Roots & Wings
Stories of the Blue Jay
Featuring: Susan “Chala” Divine Waelaruno – Class of 1996
From growing up in Bodcaw, Arkansas, to living and teaching in Jakarta, Indonesia, one of the largest cities in the world, Chala has followed a path she never could have imagined.
After graduating from Nevada High School, Chala received a music scholarship to Southern Arkansas University and began studying Music Education. When the pressures of work, school, and life became overwhelming, she stepped away from college, but that was far from the end of her story.
Trusting that God had another plan, Chala attended Victory Bible College in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where she continued her musical studies through the newly created School of Worship. Friendships with people from across Asia and a mission trip to the Philippines (where she met her future husband) eventually opened her heart to teaching abroad. In 2010, she accepted a position in Indonesia, where she later married her husband and began teaching ESL and Christian Character in international schools.
In 2019, Chala and her family of five returned to the United States so she could finish the bachelor’s degree she had placed on hold years earlier. She graduated in 2021 with a degree in Psychology. The following year, her family felt called back to Indonesia, and she accepted a position at IPEKA Integrated Christian School in Jakarta, where she continues to serve today.
Looking back, Chala can see that the roots of her calling were already taking hold during her years at Nevada High School. Time spent with NHS exchange students helped prepare her heart for missions, while teaching in Sunday School and elementary classrooms nurtured a passion that has continued throughout her life.
Chala’s journey reminds us that a change in plans does not mean the end of the dream. Sometimes the road takes unexpected turns, but with faith, perseverance, and a willingness to follow God’s direction, those turns can lead somewhere greater than we ever imagined.
Her message to today’s Blue Jays is simple: “Keep trusting in God and learning His Word. No matter what career you choose, He will guide and lead you. And if you don’t know Him yet, I encourage you to find someone who does and begin your journey with Him.”
From her roots in Bodcaw, Chala followed God’s call across the world…and discovered just how far a Blue Jay’s wings can fly. Thank you, Chala, for remembering your roots even though your wings have flown you across the world.
We have more ~ Stories of the Blue Jay ~ on the way. We’d love to share yours, too. E-mail your story, photo, and/or video to shelly.rhodes@nevadasd.net.