Editor’s Note: This week’s article is the third of a series written by Elder Michael D Lee on our Missions Team’s trip to Batam in January 2020.

 

What about the Island Ministry?

 

Gappi Filadelfia has an island ministry – to the islands of Sepaku and Smukit. A missionary, Sis NN (H is her Christian name), goes there quite frequently to bring the Gospel to the islanders (who are mainly Ms and Cs). Her husband, Bro A, is unemployed. He is trying to apply for a job. They have two children, J and A. Filadelfia BPC is supporting her financially, and physically. We have been asked to consider supporting her in monthly support (about AU$220) and prayers.

 

Now that we know about Batam Missions, I will now talk about what we did there on our last trip and what the needs are!

 

What did we do there?

 

1. Bro Raphael Ng did the following:

 

1. Taught the Filadelfia members from the Book of Haggai on Friday 17 January and Saturday 18 January, 7 – 9 pm, and after Worship on the Lord’s Day, 19 January, 12 noon – 1:30 pm. He was assisted by Ev AL who helped with translation. Notes were also provided. We thank Bro Edy Lok for translating the notes into Bahasa Indonesia.
2. Taught computer lessons to two primary school classes on Friday, 17 January, 9 am- 11 am.
3. Assisted in setting up computers for the school and organised a website for the church.
4. Together with Elder Michael Lee, conducted health checks on the orphans and a few schoolteachers on Saturday, 18 January, 9 am – 11 am.

 

2. Bro CT conducted a “parenting seminar” for parents on Friday, 11 am and 1 pm. This seminar was well attended, and the audience asked many questions. He also conducted a “teachers’ seminar” on Saturday, 18 January, at the same time as the health checks were conducted. Sis JT was supposed to do this seminar. Being a good husband, Bro C did it for her.

 

3. What about sisters JL and YP? They were involved in teaching conversational English at the primary school on Friday, 17 January, and on Monday, 20 January. Sis YP gave a talk on “mental health” to the youth ministry, on Saturday, 18 January, 8.20 - 9 pm.

 

4. Sis Alice Lee, assisted by Sisters JL and YP, taught the “Wordless Book” in the children’s ministry on Saturday, 18 January, 3 – 5 pm.

 

5. Bro W & Sis A K, with J and B, taught English to the kindergarten children on Monday, 20 January, 9 – 10 am. They arrived in Batam on Saturday afternoon, 18 January, and departed on Monday afternoon, 20 January.

 

6. Elder Michael Lee helped with health checks on Saturday, 18 January, and preached on Psalm 15, “The Characteristics of the Godly” on the Lord’s Day, 19 January. He also provided general supervision and support for the team.

 

7. What about little E? He was a very active boy and fellowshipped very well with the school students and orphans!

 

Word of Thanks

 

We thank the Lord for:

 

1. The opportunities to serve Him in Batam, for health, journey mercies and protection.

 

2. Dn A & Sis AL for their valuable help with transportation and meals, and for allowing Hope Team members to be involved with their church and ministries of the orphanage, kindergarten and primary school.

 

3. Staff at the orphanage for making us feel at home and providing us with meals.

 

4. A Christian couple in Gappi Filadelfia who provided us with meals on a few occasions. They own a food catering business, “JC Homemade Food” and the cover of the box was a basket containing 5 loaves and 2 fishes!

 

5. Prayer support, encouragement, monetary contributions from Session & members of Hope Church.

 

What are the needs?

 

Ev ALP has requested that we pray for the following:

 

1. Church:
2. Preparation for two deacons (A and K) to become elders.
3. Wisdom and strength in leading and pastoring the congregation.
4. Election of two new deacons.
5. Painting of church building (last painted almost 8 years ago).
6. Pave/concrete the roadway from the main road to the church.
7. Children’s ministry.
8. Ev NN’s island & children's ministries.
9. Ev NN’s husband to find permanent employment.
10. School:
11. Teachers’ training.
12. School: LED TV in multi-purpose room.
13. Orphanage: a 24-seater bus.
14. Her daughter’s (H) graduation on 9 May.

 

To be continued………

 

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