During our month in Indonesia, our team was assigned a ministry called “Unsung Heroes” or “Ask the Lord” (ATL). This particular ministry doesn’t have a host or an assigned ministry. Meaning, we don’t have any lodging or host upon arrival. Instead our ministry was to find people in Indonesia already doing God’s Kingdom work. And we were suppose to find them through prayer and trusting the Lord. Not a Google search.
To say the least, the first day of our ATL time did not go well. In a tiny hostel room with no windows, I sat in the corner with the thought “I hate this” on repeat in my head. And it was only day three in Indonesia. I wanted to serve God through action not in prayer. I wanted a task and a host to serve with to know my time in Indonesia was meaningful. Because I was not getting what I wanted, my attitude and demeanor continued to deteriorate at a fast pace. Changing hostels three times in five days didn’t help. I was feeling unsettled, frustrated, and annoyed because instead of ministry we were hostel hopping. That’s it. I came to Indonesia to sleep in different places and that was it. As you can tell, I’m still annoyed by this experience.
We finally found long-term housing at an apartment building which was also connected to a seven story shopping mall. Little did we know, this mall would change the course of our month. After getting situated in our apartment, I needed to help plan travel to the next country which required coffee and wifi. And because we take the buddy system very seriously on the World Race, my teammates dropped me off at Starbucks while they went to wander through the mall.
On the 5th floor of the mall a divine appointment occurred. My teammates found a church called Mission House. Initially they had planned on taking a picture of the banner with the church’s information and leave. God had a different agenda. Pastor Matthew saw them taking a photo and went to talk to them. And a beautiful relationship ensued. Pastor Matthew shared the vision God gave him about Mission House. It is a place of worship and service. And that Mission House will hopefully one day partner with missionaries that come to Indonesia. Insert our World Race team. The remaining of the month we did ministry with Mission House and their ministry partners.
Once I got over the fact that our time in Indonesia wasn’t about me at all, it became very apparent how present God was in our month. And because our God is famous for His faithfulness, I was blessed with so many opportunities to serve! I danced with children during worship at a homeless shelter. I spoke at elementary schools and high schools about God, the United States, and my favorite Marvel Avenger. I woke up to a sunrise on Easter morning to pray over a city and for a country that is predominantly Muslim. I made a new friend, Victor, who taught me so much about loving people well. And I shared God’s testimony in my life to both Christians and Muslims. Indonesia was a challenge but truly a meeting with the Lord in a shopping mall.
