"Not all families can read God's word in their own homes."
In Gunung Mas, we met church members who had to share one Bible with other church members. There were even children who had never owned a Bible in their lives.
At the end of May 2026, a team from Lembaga Alkitab Indonesia went on a ministry trip to the Gunung Mas Regency area in order to socialise the Satu Dalam Kasih (SDK) Program and the KBUA Reading Completion Program.
Our journey started from Palangka Raya to Sepang sub-district accompanied by Rev. Dein G. Narang, M.Th, the representative of Kalimantan Evangelical Church (GKE) Synod in Gunung Mas Regency. Along the way, the swampy expanse of Kalimantan seemed to stretch quietly on the surface, but held many stories that are rarely heard. Most of the people of Gunung Mas depend on the mining sector, which has long been a part of their lives.
In the midst of various social dynamics that develop, the church remains present to accompany the congregation and strengthen their spiritual life. In various conversations, we heard how pastors continue to strive to keep God's word an important part of the congregation's life. They realise that the challenges of the times keep changing, but the need for God's word never changes. We met pastors who faithfully serve in the midst of various limitations. We heard stories of congregations who remain faithful to worship, even though they do not necessarily have their own Bibles.
In a congregation, we saw one Bible opened together. Several people surrounded it, reading in turn slowly, as if not wanting to miss a single word. In another place, an old, tattered Bible was still in use. Some of the pages were starting to fall out, but they were still read faithfully because there was no other option.
From Sepang, the journey continued to Damang Batu sub-district, precisely to GKE Tumbang Marikoi. The terrain was not easy. The road was red dirt, passing through a fragile bridge, and the path was slippery and muddy when it rained. But upon arrival, we were greeted with the same warmth. During the meeting, Rev Sri Hartati, the head of the Tumbang Marikoi Resort, gave a powerful testimony. According to her, the servants of God persevere in the midst of struggles because of the belief that the word of God must continue to be spread, no matter how difficult the terrain.
From this region too, we heard that one of the translators of the Dayak Ot Danum Bible that is currently in the process of being completed came from the area. It's a reminder that from far away, God is still calling people to take part in His great work.
The same longing was also conveyed by the Sub-District Head of Damang Batu, Mr Boby, S.STP., M.Si. He sees that one of the biggest challenges today is the decline in children's interest in reading due to the influence of gadgets. He also said that the sub-district is ready to support LAI's programme in helping the congregation through the SDK Programme and KBUA's Reading Completion, as part of a joint effort to make God's word more alive in the community.>
From Damang Batu we continued our journey to different areas of Upper Kahayan. At GKE's Gawi Asi ” Jemaat Tumbang Miri, the pastors and assemblies gathered with a common realisation that the longing for God's word is still burning, but not everyone is able to have it yet.
From Damang Batu we continued our journey to various areas in Hulu Kahayan.
In GKE “ Bohot Bahua ” Tumbang Napoi congregation, Pastor Medianto shared the condition of his congregation. There are still many families who do not have a personal Bible. Some use makeshift Bibles, while others still stick with old Bibles that have been damaged here and there. The church tries to address this need, even giving Bibles to married couples. However, the need is still much greater. The same struggle is also seen in the younger generation. The children of Tumbang Napoi today are more and more dependent on their gadgets, but are getting further and further away from the habit of reading God's word.
Pdt. Dein G. Narang, M. Th again reminded that the Bible remains the foundation of church life, and the church needs to build the younger generation through the word of God early on.
In GKE's "Batang Pambelum" congregation from Tewah to Kuala Kurun, we see the same thing: churches from various denominations come together, with one desire for God's word to live on in the midst of the next generation.
On the same occasion, the LAI team also met with the Regent of Gunung Mas, Mr Jaya Samaya Monong who was accompanied by his wife, Mrs Mimie Mariatie Monong. He expressed his support for KBUA's SDK and Tuntas Baca programmes, and even personally made a special donation as a form of concern for the ministry of God's word in the Gunung Mas region.
Mr Jaya shared that his journey of life and leadership is inseparable from God's inclusion and His word. All these encounters reveal one common reality: the need for God's word is still very great. It's not about a lack of faith. It is about real limitations. Economic, as well as geographical limitations.
A minister we met put it in simple terms: “We long for our children to know and love God's word, but we don't have enough Bibles."”
Through the One in Love Programme (SDK) and KBUA's Reading Completion Programme, there is a hope being built that one day every family can have a Bible, every child can read and know God's word, and every generation can grow on the right foundation.
But that hope could not have travelled alone. Today, friends of the Bible, LAI's ministry partners, can be part of the answer to their prayers. Every support you give is an opportunity for a child to read God's word for the first time, and for a family to build their lives on a solid foundation. Without your support, this longing may cease to be a dream or a yearning.
From Gunung Mas, we return with a call. Let's take part together. For some people, owning a Bible is not an ordinary thing. It's an answer to their prayers. Your support today can bring God's word to a family
“Let every family have God's word, every child know His love, and every generation grow on the solid foundation of the Bible.”
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