Batam Bliss
I'm back (read in the tone of a Terminator sequel).
"Why does the Church of Christ exist in a state of disunity?"
"What should we make of a relationship between a Protestant and a Roman Catholic couple?"
"What should I do if the local church enforces responsibilities upon me that are incoherent with my giftings and abilities?"
Sound familiar? Some church problems are rather universal, I guess. These were just some of the confounding questions I had to attempt answering in the Indonesian language throughout the two nights of interaction with these young leaders (of ages between 20 and 30) in Batam.
What's new...this was, as always, more of a learning trip for me than it was a contributive trip. Every trip beyond familiar cultural ground is a learning trip for me. I am utterly humbled at the manner in which the crowd graciously allowed me to fumble over my language, and the way they endured my frequent pauses in an attempt to find more accurate words to express my inaccurate ideas. I am touched, grateful and humbled.
This has been yet another experience in coming to terms with the acute debilitation of my linguistic eloquence when plucked out (albeit willingly) of my familiar environment, and placed in an environment wherein I am forced to communicate as a "weaker other". And it is during
such moments that the splendour of God's wisdom and the power of the Holy Spirit is made most apparent.I am glad to have crossed three countries using three modes of transportation (road, rail and sea) over four hours just to be with these beautiful people for three days. I am pretty sure nothing much changed in their lives by virtue of my presence there. But they changed me...and I believe with all my heart, this was God's mission for me through this mission.
I also want very much to acknowledge a couple of you who are sacrificing very significant portions of your monthly income just so that I am able to roam the earth to bring the love of Christ to those I meet. And yet, ever so often, it is they who end up teaching me to love in a deeper way than I am able to. And I hope that as I bring these stories back to you, you are able to see that your sacrifice is not in vain. More than those of other lands who will remember your presence with them (which was represented by me), God remembers you.
Through every such experience, the words of the climactic song in this event rings true for myself:
Sekarang ku memujiMu, Allah yang setia,
Yang tak pernah meninggalkan perbuatan tanganMu.
Sekarang ku menyembahMu, Allah yang mulia,
Sempurnakan segenap hidupku agar indah bagiMu.
[Note: To view pictures from this trip, click here.]
