Indonesia, a republic in SE Asia, has a population of about 250 million. Spread over an archipelago consisting of more than 17,500 islands stretching a distance of 3,400 miles along the equator, it is the world’s 4th most populous nation and the 3rd largest democracy.
There are more than 300 distinct languages and ethnic groups in Indonesia. Bahasa Indonesia is the official language and lingua franca. The official motto is Bhinneka Tunggal Ika, which means “unity in diversity.”
From April 2012 to July 2014 I lived and worked in Indonesia. Here is a collection of sights and sounds about life among the ethnic Batak people in North Sumatra, Indonesia:
House on Lake Toba
Lake Toba at Balige’s harbor, Indonesia
Main road in Balige
Church in Siboruon village
Scraping off the skin of pig, preparing to make saksang.
Batak people make a special dish from the pig.
field, near Balige, Indonesia
Batak funeral ritual
Hiking up Mt. Sibayak – Berastagi, Indonesia
Mt. Sinabung
Restaurant in Siantar
Children refugees from eruption of Mt. Sinabung
Rainstorm, Pematangsiantar, Indonesia
Individual reflection time at the retreat.
With grandmothers, refugees of Mt. Sinabung eruption.
Students and staff of the HKBP Deaconess School for the year 2012-2013
Lake Toba
Sunday devotion with elderly group, village of Marihat Tiga, North Sumatra, Indonesia. May 2012.
Riding by motorbike
Balige market
Wedding in Sidamanik village – Indonesia
Market day in Balige
Wedding in Sidamanik village
Almost harvest time. Balige, North Sumatra, Indonesia
Rice offering and blessing at a wedding – Indonesia
Parrents give blessing at daughter’s college graduation
The view from my office. Door open every day.
Preaching in Medan.
Mincing the pork.
Lake Toba, from Lumban Silintong, Balige
House in Balige with pond and water buffalo
