Internship reflection from Nata (name changed) Klik disini untuk baca dalam Bahasa Indonesia
I am very thankful for the opportunity to serve here almost two months. Many of my friends say that I “fit the mold” for serving in a church, but my experience in this place has taught me many things about service outside the church building.
Finding my Calling
I used to be unsure about my calling. I did not want to be a pastor (the English translation from Indonesian is literally “a servant of God”). I had no plans to go to Bible school, because according to me, pastor’s have hard lives, are poor, and do not have a future. But because my family and parents encouraged and pushed me, finally I left for theological school. I thought I was running away and felt forced to enter Bible school. But one day I was talking with a friend from my campus, and he reminded me and encouraged me—that the Lord does call me. He said, “Maybe you feel like being at Bible school is just a way to run away, but this is how the Lord is choosing you and He wants to use you.” So after praying and struggling with God, finally I realized that this is the Lord’s way of calling me to be His servant.
It was similar with my coming to this internship. Beforehand, I was not convinced that this was the place for me and I did not want to come. I had already chosen a different location—a church—for my internship. However, because of the Covid-19 pandemic, the church was no longer offering internships. I felt like I did not have another choice, so I came here. Imagine my shock when I arrived and the team leaders here said, “Your presence here is not just to serve. What is even more important than “doing things” while you are here is becoming a student and wanting to learn.” I was so confused; I thought my coming here was to serve, but they were asking me to learn??
Scavenging
One day my team leader took me and the other male intern to visit a family that makes their living from garbage collecting and scavenging. We were two theology students, but we were brought to help do scavenging work—peeling plastic off of water bottles, sorting recycling, etc.. This was very disgusting work for me. I was worried I would vomit if I got too close to people here and had to be around so much trash and dirt.
However, that day I tried hard to control myself and to be strong (not to vomit!). That day I learned from Emak (the elderly matriarch of the family), as we tried to help sort recycling with her. When we were done helping, they overwhelmed us with hospitality—food and drinks that for their family cost a good chunk of money. They offered this to us with joy. We felt so grateful and touched by their hospitality—we had joy in the midst of the simplicity. The Lord reminded me that Emak was giving with love—not out of wealth, but out of her poverty. According to the world this family is not rich, but I learned that day that “poor people” can have very rich hearts—sharing generously and welcoming us whole-heartedly.
Gratefulness
I also am so grateful for the opportunity to interact with children here. I am a little bit awkward/formal; I do not have much experience interacting with kids. However, this experience here has really blessed me—teaching me that I actually can interact with kids. I am thankful that I could become their “kakak” (older brother) and their friend during the limited time I was here. They are children that are very thirsty for attention. I finally realized, this is what the team leaders meant when they said that we were here to become students and learn. Do not come with hearts of pride and plans to solve every problem present in the neighborhood!
I am so grateful for the opportunity to learn and serve with the team here, living in this slum community. I learned that forming close relationships with neighbors and the community is so important—instead of only coming and doing some programs and thinking we’ve solved their life problem without actually knowing anything about their lives.
I praise God for the chance to learn here.
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