In Romans 15:13 (Amplified version) it says, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing [through the experience of your faith] that by the power of the Holy Spirit you will abound in hope and overflow with confidence in His promises.”
According to Google Translate (which is a life saver for any World Racer) the Arabic word “Isa,” translates in English to mean “hope.” For some reason this really stuck out to me as I played around with google one day. The name of Jesus literally means hope. He is the hope of all nations, and this is something he has been teaching me lately.
This month I have been working with the people group known as the Sundanese. The Sunda people are made up of over 37 million people that are all located in Indonesia on the Island of Java. They are the largest unreached people group in Indonesia, and nearly all Sunda people are of the Islamic faith. Despite the overwhelming statistics, I am filled with nothing but hope for this nation and this people group. *facts are coming from Joshua Project website.. you should check it out when you get a chance*
From what I have experienced the Sunda people are rooted deep in tradition, they are extremely hospitable, and they have a deep love for one another. Through our ministry host this month we have been able to travel to many different villages in our area. Every time we have been welcomed with open arms and tons of good (but spicy) foods. When in the villages we get guided from house to house where we get to talk and take lots of photos with the people living there. I have been surprised by how willing they are to allow us to pray for them as we move from house to house, and I have been even more surprised in the big ways that Jesus has shown up each time.
One Instance my team and I got to pray with a lady who told us she was burdened and had a heavy/broken heart. It was amazing to see her crying tears of joy after praying with her in Isa’s name, because she had been freed. In similar ways many people have gotten a glimpse of this hope that Jesus brings and by association I have gotten to see it for myself.
We have been to many gatherings and bible studies over the last few weeks where several Muslims have come to simply learn more about who this Jesus guy is. He is moving here in Indonesia and among the Sunda people. He knows them, he loves them, and he is continually seeking to bring them into relationship with him. He has been teaching me that he is the hope of all nations through allowing me to see the hope in their eyes and the wanting of their hearts.
Please pray for me and my team as we finish our ministry here this next week. Pray for safe travels from Indonesia to Sri Lanka. Most importantly pray that the hope of all nations, Isa Almasih, would continue to work on the hearts of the Sundanese people and that they would be open to receiving him.
