Weeks ago the President of Indonesia warned us about an upcoming economy recession. On our part, all we can do is plant something in our fields and raise a few farm animals. So next week I will be going down to the fields and tell the people there that we should start planting tomatoes, sweet potatoes, corn and rice and also raising fish, a few goats, even pigs. Now the prices of goods have gone up 4 times. Electricity has risen incredibly, gas stations have also doubled fuel prices. Unemployment has taken unmanageable proportions. As you understand, dear brothers and sisters, in order to carry out the program that I mentioned, we need approximately 9,000 euro.
“Saint Sophia” is a large school, ranging from Kindergarten to High School. Now we have many students attending classes but we have a hard time trying to accommodate all of them. I believe we need another 2 classrooms next to our School. The contractor told us that such a construction would cost about 11,000 euro. Please pray for this matter so that the good God will have mercy on us.
On the distant island of Nias, we have a school and a church. Recently there was a tornado which blew off the roofs of the school and the church. Until now we have only managed to nail it; we have not changed it simply because we don’t have the money required. This repair is estimated to cost about 1,500 euro.
As for our Theological School, we had 50 new graduates on August 27th. This, my brothers, was our news. May God bless you abundantly.
Fr. Chrysostomos Manalu
