The Nelson Family Indonesia

It wasn’t the night I expected. I awoke shortly after falling asleep, realizing something wasn’t right. After tossing and turning for a while I realized I had some sort of food poisoning, most likely. The already-short night was tragically spent mostly not in bed sleeping. By the time my driver arrived I was dressed and ready but feeling terrible.

As I suspected, the drive to the camp used by the GKLI for their Youth Jamboree was only 30-minutes away. Although I wouldn’t have gotten any more sleep with my sickness, I now had 90 minutes to wait for things to start up. I found a chair and sat as inconspicuously as a Westerner can in a camp full of Indonesians.

The camp area was beautiful, much like any camp in the US. The huts in the background of this photo are small shops catering to the campers and selling essentials like Pop Mie (instant noodles) which are all the rave here. Young campers made their way to and fro for the better part of an hour before someone came over and guided me to the area where the church service and teaching would be.

Gradually people began gathering, especially after a series of loud (amplified) calls to gather close to 8am. Setup was underway, the most essential element being the PA system.

The banner reads Bible Camp, Adolescents and youth, Church Christian Lutheran Indonesia. Above the banner is the name of the facility, a site dedicated to large-scale camping gatherings.

Shortly after 8am (Lutheran Standard Time!) we were just about ready to begin. Four hundred young people were gathered from all over Sumatra for this event. They were understandably crackling with youthful energy and excitement surrounded by friends and potential friends.

It’s hard to describe the beauty of a traditional Lutheran Matins service in another language. To sing along to familiar tunes with words that aren’t nearly as familiar, but hearing at the same time in my head the English words to the Venite. The Batak tribe of Sumatra forms the largest percentage of the GKLI membership, and Bataks are known for their love of singing and music. It was clear the youth were well-familiar with traditional Matins and they sang it loudly.

Despite feeling terrible, I was able to preach a short sermon and then deliver the two prepared talks. I opted to have two related talks. The first was on Who We Are as Lutheran Youth, focusing on our core identities in the face of a world full of voices trying to tell us who we are. Most importantly, we are created, loved, and redeemed. The second talk built off the first. If we know who we are, then we can better see how we are to be in the world. I encouraged them to build lives as loving people, anticipating seeing our God at work in the world, and hopeful about the future.

Fortunately I had a translator! Delmi drove 4-hours to the event from Siantar. She teaches English language skills in a school there and was excited at the opportunity to translate.

Unfortunately, by the time I finished the second talk I was seriously weak and woozy. I had to excuse myself early for the long ride back to Medan and home. The GKLI leaders were very gracious and prayed for me. They also presented me with a traditional Batak ulos, a woven art form gifted as a form of high respect or honor, or at special occasions like weddings. You can see me holding it in the photo above. The Bishop of the GKLI, Rev. Jon Albert, is directly to my left.

I made it home by 8pm, a little longer than anticipated because of massive Friday night traffic jams en route back to Medan. God sustained me though. I was exhausted from not having slept, eaten or drank anything for nearly 24 hours, and I slept 12 hours when I got home! While I’m still weak today I’m definitely on the mend. Here, instead of Gatorade, the locals know that young coconut water is the key to rehydration and electrolyte restoration. I had one this morning and I’ll have another one later. Despite the sickness it was a great experience!