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:
Lake Toba at Balige’s harbor, Indonesia
Individual reflection time at the retreat.
Restaurant in Siantar
Students and staff of the HKBP Deaconess School for the year 2012-2013
Rice offering and blessing at a wedding – Indonesia
Church in Siboruon village
Lake Toba
Batak funeral ritual
Riding by motorbike
Mincing the pork.
The view from my office. Door open every day.
Scraping off the skin of pig, preparing to make saksang.
Mt. Sinabung
Wedding in Sidamanik village
House in Balige with pond and water buffalo
Parrents give blessing at daughter’s college graduation
Balige market
House on Lake Toba
Almost harvest time. Balige, North Sumatra, Indonesia
field, near Balige, Indonesia
Hiking up Mt. Sibayak – Berastagi, Indonesia
Preaching in Medan.
Children refugees from eruption of Mt. Sinabung
Rainstorm, Pematangsiantar, Indonesia
Wedding in Sidamanik village – Indonesia
Sunday devotion with elderly group, village of Marihat Tiga, North Sumatra, Indonesia. May 2012.
With grandmothers, refugees of Mt. Sinabung eruption.
Market day in Balige
Batak people make a special dish from the pig.
Main road in Balige
Lake Toba, from Lumban Silintong, Balige
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