First Week In Indonesia

Been an interesting first week in our apartment.  It is a nice apartment for the area; however, in the United States we would consider it average regarding condition and amenities.  We do not have a dish washer or cloths dyer.  We do have a small clothes washer.  We’re getting used to hanging our wet cloths in the bathrooms, etc.  We do have nice bedrooms and living area.  The kitchen is small—does this mean we should eat out more?  There is a nice outside walking area, exercise room, spa, swimming pool, restaurant, and grocery store. 

However, after a week of seeing the living conditions of a very large portion of the people in this city, I better appreciate what we have in the United States.  The “poor” in the United States live better than most do in this city.  A recent article in the local paper stated that Indonesians spend around 70% of their income on food. 

But, there are many wealthy people in this country---This weekend we saw a number of car dealerships for luxury cars and ate dinner in a very nice restaurant located in one of the nicest malls I have ever been in!   Five floors with all the top end shops and items.  There are many malls—some additional high end malls and many comparable to what we generally find in the US.

However, with that said, there is a growing middle class.  A lot of business activity.

The contrast between the poor and the rich is unbelievable!

Our Mission President, President Groberg, served a mission here about 40 years ago.  He said at that time there was only a few paved roads in Jakarta—today all the roads are paved.  There was only one three story building.  While he was on his mission a 15 floor building was finished.  Today you can look out over the city and see hundreds of sky scrapers!  Back then there few very few cars—today hundreds of thousands of motorcycles and vehicles and traffic jams day and night, seven days a week.

Most of the buildings have their own water well and sewage system.  Only a small fraction of the buildings and homes in Jakarta and the surrounding suburbs are on municipal water or sewer systems.

However the city and Indonesia continues to grow-- this year a growth rate of 12% is projected. 

Sunday we attended church in Bogor, a suburb of Jakarta.  The members were very friendly and warm.  We enjoyed the meetings.  There were about 150 in attendance with about 35 in the Ward Choir which was outstanding!  The members love to sing.

Living here is a real educational experience that we wouldn’t trade for anything!