Cantik (Chon-tiek)
Cantik, Indonesian for Beautiful. For me, this was the most important Indonesian word I strived to learn and remember as soon as I stepped foot on Jagat ‘Arsy, an Islamic International Boarding School in Jakarta. From the first day we arrived at the school: being introduced to all of the female students, one by one, seeing their excited smiling faces, the Lord put them on my heart. I was anticipating getting to know all of them, loving on them, learning together, and having fun as ladies. What I didn’t know was how impactful the word beautiful was going to be for me as well as each of those young ladies.
Being someone who is a foreigner, tall, blue eyes, blonde hair, and white skin, let’s just say I stood out. Haha. I was constantly being asked to be in photos, pointed at, stared at, etc. This was definitely a new experience for me, which was awkward yet humbling and I now feel like I have a little glimpse of what it’s like to be a celebrity. As we all experienced these interactions with people almost every day, one of our squad leaders, who was with my team for this month, encouraged us to view these encounters with locals in a different perspective. To seek out these times as opportunities to be praying and interceding for these people. For me I loved being able to shift my attention towards intentional prayer with the women I met as well sharing that one complementary word, beautiful, with them. This usually deepened smiles and opened up hearts.
One example that comes to mind, where the Lord was able to speak this love into a young lady, was with one of the students at Jagat ‘Arsy. She was the first female student I really connected with and I absolutely LOVED her sassy yet sweet personality. I also loved, how from the very beginning, she would speak a fluent Indoenglish with me. Totally thinking that I could understand Indonesian, which as sweet as that was, I definitely could not. Throughout my time hanging out with her and some of the other students, she would look at me and comment on how beautiful I was. Which don’t get me wrong every woman likes a good compliment and I definitely appreciated that from her. But, it was the remarks she would make about herself that would break my heart. She would then share and compare herself on how she has black skin and black eyes, with an air of uncontentment.
It was in those remarks that I wanted to look at her and say to her “No my sweet friend, don’t look at yourself in that way. YOU are absolutely beautiful just the way you are!” Which she definitely is.
Also, side note, let me just say that Indonesians have absolutely Beautiful skin and I definitely love dark brown eyes 🙂
I don’t know why it is that as women we are always comparing ourselves to the woman next to us. Whether it is in certain gifting’s they have or the physical attributes they possess. As women we tend to focus on what we see in society as beautiful or what we don’t have, verses appreciating the beauty we have been created with. The enemy know exactly where to attack our hearts and the ways that we would absolutely shine as women. Where we could live with such a confidence in our identity and have joyful hearts, we instead tend to feed the lies of insecurity and comparison.
As women, we are all created so intricately, uniquely, and Beautiful inside and out. The Lord laid the women of Indonesia on my heart because He knew that these women were struggling to find their identity and falling victim to the thief of comparison. Every woman I met was so welcoming, respectful, hospitable, loving and had a sense of peace and joy radiating from them. By sharing this one word with these women, I was able to speak the truth of how The Father views them. This was my way of showing His love for them and being able to encourage and uplift their hearts. We were created to love and be loved.
I am forever grateful for my time in Indonesia. I absolutely loved the food, culture, language, and people. So many wonderful relationships were built and I am especially thankful for the times I was able to pour The Father’s love and speak truth into the ladies I met. They are all still on my heart, both the women and men, and I sure hope to see them again someday!
Pray for the women of Indonesia to experience the Father’s love for them, to embrace their created identities, and for women around the world to know how much they are valued and Beautiful.
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Most of the 7th and 8th grade girls from Jagat’Arsy boarding school. Love them!
