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