I praise and thank God for leading me on my second mission trip to Indonesia. Our team’s mission was to equip the Belawan brethren and to spur them to support the Kuta Baru brethren in their ministries, based on Hebrews 10:24-25b, “And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works…exhorting one another, and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” Our main objectives were to (1) equip the Belawan teachers on the methods of Evangelism, (2) conduct a children VBS at Kuta Baru, (3) encourage the missionaries and their familes in Belawan and Kuta Baru, as well as (4) revisit the status of the Discipleship & Fellowship activities in Belawan.
Three personal reasons for going on this trip were, (1) to obey the Lord’s Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 1:8), (2) to go where there is a need in any of Galilee’s overseas mission stations, and (3) to follow up on the trip I made last year.
Ministry in Belawan
We ran an Evangelism Workshop led by Hannah and Carmen, with Hadi as our interpreter. Knowing that Hannah and Carmen had put in much time and effort preparing for this two-day programme, we were initially disappointed when they had to shorten their programme to fit the time-frame given to our team. However, based on the sharing by the participants during a time of reflection, we know and are thankful that the lessons were well-received and have challenged them. Thank God for seeing Hannah and Carmen through as they stayed up to make changes to their plans/materials, and as they delivered the lessons. Thank God also for giving Hadi strength to interpret without rest for hours! It was a huge task, but God is our source of grace and wisdom.
Running a children programme in Belawan came as a surprise on the day we arrived, but we thank God for helping Annabel, Isabelle, Ian and me to adapt our Kuta Baru programme for the Belawan children. God brought about 100 children, and we taught them about “Love” through activities like story-telling, singing, Scripture memory, games and craft-work. Much of what transpired that afternoon was impromptu and went smoothly only because God gave us good team-rapport and creativity. God is truly our ever-present Help!
Ministry in Kuta Baru
Thank God for moving our hearts to focus more on ministering to the brethren in Kuta Baru this year. We ran two separate programmes, but with “Love” as our central theme. Auntie Jeannie, Hannah, Carmen and Wei Lung led the youth in a study of 1 Cor. 13 with Vredi interpreting, while the rest of us ran the children programme. Thank God for the privilege of working with Annabel, Isabelle, Ian and Wenny (our interpreter) as we taught the children about God’s unconditional love and how to love God and man, through songs, Scripture memory, craft, worksheets and story-telling. We also showed practical love to a boy who was hurt in an accident by visiting him with gifts, song presentation and verbal encouragement.
Our team spent a day giving the Kuta Baru church a fresh coat of paint. It was a wonderful time of fellowship and bonding among team members and the Kuta Baru brethren as we worked together to beautify God’s House!
I praise God for His sovereignty in preparing our team for our mission. Some of us had felt like we could have done more to prepare/ equip ourselves better, but through God’s providence and help, I am reminded afresh that it is in our weakness that God’s strength is made perfect. In our inadequacy, God alone is adequate. Another precious lesson that was constantly reinforced on the trip was to EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED. The team was challenged by many “surprises” daily. All the activities on our schedule were reshuffled and very often, we had little time to make the necessary changes. Thank God for good teamwork and adaptability to the needs and requests of the local leaders/brethren.
I suspect our bus driver may have been a F1 driver on his previous job. Travelling 1.5hours up to Kuta Baru was an exciting ride each time as we watch our bus driver swerve around bends and have countless near-misses with oncoming vehicles. Telling him to drive safely did not change anything, but we could pray. I’m very thankful to God for keeping us safe on the road!
Our team has been greatly blessed in many ways. God not only answered our prayers for more gentlemen to join us on the team, but also gave us three Indonesian interpreters (Hadi, Vredi and Wenny) to support us. We were very touched and encouraged by their generous spirit and willingness to join us in God’s work at such short notice. It was a wonderful experience working with them, and it reminded me that no matter what race, country or church we come from, as God’s children, we are one in the body of Christ. God also blessed us with many prayer supporters back in Singapore, and provided for us financially through the love of people around us. Hearing the testimonies of each team member, I’m sure God has also blessed each one of us with spiritual growth and precious life lessons. We went to minister to the Indonesian brethren, but instead received so many blessings. Praise God from Whom all blessings flow!
It is a beautiful mystery that God would call us weak and broken humans to join with Him in His work of salvation. While I did not leave Indonesia feeling like we finished something, I know going on a mission trip isn’t about completing His work in a certain place. It is about constantly obeying the Lord’s command in Acts 1:8 to be witnesses for Him in Jerusalem (our neigbourhood), in all Judea (our country), in Samaria (our surrounding countries) and to ends of the earth.
“Take up thy cross and follow Me,” I heard my Master say;
“I gave My life to ransom thee, surrender your all today.”
Wherever He leads I’ll go, wherever He leads I’ll go,
I’ll follow my Christ Who loves me so, wherever He leads I’ll go.
It may be thro’ the shadows dim, or o’er the stormy sea,
I take my cross and follow Him, wherever He leadeth me.
Wherever He leads I’ll go, wherever He leads I’ll go,
I’ll follow my Christ Who loves me so, wherever He leads I’ll go.
So then, will YOU go with us next June? 
