Shave & Haircut $1

Most neighborhoods have a traditional barber shop called a pangkas. You can usually get your hair cut for 5 to 7 thousand rupiah, or for a little less than a dollar. The odds are good that the combs and clipper has not been cleaned. The razor is also reused without being cleaned. So, if you are a neat freak who likes things sanitary, the pangkas is not the place for you. But if you want to gather and talk with the men of the community, the pangkas is a great place to hang out.

If you are in a hurry, the pangkas is not the best place to go. It’s more of a social event. And they love having foreigners come in. The barber – tukang rambut – will normally pull out his cell phone and take a picture of you so he can show it to his other customers.

Many workers will not use the pangkas because it’s dirty and unsanitary. This decision illustrates the struggle workers have about how far they are willing to go in order to enter into the culture.

Pray for workers to have wisdom as they engage and embrace the culture around them.

Pray for workers dealing with culture shock to be able to rest in the Lord.

Pray for God's Kingdom to come among all the peoples on Sumatra.