SHORT TERM TRIPS

What can I say!  Returning to Indonesia for the third time has been one of the most satisfying and fulfilling experiences of my life.  In 2007, I had the wonderful privilege to go to Tana Toraja, Sulawesi Island, with a team of people from Logan Lake.  This year, I was asked to return to the same place in April, but this time it was to do a few things:  preach, altar ministry, sing and play keyboards, and teach English to this wonderful group of students who are not only taking their Grades 10-12 academics but who are also part of the Bible School.  The Alpha Omega Church is a busy place at any time of the day.  Pastor Ribka and her husband Ewan oversee the entire ministry in Toraja - a church, a Bible School and dormitory of about 23 students, an orphanage of 11 children, a school for Grades 10-12, daily feeding of about 30 people, and have their own farm animals and rice fields.  Students that attend the Bible School and those that are part of theorphanage are subsidized by different ministries.  They have no means financially, and most teaching is done on a volunteer basis through a public school teacher pictured to the right in the picture on the right.

My days were filled with teaching English in the morning, preparing for the next day in the afternoon, participating in the Pastor’s seminary, and getting ready for the crusade at night where Sandy and I sang.  After our first day of teaching we realized that the students had nothing to work with.  So, on a couple of occasions, we went to the stores in the afternoon and bought school supplies for each student – pencils, pens, erasers, pencil sharpeners, scribblers, rulers, and pencil cases.  For the classroom, we bought a globe, and colored paper.  Another day, we went and bought clothes for everyone and the high light – two soccer balls!  They loved it as we played dodge ball and other games.  The classroom is clean but has nothing in it.  The students have no books and no means of getting books, so the teacher brings what he has from the public school and teaches out of those books.  It was a blessing to be able to give a little of what we could. 

The orphanage children were sleeping on cement floors with a blanket, so we were able to have 11 beds built and mattress included-all for $60/bed! They were blessed and so very grateful! 

The open-air crusades in the middle of the town’s square at night were a highlight for sure.  Approximately 6000 people attended over the two nights and hundreds received ministry at the altar.   The microphones took the message all over to local business.  Many stood on the streets, sat in the cars or on the motorbikes and just listened.  Our message of hope and salvation over-ruled the Muslim call to prayer as the temples would sound their sirens.  How they love to worship the Lord!

Over 130 pastors came for the week of ministry.  We were able to cover their costs and bless each of them with an envelope of money.  They were grateful for the teaching, encouragement and for the financial help they received.  Here we are pictured having a time of communion together, followed by prayer for one another. 

Barb Giesbrecht