At the end of May, a group of Years 11 and 12 students and staff of Faith Lutheran College, Tanunda, South Australia visited SMA HKBP 1 Tarutung Senior School in North Sumatra, Indonesia as part of a 10-day mission and service trip. The international partnership, which commenced in 2018, ‘Serving Indonesia with a Heart’ (SIWAH) […]

At the end of May, a group of Years 11 and 12 students and staff of Faith Lutheran College, Tanunda, South Australia visited SMA HKBP 1 Tarutung Senior School in North Sumatra, Indonesia as part of a 10-day mission and service trip.

The international partnership, which commenced in 2018, ‘Serving Indonesia with a Heart’ (SIWAH) was designed to encourage Faith students to think and act globally with a service mindset. The vision was to provide a cultural visit which would enable each school to serve one another and make a difference in each other’s lives. Visits were placed on hold during COVID-19, and although it had been five years since Mr Craig Chidgey and Mr Ivan Muster’s last visit, they along with the entire group were welcomed with open arms and hearts to the joyful greeting of ‘horas’, the traditional Batak welcome gesture translating as ‘peace, hello, welcome’.

Despite the language barrier, Faith students integrated seamlessly with their new classmates, utilising the universal languages of a simple smile, music, singing, dance, hand gestures, games, friendship bracelet making and playing sports to build connections. Faith students helped grow the confidence of their classmates’ English-speaking abilities and gained valuable insight into their Indonesian peers’ source of joy, gratitude, humility, Christian values and generosity. What could have easily been ten days of culture shock due to differences in daily life, cultural and societal expectations, became instead the building blocks for long-lasting shifts in perspective and the planting of new possibilities for students of both schools as they reconsidered their future dreams and career aspirations.

Faith students developed a team approach to the challenges they faced and displayed endurance in the humidity and long school days which often stretched from 8.30am to 5 pm. Outside of school hours, evenings were a full immersion into culture through the culinary delights of local Batak food served in staff and student homes. One memorable occasion included more than 40 people sitting on a matted floor in fellowship filled with rewarding conversations through the simple act of sharing a meal.

Upon departure students and staff attended a farewell ceremony, where Year 12 students Sam Morley and Lucy Koch addressed an audience of more than 400 students and distinguished guests which included the Principal of SMA HKBP 1 Tarutung Senior School, the Head of Education Tarutung and the Department Head of HKBP church. Year 12 student Reo Gerhardy brought many to tears with his rendition of ‘Let It Be’, inviting the audience to join him for the final chorus. Staff and students were presented with a traditional handwoven textile called a Ulos, signifying the strength of the global partnership and the friendships which had been formed.

To conclude the mission, students and staff enjoyed a few days of relaxation. They explored Lake Toba, the largest volcanic lake in the world spanning 100 x 50 km surrounded by mountains of lush greenery, and enjoyed waterfalls, marketplaces, a cheeky roadside monkey and historical sights of the indigenous Batak people.

Faith acknowledges the generous contributions from the Barossa community which allowed them to purchase sports equipment for SMA HKBP 1 Tarutung Senior School students. Faith looks forward to welcoming staff and students from SMA HKBP 1 Tarutung Senior School next year as part of the ongoing global partnership.

Personal reflections …

These experiences had a lasting impact on both our group and the students and staff of SMA HKBP 1 Taratung truly embracing the idea of a ‘mission’ as we both experienced a form of mutual blessing while undergoing our cross-cultural connection. I came home with a different perspective on material objects, truly appreciating how fortunate we are. I also came home with a greater understanding of another culture, allowing me to reflect on how we lead both different and similar lives. – Jaxon Rasmus, Year 12 student

Mission is definitely a way to describe it. We had a mission goal of building relationships and understanding their culture and faith and we succeeded in that. We served with our love, and we brought that with us, to spread our love throughout their community and to receive theirs was important. – Lucy Koch, Year 12 student

I think they actually taught us more than we taught them, so I think our service was the equipment, but their company and knowledge helped us more. – Louise Isitt, Year 11 student

If your school would like to know more about how they can connect to the mission of God through a LCA International Mission service-learning and ministry partnership, you are invited to phone Erin on (08) 8267 7300 or email erin.kerber@lca.org.au. For more information, go to www.lcamission.org.au/join-gods-mission/service-learning/

Read more stories about school partnerships and school service-learning at www.lcamission.org.au/category/stories/local-partners/schools/