Missions Trip to North Sumatra (Sumut) 24 April - 1 May 2003

24 April, Thursday - On 20 April, Sunday, Joo Tatt completely lost his voice but praise the Lord, on 24 April, he regained his voice. On 24 April, Bro Lim Sze Choong fetched us to KLIA (KL International Airport) at 7:45 am. We were however informed that the flight which was scheduled at 9:30 am was delayed till 12:30 pm. We reached Polonia airport, Medan at 12:30 pm Indonesian time. Bro. Clarence met us and brought us to a money changer.

Bro Clarence Tamin, Pastor Sanusi and Joo Tatt at Bro. Clarence's house

Pastor Gordon Silaban - Sumut Missions Director

We reached Berastagi at 2:45 pm and had lunch in Restoran Asia. We then went to GSJA (Gereja Sidang Jemaat Allah) Trinity to meet up with Pastor Gordon Silaban. At 5 pm, Dr Yan Simiring brought us to Gereja Wesleyan Indonesia Kristus Raja, Kaban Jahe. The pastor there is Pak Yosman, a Timurese, a good friend of Pastor Engel who is from Timur Island, too. At the church, there were more than 60 people awaiting our arrival. After a lively praise and worship, Pastor Sanusi preached about Jesus being the foundation of our lives, how we need to dig deep into the word of God and that Jesus is always with us. After the KKR (Revival meeting - Kebangunan dan Kebangkitan Rohani), we prayed for many who came forward for the altar call. Praise the Lord! 2 persons were instantly healed by the power of God! A lady testified that the pain in her neck was completely gone and another that the headache she was suffering from was also completely gone! Hallelujah!

We fellowshipped with Pastor Yosman and the church leaders. Dr Yan Simiring, a church leader sent us home to Pastor Gordon's church. We discussed with Pastor Gordon about the needs of the churches in Sumut (North Sumatra). Pastor Gordon is the Director of Missions for Sumut.

25 April, Friday - We had devotion at 5 in the morning together with Pastor Gordon and Sis Ratna (Dean of School of Missions) and students of SOM (School of Missions). We prayed together and read 4 chapters (1 Sam 30-31, 1 Chron 10, Matt 12). At 7 am, a lady who was demon-possessed was brought to the place by her father and 2 other relatives. We bound the evil spirits in her and asked her to acknowledge Jesus as Lord. After that, she was freed from the spirits and no longer manifesting. Soon after, she acknowledged that she had fear of seeing the evil spirits. At once, she began to manifest because fear is an open door for evil spirits to disturb us. We again prayed for her to be released in Jesus' Name and we read scriptures to her from Psalm 23, Php 4:6-8, Isai 40:31 and Isai 41:10. Pastor Gordon mentioned too that it was interesting that we read Matt 12 just before the incident. In this chapter, it speaks about a person who has been demon-possesed. A warning was given that the person should not be left empty because the person will have more evil spirits disturbing him. The passage also speaks about binding the strong man (Satan).

After our breakfast, we took a Sampri (a van company) to Sidikalang. Although the seat that we sat was for only 3 persons, they squeezed in 4 persons. Pastor Sanusi experienced a back ache as the result of the squeeze. A mother seated at the right of Joo Tatt talked about Christianity. She is from HKBP (Huria Kristen Batak Protestan - Huria means church). She said that in order to obtain God's forgiveness, we ourselves must forgive others. She, however said that she can forgive but is unable to forget the hurtful incidents. Joo Tatt told her that as long as we remember the incident but do not feel hurt, it means we have already released forgiveness. The Sampri stopped for lunch and the Sampri was brought to a workshop to repair its door that could not open. After the repair, there was difficulty closing the door!

Pastor Lie Chyn Chiang

We reached Pastor Lie Chyn Chiang's house in Sidikalang about 2 pm. Pas Lie is a business graduate from a university in Jakarta. He started in business but God asked him to leave all to serve him full-time. After some rest, we followed a group of pastors to the interior to visit Pastor Barasa's church at Kuta Tengah - GSJA (Gereja Sidang Jemaat Allah or Assembly of God) "Glad Tidings" Kuta Tengah. The church is so named because it is supported by Glad Tidings, PJ. His wife just gave birth to a baby boy so we prayed for the mother and child. Pas Barasa is talented in playing the keyboard.

Pastor Barasa and his newborn son outside "Glad Tidings" Kuta Tengah church.

After a short rest at Sidikalang, we were brought to Km 11 Sidikalang (in the direction of Tiga Lingga) for a KKR (revival meeting) in the night. Pas Nurlita prepared delicious food which included both Pas Sanusi and my favourite food - gado-gado (an Indonesian salad eaten with a spicy sauce). The gado-gado also 'gaduh-gaduh' (argued) in Joo Tatt's stomach. Thank God that after going to the toilet, Joo Tatt was ready to deliver the message that night! More than 70 people gathered for the KKR at about 8 pm. The back wall of the church which is made of planks had some of its planks removed to enable people outside to join in the meeting. The message was that we should continue to fix our eyes on Jesus despite difficult circumstances. Jesus is the One who can give us strength. Joseph's life was used as an illustration of how despite being sold by his brothers as a slave, but God intended it for good to accomplish the saving of many lives. During the altar call, we prayed for those who came out. There was a lady who used a walking stick to move about. After Pas Sanusi prayed for her, she could walk around the pulpit without her walking stick! Praise the Lord!

Children praising the Lord during the KKR at Km 11 Sidikalang. Notice that the planks of the back wall have been removed to enable people outside to join in the meeting.

Pas Nurlita worship leads while Pas Barasa is at the keyboard during the KKR at Km 11 Sidikalang.

Joo Tatt preaching during the KKR at Km 11 Sidikalang.

Joo Tatt praying for a lady at the altar call during the KKR at Km 11 Sidikalang.

Pastor Sanusi praying for a lady with a walking stick during the KKR at Km 11 Sidikalang.

Praise the Lord! She is able to walk without the walking stick!

After the prayer, it was 10 pm, but the people were waiting to see the show about the life of Joseph. Actually, the show 'Perang Santet' was to be shown but praise the Lord, Pas Lie brought also a VCD about the life of Joseph. After the life of Joseph was shown, it was 12:30 am. The people were yet not satisfied. They wanted to continue the VCD which showed the life of Moses. When it ended it was about 1:30 pm. The church members nailed back the planks that were earlier taken out and moved all the sound system back into Pas Lie's van. By the time we reached back to Pas Lie's home in Sidikalang, it was past 2 am!

26 April, Saturday - This morning, Pas Lie brought us with a group of pastors visited 2 churches in the interior. We visited GSJA "Glad Tidings" Janji Mauli which was pastored by Pas Tulus Mariam Purba. We held our hands together and Joo Tatt prayed for the church needs. Pas Sanusi lost his voice due to an overstrain of his voice the night before. We also visited GSJA "Glad Tidings" Lae Parira which was pastored by Pas Meryati Siregar. We again prayed for the needs of the church and its members.

 

Outside GSJA "Glad Tidings" Janji Mauli.

Inside GSJA "Glad Tidings" Janji Mauli. The pastor is Tulus Mariam Purba who is wearing a yellow-flowered blouse.

Outside GSJA "Glad Tidings" Lae Parira

Inside GSJA "Glad Tidings" Lae Parira. The pastor is Meryati Siregar who is wearing a light blue blouse.

Pas Lie brought us back to Sidikalang for lunch. Pas Sanusi could enjoy his favourite food - roast pord! After a short rest, Joo Tatt prayed for Pas Sanusi and he regained his voice. Praise the Lord!

At 7 in the evening, it began to rain cats and dogs but we prayed for the rain to stop at 7:30pm. Praise the Lord! The rain subsided at 7:30 pm! Pas Lie and ourselves walked to GSJA Glad Tidings Jln Nusantara. Pas Sanusi delivered the message about Jesus being the foundation of our lives. After the message, we prayed for those who came forward for the altar call.

Pastor Sanusi and the worship team during the KKR at Sidikalang.

Pastor Sanusi preaching during the KKR at Sidikalang

Pastor Sanusi and Joo Tatt praying for a lady during the altar call at Sidikalang.

The ushers and worship team during the KKR at Sidikalang.

27 April, Sunday - This morning Pas Lie brought his young son, Christopher to the doctor because of a lingering cough. The service at his church started at 9:45 am and at 10 am, Pastor Sanusi had to go to Km 11 Sidikalang for a service there at 11 am. Joo Tatt taught the song 'Karena KasihNya' (means 'Because of His love') to the worship team so that it could be sung as a presentation. The words of the song are very meaningful and apt for that week being a week after Good Friday because it speaks of why Jesus had to suffer and die for us and it is all because of His great love for us. Joo Tatt preached without being introduced for Pas Lie was not able to come back in time. The message was that faith is praying with confidence that God has solved our problems in His way and thanking Him even though the problem may not have been solved yet. Also our eyes are to be fixed on Jesus the author and finisher of our faith in face of problems that assail us. Praise the Lord! Just after the message, Pas Lie came back to give the altar call because I had to rush of to the village of Sitinjo together with Pas Roma for the service there at 11 am.

Pas Sanusi went with Pas Nurlita to Km 11 Sidikalang. Pas Sanusi preached about Jesus being the foundation of our lives. At the same time Joo Tatt and Pas Roma waited for about 15 minutes for a public van to Sitinjo. On the way into the church, some people shouted 'Puji Tuhan!' which means 'Praise the Lord!'. Pas Roma told me that they were teasing us. We reached the church half an hour late at 11:30 am. There were about 25 members waiting in a small building. Though it was hot and dark inside and there was no sound system or musical instruments, the congregation sang with all their heart. Joo Tatt delivered a message on Agape love based on 1 Cor 13. He then sang the song 'Karena KasihNya' (means 'Because of His love'). Joo Tatt then passed on the pulpit to Pas Roma thinking that she would make the altar call. She instead came up to speak of how the message touched her life because of God's Agape love has given her the courage to press on although that was the last service in the rented building. The church is awaiting 1.5 million Rupiah (RM 667) for the rent of another building for 3 years. We finished the service with the song 'Ku kasihi kau dengan kasih Tuhan' (means "I love you with the love of the Lord'). We sang the song while greeting each other. Pas Roma brought me to pray for a church member who had water in his ear.

Worship session at the service at Km 11 Sidikalang.

Pastor Sanusi preaching during the service at Km 11 Sidikalang.

Pastor Nurlita of GSJA Km 11 Sidikalang.

Pastor Sanusi together with the church members at Km 11 Sidikalang.

Pastor Roma of GSJA Sitinjo.

Church members outside GSJA Sitinjo.

Church members inside GSJA Sitinjo.

At 3 pm, we took a public van to Dolok Sanggul. The journey was winding and far and filled with endless smoke from cigarettes. The journey was more than 3 hours. Pas Sanusi felt really nauseous but we prayed together and praise the Lord, we reached Dolok Sanggul at 6 pm safely without any incident. We fellowshipped with Pas Panjaitan, the pastor of the church at Matiti, Dolok Sanggul. He came for South-east Aceh and has been a pastor for about 20 years. After dinner, we rushed for the service at 8 pm. A congregation of more than 200 had gathered awaiting us for the KKR (Revival meeting). More than 50 children were seated on a mat at the front of the church. There were 5 tambourine dancers. Pas Panjaitan's wife led the worship and worshipped the Lord with all our hearts. Pas Sanusi gave a testimony of 2 persons in his village - a dying boy full of faith and a man whose faith was weak. Joo Tatt then delivered a message about our eyes being fixed to Jesus despite the difficult circumstances we face. At the altar call, more than 40 people came to the front to be prayed. At that time Pas Panjaitan was leading the altar call song. Hence, Pas Sanusi and Joo Tatt prayed for all the people which took quite a while. Most of the people came to be prayed for sickness, financial and family problems. Some of them spoke in Batak which both of us could not understand but we just prayed for them and asked God to answer their prayers.

Pastor Panjaitan's wife leading worship during the KKR at Matiti, Dolok Sanggul.

Congregration worshipping during the KKR at Matiti, Dolok Sanggul.

Joo Tatt preaching during the KKR at Matiti, Dolok Sanggul.

Pastor Panjaitan, his wife, Joo Tatt and a leader's family in front of the church (GPdI) Matiti, Dolok Sanggul.

28 April, Monday - After breakfast and a prayer of blessing on the Pas Panjaitan's family, we went back to Sidikalang. Our journey again was long and winding filled with cigarette smoke. Pas Sanusi again felt nauseous but praise the Lord, we reached about noon time without any incident! Pas Lie brought us to a Pastors' Seminar. Pas Cornelius Domingos was the speaker. He gave his testimony about his previous involvement in spiritualism. He used to be a Muslim dukun (means witch doctor). We also were introduced to Pas Eddy who accompanied Pas Cornelius from Jakarta.

After lunch, Pas Lie brought us to a site in Sidikalang where a new church was to be built. Pas Cornelius prayed that the site will used for God's glory. Pas Lie then brought us to Wisata Imam (means 'Place of Faith') a place near Sidikalang for the 4 major faith in Indonesia - Christianity, Islam, Hindu and Bhuddism. This is a government initiative to foster deeper understanding and cooperation among these religions. At the site for Christians there were a few monuments aleady built up representing - Abraham's sacrifice of his son Isaac, Jesus praying at Gethsemane, and on the top of the hill are 3 large crosses. There was also a large building located which resembles a church building. Pas Cornelius prayed that this place allocated for Christians will also be used for God's glory!

After coming back to Sidikalang, we discussed with Pas Nurlita about the financial support from Kampung Kedat church in Mantin (the church pastored by Pas Sanusi). After a short rest we met up with Juita and her marriage partner, Junistra. They are to be married on 30 May. Juita attends the Indonesian church in Seremban and it was she who invited us to come to Indonesia to minister at her church in Tiga Lingga. Juita and Junistra accompanied us to Tiga Lingga together with Pas Sabar who was going back home. We travelled by a public van but this journey was quite short - slightly over an hour.

We reached Tiga Lingga about 5 pm and met up with Pas Ginting and his wife at their home. They were very surprised to see us because this was the only place where we were unable to confirm the date of our arrival. We had no address and there are no phone lines in Juita's home nor the pastor's home. At the time of our arrival, Pas Ginting was removing the corn from the stalks. Pas Ginting has 4 congregations around Tiga Lingga, of which 3 are in the interior. His wife prepared the meal while we fellowshipped with Pas Ginting and Juita and Junistra. Pas Ginting's wife gave a testimony that she bought fish from the market which she rarely does. Hence, we ate a delicious dish of curry fish together with some vegetables that she prepared. Right after dinner, Pas Ginting and Juita hurriedly went to gather the people for the KKR (revival meeting) at a member's home at Desa Ujung Terang that night since this meeting at 8 pm was just arranged as we came into town.

Pas Ginting brought us to a river to bathe. It was pitch black and we had to use torchlights to help see the way to the river. After our bathe, it started to rain. Pas Ginting brought us to the meeting in his 4-wheel drive. Along the way, a church member informed us that a van was stuck on the bridge because the road was too muddy and slippery. We stopped the vehicle and proceeded on foot. The ladies who were with us immediately put cloth round their heads and each carried the speaker, mixer and the keyboard. Although Joo Tatt offered to help, they said they are used to it. Our shoes and pants became muddy as we walked in the dark, muddy and slippery road. Praise the Lord, none of us had a fall. After going up a slope and coming down another slope a church member in a jeep came along and gave us a lift to the meeting place. We were arrived late at about 8:30 pm. However, many people were already gathered there awaiting our arrival. At this place, again the planks of the wall of the house were removed so as to enable people outside the house to participate in the meeting. Pas Ginting himself played the keyboard while his wife led the worship beautifully. Joo Tatt was asked to share a testimony and he share about how his daughter Faith's prayers were answered miraculously despite being 3 years of age then. Pastor Sanusi was feeling very sleepy just before his turn to preach. Praise the Lord! After we quietly prayed for him, he could preach with enthusiasm and zeal. God gave him a supernatural strength and a powerful anointing. He shared about the 2 persons in his village and how the little boy refused to see a witch doctor but wanted to be always with Jesus. Pas Sanusi preached about Jesus as the foundation of our lives. We then prayed for the people who came out to be prayed. When we reached Pas Ginting's home, it was late into the night but yet we felt a supernatural strength from the Lord! Hallelujah!

Pastor Ginting's wife leading worship during the KKR at Desa Ujung Terang.

Congregation at worship during the KKR at Desa Ujung Terang. Notice that the planks of the back wall have been removed to enable people outside to join in the meeting.

Pastor Sanusi preaching during the KKR at Desa Ujung Terang.

Pastor Ginting and his wife together with the worship team during the KKR at Desa Ujung Terang. Juita is second from the right.

Megawati, Pas Ginting's wife, Pas Ginting and Pastor Sanusi

29 April, Tuesday - At 6 am, Pas Ginting and his wife who had been sleeping in the living room woke up and prayed together on their knees with tears in their eyes. They prayed to be sanctified and used by the Lord mightily to serve the people of the surrounding villages. Pas Ginting and his wife are such a humble couple. When Pas Sanusi woke up, we read the passage on blessings from Deut. 28:1-14 that God put into Joo Tatt's heart to read. This was about blessings coming upon them who hear God's voice and obeyed. One of the blessings was about the fruit of the womb. The family wishes for another child. Their only child, Mercy Eucharist is already a teenager.

At breakfast, we were given a special dish cooked by a member in appreciation of us. It was tadpoles cooked with coconut. Both Pas Sanusi and Joo Tatt were quite surprised but we swallowed a few mouthfuls of it. At 8 am, Pas Ginting brought us to pray for a few members. We went to the house of a young man whose foot was bitten by a snake and before it was completely healed, he fell from a motorcycle and hurt the injured foot. It was swollen but the wounds were now dry. We prayed and asked him to have faith in Jesus our Healer. Next we prayed for a young man who had some mental problem. Lastly, we prayed for a lady, Megawati, whose husband had left her and her 2 children.

At about 9 am, Pas Ginting brougth us to Km 11, Sidikalang. There, we met with Pas Nurlita who had helped us wash some of our clothings. Together with Pas Nurlita, we were brought to Pas Lie's home at Sidikalang. We bid Pas Ginting farewell as he journeyed back to Tiga Lingga. We then went to an AOG Workers' Seminar at Sidikalang.

A pastor from U.S., Pas Mark was there to share with us. He was accompanied by Pas Bunyamin Munte (Treasurer of the AOG General Council). Pas Mark shared about a shepherd's heart must always be sensitive to the needs of the congregation and not to be sensitive to hurts. He also mentioned the importance of having a prayer partner who will encourage us when we face problems in our lives. The session ended with all the participants hugging and crying - giving love and receiving love, giving forgiveness and receiving forgiveness. It was indeed a touching scene.

We then invited Pas Nurlita and Pas Roma for lunch - eating Pas Sanusi's favourite dish - roast pork. It is interesting that Pas Sanusi and Joo Tatt are prayer partners and also Pas Nurlita and Pas Roma are prayer partners. At 3 pm we bade farewell to all the pastors in Sidikalang and took a public van to Berastagi. The driver smelt of alcohol and was smoking and we prayed for our safety. Praise the Lord! He decided to transfer all of us to another more comfortable van. The new van driver did not smoke nor drink but he had another problem - he was sleepy. We again prayed for our safe journey. Joo Tatt talked with him along the journey. Praise the Lord! We reached Berastagi safely at 5:30 pm!

After dinner at Pas Gordon's house, we had a discussion with him about missions work in North Sumatra. We were so exhausted that we slept early that night. Before we slept, Pas Sanusi had some diarrhoea but after we prayed together, he slept throughtout the night without having to go to the toilet at all. Praise the Lord!

30 April, Wednesday - We woke up early for the 5 am devotion together with Pas Gordon and the people of SOM (School of Missions). We again read 4 chapters and went into intercessory prayer. At that time, Pas Sanusi had a very terrible stomach ache. We prayed together and God healed him completely at 9 am. Hallelujah!

Joo Tatt taught a session at SOM (School of Missions) about the keys of the kingdom of heaven and about binding evil spirits and loosing blessings in the lives of people. Just before the session, Joo Tatt installed a software. The installation was unsuccessful and the computer had to be brought to Medan to correct it. Bro Clarence came at 12:30 pm sharp to bring us back to Medan together with Sis Ratna.

We reached Medan at 3:30 pm and were went straight to the computer shop. Not long after, there was a power cut in that place for about an hour. Praise the Lord! Bro Clarence knows the shop people well and requested to help us even though the worker had to work after 5 pm. Bro Clarence brought us back to bathe and his son, Paul brought us back to the shop at 7 pm. Praise the Lord! The computer was corrected and Paul brought us to eat the best 'mi pangsit' (something like 'wanton mee') in Medan. At 9 pm, Paul sent Ratna by public van to Berastagi bringing along the computer. We went to Bro Clarence's home to sleep for the night.

1 Mei, Thursday - We awoke early and Joo Tatt shared the devotion from Mat 20:1-14 about the need to forgive one another, love one another and respect one another especially those who are young in the Lord and may have their weaknesses remembering that we have our own weaknesses too. At 6:45 am, Bro Clarence brought us to his church, New Covenant Christian Church for morning prayer. Joo Tatt was touched in the prayer meeting where we prayed for personal holiness, prayer for the family and holiness of the church. Bro Clarence then brought us to eat duck noodles which was the best in town.

Bro Clarence's family in front of his house at Taman Polonia.

We then went to Pas Lukas Timotheus' church, Grace Assembly of God. After fellowshipping with Pas Lukas, Bro Clarence brought us to pray for his father-in-law who was suffering from Parkinson's disease. He was very happy that we prayed for him. We then went to pray for Bro Clarence's good friend who was suffering from kidney failure and undergoing dialysis. Bro Clarence then brought us to Hosanna Book Store at Medan Plaza. We finished nearly all our Rupiah there on books, casettes and a VCD. We then ate some fruits and a person from Bro Clarence's company came to gave some cheques and documents to sign there. We were so touched that though Bro Clarence was so busy yet he cheerfully accompanied us. He then brougth us to buy a delicious delicacy - bika Ambon. He also gave us a bottle of Marquisa juice. We then had lunch at a posh restaurant - El Salvador. We had some delicious fried rice with chicken.

At 2 pm we went to Polonia airport which was near Bro Clarence's home. Our flight was at 3:10 pm. We paid the airport tax of Rp 75,000 each. We reached KLIA at about 5:10 pm and took a taxi to Seremban reaching at 6 pm.

At Joo Tatt's home, Joo Tatt just knew that Joshua had his leg caught in the spokes of the bicycle on Friday and was unable to walk for about a week. It was badly swollen and bleeding. However on 30 April, his kindergarten teacher came to visit him together with his classmates. He was encouraged to stand up. Praise the Lord! He not only stood up but could jump! Hallelujah! Not only this, the next morning he participated in a sports event and got a silver medal! Hallelujah! (There were however only 2 teams participating)

Joo Tatt and his wife Joo Ee, together with Debra, Grace, Faith and little Joshua.

Joo Tatt's family together with Pastor Sanusi

Pastor Sanusi and his wife, Dewi, together with Rebecca and Priscilla.

When we were away, Joo Ee, Joo Tatt's wife tried starting Pas Sanusi's van many times over a few days but it was in vain. Even Joo Tatt's neighbour tried but gave up. Joo Ee was expecting that Pas Sanusi would need to change the battery. But, praise the Lord! After praying for the van, Pas Sanusi put in the key and turned it and the van started beautifully! Hallelujah!

Pas Sanusi rushed home to lead the night's prayer meeting at his village at 8 pm. Although we felt tired but we were given a renewed strength from the Lord! Amen!

Isaiah 40:31 (NIV): But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.