From February 26–28 I lead a Small Catechism workshop in Taupejat, Mentawai. A chain of about seventy islands off the west coast of Sumatra comprise the Islands of Mentawai. The Small Catechism Workshop was held in the city of Taupejat on the island of Sipora. About 10 pastors and 70 church leaders were in attendance in addition to the leadership of the Indonesian Christian Lutheran Church (GKLI).
Travel to Sipora Island took 24 hours. I left my home at about 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, February 25 and arrived at the hotel in Taupejat at 11:30 a.m. the following day. The islands of Mentawai are only accessible via a ferry that departs from the city of Padang four times a week. The ferry ride was enjoyable as it was the first time I have ever been on a boat with land completely out of sight. In Indonesian they call this laut lepas, which translates to open ocean.
Once the workshop began the schedule was intense. The days started at 7:30 a.m. with breakfast and concluded at 9:00 p.m. after the post-dinner session. Our meeting room was on the top floor of a three floor hotel in a room with no air conditioning. It was hot! It was worth it though to be able to work through the catechism with the new GKLI congregations in Mentawai. We had time to work through each of the six chief parts of the Small Catechism: the 10 Commandments, the Apostles’ Creed, the Lord’s Prayer, Baptism, Confession and Absolution, and the Lord’s Supper. I also had the opportunity to put my language learning to the test as I led Matins on Thursday morning completely in Indonesian, including the sermon!
I discuss the Small Catechism with the pastors and congregational leaders of the GKLI Mentawai congregations. Sitting on stage with me is Pastor Eben Ezer, my translator. There is another row of tables out of the picture on the right.
One of the goals of this workshop was to get to know the pastors and congregational leaders of the congregations in Mentawai. Through paying attention to their interest, interaction, questions, and comments we can understand a little more about their context and the challenges that they face. One area that sparked a lot of interest and interaction was the Lord’s Prayer, the role of prayer, and how to pray. We were able to discuss Martin Luther’s letter to his barber titled A Simple Way to Pray. They were very interested in the pattern of prayer which Martin Luther discusses there: instruction, thanksgiving, repentance, and request. The pastors and lay people were also interested in very practical advice such as how do we talk to people about infant baptism? What should be done if someone gets baptized again? What is the best way to distribute the Lord’s supper?
In all the Workshop was a resounding success and as I departed for home on Friday my mind was racing with how to meet the needs of the people here. It is very clear that they very much appreciate the help and aid of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. They are so thankful to all of you who make time to pray for them and support the ministry here with your gifts. The Lord be praised for the growing relationship between the GKLI and the LCMS!