Sentosa
A ministry update from the
Byrne-Mamahit family
December 2009
Christmas in the district of Ketapang.
|
Small speed boat that holds 24 people and lots of luggage, and postage. Several of these run the river daily delivering people and goods all along the river. |
December 10th until 16th we spent in the district of Ketapang. This is where John does most of his ministry work. It is a long journey from our home in Pontianak to the Ketapang area because the infrastructure is not developed and so travel by road is not possible. John travels by a small boat and motor bike (taking over 15 hours for the journey) however the girls and I flew down by plane. We did this because we need the motorbike once we are there to get around. We met Johnny and from the city of Ketapang. We visited the national family who are missionaries, in this city and had fellowship, evaluation and team building with them. The next day, we then took a small speed boat up to the city of Sandai where one KGBI missionary family lives and works.
The speed boat ride took 6 hours it was beautiful. With 24 people (including driver) and luggage, and postage items, we sat quite low in the water. So many sights of river life all around us, and at some points the jungle burst out and overflowed right out and into the river. All along the way we would pull over to homes along the water, and deliver people or goods, water, noodles, other goods from the city like electrical wire. Etc. The families would run down to the water’s edge and receive from the driver the goods they had ordered. The water was very high because of the rains and so we took a short cut through an area where pristine jungle hung canopy like practically over the boat, normally this area would not be passable by boat. To the left were monkeys, and to the right crocodiles. I (Paige) saw a snake with a head as big as a football in the water. God’s creation is so amazing. This was one of the most interesting parts of our journey interior for Christmas.
Sandai city is a very interesting small city located on a river. On one side the population is Indonesian Chinese, and mainly speaks and interacts in various Chinese dialects. They are mainly Confucius and work as merchants. The other side of the river is the Malayu people; they speak local dialects, are Muslim and work as farmers. These two groups do interact together on a limited basis. Paige went for a walk and found her way to visit three families on the Chinese side of the river, she was invited into their homes to see how they live, but they did not speak Indonesian, so all she could do was smile and nod a lot. That night we were all invited back to one home for a celebration of the 1st grandchild turning one month.
|
Meting, a situation where locals place boards, and logs in impassable mud roads allowing motorcycles to pass, for a fee. It speculated that these same folks are responsible for digging out the roads creating the impassable areas. |
After two nights in Sandai city we went by motorbike to the village of Tumbang Titi, again it should have taken 4 hours but because of the mud and rain it took us seven hours. Plus we had a break down and so spent 45 minutes fixing one of the motor bikes. Nakita fell in the mud early on in our trip and so spent the journey wet and muddy. At points along the way where the mud is the worst, villages have set out boards to give the motor bikes and other 4x4 vehciles a way across, but you have to pay them money to get by.
We spent one night in Tumbang Titi where we attended a Christmas celebration and Johnny preached. This is a village, the people areound are mainly farmers, and work at different things like palm oil, or rubber production. The service was well attended with over 150 people. The people in this area are mainly Dayak, and also Malayu. One of the challenges faced by the nationall missionaries here is that many of the folks here are illiterate. When we headed back to the city of Sandai it was Paige who fell in the mud, covered from head to toe. (Sorry no pictures of that – she would not give up the camera to John to take a photo). It had rained all night and the area flooded badly, and so the road at one point is impasable, but some trucks try. They have to take a running start, but they are usually successful. We saw several smaller 4x4 vehciles try, but they had to bo towed out of the flooded area. They put planks out for the motorbikes to get across this flooded area. We took the speed boat back again to the city of Ketapang.
Besides interesting travel and beatiful sights we also praised God for the miistry that is happening in this isolated area of Western Kalimantan. We enjoyed the times of team building, worship, evauation, and sharing. The natinal missionary families in the area are working hard and have a passion for their ministry. I (Paige) enjoyed seeing the work that Johnny does and being able to contribute for those few days to the ministry. Our trip was quite an adventure. We did very well, but even Nakita came down sick, high fever and chills, enjoyed her trip a lot.
Praises and Prayers
1. Again we Praise God for the ministry that has been happening in Ketapang, and ask that you continue to pray for John’s safety and health, as he
travels to and from Ketapang and Adong each month. The travel is very rough, long periods in isolated areas on mud roads. Pray for Johnny as the travel to/from Ketapang area is the main challenge in his ministry.
2. Paige’s English class graduates level one. Paige’s main English class of about 30 students graduated level one, and will move into level 2 in the new year. Everyone was very excited at the progress that was made. Pray that the new classes next year will go just as well. Several new classes are scheduled and we pray that these will help us network in the community.
Family News
Shoshannah is Baptized!
On October 25th Shoshannah was baptized by Rev. Djonly Rosang. As part of her baptism class she had to write and giver her personal testimony. As we believe this is an important part of baptism we want to share her testimony with all of you.
My name is Shoshannah Byrne-Mamahit. I am 11 years old. I was born May 4th 1998 in Toronto, Canada.
I want to be baptized because I want to be closer to God. I want to follow Jesus’ example when he was baptized. I also want the world to know that I believe in Jesus. I come from a family who all believe in Jesus, my mother and father, my sister, my grandparents, my aunts and uncles, and I know that God is God, and Jesus died for my sins. I knew that Jesus came into the world to save us and believed in him on December 24th 2003 in Canada. I prayed with my Mom and Jesus came into my heart. I was five years old. I believed because I understood that Jesus was born at Christmas and he was born to die for our sins. I know that because I believe in Jesus I do not need to be afraid like other people, because Jesus loves me. I also know that he blesses us gives us hope and joy and love. He also created me and molds me to be his child. One thing I like about being a believer is that I get to meet and talk to other Christians about things like my faith.
Team Support News
Like so many others this past year has been difficult for our team support situation. We end the year down considerably from where we were last year, and where we need to be. We thank all of you who have supported us this year, and ask that you would consider an extra donation this Christmas time to help us meet our target financial amounts.
Over the years many of you have sent us stickers. Thank you very much. Paige uses them for teaching the girls, teaching Sunday School, and teaching English classes. Stickers are rare and expensive here in Indonesia and the children (and adults) really like them. One of the highlights of their Sunday morning is when Paige sticks a sticker on their work, and writes “Jesus Love you”. Each week they thrill to see what new sticker will emerge. We are running out, so if any of you want to send us some more. We would be very thankful.
News from Nakita … “I really enjoyed singing a solo at our Church’s Christmas celebration on December 6th. There were many people, and I was very nervous. I was worried that my voice would ‘wobble’ or that I would get of pitch but God helped me, and I did OK. Now more and more people are asking me to sing again. “
Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year!
May God Bless you and your family in the coming year. Thank you for your support for us. Thank you for praying for us, for writing to us, and for caring for us and for God’s work in Indonesia.
We look forward to the new year and to God’s plan for all of us in the new year.
Love from
Johnny, Paige, Nakita, and Shoshannah
To learn how you can be a part of our ministry please contact Canadian Baptist Ministries, 7185 Millcreek Drive, Mississauga, ON L5N 5R4
|
Our new address is:
Jalan Sungai Raya Dalam Komplex Cendana Agung B14 Pontianak, KALBAR Indonesia 78124 Our new phone number is 62-561-582384 E-mail add: bmpaige@gmail.com
|
Or visit the website at: www.cbmin.org
|
The Sunday school class at our Church, Faith Baptist Church, Pondok Indah, thanks you for the stickers that you send to us. There are about 45 children in the Sunday school class ranging in ages from 3 years to 11 years old. |
Byrne-Mamhit Newsletters