Changing lives in
Indonesia through
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| Children perform a Papua traditional dance during one of the Children’s Jamboree events organised by the Indonesian Bible Society in June 2003. Papua, Indonesia. Photo: Indonesian BS (INO03DJ-14.JPG) |
Some of the 700 children, from churches
across Indonesia, who attended LAI’s second Children’s Jamboree
on June 23-26 travelled for several days to reach Kaliurang, a resort
on the slopes of Mount Merapi. Here, LAI staff and local volunteers
guided them through a range of activities designed to encourage them
to value the Bible and read it regularly.
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| Children taking part in activities during one of the Children’s Jamboree events organised by the Indonesian Bible Society held in June 2003. Indonesia. Photo: Indonesian Bible Society (INO03DJ-10.JPG) |
The children responded very enthusiastically to the activities. Within the context of LAI’s Year of the Children (see World Report 377/10), the organisers are also looking for long-term outcomes in the form of children who become adults who understand the Scriptures and reflect this in their daily lives.
Hilda Pelawi of LAI’s Church and Society Department, who organised the Children’s Jamboree in Kaliurang, reflected, “In 2003 LAI is emphasising the need for children to understand and use the Bible as a key to their Christian life and development. If we can teach them to do this now, we can then be assured that in the future the churches and LAI will have a strong support base of people who have an understanding of the place and the value of the Scriptures.”
Interact
This vision was echoed by Mr Supardan, LAI General Secretary, when he attended the Children’s Jamboree in Jayapura on July 7-13. Here, some 850 children participated in singing, games, quizzes and treasure hunts, all designed to help them to interact with children of different backgrounds and to develop an understanding of Bible work. Mr Supardan described the Children’s Jamborees as “essentially a leadership training program.”
Just as the Children’s Jamboree in Kaliurang was drawing to a close, LAI was also holding a special event at its printing plant in Bogor. A time of worship set the tone for a ceremony at which one project was launched, a second completed and an update given on a third.
Text message
The new project in question was a text
message version of the Indonesian Bible. In collaboration with an Indonesian
telecommunications firm, LAI has moved into the realms of wireless communications
and is now able to send Bible verses to mobile phones as text messages.
The Society believes that using text messaging technology has the potential
to bring the Bible to many people across the country.
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| Two young boys show their enjoyment as they take part in activities during one of the Children’s Jamboree events organised by the Indonesian Bible Society held in June 2003. Indonesia. Photo: Indonesian BS (INO03DJ-13.JPG) |
Although moving into new forms of communication, LAI is not neglecting the printed word, and for this reason has been working to upgrade its printing facilities. With the assistance of the Opportunity 21 (O-21) program, a total of US$ 815,000 has been invested in purchasing and modernising equipment, especially in the bindery section. Those who attended the ceremony were able to see the new equipment in operation afterwards.
An ongoing O-21 project, in this case involving providing support for church growth in certain deprived and remote areas of Indonesia by making more Scriptures available, was also the subject of attention at the ceremony. In the period to the end of March, more than 39,000 Bibles were distributed under this project, but LAI is now looking to accelerate this work by using a specially adapted van.
A prototype of the van, which will have seating for up to six people and can therefore be used as a travelling library, was on display at the ceremony in Bogor. With features including audio and video facilities and sides which open to allow it to function as a mobile sales unit, the van will greatly assist LAI in bringing the Scriptures to the remotest parts of the country. (WR 380/17 - 10.03)