Sea World Field Trip

I love field trips. Last week I had an opportunity to go on one to Sea World with some children who live in some nearby slums, as well as their teachers and two young women who are new to Indonesia and SPH (Jen and Becky). Part of the money that was raised a few weeks ago at the Karawaci Ladies' Trivia Night for Education went towards renting a bus, buying lunches and snacks and paying for the entry fee into the area where Sea World is located. When approached, Sea World very quickly and generously agreed to waive the entry fees for the children as well as the chaperones for the entire day. Not only did they pay for our entry, but they gave the children fun stickers and goodies to take home with them as well.

When we were inside Sea World, the children were able to see things they have never seen in their lives. They touched small sharks, sea turtles, sea creatures (no idea what they were!) as well as watched stingrays, sharks, turtles and large fish eat during feeding time. I had fun watching the creatures, but mostly I enjoyed the kids' faces. Priceless.

After Sea World, we headed to the beach. These kids live near a river and so most of them know how to swim. However, although they live on the island of Java, they'd never seen the ocean before, and therefore had never swam in it. Originally the teachers rules were that the kids could walk in the water only. After about 30 minutes, however, the kids pleaded their case and said how much they wanted to swim in the ocean (many times over), and of course, the teachers agreed. There was no way you could say no to their pleading.

These kids were amazing. They swam in jeans and t-shirts, shorts and shirts, some with clothes that were way too big when dry and that grew even bigger when wet, and not once did they complain that they were uncomfortable, too sandy, and even though they were shivering, too cold. Afterwards they changed with no comment, with no towels and with little privacy, and they were so excited to have had a chance to play in the ocean. I could learn a thing or two about being content from these kids.

What a wonderful way to spend my day! I can go weeks, even months here in Indo, enjoying daily life, living and learning what I can, but it's when I get to be a part someone else's life, to experience things that I have done before but with a new perspective, that I really experience an excitement about being here. I know that no matter where I live on this earth, I have opportunity to learn through someone else's eyes, and I am thankful for these kids and for the blessing of spending a day with them here in Indo.

Thanks for reading.