2024-10 STM Trip Journal (4)

10/19/2024

Last Friday (October 11), the short-term mission team flew from Pontianak in West Kalimantan to Surabaya in East Java, then traveled by car to Malang, marking the start of the second half of our mission trip in Indonesia. Although the distance by air and road was not very far, it took a whole day to reach Malang, arriving just before dusk. The team will be in East Java for a week, concluding on October 18, collaborating with local mission partner Hope Ministry Malang to experience and participate in various missionary activities across different areas of East Java.

The week passed quickly, with a tight schedule arranged by Hope Ministry Malang staff member Meidama, and the mission team found the experience enriching and impactful, gaining much from it, which we are so grateful to the Lord.

Hope Ministry Malang operates as a local non-profit "training" center (as it cannot be directly labeled as an "evangelical center" in a predominantly Muslim community), functioning through discipleship training and team ministry. The ministry is led and nurtured by its founder, Pastor Vernando, alongside a group of promising young staff members who share the ministry workload. The Hope Ministry team demonstrates a strong sense of teamwork and vitality, wholeheartedly dedicated to service with a “selfless” attitude, which is commendable. They do not retreat despite resource shortages but move forward in faith, serving tirelessly, earning great admiration.

Hope Ministry Malang is based at the local Gereja Methodis Injili Malang church and currently conducts its missional work in East Java at three main locations, each led by dedicated young staff:

(1) Children of Peace in Malang, managed by Desman and Rillia, who serve as house parents, with assistance from intern Uniman.

(2) South Malang Sidoasri Village Children Smart Learning Center, led by sisters Sasi and Rika.

(3) UPG Tengger Village Caring outreach Ministry and Children’s Smart Learning Center, led by sisters Pinta and Olivia, with intern Vesni assisting.

On the day after arriving in Malang (Saturday, October 12), the STM team, guided by Hope Ministry Malang staff, first visited Children of Peace home. Currently, there are 16 boarding high school students from various provinces in Indonesia, all marginalized youth, mostly from broken families, who have missed out on familial warmth during their upbringing. These children were referred to the home with their families' consent and are fully cared for by Hope Ministry Malang. During the day, they attend different public schools, and after classes, they are lovingly cared for by house parents Desman and Rilla, receiving spiritual guidance in a discipleship format from the Hope Ministry staff, which fosters their growth. After graduating from high school, Hope Ministry Malang will strive to support them in pursuing further education, aiming to cultivate them into capable individuals who live for the Lord. The STM team interacted and shared with the children at the Children of Peace home. Everyone has their talents and interests in music, and many also have aspirations in life, including dreams of becoming pastors, missionaries, or teachers. Over the past eight years, numerous youths have received such spiritual development, which will undoubtedly have a far-reaching impact, empowering them to witness for Christ in various sectors across Indonesia and to build others' lives. The home needs additional restrooms, and K-PACT Canada is providing some financial assistance, hoping it will be sufficient.

On Saturday evening, the STM team participated in a Youth Mission Mobilization event organized by the Gereja Methodis Injili Malang church, where Pastor Anthony Yeung shared on missionary topics from biblical teachings, helping to cultivate a global mission mindset among the youth.

On October 13 (Sunday), the STM team attended Sunday worship at Gereja Methodis Injili Malang, where Pastor Sam Chan delivered the sermon. After worship, the team enjoyed a wonderful sharing time and fellowship time with the Hope Ministry Malang team. Despite some language barriers, there was a strong connection in the Lord, and communication flowed smoothly.

On October 14 (Monday), under the guidance of the Hope Ministry Malang team, the STM team took a three-hour journey along bumpy, winding mountain roads to Sidoasri Village in South Malang, to visit the recently opened village Children’s Smart Learning Center. Sister Tasya from Hope Ministry Malang is originally from Sidoasri Village, and her family graciously hosted the team, providing meals at their home for both lunch and dinner, which we greatly appreciated. That afternoon, the team held an outdoor Children Food Program at the Sidoasri Village Smart Learning Center, which was lively, with over 170 children from the village participating. The program included song sharing, Bible stories, and traditional dance performances. We were honored to have the village chief's wife attended as a guest; both she and her husband are devoted Christians. After the Food Program, at the invitation of the village chief's wife, the Hope Ministry Malang team and K-PACT Canada mission team members visited the village chief's residence. The chief was unfortunately away, but his wife shared their testimony, explaining how they were chosen by the Lord to respond to His calling and accepted the mission of being the village chief. She also shared about the current needs and challenges in the village, particularly the neglect of children's education by many parents and the increasing drug problems among youth. She strongly supports the direction of Hope Ministry Malang's work in establishing the Children’s Smart Learning Center in Sidoasri Village, allowing the use of a vacant primary school building for the center. After some renovations, staff members sister Sasi and sister Rika can reside nearby to facilitate daily operations at the Smart Learning Center.

From October 15 to 17 (Tuesday to Thursday), several staffs from Hope Ministry Malang led the STM team to the Tengger Village, a remote UPG community near the famous Mount Bromo volcano, for a three-day, two-night mission experience. Tengger Village is one of the ethnic minorities in East Java and is among over 160 unreached groups in Indonesia, with villagers traditionally practicing Hinduism. Hope Ministry Malang established a Children’s Smart Learning Center in Tengger Village over two years ago as an outreach effort. This village is the hometown of staff member John Phillips, and the first Children’s Smart Learning Center started in his mother’s home. They later rented a small house as a center for outreach ministry and established branch learning centers in several local families willing to open their homes for children to participate in learning activities. Staff members sister Pinta and Olivia are very passionate about the education ministry for village children and are beloved by both parents and children. They know each child by name and diligently travel between several Learning Centers according to a schedule to facilitate effective learning. In addition to participating in the children’s Food Program in Tengger Village, the mission team also had the opportunity to visit and care for some local families, sharing Christ's love with them. The STM team also visited a public school in the village, interacting with the teachers and students. The Smart Learning Center in Tengger Village currently lacks a government-provided water source, and they have to travel over one kilometer on rough road to a roadside water supply every three to four days, often waiting hours or even half a day to buy water. They need to bring their own tanks to transport the water and rely on small vehicles borrowed from neighbors for transporting water, which is very inconvenient. Please pray for their water supply needs, asking the Lord to help and prepare everything required.

During the week, the K-PACT Canada mission team collaborated joyfully with the staff of Hope Ministry Malang, learning from each other and encouraging one another in various aspects of missionary service. We greatly appreciate the four sisters—Sasi, Rika, Pinta, and Olivia — who are responsible for the Smart Learning Centers in Sidoasri and Tengger. They are graduates of seminary school; well-educated and accomplished, yet willingly commit themselves to the children’s outreach ministry in the remote villages, faithfully nurturing the Lord's little lambs outside the "gate", showing great vision in their mission work, with radiating joy. They firmly believe that today's investment in the spiritual lives of children will not be in vain, as working wholeheartedly in the Lord will yield amazing results in due time, with children growing up to play significant roles, in fulfilling the Great Commission in Indonesia. We especially thank Brother John Phillips from the Hope Ministry team, who served as the driver throughout the week, providing transportation for the mission team members with professionalism and great loving care.

We thank the Lord for the successful completion of the 14-day mission trip in Indonesia. There are countless reasons to be grateful, with three notable points as follows:

Firstly, the entire mission trip was protected and guided by the Lord, with all 12 STM team members safe and sound. One member experienced mild discomfort after arriving in Tengger Village but fully recovered after a couple of days without affecting the trip. The weather was pleasant, not too hot, and although it was the rainy season with heavy downpours and street flooding at times, it did not rain during the outdoor activities, and the team was indoors or in the car during rain, using umbrellas only for sun protection.

Secondly, the 12 STM team members enjoyed a harmonious mission journey together over the two weeks. Despite some age and cultural differences within the team, everyone cooperated well, supporting and encouraging one another, breaking down all barriers. Though physically tired at times, there was an overflow of joy, and the shared experiences fostered a deeper understanding and burden for the urgent need for missions in Indonesia.

Thirdly, among the 12 STM team members, 10 are over the age of fifty, with some even in their seventies, yet they exhibit youthful vigor, matching the physical strength of younger individuals, with a passionate mission spirit. Even more remarkably, two young talents, Brothers Randy and Jansen, are second-generation Indonesian Chinese, fluent in both English and Indonesian. They actively engaged in missionary service throughout, frequently serving as interpreters for the team. Although they might lack experience, they were willing to step out of their comfort zone and participate in the ministry tirelessly while caring for the elders with great thoughtfulness, earning the team members' affection and appreciation. The respect and harmonious cooperation among team members of all ages were truly beautiful. Brother Randy moved to Toronto, Canada, with his parents during his teenage. During the pandemic, he felt moved to step out of his comfort zone and wanted to try missionary experiences. Since he is originally from Indonesia, he hoped to return for missionary learning. While browsing online, he found K-PACT Canada’s webpage, learned about their mission work in Indonesia, and was inspired to apply after reading the English version of K-PACT Canada’s previous missionary journals from April 2024. Once Randy's application was accepted, he mentioned the October mission trip to his friend Jansen in Surabaya, who was interested in joining but could only participate for part of the trip due to work commitments, joining the team in East Java. The participation of these two young Indonesian brothers was a delightful surprise, truly a wonderful preparation from God. They not only had a positive first-time experience but also became a rare blessing for the entire STM team. We thank the Lord for His marvelous guidance. May all glory be to Him!

Yesterday (October 18), the STM team's schedule concluded, and the members departed Indonesia, feeling reluctant to leave. Pastors Chan and Psstor Yeung, along with Sister Judith, remain in Malang for another 10 days for an extended mission schedule, continuing their serving opportunities in East Java until October 27. We earnestly request prayers for them, asking the Lord to continue to protect and lead them, adding to their strength.

2024-10-19 Malang East Java

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