Hello. With God’s help we are well. I would like to share with you some of our news from our Orthodox Mission here in Sumatra, Indonesia.
Baptisms
On June 5, 2011 we celebrated the Sacrament of Anointing of two former Roman Catholics who embraced the Orthodox faith. The Holy Sacrament took place in the Holy Church of St. Demetrius in the city of Medan.
On June 19, 2011 I visited the Community of St. Ephraim in Lae Rias and celebrated the Divine Liturgy. At the end I administered the Sacrament of Baptism to 19 catechumens there. At the end of the Sacrament we had a banquet together in the church hall.
The New Mission Communities
My dear brothers,
Our new Community, called the Immaculate Conception in the village of Pargambiran, is almost finished. Now all that remains is the painting. On June 19, 2011 I went by and saw the building work and gave them a catechism. When I visited them, their joy at my presence could not be described. Some of the children cleaned the church yard. Thank God!
Again, thank you very much, because your great offering through an anonymous donor does not go to waste, but becomes a praise, which is reflected by these humble and poor families to the Most High God, as they see their magnificent church before them. I am scheduled to celebrate the baptism and anointing of 200 catechumens in November 2011. It would be a blessing if you could provide names for baptisms.
From June 27-30, 2011 I visited our mission on the island of Nias. On Sunday, June 26, Father Athanasios officiated at the Holy Church of St. Nicholas Bawolato Nias. So many times we shared the ministry so that all the mission works may go well. Once I ministered in one of our communities and once Father Athanasius ministered in another. In Nias we have three communities, one in Bawolato, two in Gunung Sitoli (church and school), one in Hiligeo. Our St. Nicholas school in Gunung Sitoli is doing well and this year everyone passed the general examination. Thank God.
On July 15, 2011 I will come back to Nias again, because I have to consecrate the children of our school for the new school year 2011-2012. Apart from that and to see the construction works of the building of our church of Saints Paul and Martha in the Hiligeo community, the expenses of which have been undertaken by your Brotherhood through an anonymous donor.
New school year
In mid-July we will start the school year at all levels. This year we have the capacity to cover the operating costs for all schools except the School of Theology. So again I am running to your love to ask for your help for these expenses, which is 12,000 euros.
That is all, my brothers, for now, and I thank you for your love and your great contribution. We always ask for your prayers that we may have the strength and courage to continue the great work in the hope that the Almighty God will bless the Orthodox brothers here in far-off Indonesia, especially you Orthodox brothers of the Orthodox Foreign Mission Brotherhood of Thessaloniki, who have offered many times for the missionary works here in Indonesia.
With many best wishes
π. Chrysostomos Manalou
