Dear Friends of the Mission,
With God’s help we are doing well. I would like to write about some of our news here in Indonesia. In the first half of July we were visited by our venerable Orthodox brothers from America. During their stay in Sumatra, they helped us in teaching our faith. In the first week of their stay, they gave lessons to our simple-hearted Indonesian brothers (on iconography, confession, fasting, Church Mission, catechetical school for both children and youth). In the second week they came to the Theological Seminary and delivered lectures to our students. We were greatly delighted, because we were offered the great treasures of the Orthodox faith.
It was also a great blessing for us, the Orthodox Christians here in Sumatra Indonesia, that the Mother Church offered us two new priests to minister, with the blessings of His Eminence Metropolitan Constantine of Singapore, who visited us, performed the ordinations and stayed with us for a few days to give us his blessing. Thus, on July 11th, Deacon Luke became a presbyter to minister in Sumbul. Chariton from Nias island became a deacon with a view to becoming a priest on the same island in the future. So in Sumatra we now have three presbyters (Fr. Chrysostomos, Fr. Theodosius and Fr. Luke) and a deacon. We pray that the Most Merciful God will grant the expansion of His Vineyard in far off Indonesia and supply more laborers, that is, priests, to work in it.
A great blessing indeed, but at the same time it fills us with anxiety. This is so because the economic situation for our Mission in Indonesia is bad. If things do not get better soon and this crisis goes on for long, then we should take steps in order to help our Orthodox Mission to stand on its own feet. Of course, thanks to the great love of the Orthodox Missionary Fraternity, we have established a few schools, which however make no material gain, they only help in the propagation and dissemination of the Orthodox Faith.
I now have before me three priests who want to work in the Vineyard of the Lord Jesus Christ, without getting paid. However, how will they be able to support themselves and their families? And how will they stand in the Lord’s ministry since the flock is scanty? Therefore, my brothers, until the flock grows, they have to work on their own in order to meet their expenses. This is why I believe that each priest should have their own small field. This might be the solution to the existing problem so that the ministry of our Orthodox Church here in Indonesia can continue. So we pray that the Most Merciful God will send forth donors for this issue. A cost estimate for three fields suitable for this case is approximately € 30,000.
Our ministry on Nias island goes on well. Father Chariton is in charge of our Institute there. Besides being the headmaster of our St. Nicholas Middle School, he ministers in all three communities. We pray that the Most Merciful God through His love and blessing will make him worthy of becoming himself a priest of the Almighty God in the future. So far this year we have been to this island 3 times.
Father Theodosius is a great help to me. For each Divine Liturgy out of St. Demetrios Church in Medan, I send father Dionysios, while the newly ordained Fr. Luke is by my side assisting me, until he gains enough experience himself.
I sincerely apologize for bothering you with the problems of our Mission here in Indonesia. I pray that the Most Merciful God always blesses you abundantly.
May you have a good and blessed autumn!
With love in Christ
Fr. Chrysostomos Manalu
