This article was shared during Transformation Connection Indonesia,
which was held in Surabaya, Indonesia on 28 October - 1 November 2008
Recorded by Dr. Sharon Ayabe from Kauai
Pondok Kasih TCI Project Histories
Tambak Asri Toll Bridge History (aka, the Community of 1001 Nights)
TRANSFORMATION UNDER THE BRIDGE
A place of crime is now full of joy and God’s glory
Initially, this community consisted of people who were removed from their own homes when the toll bridge was being built. Additionally, migrants to Surabaya arrived without any legal documents and joined the community. Their earnings came from collecting garbage from the river, begging, performing on the street, and stealing. Hardened criminals, murderers and drunks ruled the region after 5 pm. The people lived in squalid conditions. Children suffered from many diseases, including tuberculosis. Many of the youth died from AIDS.
When Pondok Kasih first began working in the community, just two Christians joined our weekly meeting, Mr. and Mrs. Markan. Pastor Hengky led a small church in the community which was destroyed.
For six years, Mama Hana and Pondok Kasih softened this “hard soil” with love and good works. But on one of their team visits, two angry drunkards threatened to kill the pastor. They shouted and thrusted their knives at the pastor.
Immediately, the district leader asked Mama Hana to take her team to safety. But instead, she turned to the men, touched them gently on their shoulders and softly asked, “My sons, tell me what you want?”
One man continued to rant against the pastor. And, Mama asked him again, “My son, what do you want?”
The man broke down and sobbed, “Forgive me, Ma’am. I am a very bad man and there is no hope for me.”
Mama prayed for the man. And many others also began asking for prayer and God heard their prayers and the doors to the community at Tambak Asri flew open to the Gospel.
The people gave some land to Pondok Kasih. Water wells and public restrooms were built. And an area for children to study, fellowship, worship, receive nutritious free meals and for adults to use for vocational training was established.
Over the years, the man who attacked the pastor became a gentle community leader. He donated away his own dwelling under the bridge so the fellowship area could be expanded.
Currently, this former playground for death and misery has become a place of worship and joy. Where Jesus’ name had never been heard has emerged Surabaya’s smallest big church.
Tambak Asri Community Programs and Activities
1. Weekly food distribution and nutritious meals for children
2. Weekly spiritual training for children and adults
3. Vocational training in knitting and quilting
4. Clean water and latrines
5. Health training
6. Routine medical care
Sukokilo Keputih Community and Liponsos History
The Keputih Area Community Center
God found precious diamonds in the city’s trash dump.
Keputih is the terminal landfill for all the garbage collected around Surabaya city. 3,000 families lived in the area and worked as garbage sorters and collectors.
But though Keputih received all the city’s trash, the community tried to refuse the King of Glory’s entry. The people of this region have a strong reputation for their dislike of Christians. But Jesus entered the neighborhood riding on the good works and love of His followers and in this mountain of trash, He searched until He found His precious diamonds.
Initially, only 2 or 3 families would join Pondok Kasih’s Love Fellowship Ministry. They knew they smelled bad and were initially ashamed to join the others. But Mama Hana’s drive faithfully picked them up and they became the core of the Keputih fellowship.
A Christian school building stood abandoned for years in Keputih. The community refused to allow others to rent it. For years, Mama Hana and the few area believers asked God for the building. And, Pondok Kasih faithfully served the Keputih residents.
Finally, Mama Hana asked the community elders if she might rent the building. And because of the years of humanitarian service and love that had been freely given, the leaders agreed.
In this same year of 2002, the Keputih landfill was closed. And Pondok Kasih’s Keputih Community Center became a place of vocational rehabilitation. The people were trained in hairdressing, sewing, acupuncture, reflexology, and cooking. Where once these people struggled in the garbage dump for a subsistence living, they are now gainfully and respectably employable.
This very anti-Christian community is now open and friendly. And, the cycle of poverty is being broken.
Keputih Community Training Center Programs and Activities
1. Skills training – sewing, knitting, English, computer
2. Vocational training – hair dressing, make up application, acupuncture
3. Library
4. Clean water and latrine projects
5. Weekly nutritional feedings for children
Liponsos (Psychiatric Housing and Hospital)
A place for the “least of these my brothers”. When we serve them, we serve Jesus.
An acronym for “Lingkungan Pondok Social” (Social House Area), Liponsos is a collection place for Surabaya’s unruly and mentally ill. Most were homeless without identification when they were taken off the street and brought to this facility.
About 700 of Liponsos residents are mentally ill. The city is only able to afford a few medicines and food for their patients. The people are without furniture, beds, plumbing or electricity.
These mentally, socially, and physically weak people were completely marginalized by society but fully loved by God. Through Mama Hana and Pondok Kasih, they have come to know how precious they are to Jesus as they are routinely treated to hair cuts, beard trimming, manicures, and pedicures. They have been given sleeping mats, fortified foods, medical care, clothing, respect, compassion, and cheer.
As the government workers and other organizations have observed Pondok Kasih’s work with the Liponsos’ residents, the quality of life in the facility has improved. This outreach was started just a few months ago, but it has already brought God’s light and love into one of Surabaya’s darkest areas.
Nurul Islam Krembangan Boarding School
A Muslim community full of God’s glory and joy.
By history and by visual impression, Gus Sholeh seems like he would be one of the least likely hosts for a Christian gathering. When he was young, he was hot-headed, very anti-Christian and threw rocks at neighboring churches. Currently, he heads an Islamic Boarding School in North Surabaya.
Gus Sholeh first met Mama Hana in 2000 at an arts and cultural exhibition. Through this growing friendship, Gus and Mama have partnered to bring a variety of humanitarian services to his students and neighboring community.
And, through his friendship with Mama Hana, Gus Sholeh has become a true man of peace and love. This influential leader and convincing speaker, has been able to bridge huge distances between people of different faiths and backgrounds. He now travels regularly to East Java cities and Islamic boarding schools to promote peace and harmony between all people.
Our joint social service with Nurul Islam Krembangan Boarding School will be held in the railway community and will include a time of fellowship and lunch at the boarding school. You will be overwhelmed by the warm welcome and wonderful food that Gus Sholeh will share with you.
The Community at Rangkah Cemetery
Rangkah Cemetery was one of the filthiest but has become a place of worship.
Four hundred garbage collectors and street peddlers called Rangkah Cemetery home but only a few initially joined Pondok Kasih’s worship services at Go Skate.
Mr. Husein, an ex-convict, was one of the first to attend. And, now he is one of the community’s leaders in compassion and worship. He and Mr. and Mrs. Mundani, embrace Pondok Kasih as being the first organization to care for the cemetery community when they built public latrines and provided fresh well water.
For years, Pastor and Mrs. Yos Tumiwa, from Purnawirawan Marine Academy, have faithfully served this community. And their church is bursting with new members from the cemetery.
Other NGO’s work together with Pondok Kasih to support food distributions, non-formal education assistance, and sewing and embroidery classes.
This community, once neglected and ignored, has been transformed by God’s demonstrated love into a place of love, joy, and worship.
The Kembang Kuning Cemetery Community
They lived among the dead, but God called them to be alive for Him.
A well-tended, popular Christian cemetery, full of carved stone ornaments Kembang Kuning is beautiful by day but at night becomes a home for street people and a brothel for prostitutes. Murders and robbery are common in this place for the poor and the desperate.
Initially, Madam Ance and her husband (the cemetary’s security guard) brought residents to worship at Pondok Kasih’s services at Gelora Pancasila. During the riots in Ambon, their home became a refuge for orphans. When Pondok Kasih’s spiritual division’s leaders heard about this uncommon hospitality, they were moved to help manage the children and orphanage.
Through the God’s love infiltrating this community, lives are being changed not just spiritually but also socially and financially. Prostitutes worship in their own services. Madam Ance’s house was modified to provide trainings, worship, and Sunday School classes.
Pondok Kasih Gayungan Orphanage History
But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; god chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong – 1 Corinthians 1:27
With just a single baby, Pondok Kasih’s orphan ministry was begun. Initially, the desperate mothers and babies were housed at Mama Hana’s private residence. Some were contemplating abortion, most were shunned by their families, many hoped to let their babies die after they were born. But God saved them.
When she discovered that her husband had another wife, Madam Erna ran away from home with her baby daughter and son. She tried to kill herself. But through God’s miraculous guidance she was led to Surabaya and Pondok Kasih.
Yuliati is from Papua. Jobless, homeless, money-less, and without family, she found herself pregnant at an old age. Through her pastor’s involvement, she was brought to Pondok Kasih and her baby was the first to be born at the orphanage in 1992.
Marni brought much shame to her family when she acted immorally and became pregnant. Though they could have supported her, the family disowned and kicked her out. She lived as a prostitute, was possessed by the devil, and nobody wanted her. No one, that is, but Jesus and his servants.
For a year, these women were housed in a rented building. But through Mr. Harry Ananda’s generosity, his former office building was transformed into a place of refuge for mothers and children.
These previously unwanted children are loved and cared for by Pondok Kasih staff. And, they are growing to love and serve God and have become a blessing to many.