Indonesia Short Term Teams
October 2008 STT Trip Report
A team of 8, including 5 from a NSW church; a dentist from Melbourne; a doctor from Jakarta; and Phil Arnold from CNEC/PI, travelled on Friday October 3 to Ksuri to visit our wonderful partners led by Peter and Esther Scarborough.
After a 50 min boat ride in the dark, then 4.5 hour car ride to Ksuri, the team arrived exhausted at 12.15 am Tuesday morning. On Tuesday, we were shown around the base and alerted that things had been very difficult recently with disturbances among children with some new arrivals, and also the discovery that one building worker on site was a witchdoctor. (On our return to Australia, we had an email saying he was now praising God and testifying and singing, and they could not shut him up!)
Esther had determined to have a day of prayer and fasting for the Wednesday, which we were happy to join in with. Peter had been away for 2 weeks and was due back the next day. Wednesday was a very trying day as many people on the base were troubled and needed prayer.
One example will illustrate. While several people were being prayed for, a young man called Yonki, a labourer, stood outside the window, and suddenly broke into a mocking laughter and violent convulsing. He was restrained, and prayed for. We later heard his testimony. After this time, he had seen a clear vision of hell and decided he wanted God’s way. Epen (one of the leadership) had befriended him and had told him lots about Jesus. Then he met an amazing boy from the clinic who was a severe burns victim. He asked Yonki if he could pray with him. The young boy asked God to straighten his legs, but if not, he would still believe in God anyway. He was the most cheerful young guy. Yonki was so touched and decided his troubles were minor in comparison. I later had a compulsion to encourage Yonki to ‘get his head together’, to love God with all his mind as well as heart, as I heard he was a reader and very intelligent. On the last day we were there, we heard he was offered a very good job with a mining company. He refused, saying he needed to stay there (at very low pay) to ‘get his head together’. Rejoicing all around!
As the next few days went on, there was continued need for prayer. The team all learnt the reality of evil and demons, and mostly, the utter supremacy of the Lord Jesus, and how to stand firm under that name and exercise the authority He has given us. We also saw clearly how the enemy seeks to frighten with a big noise but little substance and to distract from the main game – loving, serving and discipling the poor and needy. Though some concerns about all this continued throughout the 2 weeks, by the last day it was clear that peace had returned, and progress made. The team was greatly encouraged that we had been here at just this time to support the base which was struggling with more demands than usual.
However, we did also see the breadth and depth of this amazing ministry that has come so far in only a few short years. There are over 60 people living on base, with many fine young Christian workers, all of whom have stirring testimonies of God’s rescue and deliverance. Our team was involved in:
1. The clinic: James (our dentist) set about training a team in basic dentistry. We had brought good supplies of equipment and medicines. By the time we left, James was confident each of the team he had trained could diagnose and perform extractions, cleaning and some filling (though that equipment is lacking). Our nurses and Dr Citra were able to give a lot of instructions in various elements, such as burns treatments, CPR, and triage. Many patients were also treated. This new hospital continues to set the standard in the whole area for medical treatment and good practices. It is a great witness to the love of God and the health of a community life lived under His kingship.
2. Children’s home: 6 under 5s needed attention from 9 to 12 each day to give the workers a rest and time to clean, etc. Several of the team helped here.
3. English teaching: all the team helped with one hour English tuition each day.
4. Practical repair work. Two team members spent many ours dismantling and re-welding two main gates; repairing the back of a ute; repairing seating; and several other smaller items.
5. Two team members took on the task of nurturing a three-week old baby who was not well. David came to live with us in our guest house for the 2 weeks. He was nursed through malaria, poor eating and weight loss to a point when we felt happy to hand him back to the overworked team at the base.
6. TB home run: two of our nurses went to visit several villages and homes of TB patients. It showed the poverty of the area and the need for education as well as good treatment. This is true in many areas – from hygiene to oral care to basic morality. It is truly an area of great need.
The YBI base stands out as a beacon of light in the darkness. There, all are welcomed with great warmth and acceptance. Evangelism and discipling are intertwined with health care, homes for the homeless, love for the unloved, family for the orphaned and lonely, and education in the service of others. It is a startling example of a loving Christian community, "church as it should be" as several team members said.
It was clear to me the great impact the 2 weeks had on the team. They take back the strong desire to continue contact, become advocates for the partnership, and encourage their churches to get further involved. The value of the training given was undeniable for this team. Many team members mentioned that the DVD ‘The Snake Story’ was so important in their preparation to face what we did in regards to spiritual warfare. The refined wisdom of the content of our course continues to bear fruit in these teams. I am so grateful for it.
The team was looked after well, and there is strong security in place; excellent accommodation and food; and great opportunities to serve and learn. Visiting teams are highly valued and are a great help in a work that is expanding so fast for the hard working local team. It is an inspiration to see those who have truly laid down their lives at great cost for the poor and needy, to the honour of God the Father and Jesus His Son. Help in obtaining medical supplies and sponsoring workers in medical training are two clear ways to resource the partnership. Would you consider partnering in some way? The need and the opportunity is great!
(Written by team leader - Phil Arnold). If you would like further information contact phila@cnecpi.com.au.
