Manado Ministry

During the week, there were two main ministry foci for the team: build three churches and run part of the kids’ camp.

Before we began our main ministry for the week, our team split into 4 sub-teams to go attend a different local church. One of the pastors was a part of each group and was invited to preach the message for the morning. I was asked to give my testimony, as well as another member of the team, Wijaya, who was nice and translated for me as well. 

Side note: I always get super awkward and nervous when speaking in front of people. Oh, the joys of being an introvert! Luckily, God doesn’t seem to mind.

The men, as well as a local missionary named Tanya, worked at the building sites from about 7:30 in the morning until about 8 at night.  Their goal was to get the beams erected and the roof constructed for three churches in three days. Only one of the sites was close enough for us to watch the progress, and it was so cool! They were lifting beams and climbing up on the roof all day long.  They were working so hard for the Lord during those days, they were exhausted at night. Dirty and exhausted. Mostly dirty.

The kid’s camp is a yearly event hosted by one of the churches in Tomohon.  Children from all the villages in the northern part of the island walk to the campground fully equipped with their clothes, bowl, spoon, and Bible. It was strange to see so many young kids come such a long distance (some walked for several hours) without their parents, but that’s just the culture there. There were some children as young as 3 years old up to 12 years old.

Kelly and I were decked out to award prizes to kids who could say the memory verse.

Our team’s role was to lead the kids in worship and teaching for three sessions during their 4-day camp. It really didn’t seem like a lot of work, but it was enjoyable to work with my new friends and get to serve together.  The language barrier was very difficult for me, but everyone was SO patient! I had a speaking part with the puppets, so I had to learn my lines well enough for several hundred kids to hear and understand.  I tried so hard! If you’ve ever seen the episode of Friends when Phoebe is teaching Joey how to speak French, just imagine me speaking like Joey.  I sounded ridiculous. Absolutely ridiculous. And it took me SO long to figure out how to say my words.

I also played the part of the Master in the parable of the talents. I’ve never been called “Barbie” in my entire life, but when I walked out wearing my crown and robes, I guess one of the kids whispered under her breath, “wow…. Barbie….” Haha…. I would have lost it if I’d heard that! They are so easy to entertain!

Worshiping with the kids was my favorite part of the entire mission trip. From now on, when I read about how Jesus tells us to be like little children, I will picture these kids. They were sensitive to the Holy Spirit and were able to worship God with their entire selves. They were excellent worshipers.  I was moved to tears at the genuine praises they were giving with hands held high, eyes closed, and voices singing.  What passionate little people.  

 














All in all, I enjoyed doing ministry with my new friends. There were times when I wished I could have done a lot more, but in the midst of the down times during the week, God was challenging me to grow closer to Him.  Slowly and so patiently, He shows me areas where I need work. There is a certain camaraderie that is formed when groups are together day-in and day-out, and it was a blessing to make a lot of good and close friends this week.