New Year Message (January 2009)

Happy New Year 2009! Another year has just slipped away and each year we seem to ask ourselves the same thing, “Where has the year gone?” For me, it has gone incredibly fast and when I look back at 2008, praise God, I could see all the projects we started, those that have been completed and some that are still in progress. There has been a lot of hard work, sweat and tears that have gone into accomplishing the good results.

Needless to say, nothing would have been accomplished without the grace and mercy of our God who in fact, owns all the projects. I know I have said it before, but I must say it again – I would not be able to do all that God has called me to do without your faithful support and prayer. Every project was commenced from scratch and without our joint commitments and perseverance to see each of this work to completion, it would have been impossible to complete project after project on time and budget.

In the world today, we are bombarded with the fear of a global financial crisis. Nations after nations are reportedly in economic meltdown and rescue plans are being rolled out to halt further slide into gloom. Of course, our supporters are caught in this storm in the world but their unshakeable faith to keep their pledge to God to see His work through to completion has meant all projects are going on ahead in full steam!.

As I am writing this, I am reminded of Matthew 24 where Jesus spoke about the signs of the times and the end of the age. In verse 14, He stated “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.” Jesus knows that to preach His Gospel in all the world will require money, and I am convicted in my heart that God’s people who are involved in preaching the Gospel and evangelism will continue to be fed and blessed
by Him. As Christians, we should not hold back our giving in difficult times; on the contrary, it should be a season of greater giving! God will not abandon those who are faithful to do His work because they are working in tandem with what He has purposed for such a time as this. So let us keep the fire of faith strong and ablaze in our heart and continue to build
for God.

The church construction project in Tumbang Tarusan which we started in June 2008 will be completed on time by April 2009. This church will be our station base in the lower stream to reach out to the villagers in the surrounding areas. I was very blessed to attend the Christmas celebration for the Katingan region which was hosted by our Tumbang Kaman church. The awesome presence and work of the Holy Spirit were so evident during the gathering. Not only was the church packed with God’s people who are ever growing in numbers, but those who have yet to receive Jesus were also drawn to the gathering During worship, the unsaved were seen weeping and lifting their hands to God! It was an incredible sight indeed, praise God.

When Dehes Ministries undertook the projects to build for God in Katingan, it was never intended that we would only just build church building after church building. It has always been in my heart to also build the lives of God’s servants and people, to change and impact their lives so that besides being very powerful and effective ministers of God in these tough mission fields, they would also be able to earn a living. In line with this, we have been purchasing small plots of land for God’s servants so that they could plant rubber trees and earn a living out of this work. We are so grateful that God has blessed this initiative. Within our Dehes mission base, we cleared another 2.2 hectare of land to cultivate “padi” (rice) and the harvest due in April will generate sufficient crops for a year supply!.

Besides all the above activities that are ongoing in Katingan, we also had the privilege of visits from Ps Merry Tan (Karawang, Java), Ps Leonard Lim (Kedah, Malaysia) and Ps Evan (Ipoh, Malaysia). They were an inspiration to God’s people. I love to share this work of God with my fellow colleagues in the ministry and Dehes has also evolved to be a mission training ground for their church workers.

What do we have planned for 2009? One thing for sure, we will not be slowing down. A very significant outcome/fruit that we are seeing in Katingan is the children. The Gospel is touching the lives of these young people and they are drawn to the church. It is harvest time and we must not miss this golden opportunity. We have invited God’s people who are gifted in children’s ministry to collaborate with us in this work. We are also planning to increase our financial support to send more of these young Dayak children to school and provide accommodation where possible.

With church building, preparation is still underway for the 4000 sqm land we purchased in Tumbang Samba. In the interim, we have purchased a 2800 sqm block of land to build another church in Tumbang Baroi which we could use as a station base in the very upper stream of the Samba River.

There is plenty of work ahead of us in 2009. I know it will not be easy BUT I also know it will not be impossible if God continues to work with us. Thank you for your continued support, prayer and encouragement. I value your fellowship, dedication and commitment to stand alongside me as we undertake this work of God.

“As long as we can think, as long as we can speak, as long as we can work, let us serve him. Let us even serve him with our last gasp. And, if it be possible, let us try to set some work going that will glorify him when we are dead and gone.” – C Spurgeon

Before I conclude, my pastor and mentor Ps Benjamin Widjaja went home to be with our Lord in December 2008. I have known Pa Ben for 34 years and I will miss him sorely.

Blessings
Ev Sebastian Sugiarto

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