Starting Over: Building the Future
Nias, Indonesia Although the ministry of Eben Haezer Children’s Home was solid, its building was not. “Deplorable” was how missionary liaison Tasha Kemp described it. The worn-out building had long passed its useful lifespan under the punishing conditions of Indonesia’s rainforest. Termites had severely damaged the home, leaving holes in the walls in multiple places. The number of repairs needed—and the cost of making them—was overwhelming. The best solution seemed to be starting over with a new building.
Impossible.
That was Tasha Kemp’s first thought when the home’s founder and director, Pak Agus, started talking about building a new home. “It was hard to see how it could happen,” she admitted. “There was a lot of red tape. Then we got a message that they just started building.”
If they had waited for the money—or promises of assistance—to appear and the red tape to clear, it might never have happened. Instead of waiting passively, they did what they could. Pak Agus stepped out in faith, believing the funds would come in as they acted in obedience to God. Everyone played a part. The kids helped clear the ground and prepare it for building. As they were working, so was God. “I know God heard the prayers of the kids and Pak Agus,” Tasha said. Slowly but surely, the funds started to come in. “God provided in ways I couldn’t have imagined.” Part of that provision was through ALO and generous friends like you.
After two years of prayer, hard work, sacrifice, and God’s miraculous provision, Pak Agus and the kids are excited that their new building is almost finished. Finally, they will have safe, dry, clean, and nice spaces for living and studying. It will be a blessing to the entire church district, as many meetings are held on the property.
The new building is symbolic of the transformation of the children blessed by Eben Haezer. They arrive ravaged by difficult circumstances, destructive forces, and a lack of care. They have little hope that things will ever change. But through this ministry, and with your help, they are being renewed—changed into new people with hope and a future.
After two years of hard work, sacrifice, and miraculous provision, the new building is almost finished.
Equip God’s people to do his work and build . . . .
— Ephesians 4:12