I have had a busy week. I left Balige last Sunday night for Siantar, a city about 2.5 hours away. While in Siantar (full name is Pematang Siantar, but it is commonly referred to as just “Siantar”), I taught English Conversation classes at the HKBP Nommensen University, as well as attended other classes in the English Department. Each day I was busy teaching, observing, and sharing about culture. The students were very happy to have a native speaker of English and had many great questions for me.
I will return to Siantar at the end of June for more teaching and observing. I am in Indonesia primarily to teach at the Deaconess School in Balige, where I have already been for almost 2 months, but I hope to be able to help the students and the teachers in the English Department at Nommensen University in whatever ways I can.
Below is a video. I was supposed to observe in a Listening Comprehension class, but the professor was not there. So, we had a session on cultural exchange instead. I took questions from the students about myself and about American culture. Then I asked them to sing for me. Here they are singing a Batak song.
And here is one photo from my teaching. Technical difficulties on the upload are preventing me from posting more than one at this time. Hopefully that will not continue to be a problem.
Other news to share: I finally have a work visa and residence permit. Last week I also completed paperwork so that I have a re-entry permit into the country again. I am very thankful for all the help from Nommensen, who has sponsored my visa.
Megs the Wanderer 
2 responses to “A Week in Siantar”
Hi over there, Megan,
As I read your postings, I can almost hear the words of Frederick Buechner running through my mind: “The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.” It seems that what your new Indonesian friends are needing are the very things you are able to provide, and to provide with joy! I am so delighted to read of how well all of this is fitting together for you.
The spiritual direction supervision group speaks of you when we meet, and you are being held in our hearts and in our prayers. May you be blessed there, even as you yourself are bringing such blessings of love and care to others! With love, Jackie
Thank you, Jackie! I sometimes think of the spiritual direction group, and I have the prayers you all gave to me before I left. There is so much joy here…and that joy is infectious, so I, too feel joy in my work. Blessings and send my greetings and love to the group.
Megan