When we are at home in Nebraska, we, like most Americans, have over-loaded schedules keeping up
with work, children, and all the other things that go with family life. A trip to the islands of Indonesia reminds us of several important concepts we value, but find easy to forget in
the daily rush of life in these United States.
One of these truths is that God's creation
stretches far and wide, far past the borders of
our homeland, and includes people with whom
we, on the surface, would not think we share a
lot in common.
Another truth, one that we find we appreciate immensely while we are there, is the simplicity of a less hurried lifestyle, one that invites introspection and communion with God and with others that is vital to emotional and spiritual health, but so often overlooked in modern societies. We work to carve out time to appreciate
these things, while some on the other side of the globe have that which we crave, but are lacking in other
basic needs. So, we leave with an aching question: what is our role in this area? The Bible tells us to "...go into all the world, making disciples of all
nations..."and "...caring for the least of these, you
did it to me." We know that we are not just
citizens of our home country, but of His Kingdom
that stretches beyond any man-made borders.
And so it is with this thought that we broadened
our trip this time to include a more remote area of
Indonesia, and travel this small island to get a
greater understanding of the needs of the people
there, and discern how we could be of help.
The small island of Nias is home to about 800,000 people. It boasts a beautiful landscape, but many of the people there are not able to appreciate it because for them, daily life is about the basics: food, water, and finding a way to insure food and water for one more day. We met a family, husband and wife, each from separate villages inland on the island. Each had been fortunate to have had the opportunity to get an education and leave the village lifestyle for the town of Teluk Dalam. However, even in Teluk Dalam, opportunities are limited due to a lack of infrastructure and lack of government interest in that area.
The small island of Nias is home to about 800,000 people. It boasts a beautiful landscape, but many of the people there are not able to appreciate it because for them, daily life is about the basics: food, water, and finding a way to insure food and water for one more day. We met a family, husband and wife, each from separate villages inland on the island. Each had been fortunate to have had the opportunity to get an education and leave the village lifestyle for the town of Teluk Dalam. However, even in Teluk Dalam, opportunities are limited due to a lack of infrastructure and lack of government interest in that area.
Since Indonesia is comprised of 17,000 islands, the area is not only expansive, but difficult to travel at
times, and one will find amazing differences in daily life from island to island. We were able to tour two villages, both involving several hours by car, and additional travel on foot. One was more
primitive than the other, but both were isolated
and dependent on what could be gathered from
close by since travel to and from the villages is
over difficult terrain.
Despite the difficulties in transportation, it is hard not to love Nias. In 2005, Nias was struck by one of the most powerful earthquakes recorded, measuring 8.7 on the Richter scale. In the same time frame, farther north, Indonesia was also devastated by a tsunami. Aid came from all over the world at the time, which proved to be very beneficial overall for the island. New roads and bridges were constructed, making travel to some areas much safer. However, inevitably, while many were killed in the earthquake, there were children left without parents. There has been church involvement to establish a children's home on the north side of the island, and that is very successful. We were pleased to have the chance to visit there two years ago and participate in a mid-week worship with the young people.
Our most recent trip took us to the southern tip of the island where we are interested in establishing an outreach to minister to the needy, encourage Christians, and be present to travel into the villages to take aid that rarely reaches those areas. We are so excited about this opportunity! It is a fledgling project that has amazing possibilities! Nias is largely a Christian island, without very much government surveillance, so it is very friendly to outsiders. We were greeted very warmly wherever we went. We would like to share some pictures of our trip, and will continue to provide updates and opportunities regarding prayers, plans, and dreams for ministering in Nias. Currently there are 89 churches of Christ on the island, however most are in the remote villages. We are dreaming of ways to be of service to these brothers and sisters who live in difficult conditions.
Donations can be mailed to: KOI - Kids of Indonesia, P. O. Box 1881, Fremont, NE 68026
Despite the difficulties in transportation, it is hard not to love Nias. In 2005, Nias was struck by one of the most powerful earthquakes recorded, measuring 8.7 on the Richter scale. In the same time frame, farther north, Indonesia was also devastated by a tsunami. Aid came from all over the world at the time, which proved to be very beneficial overall for the island. New roads and bridges were constructed, making travel to some areas much safer. However, inevitably, while many were killed in the earthquake, there were children left without parents. There has been church involvement to establish a children's home on the north side of the island, and that is very successful. We were pleased to have the chance to visit there two years ago and participate in a mid-week worship with the young people.
Our most recent trip took us to the southern tip of the island where we are interested in establishing an outreach to minister to the needy, encourage Christians, and be present to travel into the villages to take aid that rarely reaches those areas. We are so excited about this opportunity! It is a fledgling project that has amazing possibilities! Nias is largely a Christian island, without very much government surveillance, so it is very friendly to outsiders. We were greeted very warmly wherever we went. We would like to share some pictures of our trip, and will continue to provide updates and opportunities regarding prayers, plans, and dreams for ministering in Nias. Currently there are 89 churches of Christ on the island, however most are in the remote villages. We are dreaming of ways to be of service to these brothers and sisters who live in difficult conditions.
Donations can be mailed to: KOI - Kids of Indonesia, P. O. Box 1881, Fremont, NE 68026
