2025-09 STM Trip Journal (2)

The short-term mission team stayed in East Java for a total of five days and four nights. Yesterday (September 10) was the first day, and the ministry experience in the mountain village of the Tengger people left us a deep impression. The experiences on the second and third days (September 11–12) were even more profound. We felt deeply that the villages of East Java are truly a ripe harvest field for the gospel. As Matthew 9:37 records, the Lord Jesus said to His disciples: “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” Indeed, the gospel harvest in Indonesia urgently needs more laborers, especially in ministry opportunities among youth and children. The fields are clearly ripe for harvest and cannot be ignored.

Sidoasri Village is the hometown of Sister Tanya, a co-worker of Hope Ministry Malang. It is near the southern coast of Malang, a place of beautiful scenery. The beach there is called a “Virgin Beach” because of its narrow, difficult paths that deter visitors, leaving the area desolate and overgrown. This desolation mirrors the local spiritual situation.

Currently, Sister Renika is responsible for the Sidoasri Smart Learning Center, with Sister Nur, Tasya’s older sister, as her key assistant. Although the leadership of this ministry has changed a few times, its growth potential has only increased. Sidoasri Village was originally a Christian-majority village, where Christianity was passed down through families. However, in recent years, due to strong Muslim conversion movements, Christians and Muslims are now roughly equal in number. Even worse, family breakdowns are common; many couples divorce within three years of marriage. Many children grow up deprived of parental love, indirectly fueling serious problems of drug abuse among teenagers. There was once a children’s gospel ministry here, but it had been discontinued for many years. Thanks be to God, the Smart Learning Center has now been reestablished, using an abandoned elementary school to serve children. Through group activities, the center helps children grow in healthy ways and also provides an avenue to reach their parents and families with the love of Christ. The abandoned school building is quite dilapidated and in need of basic renovation.

In the afternoon, the short-term mission team joined Hope Ministry Malang staff in running a Food Program activity. Nearly 100 children attended, divided into two classes by age. The short-term mission team led programs including Bible story sharing, crafts, and songs with actions. The children were full of joy. Some older children presented a cultural dance performance, which they had carefully rehearsed for the program. Before the program ended, there was also a celebration and prayer for children with September birthdays. It was clear the children felt a sense of belonging to the Smart Learning Center, and the impact of the gospel ministry was evident, which was very encouraging.

September 11 (Yesterday)

Early in the morning, after breakfast at the hotel, the short-term mission team gathered and led by co-workers from Hope Ministry Malang, traveled by car to the village of Sidoasri in South Malang to visit the children ministry - the Smart Learning Center, which has been running there for more than two years. The mountain roads were narrow and winding, with some sections closed for repair, making the journey even longer. Driving a 16-seat vehicle through alley-like backroads was no easy task. All passengers were impressed by Brother John Phillips’ superb driving skills, allowing everyone to sit at ease. Thankfully, the weather was good and traffic was smooth, and after more than three hours, they safely arrived at Sidoasri Village.

Both lunch and dinner were enjoyed at the home of Hope Ministry Malang co-worker Tasya, where her mother cooked delicious local meals. Because she had once worked as a domestic helper in Taiwan, her cooking suited Chinese tastes, giving the team a special sense of warmth. The team also prayed together for Tasya’s youngest sister, who has Down syndrome, asking for God’s protection for their family.

After dinner, Sister Renika shared more about local needs, helping the team better understand the context. As it was already late, the team bid farewell and endured a three-hour night drive back to Malang, where they stayed overnight at their hotel. The day was very full. Though physically tired, the team felt the day had been extremely meaningful.

September 12 (Today)

This morning, after breakfast, the team visited Sekolah Tinggi Teologi SALEM (SALEM Theological Seminary) in Malang. SALEM Seminary is the alma mater of Hope Ministry Malang pastors Vernando and Meidama. Currently, three young brothers from the House of Peace children’s home under Hope Ministry Malang—Stive, Jefri, and Dole—are full-time theology students there. Brother Jefri began theological training more than two years ago, has already started church internship this semester, and is expected to graduate next August. Pastor Vernando now teaches Missiology at the seminary. Recently, Hope Ministry Malang signed a partnership agreement with SALEM Seminary to raise up new kingdom workers together—a beautiful partnership indeed.

This morning, Pastor Sam Chan was invited to share a message at the seminary chapel, encouraging the 43 theology students. The team also met with the president and academic dean, who honestly shared about the current situation and urgent challenges. Since most students come from poor areas and can hardly afford tuition—and with little financial support from their churches—the seminary faces heavy financial pressure and a severe deficit. The team also visited the facilities and student dormitories. The dormitory beds and mattresses for the 43 boarding students are over 40 years old. A bedbug infestation has long plagued the dorms, and repeated attempts to deal with it have failed, seriously harming students’ health. Moved by this, K-PACT Canada co-workers and team members resolved to initiate a fundraising campaign to provide new beds and mattresses for both men’s and women’s dorms at SALEM Seminary. The goal is CAD $7,500.00, with hopes to raise the funds by the end of October to meet this urgent need. Details of the fundraising campaign will be released soon—please stay tuned.

In the afternoon, the team visited the ministry center rented by Hope Ministry Malang. The two-story shophouse unit has an office downstairs, with the upstairs used for church gatherings and discipleship training.

Another key ministry is the House of Peace Children’s Home, which currently shelters 23 marginalized youths from across Indonesia. Most were abandoned as children and without home. The House of Peace has become their family, providing not only basic living needs and education but, more importantly, a nurturing environment like home, with spiritual growth and discipleship. Nearly ten years since its founding, the House of Peace has already raised many youths who have graduated high school, gone on to university, or even entered seminary to become pastors and missionaries. Among the 23 youths currently there, 7 have the aspiration to serve as pastors or missionaries. They are polite, mature in spirit, and show great potential. The co-workers of Hope Ministry Malang share pastoral responsibilities at the House of Peace. This ministry is deeply meaningful and holds great promise, truly deserving support.

That evening, the short-term mission team shared dinner with the 23 youths at the House of Peace. They were warmly treated like family, and the team gave gifts including clothes and souvenirs, which brought much joy. As they said goodbye, the team prayed individually for them, blessing them and looking forward to visiting again soon.

The five-day short-term mission in East Java has quickly come to an end. On the morning of September 13, the seven team members left Malang for Surabaya Airport, to take an afternoon flight to Pontianak, West Kalimantan. This begins the second part of the mission trip (September 13–22) in West Kalimantan. Please continue to keep us in prayer!