Church in Indonesia

Hi All,

I thought I'd write about church in Indonesia. At least where we went over the weekend. We are currently staying in a place called Salatiga. Out of all Indonesia it is the 'most' christian and it is used for a landing and beginning base of learning and missions operations here in Indonesia.

Just down the street from us.. oh about 15 minutes walking distance is a Christian Compound. Yes like a compound that you see in national geographic with high brick walls and guard towers.

its pretty big. The compound stretches a distance of oh I would say about the size of a high school campus with big brick walls around the entire thing with guard towers and gates at certain points.

Inside the compound it has sleeping facilities, gymnasium with basketball courts, soccer field with 1/4 mile running track around it (this is outdoors). There are other buildings such as classrooms and facilities.

This is where we went to church over the weekend. It is an international church where many of the missionaries and international families that speak English go to church. It was a very 'normal' service.. it began wish guitar contemporary worship and praise. Time of prayer, we worshipped in song, praise, prayer and giving just like services that we know and love in the states. We also heard a message from one of the missionaries. Since there is no dedicated pastor, the missionaries take turns ministering to each other.

it is interesting.. There was a time of 'fellowship' (that actually was the message for the day sun day). We met one another (there was about 20-2 people there with their families) from all walks of life. some with New tribes missions and others that teach Indonesian at the school for new missionary arrivals.

Even though we had a time to meet people, here also like the states peoples lives are 'busy', daily needs never stop.. Lives are filled with busyness and one thing that has impressed upon me being here is that to live an effective christian life we constantly, proactively and purposefully need to take time to pray, read and foster our walk with Christ.

Just a few observations from this weekend.

More soon!

Dad