Jacque in Jakarta: Life as a Christian

In honor of Easter, I've decided to share my experience as a Christian living in Jakarta. It hasn't been the challenge I was anticipating, but it has been a challenge in ways I never realized.

The first two months we were living in Jakarta, we weren't going to church. It was a a burden for me because we had been going every Sunday before we came to Jakarta. Finally, my amazing husband tracked down an English-speaking Christian church. We went on the first Sunday, and I was so happy to be home. It was something that had definitely been missing, and once we had the comfort of a church family, it made life here in Jakarta a lot easier.

However, things aren't always easy for religious minorities. Here in Indonesia, Christians make up less than ten percent of the population, while over 85% are Muslim. This has led to some religious strife here in Jakarta. Luckily though, we haven't faced those issues since we've been here.

For me, this journey as a Christian in a Muslim country hasn't been publicly challenging, but personally challenging. I have always been unsure about the strength of my faith. I would sit in the pews furthest to the back. I would never put myself in a position to talk about my faith. Even though I had a true longing to be more involved, I would do everything I could to avoid it. But, I have learned in the past few months that the plans we have for ourselves are not always the plans that are best for us.

"'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'"
-Jeremiah 29:11

This was the first verse I heard on the first Sunday I went to church in Jakarta. I return to it time and again. I know that whenever I get a pull in my heart to do something, it's a pull toward the plans that the Lord has for me. He pulled me to return to church in Jakarta, which can be dangerous. He pulled me to join a Bible study group, so I could share my testimony and learn more about His word. And most recently He has pulled me to join in the prayer ministry at church.

And of course, I know that He has used some awesome people to give me the extra pushes I needed. First and foremost, my loving husband has been my support to get me to the door. And I wouldn't have come this far without the encouragement of my loyal friend Helen. Also, our vicar, Jon, has opened doors to my faith that I didn't know existed.

All in all, life as Christian is a challenge. Sometimes though, the biggest hurdle is yourself.