Hurry Home

This Banjar man owned a speed boat that he used to ferry people from Tembilahan to several of the coastal villages in the area. Workers rented his boat to go to a Duano village that was over two hours away. The workers thought the ride was bouncy going, but they didn’t realize that the going part was going to be smooth compared with coming home!

It took over two hours to go to the village, but it only took an hour and a half to go home. Apparently the driver had not planned to spend so long waiting for the workers to head back, so he really opened the throttle on the way home. It was fun when the boat flies over a wake and is airborne for a couple of seconds, but when the boat slams back onto the water all the fun of flying is quickly forgotten. The workers joked with each other that it was a nice ride once you set aside the lost fillings and internal bleeding caused by the constant jarring of the boat on the waves!

There is something universal about heading for home that makes all of us like this Banjar man. We want to push a little harder and go a little faster. There is a longing in our hearts to return safely from a journey and come into the safe haven we all call home. Spiritually speaking we are all rushing along the journey called life, but we will at some point be called home. The question is, “What type of eternal home are people rushing towards?”

Most of the people among the Banjar, Duano, Riau Malay, Javanese, and Bugis people groups are rushing towards an eternal home, but eternity will not be as welcoming as they hope. They need to hear about a Savior who can prepare a home for them in heaven. They need the help of the Spirit to set aside religion and cultural belief to hear and comprehend this Gospel. They need to find their way to a new home in Christ. This is a difficult journey, but not nearly as difficult as staying on the path that they have chosen for themselves.

Pray for workers to meet people on their way home with the Good News of a new home in heaven.

Pray for the peoples of Sumatra to respond with faith to the Gospel.

Pray for strength and journey mercies for workers going to hard-to-reach areas with the Gospel.

Pray for grace and strength for people on Sumatra to let go of culture and religion in order to embrace God’s truth and be saved.