is a vital part of education at SPH International schools and Shannan Jones has done a great job of letting us see what partnership with parents are really achieving in their own efforts to live out true knowledge. It is exciting to see so many parents taking up the challenge of mission through service in their own way and reaching out practically to two very poor communities. So too the parents’ gatherings we hold regularly. It was a real blessing to be at the presentation on marriage and sexuality by Pastor Sutjipto Subeno and to hear him present the Biblical truth so marriage and sexuality to many parents but also to students for UPH Teachers College and the School of Nursing. Academic activities of various kinds are also highlighted including the annual Spelling Bee contest, the Harvard Model Congress of Asia and of course the ever popular book week. Boarding house life in Sentul City is a special feature this edition too. Our thanks go to the supervisors and to Pastor Chuck for the special car they take of the students who live there. We are excited to have an update on our newest planned school, SPH International Pluit Village which opens in the new academic year in temporary premises in the Pluit Village shopping mall while we wait for our new building.
How exciting that now even more young people Jakarta will be able to learn and grow in an environment in which true knowledge is presented and explored where knowledge is not gained for its own sake but to equip our students to be restorers of a broken world. Enjoy the many photographic moments that capture an SPH International education in action but most of all, listen to the message that comes through of the importance of Truth—revealed, reliable, relational and responsible. As the Apostle John wrote in 1 John 2:8 ‘I am writing you a new command; its truth is seen in him and in you, because the darkness is passing and the true light is already shining.’
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examples
Mirror Ball reflection I love to read and God has a way of knowing just what I should be reading at the exact right moment. Last year I happened to be reading the book Mirror Ball: Living Boldly and Shining Brightly for the Glory of God by Matt Redman. I was preparing my final Science unit for the year and it happened to be on light. As I studied the learning outcomes I wanted my students to achieve, I knew this would be a unit with which I could easily guide my students in the “truth.”
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S with all units a teacher needs to give background information. We started with learning appropriate vocabulary and talking about what they already knew in terms of light and how it behaves. We discussed why light reacts differently based on what it comes into contact with. After
getting the information it was time for the students to experience this. I created different stations around the classroom which had different objects. In groups, students had to discuss how a beam of light would travel and predict how it would reflect off these given surfaces, giving reasons why. Once we came back together as a class and discussed their findings it was time to get to the heart of the matter: the Biblical application of reflecting God’s glory. I showed the class one last item for them to consider; a mirror ball. We looked at a short video which showed a mirror ball in use and I asked them to look at the light and exactly what was happening. Then I took it further asking this question: “Using what you know about the behavior of light, how should Christians be like a mirror ball?”
effectively—if two small beams of light can fill a room with light, what can God (the biggest light source there is) help us to reflect to the world? It is always rewarding when a teacher sees a student have an “aha” moment with the technical aspects of curriculum. It’s even more rewarding when you know that your students have connected with the “truth” and it radiates into everything they do. It is my prayer that we as a school community will be reflectors of God’s hope and glory and that we can truly be mirror balls for Christ. “In and of ourselves we have no light but in God’s light we are transformed and begin to radiate His glory ... to the world around us.” — Redman, 2011
For the rest of the unit we were able to come back to that essential question and make vital connections which included the following: • •
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What is a mirror ball without a source of light?—Who are we without God? Mirror balls reflect light into every corner of a room—how can we work together to make sure God’s light is spread in all different directions? A mirror ball spins/moves—Christians need to be actively doing service Two very tiny pin lights are the best source for a mirror ball to work
Hilary Bergen SPH International Kemang Village Grade 5 Teacher
By: Sarah Seibert SPH International Kemang Village Grade 3 Teacher
The TRUTH of LOVE
In Grade 3.1 at SPH International Kemang Village, truth is being taught through relationship and love. Love is God, love is truth, love is redemptive, love is intentional, love creates a safe learning environment and love gives students a chance to show grace to one another. As I teach, I seek to incorporate Biblical principles and perspectives through the Truth that “God is love” (1 John 4:8).
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NCE relationships are formed with students, learning can take place because relationships are one of the key motivators for learning. I want my students to know they are loved as part of God’s family and to understand mistakes are okay and to ask for forgiveness. The truth of love is taught by believing-in and encouraging my students and by providing opportunities where students can have time to demonstrate love towards others. This year, we even took some time to share the truth of love into the community, by loving on those in the kampung by the school.
Relationships must be based upon trust and to trust someone, you must believe what they say is ‘true’. I always make sure to do what I say, whether that is in disciplinary actions or classrooms activities. Even disciplinary issues are seen as learning opportunities to improve behavior and relationships. In my classroom, TRUTH is seen in the relationships I have with my students and the love they receive from Christ alone. My prayer is that I would always show my students love, not earthly love, but the love that can only come from God!
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examples
Art Communicates Passion The primary reason for creating art is to communicate. Prehistoric cave artists passionately bragged of their hunting exploits. Renaissance artists passionately celebrated the human form in dramatic sculptural masterpieces. Regretably, some contemporary artists passionately seek to shock us with disdain for creation.
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AM passionate about salvation through Jesus. My question, then, is how can I communicate that truth through Visual Art? Crufixian art such as in Dali’s famous “Christ of Saint John of the Cross,” oil on canvas, 1951, 45x80”, is certainly one way. Artwork 1 Another direction could be to show the glory of his creation while pointing to the hope of the risen savior such as in Thomas Kinkade’s “The Cross". This can show that Christ came not only to redeem his people, but also our planet. Yet another possibility is to depict Jesus’ miracles which were a vehicle leading many to salvation. “The Miracle of Jesus Walking on the Water” by Clive Uptton, gouache on paper, is a great example. It takes faith to weather a storm, to keep our eyes on Jesus and put our hope of salvation (both for here and eternally)
in Christ. I love Peter’s passionate grasp of Christ’s strong hand.
that reality and how there is less chance of misinterpretation.
Artwork 2 Many artists are passionate about social justice. God is too. In Isaiah 58:10 He says, “If you pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desires of the afflicted then shall your light rise in the darkness and your gloom be as the noonday.” The painting of Mother Theresa (by artist Dawna Gardner) shows her gentle passion for the poor.
The idea of adding words to artwork is not new though the artist must take care that the words don’t overpower the visual impact. My simple example of this can be seen in the following artwork of mine which shares words from a song. It says “chains are broken, shame has fallen, all my sins are gone.” I hope this starts to express the joy of such a reality. There are many things to dance about but I want to make my reason clear.
Artwork 3 Sometimes the subject matter might be more elusive yet the title or perhaps the artist’s statement reveals a clear passion. Most recently I have been impressed with the power of scripture and I have the desire to weave a portion into my artwork. The reason I have a passion to quote scripture is because Hebrews 4:12 states, “God’s word is alive and working and is sharper than a double-edged sword. It cuts all the way into us, where the soul and spirit are joined, to the center of our joints and bones. And it judges the thoughts and feelings in our hearts.” In other words, the Bible works in people’s lives all by itself. I like the power of
Artwork Sources: Artwork 1 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christ_of_Saint_John_of_the_Cross Artwork 2 http://www.art.com/products/p9784764412-sa-i5577972/clive-uptton-the-miracles-of-jesus-walking-on-water.htm Artwork 3 http://bluecollarpainter.com/motherteresa.html
Is your passion aligned with the things about which God is passionate? Whatever the passion, the many forms of art are waiting to join the heavens in declaring the glory and passion of God.
By Rebecca Mercer
SPH International Lippo Village Art teacher
SPORTS The Christian community is so often heavily involved in sports, but often fails to gain the vast spiritual riches that it has to offer. Christian morality is in constant tension with the dominant sports culture in the world.
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EFLECTING God’s image through sports has unprecedented potential when the following areas are considered: the mystery, joy, feeling, and spiritual insight through joyous play are as important as the doing, achieving, and struggling of competition. Many Christian athletes look at effort, sacrifice, and competitive success as the favored way to glorify God while joyous play seems to be an unworthy offering. “His pleasure is not in the strength of the horse, nor his delight in the legs of a man; the Lord delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love.” (Psalms 147:10–11).
ministry
A complete perspective is needed to utilize sports as praise worthy performances; worshiping and honoring the Creator. Sports have given me a platform to share my faith in an impacting way. Beyond the exciting realm of competition, I have been able to deepen my relationship with God through the experience of joyous play. Ministry through sports has given me the opportunity to function as a sports program director, physical education instructor, and coach in this awesome Christian school. I have opportunities to work with athletes and coaches as our faith in Jesus Christ is on display in this predominately non-Christian country through building sports courts for local village schools and playing and connecting with children through sports in an exciting way. The spiritual riches of sports that lie beyond competitions create a wealth of opportunities to lead the effort in redeeming the culture of sports. “Let your light shine before men, that they may see your
Many effective ministry strategies are bringing the gospel to and through the world of sports. The discipleship process that sports yields is significant for the development of Christ-like character. good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16). Many effective ministry strategies are bringing the gospel to and through the world of sports. The discipleship process that sports yields is significant for the development of Christ-like character. It is also important for Christians to have opportunities for joyous play to maintain spiritual balance whilst gaining valuable divine insights. Sports competition is only the appetizer at the banquet of the collective Christian possibilities in sports. This concept elevates the opportunities in sports in exciting ways to celebrate the Holy Spirit’s activity through an often neglected area of life. By Jason Myers Director of Sports SPH International Lippo Village
By Shannan Jones SPH International Lippo Village Grade 1 Teacher
True Light and Hope
found in SPH International’s Parent Advisory Group Do you know what the Sekolah Pelita Harapan International Parent Advisory Group (PAG) in Lippo Village does? Most people have a basic understanding but there is much more to it than many people realize.
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N general, the administrators, teachers and parents at SPH International Lippo Village (SPHI-LV) are grateful for the activities of the PAG because they support classroom learning and parent understanding of school procedures and activities. Most teachers state that, to their knowledge, PAG activities typically revolve around assisting with communication between parents, teachers and administrators. Additionally, the class parent representative (CPR), led by each grade level PAG representative, helps with special classroom activities such as celebrations and Mission and Service Learning projects. The truth is, they do a far better job than teachers could do themselves when it comes to special events with style and wonderful food. Most understand that the PAG organizes the Christmas Bazaar which, of course, is loved by all. Few will mention the PAG store which benefits the workers we have on campus who do the maintenance, gardening, cleaning and security by allowing them to buy donated
items at greatly discounted prices. Everyone does seem to know that the money raised by the Parent Advisory Group is used to benefit designated charities. However, the Parent Advisory Group, led by Ibu Devy Farial, parent of a grade six student, has a much larger scope than most are aware. Ibu Devy, president of the PAG, is acutely aware of the potential her office holds. She has diligently worked over the three years of holding the position to make it, as she states, “more than just a passing on of complaints from parents to the school. That is part of it, yes, but it can be a ministry too.” She has spoken to the parents involved about spending their time wisely rather than squandering away the hours from the time the kids go to school to when they return. She has challenged them to invest in the country where they live. They have learned much about service and have even sacrificed their time to go to Jogjakarta along with Ibu Devy to learn more about missions. They have become very serious about service.
Sekolah Pelita Harapan means School of Light and Hope. For SPHI-LV to fulfill the calling of our school name, the light and hope that we have received from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ needs to extend beyond our school walls and be shared with the community. Although SPH International has Mission and Service Learning opportunities for all students, Ibu Devy has identified some significant and meaningful ways in which SPHI-LV’s PAG can reach out to nearby communities. Many in the communities around SPHI-LV are uneducated and poor. There are endless financial needs. Although many parents of SPH International students generously choose to give financial resources, this group is actually asking for them to give more generously of their time than their money. The goal is for the interaction between SPH International parents and the surrounding community to be more transformational than transactional. Because she has learned a great deal about ministry through her church missions program, Ibu Devy is able to share specific strategies with this group of willing parents. She is attempting to communicate the essence of the Chinese Proverb ‘Give a man a fish; you have fed him for a day. Teach a man to fish; and you have fed him for a lifetime’ in order to focus service activities into fruitful endeavors. The result has been rewarding work that she wishes not only to continue but also to expand. The product of Ibu Devy’s perspective on the opportunity presented to this group of SPH International parents is the part not many students or teachers see. Unbeknownst to most, there are two local communities that the school PAG currently supports. One is a predominantly Muslim community and another is mostly Buddhist. Both communities are adjacent to garbage dumps.
gain the support of a substantial number of parents who work to teach community members to see the trash as treasure to be made into revenue. This marginalized community is, little by little, learning how to use trash to make marketable items in order to better the overall quality of their lives and future. Additionally, they are hoping to use money earned through PAG events, such as the Christmas bazaar, to set up a recycling facility on site so that these community members can eliminate the cost of the middle man and increase profits. Attempts are being made to educate the members about precautions they can take to protect their health in these conditions. This amazing outreach has touched the lives of these two communities in numerous ways. This is a true calling lived out through the families that call SPHI-LV their school, the school of light and hope. Matthew 22:36–40 instructs readers of their TRUE calling. The garbage is rummaged through and what can be recycled is put aside and some money made. The health ramifications are serious and the sight of their living conditions is troublesome. Recruiting parents to go there to serve, as you can imagine, is not an easy task. Ibu Devy has, however, managed to
“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and 36
with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” 38
What a gift of love the Parent Advisory Group at SPHI-LV is giving, not only to the children through the modelling that occurs by parents, but to the communities that receive the gift of God’s love. So the next time you shop at a PAG bazaar, consume the wonderful food options provided at a PAG event, consider being a CPR yourself, enlist the help of a CPR or member of SPH’s PAG, remember what great things they are doing behind the scenes to serve not only SPHI-LV but the community surrounding it. Next, take a moment to pray that these faithful servants will continue to be used by God in a mighty way to spread Christ’s light and hope everywhere that they choose to serve. Lastly, take just a moment to consider how you are living out your true calling.
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alumni
Man’s Work in the Light of God’s Work:
A Biblical Survey on Vocation z
Work is an activity that people perform as they establish their place in society. A Biblical understanding of work, calling, and vocation gives meaning and purpose to people’s professions as something much more than the building of prestige or acquisition of income to put food on the table. God carefully designed each individual and intentionally placed him/her in a particular place and moment in time to accomplish His divine will in a unique way. God created and intended us to interact with the world through our work as a spiritual act of service to Him.
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OD'S call for us to work is founded upon our identity as individuals made in His image (Gen1:26–27). God’s command for man to “be fruitful”, to “subdue [the earth]”, and “have dominion over ... every living thing that moves on the earth” (Gen 1:28) was mandated before sin entered the world (Gen 2:15). Within the boundaries of our finite capacities, we are called to nurture and create novel things using the resources placed before us. As God created the world and sustains it, man is called to mirror His actions by governing the world with justice and holiness. In this way, we manifest attributes of our Creator, assume our role as His representatives, and express the image of God more holistically. We are called to different types of work to fulfill a range of social needs and demonstrate God’s love to others. Prominent Bible characters are also recognized by their
professions. Examples include Luke the doctor, Joshua the judge, Solomon the king, and Joseph the carpenter. Through distinct vocations, people take part in delivering concrete manifestations of God’s providence (Acts 20:34). God heals through doctors, satiates hunger through bakers, educates through teachers, provides shelter through builders, and governs through presidents. In this way, God works in each situation to accommodate our needs on a daily basis. As we assume distinct professions, we extend God’s hand to the people we encounter and become evident displays of God’s love. God bestows upon every individual a unique set of gifts and in Christ’s body, all gifts are equally valuable, yet have different functions (1 Cor 12:4–31). A person’s role may be to “plant”, while another is called to “water”, and another person asked to “harvest” (Jn 4:37; 1 Cor 3:6). No matter where we are in
alumni the process, our role is a valuable part of God’s great work. God equips every person with the capacity to fulfill His purposes and manifest his glory (Ps 139:16; Is 43:7; 1 Cor 6:20; Eph 2:10). Even so, God may place us in situations where we must face our weaknesses to obey a certain calling. God asked Moses the stutterer to speak to Pharaoh (Ex 3), called young Joshua to lead the Israelites in the midst of a difficult time (Josh 1:2), used David, a shepherd boy, to defeat Goliath (1 Sam 17), called Ezra to rebuild the Temple and took Nehemiah who was a cupbearer to reconstruct the Jerusalem wall. Paul, who was an unbeliever, was transformed by God and significantly used to evangelize, minister, and plant churches throughout his life. God uses difficult times to shape our character by facilitating the process of sanctification: a growth in personal holiness (Rom 12:2; 1 Thess 4:3). Believers are reminded to stay faithful to their calling (1 Cor 7:20), for God enables those He has called. Furthermore, work should be done responsibly, with reverence and humble submission to God who is our true Master (Eph 6:5–8). On top of human supervisors, God is the one who truly holds us accountable (1 Cor 12:5). Since God’s image is reflected in man, attending to a neighbor’s needs means responding to God himself (Matt 25:40). We are called to demonstrate wholehearted devotion to our work, being obedient to God’s will rather than seeking man’s approval or appreciation (Col 3:23–24; 1 Cor 10:31). It is not where we work or specifically what we do that makes a vocation sacred, but rather the value that God has embedded in it and the posture that we bring towards it. An individual who genuinely serves as a pastor in the church does not glorify God any more or less than a pilot who wholeheartedly dedicates himself to fly an airplane. Moreover, the spirituality of work flows from the intimate fellowship that a Christian has with the Lord. The whole individual who has been redeemed makes the work he/she does sacred as well, both within and outside the church. As believers, our lives are essentially “full-time” Christian service. By working, we take part in Christ’s mission to restore various aspects of the created order (2 Pet 3:13). Although sin distorted every facet of creation (Gen 3), the world is
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not meant to stay in this state. Rather than withdrawing from a fallen world, Christians are called to engage in it. Work was an activity present before the fall, but the repercussions of sin made it laborious, full of struggle and toil (Gen 3:17–19). Participating in Christ’s redemptive work is challenging (Lk 9:23). Christ himself said that one must “take up his cross and follow [Him]” (Mk 8:34). As Christians, we are called to take part in Christ’s work of redemptive restoration, based on the belief that everything God made is ultimately “good” (Gen 1:10,25,31). Above all, the impact we bring about through our work not only improves society today, but also holds eternal significance. There is transcendent value and eschatological worth to what we do because God will complete all things in the final glorification (Rev 21). When that time comes, there will no longer be any injustice, poverty, sorrow, war, illness, or other dire needs. This promise ensures that our work is not done in vain and will not be rendered futile, which should encourage us on a daily basis. While God desires excellence from us, He does not demand perfection. He will be the one to perfect our work. While God demands faithfulness, He does not necessarily guarantee success every time. Thus, when we fail to see progress or do not achieve what we pursue, we can trust and hope that God himself will bring our work, which is ultimately His work, to its fulfillment one day (Gen 26:12; Ecc 2:24; Prov 10:16; Isa 65:21–23). Holding the tension between the “already” and “not yet”, we strive with brokenhearted joy and hopeful longing of the guaranteed inheritance that God will bestow. Scripture assures that the goodness we see today is only a foretaste of what is to come (Eph 1:14). God has magnificently greater and better things in store for us. Through Christ, the Father will renew, redeem, and restore the world to the full. This is something we can and should look forward to.
By Adeline Ika Sani SPH International Lippo Village Alumni
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special report
SPH International Pluit Village SPH International Pluit Village will be our newest gem, among our five International “Schools of Light and Hope”. SPH International Pluit Village is designed to replicate the high standards and strengths of these renowned Christian schools by TRANSFORMING students. Holistic and challenging education embedded with Biblical Christian World view prepares them to become independent, interdependent and exceptional leaders in every pocket of society here in Indonesia and in fact around the world. SPH International Pluit Village, already having a well-established Kindergarten, will be expanding through Grade 5 for the upcoming academic year. Our new facilities will be ready for opening on August 05, 2014. Highlights of the school will be its Mandarin program, the Cambridge International Examination system up to Grade 10 and culminating in Grades 11 and 12 with the IB Diploma Program—for which all of our SPH International schools are accredited. Modeled after the Kemang Village campus in many ways, the Pluit Village campus will soon become a significant presence in the North Jakarta area! Having worked in the SPH International school system myself for the past five years, I am delighted to be a part of the startup of this new school. For many years SPH International Lippo Village received Kindergarten students from Pluit and we were always so thankful to receive such welleducated students of good character, having been brought up by discerning parents in partnership with our Pluit campus. Throughout this past year I have enjoyed getting to know the students in the present SPH Pluit Kindergarten, knowing that they would be among our first crop of students in our new school. While the children enjoy
coming to school each day in their familiar facility, I am certain that it won’t take them very long to fall in love with their new classrooms, especially because they will be among familiar staff and students all while enjoying modern facilities. Along with the current Kindergarten staff, we have begun the expansion of the school staff by providing a solid core of by appointing three from existing SPH International schools to serve as a part of the strong foundation. Miss Amanda Elliott will join us from SPH International Lippo Village where she has such strong name as a good teacher of Grade 1 students. Miss Laura Michaels brings with her a solid understanding and experience in the Cambridge program and has been well appreciated as a Junior School teacher in SPH International Kemang Village. To cap this off, the school will be lead on a day-to-day basis by Miss Alexis Hughes one of the strong, experienced leaders from SPH International Lippo Village who’s been teaching there in the Junior School for a total of 14 years. It is fitting that she should begin
leading this new campus. Miss Alexis has already actually started her leadership work for the new school by ordering supplies and textbooks and helping with school design plans, however, she will not be on-site on a daily basis until July when the new facility is completed. Plans are moving ahead at light speed, gradually making way for the transformation of the upper floor of the mall into a fully functioning school. Some new Expat teachers Miss Rebecca Judson, Mr Dylan and Mrs Jennifer VanDijk from Canada and USA, have been hired which then completes the team of classroom teachers required for the first year. Ibu Marlene Shinta and the existing Kindergarten teaching team—Ibu Lily Lastari, Ibu Siane Lobian and Mr Ian Ramos—will continue to lead Kindergarten classes in a much larger school and new community. Gregg Faddegon Supervising Principal SPH International Pluit Village
Pelita Harapan House Sentul City
Living in Boarding House Welcome to Pelita Harapan House, the on campus home for “students in residence” at SPH International Sentul City. Of the approximately 350 students enrolled here, fifty students are in Pelita Harapan House (House of Light and Hope—“PHH”).
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ELLO friends, “Selamat pagi.” PHH, “A Home Away from Home” easily reminds me of those National Geographic film segments where certain fish find protection and provision alongside larger predators of the ocean, staying near to their “host”, the “mother ship”. PHH moves as the larger fish moves, finding adequate provision, protection, and recreation in the currents of SPH International Sentul City, even as SPH International Sentul City moves with SPH International, Jakarta. Some of our students really enjoy swimming in the sea or our pool below the dorm residence just for the pure joy of it. God created the world, the sea, the dry land, the heavens, the sky and all that is in them. Birds soar, fish leap, and we’re right in the middle of it all, thanking God. I believe God exalts in creation as we observe the playful athleticism of “porpoises” and we join them in re-creation! He also gives us Divine “PURPOSE” that can be celebrated in another kind of school, not a school of fish, but a “pod” of students. While nothing can substitute for the real moms and dads and guardians of our SPH International Sentul City PHH students, perhaps a Biblical metaphor might be claimed here, found in the diminutive lapdog of the Syro-Phonecian woman, (Gospel of Mark 7:28), who was blessed because “the PHH Chapel
children’s crumbs” were still a desired portion. The “H” in PHH surely stands for HOSPITALITY. Time and space do not allow much more here than giving their names, but Pelita Harapan House has also been a residence this year for student teachers from UPH: Reinhart, Tom, Gilda, Helsa, Lea and Anggi. Another guest, University of Melbourne native of Sumatra, graduate of SPH International Lippo Village, Samuel Simanjuntak who spent the better portion of ten weeks with us from December to February. Visiting teachers, Ms. Jo Bray and Mr. Patrick Featon by of Australia, and a young man from the Land of Oz named Zac Murfet, all added great interaction and fun with the students as well. PHH depends on PRAYER. In fact the “P” in Pelita will be a good hook to remember this. We begin our day with prayer times and we end our day the same. Every morning for prayer our supervisors, medical staff, weekly with Dr. Iskandar, Pak Dekyawan of SPH International Sentul City General Administration and occasionally our Head of School, Mr. Peter Wells, meet for prayer. We share a breakfast together after the students go to their classrooms, then we pray for the students and life of Pelita Harapan House. Pelita Harapan House is also a place of disciplined study and PREPARATION. Close monitoring of study times is matched with the availability of special tutors who are committed to the best interests of the residents in required subject areas. It’s not all work as we often get to chill out and celebrate students’ birthdays which are always a welcome event, since parents often show up to share the festivities. PHH is a place for things holy, led by our team members Cooking Class with Jien Janet Hong
Pastor Chuck (left)
Natalina Palupi, Martin Patinasarani, Samuel Simanjuntak and Rini Sukadini. With nursing staff Wilni Rorong and Evie Saragi, these wonderful staff members provide quality detailed supervision over a mountain of details required to keep PHH a smooth running place. PHH conducted a very significant ministry visit to Embun Kasih in a home for extremely broken lives; lives rescued by kindness from the abuse of living homeless on the streets and loneliness of mental illness and drug addiction. Those very people are like us as they too have been brought into a place of protection, provision and community in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Our Christmas outreach program was met with incredible support from students and parents and very well received in song, word, food and giving by each of our PHH residents. Terima kasih, Sana. “Thank you!” The word “Sana” is East African Kiswahili for “very much”. Respectfully, with joy and hope, Pastor Chuck French PHH Chaplain, SPH International Sentul City
Ministry visit to Embun Kasih
Supervisory Staff
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special report
STRIVE Sports Festival 2014 SPH International Sentul City
From the moment the theme STRIVE for this year’s sports festival was announced, the main question posed to Student Council was: What does it stand for?
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DITYA WIKARA, one of the cochairpersons for the event, came up with the idea at the end of a long meeting to determine the name. His idea was far from the norm, but the name was unanimously voted in, and we immediately got down to the business of planning the event. Participants, sponsors, parking issues, vendors, scheduling, opening and closing ceremony, t-shirts, trophies and medals, arranging referees and meals, communicating with the city—there was a long list of things that needed to be done. Why STRIVE? The simplest way to answer that question is to look at the outcome of the event. With seventeen schools participating in numerous levels of basketball and soccer, and over a hundred and forty swimmers registered, the competition was bound to be fierce. And it was! Soccer games went to ties, basketball games went into overtime, and swimming heats were close. Without anyone explaining it to them, the athletes took to heart the true spirit of STRIVE. In Chronicles 15:7 it says, “But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your
work will be rewarded." This is what the Student Council wanted the participants in Sports Fest to do. They didn’t want one team dominating the playing field while others were just happy to finish in 2nd or 3rd. They wanted each team to feel as if their hard work would be paid off, thus STRIVE. Student Council’s goal of getting everyone to give their best, no matter the outcome was achieved. In the swimming competition, thirty eight different swimmers medaled—that’s more than 25% of the participants who went home with hardware around their necks! In basketball and soccer, thirteen of the seventeen registered schools received at least one trophy.
The SMA Girls team after their 3rd place overtime win against Kemang Village. Two for two against Kemang this year!
So how did SPH International schools do? All four campuses (Lippo Village, Lippo Cikarang, Kemang Village and Sentul City) were represented in all three events, and not one campus went home emptyhanded. That says a lot for the quality of athletes our schools have! (Maybe next time Pluit will be ready to join!) Specifically, SPH International Sentul City athletes did a fabulous job of not only representing their school, but of embodying the true spirit of STRIVE. Though none of our swimmers placed, there were some who missed medaling by a mere second or two. It was great to watch them give their best. Our soccer teams did well with three of the five teams
The Boys SMA Basketball team lifts their coach, Pak Ferry, after their 1st place win against Lippo Village.
bringing home a trophy. Our basketball teams claimed trophies in five of the six categories. (See chart for the list of winners.) On behalf of the Student Council, I would like to thank everyone for making STRIVE an amazing event. Without the cooperation of our sponsors, vendors, teachers, staff, parents and students, nothing that took place during STRIVE would have been possible. Also, CONGRATULATIONS to all of the winners, as well as to every athlete who participated. See you at the next Sports Fest! By Terri Davis SPH International Sentul City Teacher
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special report
SPH International Lippo Village
IB Diploma Visual Arts Exhibition By Grace Ryan Go, SPH International Lippo Village Art Teacher
Letter from the Diploma Teacher:
Art Exhibition Statements:
HIS year’s IB Diploma Visual Arts Exhibition’s (2014) theme is ACHROMATIC. This word simply means “without color”. Many of the art works you will encounter focus on acknowledging our world, making a difference, and adding the color to our ‘gray’ world. Finding the truth, beauty, inner emotions and expression are just some of the ways these students have successfully added ‘color’ into their works, both literally and conceptually. It has been a great honor to have shared two incredible years working with these twelve students, but to say this journey was smooth sailing would definitely be an understatement. Along the way there have been many bumps that we have experienced—due dates, artists block and, of course, investigation workbooks. But in the end, these students have demonstrated true perseverance. On behalf of this year’s IB Diploma Art Class of 2013–2014, thank you for your willingness to be a part of this transforming ACHROMATIC journey.
Hanna: Art has always been dear to me. At the tender age of three, my mother signed me up for drawing lessons. These drawing classes also involved oil pastels, which easily turned into an acrylic painting lesson when I turned nine. Since then, art became my life. My concept on different perspectives and views became my ultimate goal to discover by using oil painting and graphite.
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Grace Ryan Go
Won Hyoung: As a child I loved imagining, visualizing and drawing. My main medium is watercolor as I’m fascinated in its unpredictable and uncontrollable nature. I also love drawing human figures. Natasha: Art has always been a means of expression whether it be through sticking dried macaroni on a can or lino-printing a Barack Obama print. Canvas is my safe-haven—it is what I revert to when nothing comes to mind. Just recently have I understood the sustaining nature of palette knife painting and how liberating it can be.
(L–R): Jessica, Lola, Caitlin, Sharlene, Kineta, Natasha, Hanna, Grace, Won Hyoung, Valerie, Andari, Joshua, Tim
Sharlene: It all started from a simple thirdgrade drawing made from oil pastel to a huge canvas painting made of oil paint. I’ve challenged myself in many artistic concepts that eventually formed my personal style, a style that aims to reveal contradictions through various mediums. This journey has helped me discover my identity. Kineta: I first started taking interest in art from films which incorporates many art elements. Art is not just aesthetically pleasing, but also consists of profound ideas, and concepts behind the making of the art is based on the artist’s personal statement. I see myself using art as a way to communicate through advertisements or films and to use the methods of developing creative ideas and apply it in the creative industries, which blends with artistic media. Andari: I’m not much of an artist, I’m an overthinker. The two years of HL Art had brought so much positive change into my life. People might not appreciate my skills and concepts but if there’s one thing I have learned over the past two years, it would be: you can’t please everybody so just be yourself.
Lola: My interest in art has become an important component in my life, seeing every single aspect in life as an artistic component. The world is full of artistic wonders, which always urges me to push myself in exploring the world of art and using it as a way to express things that I am unable to say through words. My interest in art is centered in watercolor illustration. Joshua: I have enjoyed photography since Grade 6. From photography, I was interested in making movies, and so, I chose to take IB Art. The main medium that I used was initially string and acrylic through to mixed media. Tim: I began to develop an interest in using paper as a main media in all of my artworks. I realized that paper, a simple medium, can be turned into unique/unusual and beautiful artworks.
Valerie: I joined an art class in 6th grade and enjoyed interior design, exterior design, plant, transportation and animals. Most of my artwork has the theme of “symbolism through nature”. It is composed of pictures of nature drawn in different styles of art. Jessica: I’ve had an interest in all things related to art, practically since I was born. I am especially intrigued with details of specifically human and animal subjects, which I try to portray in my artworks, depicting it as identical to reality. Caitlin: My work presents a story for the people of Indonesia. I set out to understand the significance behind cultural values—what and why we value. At a young age, I was drawn into various forms of art—photography, web design, painting, subsequently refining my own style of mixed media.
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special report
SPH International Lippo Cikarang
IB Diploma Visual Arts Exhibition On Thursday and Friday, March 20th–21st, 2014. SPH International Lippo Cikarang held a Visual Arts Exhibition for Diploma Visual Arts students. This exhibition is the final examination for them to finish their IB Diploma course in Visual arts. This time our exhibition theme was Ala c’ART which means ‘according to the menu’.
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N ART the diversity of ideas and interpretations can create artwork that can be defined from different perspectives. But it also involves the artist, even the viewers, having a variety of interpretations of the artwork that they see. The artist seeks to lead the viewer to the artist’s perspective through their concept and an explanation of the final artwork. So even while the viewer has opportunity to impose their own definition of the work, after visiting the exhibition, they still need to acknowledge the point of view that the artist wants to convey in the artwork. Just as by following a menu, they can order Ala c'ART style but it should be according to the menu. The following are four pieces of art from each student that stood out. The first piece is titled “Save and Rescue Me”. It talks about endangered animals and their connection
with women. The artist is Angeline Wina Chandra. For this piece what she wanted to focus on animals that are nearly extinct, and she combined this with the bodies of women. It is the head of the woman that represents beauty and capability i.e. how they can use their knowledge and feeling to save endangered animals. The next piece is titled “Fish Run” and is by artist Ki Yeob Kim. The idea was start from a documentary film about salmon. The salmon needs a lot of effort to go back to the river to spawn. This idea includes the concept that even though we may make only small efforts and attempts if we are consistently doing this over and over again it will bring a huge result or impact. Therefore, as a student, we often experience failure but if we consistently work on it and are not afraid to fail, we will reach the goal that we want.
Galaxy Crane The next piece is titled “Galaxy Crane” by artist Elizabeth Yonathan. This work is
Fish Run
inspired by a book about wishing on the stars and folding 1000 paper cranes while you make your wishes. This is to challenge and encourage children to keep on wishing because it is good for their health and builds positive thinking in them. And the last piece is by artist So Jin Park which is titled “Amorphous”. What she wants to convey is imagination, because imagination is intangible and perhaps invisible so she uses lots of color and shape to emphasize this concept. And by putting it inside the head, where the imagination comes from she demonstrates its invisibility. I believe as human being they expressed uniqueness in how they see and feel things in their environment and experiences, and have interpreted it and turned it into artwork, so they can present a message to us. Livia Anastasia SPH International Lippo Cikarang Art Teacher
Amorphous Save and Rescue Me
By Janessa Huizenga
special report
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SPH International Lippo Village Grade 5 Teacher
Book Week: Treasure from Books “If you call out for insight ... and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.” Proverbs 2:3–5
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HE much-loved SPH International Book Week wave swept across our campus on February 17. The theme Treasure from Books inspired students and their families to dig into books in order to reveal the rich treasure that is hidden between the covers. The intended goals of the week were to foster a love of reading and to capture the imaginations of our young readers through books. The Digging for Treasure Reading Contest marked a new event for Book Week. One week before Book Week began, we launched our school-wide reading competition. The purpose of the competition was to encourage students to immerse themselves in reading for two weeks. Students were pumped to read as many books as they could in two weeks as they earned a ballot for every book read. Our friendly house team rivalry surfaced during Reading Week too as students earned house team points for each book that was read. At the conclusion of two weeks, seven grade winners won a free book of their choosing from the Book Fair sale. In addition, house team Kintamani emerged victorious reading a combined total of 250 books edging out Merapi by a mere 9 books! Over two weeks, SPH International Junior School read 919 books! More familiar Book Week events occurred again this year. Drop Everything And Read was a day when students and teachers dropped everything they were doing in order to pick up a book to read. Grade level activities varied from reading with Dads to writing folk tales. Move to Read Day enabled students to visit other grade level teachers in order to hear a great story. A visiting author came and shared her storybook with our students on Storyteller Day. The culminating activity of the week was Character Day. Students and teachers were invited to come to school dressed as their favourite book character! Accessory clad Fancy Nancy’s and the man with the yellow hat characters could be spotted in our halls. Book Week 2014 was a success due to the high level of student involvement in the various activities related to all things book. Did SPH International Lippo Village students discover treasure in books? Without a doubt, yes!
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special report
SPH Charity 5K Run
By SPH International Lippo Village Student Council
RUN FOR A REASON
On a cool Saturday morning, approximately three hundred people donned their running shoes in preparation for a Student Council Executive Team’s event. This occasion was a 5K run around our beloved school campus. Following the recent trend of increasingly frequent 5K runs around a venue, the Student Council added a twist—the entrance fee of the participants was to be donated to a charity for Bhakti Luhur.
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HE beauty of this event was the incorporation of the entire school community. Everyone from kindergarten to senior students to security staff were able to run. We were pleased to see staff members’ families and students running with their parents, as well as former SPH teachers’ smiling faces. All the participants formed a crowd by the starting line and anticipation for the run built with a countdown. Then, the running began. The five-lap course around school took runners through an option of a splash zone, where their Charity Run shirts were drenched by squirt guns and hoses. Some runners sped through the Fast Lane to the finish line to be greeted by bells and cheering. Other runners enjoyed each other’s company throughout the morning jog. One could either run hard
or enjoy frequent water breaks at rest stations along the course. It was a clean balance of competition and participation for all ages, reflecting the diversity and community within our school. After sprinting through the finish line, participants were greeted with bananas, water and various carnival-style food and drink vendor stalls that added to the festivities. The merry mood was also matched by the lively music being played at the finish line. The event ended with awards given for speed, best costumes, oldest and youngest participants, and many others. The range of awards between staff members, students, teachers and family members meant that all were involved in the fun.
Spelling Bee 2014 O
N March 14th, 2014, our SPH International campuses came together to celebrate some of our schools best spelling students. The annual SPH International Spelling Bee saw 72 students, from the four SPH International campuses; come together from all over Jakarta to compete in a friendly spelling competition; hosted by SPH International Lippo Cikarang campus. The students from all four campuses: SPH International Lippo Village (LV), Kemang Village (KV), Sentul City (SC) and Lippo Cikarang (LC), gave their best effort and enjoyed the chance to be recognised for their spelling skills. The medal winners of each grade level are as follows:
GRADE 1
Placed
Name
School
1
st
Ian
LV
nd
Darron Lembong
KV
Calvert Sutedja
LC
Placed
Name
School
1
st
Chae Won Kim
KV
nd
Justin Chuang
LC
Ilham Aries Munandar
SC
Placed
Name
School
1
st
Isabel Wijaya
LV
nd
Vanesa Christy
SC
Shi Woo Park
KV
Name
School
2
3
rd
GRADE 2
2
3
rd
GRADE 3
2
3
GRADE 4
rd
Placed 1
GRADE 5
Brigitta Maria Andrea
LC
2nd
Matthew Arthur Sutanto
KV
3rd
Ng Shu Xuan/Felice
SC
Placed
Name
School
1st
Victoria Liando
LV
2
Kyleen Hardja
SC
William Hartono
LV
Placed
Name
School
1
st
Nathan
LV
nd
Amanda
LV
Rie
KV
st
nd
3
GRADE 6
rd
2
3
rd
Congratulations to all the final round competitors and a big ‘pat on the back’ for our worthy medal winners! Also, thank you to parents and teachers for their work in preparing the students for this event. It was pleasing to see the medals shared amongst the four campuses again and we all look forward to next year’s Spelling Bee event. By SPH International Lippo Cikarang Spelling Bee Team
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special report
Calvin College
USA Study Group 2013–2014 In early July 2013 we sent a group of four SPH International teachers off to Calvin College, in Grand Rapids, Michigan to undertake their Masters in Curriculum and Instruction. They are doing a two year program over 15 months thanks to Calvin College’s desire to work with us here in Indonesia.
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HEN they return they will form a professional development team to work mainly in Sekola Lentera Harapan schools throughout Indonesia, supporting the teachers and helping them improve their classroom practice. Here are their reflections on the journey so far: I hope you all are doing well in Indonesia! We certainly miss you all here! Although, I have to say, I also really miss the weather! We have had
a very long and cold winter here in the mitten (also known as Michigan). It has been a challenge and a joy to dive back into the life of a student. Our classes here at Calvin are rigorous but the professors are very supportive. They have challenged me to grow in my analytical skills, think deeply about Christian pedagogy, and encouraged me to be more self-reflective in my own teaching practices. I am particularly enjoying analyzing discourse and the ways we attend to, and listen to our students. I have also enjoyed spending some time with friends and family here in Grand Rapids. It had been 8 years since I last lived in North America! I have been truly blessed because my brother and his family moved to Grand Rapids a month after I did! God is good! It has also been lovely to spend some quality time with my Bible study group and my AMAZING roommates! Helena Wunderink SPH International Lippo Village Teacher
I would like to share with you an update of the program that I am having here in Indonesia. My time of study at Calvin College is a huge blessing for me. I am learning many new things about education in general and Christian education in particular. In their classes, Calvin’s professors try their best in educating their students so that they have meaningful learning and at the same time challenge them to do something about certain areas in education that needs change. Often, this meaningful learning is gained through challenging readings and assignments in a very supportive Christian environment. At this point, I have four out of six classes left that I need to take to finish the master's program, including the research class. Having four classes in a semester is considered a heavy load in the graduate program, especially when you have a thesis to write. However, God’s grace and the supportive Christian environment help me to endure in this process. The Christian environment I mentioned includes Calvin professors, my roommates, my church care group, and the Indonesian student fellowship. I thank God for all of them whom God prepared in advance to support me in this journey. I would like to thank those in Indonesia who have been praying for me too. To conclude, please continue to pray for us so that the four of us can finish this program well by God’s grace for His service and glory alone. Hana Parapat SPH International Lippo Cikarang Teacher
Praise be to God the father, the son Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit! Spring is approaching. This semester is truly a blessing. Calvin College began this semester by inviting a prominent speaker to share at a conference called “The January Series.” Last semester, I had the privilege of meeting N.T. Wright and Christopher Wright, this time I had the opportunity to meet musician and theologian Jeremy Begbie, a Thomas A. Langford Research Professor of Theology from Duke Divinity School. Begbie
special report explained the concept of lament, not just by lecturing, but also by playing a Rachmaninoff piece to demonstrate it. Amazing how music can really enhance our theological understanding! I cannot stop thanking God this semester! Here are some things I would thank God for in his faithfulness. Early this semester, by God’s grace, I presented my Karl Barth paper entitled: “Living Word, Living Text, and Living Speech: Revisiting Karl Barth’s Doctrine of Scripture” to the student-lead theology forum at Calvin (a club lead by our own alumni Yunus Prasetya). By his grace, I was invited to contribute one article to the annual Calvin alumni devotional book. By his grace, I am now working at the Off-Campus program office and have become a member of the graduate and adult learner advisory group called GALAT. By his grace, I was also able to sit in the class of one of the most prominent reformed historical theologians, Dr. Richard Muller (before he retired this year), at Calvin Theological Seminary as a visitor student. Finally, by God’s grace alone, my family can
survive one of the coldest winters in Grand Rapids. Thank you for those who continue to pray for us. We hope to see you all soon this year. Rene Sompie SPH International Lippo Village Teacher
I am doing well. I am trying to balance study, work, and my personal life. I am enjoying learning American culture and am grateful that I am exposed more to African and African American culture as well: an opportunity I never had when I was in Indonesia. Enjoying Michigan's epic winter is another thing I relish because I know I will miss it when I am back in Indonesia. I miss family and home, but am thankful for the little immediate family (the team) that I have here. In the midst of my busyness, I can also attend a weekly Bible Study group, which is becoming my second family here. Gratefulness for God's providence, he who has walked with me this far, is how I feel. I am
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learning a lot from the language and education classes here. I love Calvin College and my professors, and am learning a lot from them both in formal and informal settings. Recently, my paper was selected for a graduate student scholar award from AILACTE. AILACTE is an association of independent liberal arts colleges for Teacher Education. It is a small research league, but reaches a nationwide level. I am so thankful for tasting the goodness of God by studying at Calvin College. I am also learning to fall in love with the plan God has for me. I am learning that change is inevitable, especially when I am away from my home country. My prayer is that I will be able to embrace whatever change may come my way. Harmeilia Anggit Adiastuti SPH International Lippo Village Teacher
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special report
Fathers Gathering Parents Reflection
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have been very blessed by the Father’s Gatherings. I had little interest to attend, however, after I tried once last year. I was 'addicted’ to hearing and gaining more wisdom. This year I joined almost all the meetings. There are two benefits that I would like to highlight: 1. I learned so much wisdom that I had never known before 2. I was enriched and encouraged from the topics I am learning to educate my child in the way that pleases the Lord, but as a person
I
felt very blessed by this seminar because it provided a reflection on the true meaning of marriage. For example: A Husband represents God, A Wife represents the Church. When children see how a father treats a mother, and how a mother responds, that represents how God treats the Church, and how the Church responds to God. So parental relationships become real examples of God and his Church relationship, which is seen by children in the family. I believe children will imitate what they see and this will influence them when they form their own families. [ Johnson Halim – Parent of Claudia Grade 3 & Nicholas Grade 6 ]
who has a sinful nature, I realize that I am lacking in many areas to be able to do so. God has prepared and equipped me in so many ways, and I believe that one of them is through the Fathers Gatherings. I am thankful for these seminars and for the sharing from other people. We all have a responsibility to pass on His truth to the younger generation, especially to our own children. My hope and prayer is that God will enable me to raise my daughter after God’s own heart. [ Antoni Siahaan – Parent of Alin Grade 6 ]
I
was so blessed by the teaching presented by Rev. Sutjipto Subeno on last Fathers Gathering. The main points were: 1. There are four aspects of marriage to consider: a man leave his father and mother, be united to his wife, the two, become one. 2. The importance of marriage, because marriage would not exist without a picture of the relationship between Christ and the church. 3. Keeps the holiness and sanctity of two human beings (a man and a woman) 4. The engagement period is a time to get to know one another without involving the sexual relationship. 5. A pre-nuptial agreement is not in accordance with the teachings of Christ because the principle of God's marriage is openness, lifelong togetherness till death, giving, loving, serving, understanding, emotional harmony. The teaching I received from that event was very useful for me. I am determined to apply these principles in my marriage and use them as guidance for my children. Thank you! [ Trisno Widjaja - Parent of Kelvin Grade 11 ]
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Fathers Gathering with Pastor Sutjipto Subeno
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N 22 March 2014, we attended the Fathers Gathering seminar dealing with the topic “God's Design for Marriage & Human Sexuality”. Here are some important lessons that we learned:
As parents, we should learn to provide space for our children to develop their own family culture after they get married. Though it is difficult to let them go, it is essential to believe and trust them. Through the explanation of the three-in-one doctrine, we learned that God is concerned with parents’ authority. In many cases, due to the lack of attention on this particular issue, children may no longer pay proper respect to their authority and elders, especially parents. The seminar reminded us to obey the Word, though we might not fully comprehend why. Understanding may come later, but obedience should be the first response. This mindset should be taught to our children, as they grow more and more independent. It is our conclusion, that God Endows Marriage as Significant Transformation of Our Natural Ego (G.E.M.S.T.O.N.E). And like a real gemstone, we should really take care of our marriages by keeping them sacred and alive everyday. [ Hengky Cahyadi — Parent of Gracesenia Grade 9 ]
ASTOR Sutjipto Subeno based his message on Ephesians 5:31–33 which states how God intends a marriage to be. A husband-wife relationship should reflect the relationship of Christ and His church. Christ loves and died for His people, and so should a husband for his wife. Christ gives freely His grace and providence to His people. And so should a husband too. Likewise, a wife should base her relationship like that of the church to Christ. We, the church, should obey and trust Christ and so should a wife to her husband. We love and respect our spouses out of God’s commandment and obedience. It is not about us or our spouses but about God and us. In his hilarious teaching, “Laugh Your Way to a Better Marriage" which you can youtube “Mark Gungor—A Tale of Two Brains" and I recommend couples watch it, Mark Gungor explains well the huge differences between a man and a woman. The way a woman thinks, sees, feels, understands is completely different from a man. A wife desires love, tenderness and security more than anything else in a marriage. On the other hand, a husband needs respect and authority. Thus a long lasting marriage is about accepting, adjusting and giving those needs to each other which is a life-long process. In his book “Love and Respect”, Dr. Emerson Eggrichs teaches in great details how these needs are to be fulfilled and he points out many practical ways to do it. As Pastor Sutjipto Subeno says “Marriage is not us finding the right person or a soul mate, but it’s about making it work by doing the right things” We need to be reminded of such basics constantly and Fathers Gathering has been a wonderful resource for us all. Furthermore, Pastor Sutjipto Subeno has brought us back to Christ as the centre of our marriages. I enjoyed the event and would highly encourage fathers to attend such events. [ Ivan Hodiny – Parent of Joshua Grade 11 & Nicole Grade 12 ]
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special report
Harvard Model Congress Asia
SPH International Lippo Village has been sending students to Harvard Model Congress Asia for many years now and this January saw another group of 21 students join this challenging event.
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N January these students traveled to Hong Kong for this 3 day simulation of US Government, as well as a wide variety of other international organizations such as the World Trade Organization, International Criminal Court, UN Security Council. Months earlier students had been given their roles and begun their preparations. The hard work and determination paid off as our students’ level of engagement and participation was impressive. Here are some reflections from the students:
“Being in the Press Corps was busy and challenging, but exhilarating!”
[ Raina – Grade 12 ]
“In three short days I became a defense lawyer, a member of the jury, an expert witness against Bashar Al-Assad, and a defense witness for Kim Jong-un. Yet, while playing these roles was exciting and thought-provoking, what I truly enjoyed most about this opportunity was the lessons—such as the art of litigation and the complexity of court procedures.”
[ Jasmine – Grade 12 ]
“A lot of what I’ve been learning in Economics and History was put to use during this event.” [ Cindy – Grade 12 ]
“Though nerve-wrecking, it was a fun learning experience. I learned a lot from fellow delegates and improved my own critical thinking skills as I saw others at work.” [ Audrey – Grade 12 ]