"A hungry body has no ears," said Bishop H. Doloksaribu of the Methodist Church of Indonesia, as he addressed a U.S. delegation of United Methodists--clergy, lay, and Board staff--who traveled throughout the region January 10 through February 4, 1998 on a tour sponsored by the General Board of Global Ministries. The purpose was to learn more about the culture and history of Indonesia and how to be in greater partnership with Christians there. Many of the tour participants will be teaching on Indonesia in the conference Schools of Christian Mission.
The current economic situation is a priority issue for the Methodist Church in Indonesia, where prices have risen and unemployment has increased. In this context, the bishop called for readiness on the part of the church to respond, since more citizens are without food, clothing, and shelter. Bishop Doloksaribu requested continued prayers and financial support of the U.S. church as the economic crisis heightens.
An archipelago of 17,508 islands, Indonesia is the world's fourth most populous country. "To have come this far since 1905 in the Wesleyan tradition makes one more aware of the calling of our Lord in Indonesia," the bishop stated. "In a region where the Christian church is in the minority and the population of more than 200 million is divided into 300 different ethnic groups, it is no easy task to combine various groups, maintain the Wesleyan tradition, and establish new churches. Permission is required from the government to build new churches here, where Muslims are in the majority. There has been some tension and incidents of church burnings, a matter currently under investigation by the Indonesian Communion of Churches," he indicated.
Bishop Doloksaribu stressed that the Methodist Church of Indonesia emphasizes social wholeness. Among its outreach programs, he listed agricultural work, fishing projects, vocational training, and higher education--all of which receive funding from the U.S. church. "Each of these programs improves the quality of life for the people of Indonesia," he stated "and this is a vital role for the church."
The tour delegation participated in the opening of one special project, a water facility at Lumban Lobu Village sponsored by the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR). Government officials joined villagers in thanking the U.S. church for bringing water to the small community. Individual and collective expressions of appreciation came from villagers, who previously had to travel great distances to fetch water. Carrying water to the village was primarily a task of women and children.
Appreciation was also expressed in Medan for the Women's Division's foresight in purchasing land that has benefitted an expansion of the agricultural program of the Methodist University. A relatively new project, the bishop noted, is "Habitat," modeled after Habitat for Humanity. This initiative of the Methodist Church of Indonesia builds new homes for village church congregants at cost of $1,000 per home. Before leaving Indonesia, participants in the travel seminar collected and donated funds to Habitat through the Advance for Christ and His Church.
A final need of which Bishop Doloksaribu spoke was financial assistance in supplementing pastors' salaries in rural areas and providing scholarships for their children and others who make personal sacrifices to spread the gospel in these regions.
Despite the struggles that Indonesian Christians are experiencing, the bishop repeated that they are a people of enduring faith. "We sing not so much because we suffer," he stated, "but because we are happy," a sentiment the U.S. delegation would hear and see demonstrated throughout the tour. Evidence of joy was most visible at the 40th Anniversary Celebration of Wesley Methodist Church, in Medan, Sumatra, where the delegation joined the English-speaking congregation in church fellowship. An anniversary journal of the Wesley church contained school pictures of what is now its adult leaders. These photos are a testimony to the early efforts of the U.S. church. Several of the youthful photos showed individuals who were educated through the assistance of the U.S. church and are now clergy, educators, physicians, and prominent leaders in the local community and church.
Bishop Doloksaribu shared that his family has produced five Methodist ministers.
He explained, "We are enthusiastic about spreading the Good News, because we see the
difference it makes in the lives of the people."
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