All In for the Mission of God: March 2014

Sea World Indonesian Style
Have you ever been to Sea World?
Have you ever been on a field trip with 70 students?
Have you ever gone 20 kilometers(AKA 13.6miles)?
Have you ever been on a bus for 2 hours?
I have done all of those just not at the same time.
Well today the Grade One had the opportunity to do all of those at the same time, Indonesian Style.
That's right we did all of those. This past month we have been learning to write simple research papers (English), take surveys (Math), and take care of our bodies(Science-stretched a little). These pieces combined led up to the culminating event of taking 70 Grade One students (give or take a few) on a field trip to Sea World. No we did not get the opportunity to head to sunny San Diego. We instead jumped on two luxury buses (minus the toilets) to smoggy Ancol, Indonesia. Home to probably the smallest, yet jam packed with cool Sea Creatures, Sea World. The distance according to Google Maps is about 20 Kilometers. A distance that at most would take 20 minutes in Lebanon. However because we wanted this to be an Indonesian style field trip, we took 2 hours to go that distance. Thankfully the drive home was only 1 hour :)
This may have put a damper on things for all of us, but the wait was worth it. Once we got inside we were welcomed to an Aquarium 3 times smaller than the Oregon Coast Aquarium. Though it was small in size there was still plenty to see. Probably the favorite portion of the trip was the tunnel that had stingrays, sea turtles, grouper fish, sand sharks, and many other fish swimming over head. Worth the wait, most definitely.

Journey through the streets
Having an apartment on the 11th floor allows me to see many different things from my windows. One of the many things that I can see is a giant dome. I have asked the many people who visited my apartment if they knew what it was. Nobody could give an answer. Finally a few weeks ago it was a sunny Sunday afternoon, so I set out in the direction of the dome. I didn't know how far it would be or any of the streets. I was just determined to find out what it was. So I slipped on my Chacos, grabbed my water and headed out. I had a general idea of where the thing was. I thought my building is about 15 stories higher than most around it, so I should be able to see it to get a reference point throughout the walk. Boy was I wrong! I zigzagged through the streets and alleys. I took a walking bridge across a main road (which was the only time I could actually see my building). I came to a few dead ends. Finally I spotted the dome, I was so close. However, the roads here are not that easy to navigate so what should have been a straight shot to it, ended having to be a reroute and go next to one of the main toll roads. The toll road led me then to the dome, it ended up being a convention center. Not as exciting as I had hoped. I was hoping that possibly it was some sports arena where they played world champion badminton. At this point I turned back around tried to find my building, tried retracing my steps, ended up on different roads and somehow made it back to the school.

Now for a shout out to three of my old students (and a sister)
Morgan, Reese, and Irelynn (emma)
I got a letter from them today. They know how much I love pictures so they sent it to me. Thanks for thinking and praying for me girls.

Things I miss: an update: I found pickles the day after my last update

Things I have made: Smoothies and blueberry muffins
Things to pray for: The final term of the year starts in 1 week (crazy 9 months has flown 2 months to go)
For relationships with those I come in contact with.