Welcome to Indonesia

 Tile roof on a home with a rice paddie for a backyard, a common sight here in Indonesia 

This morning I woke up to find a very large cockroach in the bathroom.  Not even 20 minutes later, there was a spider bigger than my hand in the same bathroom.  Welcome to Indonesia.


Two nights ago our son was up in the night because of a stuffed up nose.  By the time I was almost asleep again, daylight was almost here (5 a.m.) and I could hear the first call to prayer for the day from the nearest mosque.  Welcome to Indonesia.

 

Last week Muslims all over celebrated Hari Idal Adha (day of sacrifice).  The day of sacrifice is celebrated to honor the willingness of Abraham to sacrifice his son (who they believe is Ishmael) as an act of submission to God's command.  At most mosques there are several cows or goats that will be sacrificed.  They then divide the meat into portions, 1/3 for their family, 1/3 for neighbors and relatives, and 1/3 for the poor and needy.  What an interesting glimpse into what the ritual of sacrifice must have looked like in the Old Testament.  Tyler was able to witness some of the ritual at a nearby mosque.  Welcome to Indonesia.

 Goats waiting for the sacrifice on Idal Adha

 A cow, surrounded by happy onlookers, already with its neck slit

A couple of months ago we attended a Muslim neighbors celebration before his first visit to Mecca.  One of the 5 pillars of Islam is to perform "Ibadah Haji", or naik Haji, which is this trip to Mecca.  Any Muslim who is physically and financially capable of performing this is required to do so.  Our neighbors had a huge celebration in our street, with a tent set up, catered meal, singing and a sermon.  We felt honored to be included.  We could feel the excitement for reaching  this achievement.  However, our hearts were also heavy.  All this excitement, buildup, and fanfare for a religious ritual that will not bring our neighbor any closer to the one, True God.  Oh Lord, may Your name be lifted higher here.  Welcome to Indonesia.

 

A short film of the gathering at the Ibadah Haji.

A friend recently shared how when she walked home from language school each day, she would hear the call to prayer.  It reminded her of a song about the name of Jesus being lifted higher.  In a country where the main religion is being broadcast 5 times a day, it can be easy to just get used to it and not notice it after awhile, instead of letting it serve as a reminder that we want the name of the true God, of Jesus Christ, to be on those loudspeakers.  We want His name to be praised above all other gods.  Would you join us in praying for Indonesia, and praying that our neighbors and friends here would see Jesus lifted higher in our own lives?