By: Sigit Triyono
"Piye kabare Mas? I'm from Suriname. Nang omahku isih nganggo boso Jowo," said Mrs Clarissa Dasi, Director of International Cooperation Affairs at the Surinam Bible Institute. "How is it going Mas? I am from Suriname. At home I still speak Javanese." was the translation.
Mrs Clarissa is of Javanese descent whose great-grandparents were born in Solo and brought over by the Dutch Government in the late 1800s."My bojoku jenenge Dave Pawironadi, wong Jowo Suriname. My only son Ben David Aryanto jenenge," she continued, introducing her husband who is also Surinamese Javanese and her only son whose name has Javanese elements - Aryanto.
We were brought together in the forumUnited Bible Societies(UBS) World Assembly 12-18 October 2023 at Egmont Aan Zee, near Amsterdam in the Netherlands. The General Assembly was attended by 400 participants from over 140 Bible Societies from around the world, and UBS partners.
(UBS) World Assembly 12-18 October 2023 at Egmont Aan Zee, near Amsterdam, Netherlands.
I attended with LAI President Rev Dr Henriette Tabita Hutabarat Lebang. We actively participated in all the sessions which were divided into three parts: Fellowship, Discussion on the future direction of UBS services, and decision making of full members of UBS.
In one of the sessions of deepening the future direction of the ministry, I as the General Secretary of LAI had the opportunity to present about the journey, successes, struggles, and challenges of LAI. The response from the participants was very positive. On average, they only knew about LAI as a very small institution in the midst of Indonesia's predominantly Muslim population. It turns out that, according to available data, LAI is the Bible Institute with the largest number of employees in the world. There are 306 current LAI employees who are able to carry out the mandate of the Bible cycle amidst challenges that are not easy.
In the fellowship sessions held with morning worship and break sessions, contacts were made with various Bible Societies in different countries. One of them is the Suriname Bible Society which also has a Bible in Javanese, whose Bible translation consultant is Dr Daud Soesilo from the Indonesian Bible Society.
The past becomes beautiful when it meets the future. How could it not be that, in a service conversation about the next five years of UBS, we were brought together with a figure who shared the same cultural roots. Boso Jowo, wayang, pecel, tempe, tofu, sego goreng, sayur bening, sayur lodeh and of course the holy book became hot topics of conversation. A mutual understanding of situations, conditions, achievements, and struggles creates opportunities that can be synergised at regional and global levels.In certain sessions, more formal discussions were held in the context of each region.Seven major topics were explored and ultimately decided upon to guide the Bible Institute's services for the next five years. They are: (1)Bible Translation(Bible translation), (2)Diaspora Communities(diaspora communities), (3) Creation Care(creation care), (4) Bible Engagement (programmes related to Bible study), (5) Digital Transformation(digital transformation), (6) Mission Resilience and Distribution(mission resilience and Bible distribution, and Bible distribution), (7) Good Governance(good organisation). These topics were further discussed in various workshops which resulted in a determination to develop co-operation among Bible Societies.
After attending the UBS World Assembly, 18-22 October 2023 I continued my journey of building the LAI international network with the following encounters.
Amsterdam 18.10.2023 - Fellowship at Mr Wesley Purba's house attended by Christian Indonesian Partners in the Netherlands, the Director of International Cooperation of LA Netherlands and the Secretary of LA Suriname. We discussed about LAI services and the TB2 Bible. In the evening we were warmly entertained by LAI partners who were also our travelling guides.
Den Haag 19.10.2023 - Presentation and informal discussion about the ministry of LAI and the TB2 Bible with Pastor Stanley Tjahjadi and his wife, and Elder Sophia Sinambela from the Indonesian Christian Church in Nederland.
Paris, 20.10.2023 - Visited the French Bible Institute and had a discussion with the Secretary about co-operative services for the diaspora. Evening presentation and discussion over dinner with IFGF Paris Church Board, Mrs Lily, Pastor Rudi and Mrs Lin.
Amsterdam, 21.10.2023 - presentation and discussion with Perki Netherlands Church Centre Board, Rev Ida, Mr Mick, Mrs Gerry, Mr Rensi and Mrs Lydia.
Amsterdam, 21.10.2023.
Den Haag, 22.10.2023 - TB2 Bible sharing and LAI presentation at the Sunday service of the Love of Christ Netherlands Church. Very warmly welcomed by Pastor Ricky Pinontoan and the board and congregation who worshipped in Indonesian and translated into Dutch.
Den Haag, 22.10.2023.
Praise to God, the most gracious and merciful, despite the differences in weather, time, food and language, all tasks can be carried out well. Further actions will be taken for international synergy in carrying out the mandate of the Bible Institute and realising the vision: "God's Word Reaching All Generations."
Birds of paradise from Papua
Bird of paradise from Papua
The beauty is incomparable
The bird of paradise from Papua
Weaving love to the whole world
For his honour and glory
For his honour and glory
(ST.24.10.2023)
