HOPE SABAH MISSION TRIP TO INDONESIA

“Bringing God’s Vision to This Land - Tana Toraja, South Sulawesi, Indonesia” 

Matthew 28:18-20 (NIV) 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." 


Introduction 

Tana Toraja is located in South Sulawesi, Indonesia. Their population is approximately 650,000, of which 450,000 still live in the regency of Tana Toraja ("Land of Toraja"). Most of the populations are Christians.

Our team went on this mission trip on 1st to 8th June 2014, consisting of five adults and three kids. We have planned this mission trip about a year ago because we see the burden of bringing God’s Vision to Tana Toraja. Most of them are Christians but not many know about God’s Great Commission. Therefore, our main focus for this mission trip was to introduce to them God’s Vision in Matthew 28:18-20. We also wanted to bless the children by conducting a mini children camp during our recent visit.

The Journey

On the way to Tana Toraja, we stopped by in Tarakan, Indonesia on 1st June 2014 to visit sis Merlina Kiding. Previously, she served in Hope Tawau and also in Hope Kretam. We want to encourage her to serve the Lord faithfully in His Great Commission. We also conducted our very first Life Group, in Tarakan. Praise the Lord!

On 2nd June 2014, we departed from Tarakan by boarding ship to South Sulawesi Indonesia. It took approximately 3 days and 2 nights. The Tarakan Port was just reopened after the renovation and we were among the first batch of passengers who used the new port! God’s timing is always accurate and it was not a coincident! There were more than 6,000 people on that ship including children. It was really crowded with people and things, too. But God really blessed us by placing us in a good economy class.

On 4th June, 2014, we embarked on a bus and travelled around 5 hours to reach Rantepao, South Sulawesi. From there, we took taxi to Tana Toraja village. It took 1 hour and 30 minutes to get there. Tana Toraja is situated in a highland and the temperature is really cold. We needed our sweater all the time even when we slept, too. We visited people around Tana Toraja. In fact, Tana Toraja is my sheep’s hometown. Through this trip, they get to share and impart God’s Great Commission to their family.

We met Pastor Tandi Pailan, the leader of Gereja Kerapatan Pantekosta to discuss on our mission trip; especially on the mini children camp. We were very much welcomed by the Pastor and he was willing to give full cooperation for our mission trip activities. He even wrote letters to other church leaders to invite the Sunday school children to join us in the mini children camp. He also invited me to preach at his church on Sunday Service. Praise the Lord because we also organised a Life Group fellowship at Uncle Sombo’s house on 7th June 2014. Uncle Sombo is one of the church leaders there.

Sunday Service and Mini Children Camp (8th June 2014)

It was a privilege for me to preach at Gereja Kerapatan Pentakosta. I believe this was what God wanted me to do in Tana Toraja. I shared God’s Great Commission in Matthew 28:18-20. Around 40 people join the Sunday Service. Many of them gave positive respond about the sermon. After the service, we distributed medicines that we brought from Malaysia to the people there. They felt so thankful and blessed! In the afternoon, we had started our mini children camp by praising and worshiping the Lord. Our children, Joesafat (8 years old), Shellyn (6 years old) and Adeline (3 years old) led the praise and worship session.

Around 200 children come on that day and they were so excited and very energetic! Our concern was the gifts will not be enough for them because we only expected a total of 100 children to turn up. However, God reminded me His words on the 5 loaves of bread and 2 fishes. Deep inside my heart, I believe at that point of time God will still provide. Miracles happened! All the children received their gifts and we have collected back more than 30 packages of leftover gifts.

We also donated colour pencils and stationeries to the Sunday school teachers for their usage. One of the Sunday school teacher commented the donation would become handy especially for their Sunday school activities. They have waited for so long to buy it but do not have enough money. God really provided for them!

Conclusion 

Our mighty God prepared everything for us during this mission trip. We will never forget how great His works is in our life through this trip. We also want to give million thanks for those who supported us for this mission trip. Hope Kota Kinabalu (Ps. Anthony and Sis. Mo Moi) for the medicines, Hope Tawau (Bro. Seow Yu and Sis. Anita) for the colour pencils, Hope Tenom (Bro. Harris) for the stationery, Hope Sandakan (Bro. Teck Aun) for the food and last but not least, Ps. Denis Lu who was the first supporter for this mission. A million thanks to those who prayed for us as well. We felt the supports of all your prayers during this mission trip. The journey has not ended here. We are looking forward for our next mission trip “Bringing God’s Vision to this Land, Tana Toraja, South Sulawesi, Indonesia- Part 2”.

Thank you and God bless you! 

Reported by Sis Suraini Otoh, Hope Kretam Sabah, Malaysia. 

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