Thursday, March 05, 2009 – 33,000 feet over the Indian Ocean…enroute to Perth

As I wakened this morning with sun streaming into the corner windows of my room filtered through palm trees, I was again aware of how blessed I am to be privileged to travel and meet such wonderful people involved in Christian higher education around the world. It might be tempting to suppose that many have become cynical or have lost site of their calling or of the fact this is the Lord’s business. It might be easy to suppose it is all business. But as I listen to reasons people give me for their work, as I listen to the things that “keep them awake,” as I look into their eyes, I see so many that do this for the Lord. So many seem to have a desire to help students and to help their nation. And many are unafraid to reveal their hearts. That openness is refreshing. These have both been reinforced today. Susan Tai met me for breakfast and we enjoyed an hour and a half…tho she didn’t eat! She shared her calling to Indonesia from Phillips and her passion to help those in need in this nation through the means of nano-technology research on cancer and the improvement of medical care. I met next with Sheldon, Jonathan, Brigida (the Academic V.P.), Budhi (Advancement VP), and Ferliana (VP for Finance). When I asked Brigida what was the mission of UPH she answered without hesitation, “To transform students lives…and not just deliver content.” What a blessing to hear that heart passion of my own repeated so far away. As we rode to the helicopter pad from UPH as I departed, Budhi too opened his heart and I could feel his passion to serve the Lord. Sinta, Professor Ban (Ph.D. from Calvin), even the young assistants here….as in so many other places I’ve visited, seem to “get it” in a way that is encouraging and even inspiring!
After breakfast with Susan, I met with the “Directorate”…those listed above….meaning the Rector, President, and 3 VPs. One was missing….because he is having chemotherapy for cancer. We prayed for him.
I learned more of the Teachers’ College with hundreds of scholarshipped students from poorer villages around the country. I learned of Budhi’s challenge to open schools where they can go to teach as the numbers of grads increase this year. This outreach of UPH seems intentional, offsetting the fact that tuition is among the highest in private tertiary’s in Indonesia. But I learned that tuition is still only $5000/year! I learned UPH is one of only 3 schools in the 35 member Christian Association I met yesterday to have government accreditation. And UPH is the only one of those 35 to have completed the new government accreditation review. I supposed they would not value an “informal academic and administrative audit” such as has been urged by other less developed and less wealthy schools….but they disagreed saying it would be very helpful in promoting globalization as they seek global best practices for their school. Sheldon presented a list of items they had discussed…..all of them related to hiring credentialed faculty…their number one need. They’d like graduate programs offered on site….believing that with the 35 other associate schools they can achieve a critical mass for such degrees to be offered. They want intensive course offered by visiting faculty who would also deliver workshops in a wide range of professional development areas. I asked them to prepare a list of the most desirable graduate degrees….just like we did in Rwanda. I HOPE I can find CCCU schools willing to take the risk and step out both in Rwanda and places like Indonesia….the benefits all around will be huge! The use of retirees was also confirmed.
After a good 2 hours of conversation, we broke for lunch in the Mission Youth For Christ glass dining room off the huge student lounge…..a crucial place since only 900 of the 10,000 students live in residence. Beautifully presented satay, rice dome, beef and beans…..and a wonderful green fruit drink I could not even identify.
I urged Jonathan and Sheldon to send Sinta to D.C. for 4 months….it would be of benefit to Sinta, to UPH, and to CCCU. I hope they will.
They had taken my passport, and cleared my departure in advance….so at we walked immediately from lunch to a waiting car, drove to the helipad, 7 minutes flight to the airport, a van and driver to the baggage area, directly into the terminal no stopping for immigration or check in as Mr. Wriasto again smoothed the way…and he even deposited me in the business class/first class lounge to wait….where I changed from suit to jeans for the two long flights….4 time zones away across the Ocean and across Australia to Sydney. (My phone says Sydney is GMT+11 but my computer says it’s GMT+10) I guess we’ll see tomorrow morning!
My stay in Indonesia was a pleasure from start to finish…the hospitality was amazing, the treatment nothing short of royal, the institution magnificent in programs and facilities, and the people Godly. There is much to be learned from this place. I am really looking forward to being with Richard and Tickey Frost in Sydney after I’ve spent time with Steve Fogarty at Southern Cross and with David Johnston from Wesley Institute. They are old friends from Harare ’87-’89 and I have continued to pray for them ever since. I imagine the reunion after 20 years will be emotional……Friends are a blessing that can never be overestimated.
…..Sitting now in the Perth airport…odd place. The Australian west coast is absolutely desolate…we flew for an hour over NOTHING….just dunes and swamps and no trees. Wow! The international terminal is miles from the domestic and the customs clearance was very strict. They could see a wooden curio from India in my suitcase with their equipment. Didn’t see the wooden curio from Korea…. BTW…did I say that in Jakarta they made me check my bigger bag? First time in 20 flights! Said it was too big, and too heavy. I tried to just stall but it didn’t work….I think it’s because the Qantas flight was really a Jetstar flight and they are a bargain carrier…jammed with people. Anyway fortunately the bag came through ok. Had to take a bus across the runways for 12km to get to the domestic terminal….would have cost $8 but the driver told me to go get a voucher…which they weren’t sure they’d give me at Qantas despite the fact it was a codeshared Qantas flight! Man…they sure don’t make it easy in Perth! Checked in and AGAIN my American Advantage number was not recorded! Karoline said she put them all in there but many times they are NOT there…..so I dread having to submit info to get the credit….just a pain. The drive WAS fun…across pitch dark miles under a bright moon with NO other lights visible….just the driver, me, and one other young couple. Got chosen for the random explosives check in security….but I have lots of time. Bought some internet credit so I’ll put this up now…..
Hope I can sleep on the plane to Sydney…