There was an alumni dialogue
of STAK Marturia Yogyakarta in Lewa, East Sumba between me and Trustha Rembaka,
S.Th, who was in East Sumba facilitating one of Stube-HEMAT Sumba activities.
Then Trustha offered an opportunity whether Sumba Christian Church (GKS) of
Laihau was interested in accepting a participant of Exploring Sumba program. I
immediately answered that I was ready to accept, even though I did not fully
understand the program yet. I am sure that Stube-HEMAT program was useful
because I also gained knowledge from Stube HEMAT training on Social Analysis
when I was studying in Yogyakarta.
I am Rev. Aurelia Aletha
Sengge, S.Th., an alumnus of Marturia Theological College of Yogyakarta in 2007
and became a vicar at the synod of the Sumba Christian Church (GKS). Finally, I
was ordained to be the pastor at GKS Laihau on February 12, 2015. The church
has grown up since September 28, 1982 and currently has 1.347 church members,
including 150 teenagers and 450 children. The church activities include
worship, visitation and fellowship. There are also youth assistance in
collaboration with women's empowerment and child protection services, economic
empowerment and children's activities through reading groups and tutoring
classes. Laihau itself is located in Lewa Tidahu district, where most area is
an agricultural one, so that most of the people work as farmers.
The experience with Redy
Hartanto, an Exploring Sumba participant from Stube-HEMAT Yogyakarta, left a
deep impression to the members of GKS Laihau. He provided assistance to Sunday
School children and Sunday School teachers. Sunday school teachers felt his
presence for adding value to them because now they know how to open a meeting
interestingly, how to talk, play and yells. In addition, Sunday school kids are
eager to come to Sunday school and they show confidence, they began not to be shy
to sing and tell stories in front.
With his study background
in Theology of STAK Marturia Yogyakarta, Redy had initiative to visit church
members even though he had not known them before. They felt close to him when
he took part in the activities at GKS Laihau and he quickly mingled and talked
with them in the daily life. Even in inter-church activities he was quite
actively involved, such as in child and youth faith festival (PIAR) of clasis
Lewa Tidahu at GKS Watumbelar in July 2017.
"Redy is able to
mobilize teenagers to serve and prepare for events in PIAR by training yells of
youth groups between churches to be contested and finally won the yells
competition. In fact, they were impressed until now, the proof is when someone
says "Yells of mas Redy" they still remember it. Personally, the presence
of Exploring Sumba participants greatly helped my service in this church
because the church members were more frequent in attending the church service
and were enthusiastic in participating in church activities. In the future, I
hope that participants sent to Sumba is not only able to answer the spiritual
aspect but also physical needs, such as agriculture, farming, food processing
and health. Go ahead and get success for Stube," said Rev. Aurelia closing
her sayings.
An interaction for
learning and sharing will be able to arouse enthusiasm and move others. This is
a challenge for us, whether our presence has impacted both others and our
surroundings environment? (TRU).
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