By Jordyn Cram
I had the great privilege of going into the nations earlier this year for a four-week trip to Indonesia, which I shared with four other people. We left New Zealand in the middle of winter. We arrived in Surabaya’s summer heat and started our trip with cultural orientation and a visit to their Navigators community. The group met for a meal, then played fun icebreaker games and shared fellowship before receiving encouragement from God’s Word and prayer—just like we do here in New Zealand.
After a few days in Surabaya, we boarded a train to Madiun, a much smaller city with a vast majority Muslim population. While there, we stayed with different host families and learned about Indonesian culture, their way of life, and the Islamic faith. During the day, we met with English club students at a local high school. We learned traditional dances, art practices, and a little Bahasa Indonesia (Indonesian language). We spent the evenings with our hosts, toured the city, and tried all the local favourite foods. My personal favourite is soto ayam, a chicken soup with lots of delicious spices, often served over rice and alongside korupo (crackers).
Living with my host family, I learnt about the Islamic faith and how they spend their time. It quickly became clear how highly they value and prioritise prayer, as they consistently kept to the minimum of five prayers a day, even if that meant waking up at 4 am or finding a mosque to stop at for prayer in the midst of a family road trip. While I deeply admired their devotion, I was also grateful for the reminder of the gospel. Because of Christ, I can talk with God anytime, anywhere, and I am so grateful for that freedom.
Next, we boarded a quick flight to Bali, where we met with young adult Indonesian leaders to help run ‘Summer English 2026’. Summer English is a ten-day camp for intermediate and high school students, at which they learn more about God and practice their English. We were each paired with a couple of Indonesian leaders, helping them lead a small group, and shared a Truth Talk on the theme of being God’s Masterpiece. My group shared The Bridge Illustration, highlighting how God takes us from the brokenness of sin and restores us as His masterpiece through Christ’s death on the cross and resurrection. It was such a joy to share this illustration, so familiar and impactful to me, with a room full of teenagers from across the world and see them impacted by the reality of the gospel in the same way!
When I travel to new countries and cultures, I ask myself, “What does this culture show me about God’s character differently than my home culture?” If people all over the world are created in God’s image, then all of us must fully reflect His glory. I love seeing different aspects of God reflected in the people I interact with. In Indonesia, I was deeply struck by the people’s warmth, joy, and devotion. Each Indonesian I met during this trip seemed to be among the most joyful people I’ve encountered, even in the midst of short nights and busy days at camp! I admire their devotion to knowing Christ, making Him known, and helping others do the same. All the leaders at camp, and even most of the people who lead The Navigators Indonesia work, are volunteers with full-time jobs outside their ministry work. Their passion for making Christ known in a context that is, in many ways, harder than my own was both inspiring and convicting. I am so glad to have so many new friends now, and I can keep learning from them!
Going into the nations has been tremendously impactful to my own faith, and Indonesia was certainly no exception! I am grateful I got to go, and I look forward to going back someday soon to visit all my new friends again.