With COVID-19 raging in Indonesia, Trinitarians in Trinity@Jakarta are seizing the opportunity to care and connect with their friends and oikos through the Care Pack Initiative.
As in most countries, lockdowns have been implemented to curb the spread of the virus. With restrictions in place, jobs and livelihoods are impacted. Many Indonesians are battling infection, affected by job loss and financial hardship, and some have lost their means of feeding their families.
Fulfilling God's Commandment to Love Each Other
Trinity@Jakarta, Trinity’s first overseas regional center, has always sought to be a blessing to those in need and the escalating COVID-19 situation is no exception. For John 15:12 says, "This is my commandment: love each other just as I have loved you."
In 2020, Trinity@Jakarta launched the Care Pack Initiative, a community-in-action endeavor where church members in Jakarta can apply for care packs on behalf of friends and oikos in need.
Items in care packs were expanded this year to adapt to the growing needs of the community during this critical period. The care pack, also called “Sembako” in the local language, is short for “Sembilan bahan pokok,” which describes nine basic food necessities, consisting of rice, noodles, oil, sugar, eggs, canned food, milk, vitamins, hand sanitizer, and masks.
Caring and Connecting
Despite the situation becoming increasingly critical, Trinitarians in Jakarta have been living out God’s commandment to love each other, reaching out to friends and oikos. By intentionally caring and connecting, many needs in the community have been uncovered and met through the Care Pack Initiative. More than 60 care packs have been given out to bless families during this period.
Recipients shared testimonies of God’s perfect timing as they recounted how dire their situation was prior to receiving the care packs. Just as their food and money had run out, provisions in the form of the care packs arrived at the opportune time. Many were touched and moved to tears, grateful for Trinity@Jakarta’s blessing.
Testimonies from care pack recipients:
(translated from Bahasa Indonesia)
"Please send my “thank you” to them (Trinity@Jakarta). My family is touched.
My mother today wanted to buy some rice but had no money. Suddenly, a care pack came. Praise God!"
"Thank you. You all did not have to do it. I don’t know how to return your kindness.
May God return your kindness and may you all be blessed always. And I hope you are all always happy and healthy. I feel like crying now. You are all too kind to me and family."
"May God return your kindness. I feel so touched. Thank you again, a thousand times over. Hope you are all always healthy. Dear God, may You give good health to all my church friends."
Disciple of Jesus
“As the reported COVID-19 cases in Indonesia climb higher and higher with every passing day, I had to be more intentional to reach out through acts of kindness, especially to those that seem impossible to be touched by the preaching of gospel. God cares and as a disciple of Jesus, I should reflect His Love through my words and actions. I am grateful to Trinity@Jakarta for resources such as care packs that allow us to be more effective agents to expand His Kingdom.”
- Martha Prayogo, Trinitarian
In this season of uncertainty where many are fearful and anxious, may the body of Christ not grow weary in doing good. As we carry the love of Jesus through our acts of kindness, it is a testimony of Jesus’ love in action, bringing the gospel to life.
"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." (Galatians 6:9)
Reflect & Respond
Are your words and actions reflecting the love of Jesus? What will you do about it?
Is there someone you know who is going through challenges because of COVID-19? How can you show care and concern and bless them with an act of kindness?