The Beginning

Where to begin?  There are so many things that we have been through in the past number of months that it is really hard to know where this blog should begin.  I'll try to sum up some of how we got to where we are right now.

In March was when Paul received a job offer from SPH International in Tangerang, Indonesia and by the middle of April we (Paul) had signed a contract.  What a lot of things to figure out when you decide to move to the other side of the world in a short amount of time.  We learned a lot and have decided that maybe making a little pamphlet or book titled "How to Move to Indonesia" might be beneficial to some people (probably not too many).  We sold our vehicles and rented out our house.  Packing was an experience in itself.  Because we knew we had to pack up our house we really started looking at what we had and if it was necessary to keep.  We had a garage sale and sold lots, and whatever we didn't sell we gave to Bible For Missions Thrift store.  What a great feeling it is to get rid of things.  Whatever we didn't get rid of was packed up and sent to family and some friends.  Of course we also had 10 suitcases and 5 carry-ons packed full of belongings we were bringing with us.

And of course there were the good byes.  Our friends hosted a going away party with many of our wonderful friends from church.  We said good bye to our church family and to people at Timothy Christian School and of course our very dear friends and family.  It is a pretty neat thing to be recognized like we were, you never really know how valuable you are to some people until you leave.  I don't recommend you leave just so that you feel valuable, hopefully we can all learn to celebrate the friendships we have on a regular basis.  It was extremely difficult to leave our loved ones behind, but we felt very loved and supported by everyone, which was a huge blessing.

So, after a long flight, we are now here.  Trying to get settled in our new home, killing any unwanted pests (cockroaches), and learning about life in Indonesia.  It's been a week now and both Paul and I and the kids have seen so much that is different from our culture.  Here are a few things:

• traffic is crazy, but it really works for them.  Forget about those turn signals, they don't mean anything here.  Any aggressive driver would thrive here.
• there are many motorcycles around with families on them.  No helmets.  They are often carrying things- stuff they find to sell or something for a job.
• there are many workers in a department store, so instead of having to search for someone to help you, they are right there.  In one store they carried our merchandise to the front desk for us and at the cashier there were chairs for us to sit down on.  As a customer you are treated very well.  Each store also has someone standing at the door to greet you as you are coming in and says bye as you are leaving.
• everything you buy in the grocery store comes in small packaging (and often in plastic).  They do not sell things in bulk.  For example, a bag of potatoes comes with 6 potatoes, not 40. 
• groceries are expensive, but entertainment is not (a movie with lazy boy chairs and food service is only $6, and a pedicure and massage is only $10)
• they have few outdoor parks, but every mall comes equipped with an indoor amusement park.
• EVERYONE is friendly.  Although language barriers exist, you are always met with a smile, a hello Mr. or Mrs. and often times a slight bow.

There are definitely more things we have seen and experienced that are culturally different and we will adjust our lives around them.

The kids are adjusting well.  They have had so much fun in their first week here.  They have met so many other expat kids that are around their age and they seem to be hitting it off not too badly.  They have not exactly been theirselves, which should be expected since they are in a new country surrounded by new things and new people.  There have been a few outbursts (when I say a few, I really been a lot), and there has been a bit of whining, fighting and complaining.  But overall, they are enjoying life here in Indonesia.

Paul is adjusting to his new job. He will be teaching 4 math classes to grade 7, one to grade 10, and will also be teaching grade 11 and 12 gym.   There is definitely lots for him to learn and it is a bit overwhelming, but he has fewer outbursts than the kids and he is able to control his whining, fighting, and complaining a lot more so as well. 

I am trying to make sure that everyone stays happy.  Not an easy job and one that I don't think I have been very successful at quite yet.  I am trying to learn how to cook with the different types of food and different brand names.  Things do not taste quite the same as back home, but we will get there.  I did bake some yummy banana muffins with the kids the other day and felt quite proud of myself.  Dinner last night was a flop, but tacos tonight was a hit!  Part of me cannot wait until we are a couple of months into all of this and feeling just a little more settled.

Well, this is the beginning.  I am hopefully going to post a lot more and a lot more photos as time goes on.  Hope you all enjoy!

 Saying our goodbyes at the airport
 

 Preparing for our flight to Hong Kong

 

Our new home 

Enjoying the pool at the school

 

...and the park... and new friends