Dear friends of the Mission, With God’s help we are well. I would like to write you some of our news in Indonesia. In the first fortnight of July we were visited by 11 of our godly brethren from America. During their stay in Sumatra, they helped us in teaching our faith. During the first week of their stay, they gave lessons to the ordinary Indonesian brothers (on iconography, confession, fasting, mission, catechism for young children and for the youth). In the second week they came to the Theological School and gave lessons to our students. We were very happy because they offered us the great treasures of the Orthodox faith. It was also a great blessing for us, the Orthodox here in Sumatra, Indonesia, that our Mother Church offered us two young priests to serve her, with the blessing of Mons. We have been blessed with two new priests to serve us, with the blessing of our Bishop of Singapore, Metropolitan Constantine, who visited us, performed the ordinations and stayed with us for a few days to bless us. Thus, on July 11, Deacon Luke was made an elder to minister in Sumbul. Chariton from the island of Nias became a deacon to prepare himself to become a priest on the same island in the future. Thus, in Sumatra we now have 3 elders (Fr. Chrysostom, Fr. Theodosius and Fr. Luke) and a deacon. We pray to the Most Merciful God to grant that His vineyard in far-off Indonesia may grow and that we may have more priests.
A great blessing, of course, but also a difficulty. Because the financial situation for our mission in Indonesia is bad. If the situation lasts for a long time, then we have to take measures so that our Orthodox Mission can stand on its feet. Of course, with the great love of the Orthodox Foreign Mission Brotherhood, we have established some schools, but these schools do not produce any material profit, they only help the name of the Orthodox Church to be known everywhere. Now I have before me three priests who want to work in the Vineyard of our Lord Jesus Christ, without asking for salaries, but how will they live? And how will they stand in the Lord’s ministry, since the flock is still small? Therefore, my brethren, until the flock grows, they must work alone to cover their expenses. So, in my opinion, every priest must have his own little field. This is a solution so that the ministry of our Orthodox Church here in Indonesia can continue. So, we pray to Almighty God to send us donors for this matter. For three suitable fields, about 30,000 euros are needed.
Our ministry on the island of Nias is going well. Father Chariton is at the head of our Foundation there. In addition to being the principal of our St. Nicholas High School, he is ministering in all three communities. We pray to Almighty God with His love and blessing that he too will become a priest of the Most High in the future. So far this year we have been to this island 3 times. Father Theodosius is helping me a lot. For every Divine Liturgy outside of St. Demetrios Medan, I send Father Dionysius, while the newly ordained Fr. Luke works with me until he too becomes a good minister. I apologize again for bothering you with the problems of our mission here in Indonesia. I pray to Almighty God that He will always bless you with His abundant goodness. Happy Autumn! With many blessings
π. Chrysostomos Manalu
