Saying Goodbye to Teacher Rachel

A Chinese proverb says that "There are a starting and an ending". If we went backward to four years back on October 2009, at this historical Chinese village of Senggarang, Teacher Rachel started her mission work with Gloria Methodist Church Medan. From starting with English classes then Sunday schools and now regular mothers’ fellowship also with special daily programs to share God’s love.

When I wrote this article, she had left this place to continue another bigger task that God wanted her to serve. She will continue a mission work in Hongkong to serve Indonesian’s workers there. Here, I reviewed the farewell event organized with Singapore’s friends.

It was on May 18, 2013; 7 pm, it was a crowded evening when more than 100 kids and moms occupy the mission home. Friends of Singapore, local brothers and sisters in Christ and two brothers from Medan had also came to celebrate this unforgettable  moment.

The program started with praise and worship with some Sunday School songs. Although the room temperature was hot but all the congregations sang happily. After songs, a senior missionary worker from China who arrived here with the Singapore friends also share God’s love and her testimonies on God’s work in her works.

Afterwards, I screened a short video presented some works and moments, the Senggarang mission point had with Teacher Rachel. There was a snapshot on the mission home when it was bought on the first time. It was still an empty home with very less furniture. Equipment for teaching is also insufficient. Then, the video displayed the increasing numbers of kids and moms who became the part of this mission point. There was also pictures where Teacher Silpa took part in this work.

Later, it was the new chapter of the Senggarang Methodist Mission Point’s history. The handover letter was signed between Teacher Rachel and Silpa with the two brothers from Gloria Methodist Church Medan as the witnesses. Hundreds pairs of eyes also as the testifiers of this momentous event. Teacher Rachel also expressed her regards on her simple “goodbye” notes.

That was the end of this program. With a closing prayer from the senior of our Singapore friend, we closed with a prayer, hoping that God will always lead Teacher Rachel for her new tasks at the new place. May God always bless her and be with her to do greater things for the glory of the Lord.

Click this link to see the images: Farewell to Teacher Rachel

 Regards:win_petrus

Gloria Senggarang Update 2013

The year of 2012 had been a wonderful journey for the Methodist Senggarang Preaching Point. Starting from the additional worker that God had sent, few groups of Gloria Methodist Church brothers and sisters visitation (like the leading pastors, youths, women and men fellowship members), friends from foreign countries which always came to visit us and many more. May this video explains to you on God's work

Celebrating Easter at Gloria Senggarang Preaching Point

This was not the first time to celebrate Easter at Gloria Senggarang-Methodist Preaching Point. The third celebration was celebrated on March 31 on this year.  More than 70 children and housewives came to take part in this celebration

Like previous programs, one hour before the program commenced start, the congregations had crowded the venue with their best clothing. They came to celebrate the joyous moment of Christ resurrection.

This program started at 4 pm with praise and worship sessions. There were also songs and dance presented by the kids and the moms. The Easter story was the climax which told the congregations to understand the story of Jesus crucifixion and resurrection. The teens also presented a drama, telling a story of how a man fall into sinners.

Two days prior to the Easter celebration, the kids and moms had been distributed eggs for the Easter eggs coloring  competition. They drew the best design and they brought these eggs again on Sunday afternoon for marking. The best design was announced at the end of the Easter program. There were 10 winners from the kids category and 5 winners from the moms category.

Happy Easter Day!!! 

Please click this link for images from the Easter Celebration

Easter Celebration 2013 

Yearly Awaited Chinese New Year Night Market

Like previous years, nearby the Tg. Pinang market area (Merdeka Road & Plantar 2 and nearby), there is a bazaar in conjunction with Chinese New Year. The locals call it as “Pasar Malam” or Night Market. At this year, the Night Market is organized by January 5 until February 9, 2013.

Tg. Pinang and nearby towns / villages societies especially the Chinese will come to this place for sightseeing after dinner and purchase something as preparation for the new year. Furthermore, there are not so many night activities at this Gurindam city during night time, so the Night Market will always flooded with people.

What stands that you can see at the Night Market? There are quite a lot of choices that you can enjoy. Starting from foods: Homemade Chinese Spring Roll (the most long queue every day, Taiwanese Style of Grilled Sausage, Smashed Chicken (Ayam Penyet), Satay, Fish Yam Soup, Fried Finger Foods, Grilled Slices Pork (Bak Kwa) and many more…

If you needs some stuffs for Chinese New Year, you may buy from the knick knacks to decorate your house, red pockets (hongbao), cookies and sweets until some vegetables and cooking ingredients to prepare the reunion dinner. To be fashionable on the New Year day, there are also some fashion products from T-shirts, pants until accessories sold at this place.

For the prices, don’t worry that these products are still affordable and can be said quite cheap. You can also bargain with the sellers for some products.

You may click on this link to see how the Night Market is:

Night Market for CNY 2564

An Expedition to Snake River

After a long time hearing about the “Snake River” which is located not so far away from Senggarang, finally, today; Thrusday, 17^th January 2013, we took this chance to see what was special about this river.

With a boat (pompong) we departed from the stairs to board the boat which was placed next to the house. By passing the water village Senggarang, then Kampung Bugis and few ferries docks and finally we arrived at the entrance of a mangrove jungle.

Do you know why is it called as Snake River? Yes, it is because this river shapes zig zag and looks like snake. The sides of this river is the mangrove.

Our boat entered the Snake River. We really enjoyed the natural view of the mangrove jungle which had not been touched by human hands. There was birds singing when we cross over the river. Unfortunately, it was quite hot so some animals did not appear. Yup, this was the natural mangrove jungle.  

Around seven minutes journey from the entrance, we finally reached the gate of paths that would lead us to the Snake River Temple. Along the paths was the land owner’s plantation. The temple was belonged to the same owner. Actually, we knew the owner as his son was our English tuition student.

We were welcomed with cold mineral water which were very good to the thirst as we were travelling on a hot sunny day. We took pictures at the temple and went around the rambutan plantation. Ms Silpa was very happy to pick the fruits directly from the trees. As souvenirs, we were given rambutans to bring back home.

Dear friends, if you want to enjoy the Snake River, please come to Gloria Senggarang Mission Home, we will bring you there. The memories from this expedition can be see from the link below:

An Expedition to Snake River

2013 Ministry Calender

Praise God for His guidance in the Gloria Senggarang Preaching Point Ministry in the year of 2012. Most  for last year ministries have been successfully organized although there were still a lot of homework to be done in this year. But, we believe that only by His Grace, we will be confidence to walk over this year with optimistically.

Routines like English classess will still continue based on each class schedule. Likewise, the Sunday School, with more directional topics. Besides, housewives activities will be aimed at involving them to be more actively participated on activities so we will have further chances to know them.

No	Special Events	Date
1	Chinese New Year Open House	10 February 2013
2	Easter	29 March 2013
3	Mothers and Kids Make Up Competition	4 May 2013
4	Cooking / Arts Competition Among Fathers & Kids-End of Semester	15 June 2013
5	Kids Festival	13 July 2013
6	The 68th Indonesia’s Independence Day	17 August 2013
7	Study Trip To Tg. Pinang Local Library	September 2013
8	Gloria Senggarang Preaching Point 4th Anniversary	5 October 2013
9	2013 Christmas Celebration – End of Semester	December 2013

Brothers and sisters in Christ, we, with the open hearts and hands are always looking for your kind supports in this ministry, with prayers, assistance and funding to make this ministry a success. If you need any further information and assistance about this ministry, please do not hesitate to contact us with the contact details stated on the right column of this blog. May God bless us in all what we do to glorify His name!!! AMEN!!!

Welcome Jesus @ Senggarang Christmas 2012

Like the song lyrics “We Are The Reason”: As little Christmas, we would dream of Christmas morn, likewise with the children in Senggarang Mission Point who are always waiting for Christmas in December 2012.

The series of Christmas programs are attended by the members of the mother church (Gloria Methodist Church) in Medan. The party arrived in Senggarang on Tuesday, 18 Desember 2012 via Batam. Although the rain flushed the Tanjung Pinang town that afternoon, but it did not dampen the spirit of the Medan short-term missionaries.

The children and housewives of Senggarang have gathered in the mission home around 4 pm that afternoon to participate in the Tea Time & Sharing session with friends from Medan. The Senggarang’s participants looked very enthusiastic to sing the Chinese Christian songs and they shared their stories with the Medan visitors. On the other hand, the children were busy playing. 

After dinner, the Medan team showed off again at the make-up training class. One of the professional, who also joined the team conducted the training session to the mothers who came. The mothers paid their attention seriously to the steps of how to beautify themselves. Believe it or not, after the making up by the experts, the housewives became more beautiful.

On the second day, at Wednesday, December 19, 2012; the mission team woke up so early at 6 pm although the last day was quite tiring. After freshing up, they walked around the village, starting from the home to market to the Senggarang Temple. Afterwards, they ended the journey with fried noodle as breakfast at one of the coffee shop.

Around 10.30 am, the Cooking & Baking Classwas  begun with the Medan chefs. They learnt how to cook few home cooking like Steam Black Snapper  Fish, Sauteed Seafood with Salted Egg, Sauteed Bean Sprouts with Fish, Kietna Chicken and biscuits. Ehmmm, the foods were extremely nice and finished very fast.

In the afternoon, at 3 pm, there was a make-up competition among housewives at the back balcony while the kids were playing at the front hall, waiting for the Christmas celebration. After with much effort showing their skills, Madam Merry & Ang-ngin were selected at the best.

The Christmas celebration was started at 4 pm, leaded by MC Etalia& Mariana. Like previous Christmas celebration, at this year the kids from each class presented Christmas songs. While the moms and kids who had been practicing dance since November with Singapore’s dance trainer also performed a dance. There was also a Christmas drama staged by MsSilpa and also the Sunday School students.

This time, the Christmas story was told by Ev. Risma with the theme “WELCOME JESUS”. By bringing the message that Jesus wants to enter the hearts of children at Christmas this year, the kids were invited to ask Jesus to enter to their lives.

After all the Christmas celebrations items, it was the time to give out all the Christmas gifts. There were presents for the best students in each English tuition class, the best group attendance from the Sunday school, lucky draw for housewives and all the Sunday School students based on their attendance and the four grand prizes (bicycles) for the best Sunday school attendance: Zhi Yan, Ayen, Etalia and Robben. Congratulations to all!! MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR 2013

To view the pictures of this event, please click:
2013 Christmas Images