Jakarta (AsiaNews) - Inventing new ways of living and strengthen their faith through a series of social activities for disadvantaged populations in Indonesia. This is the initiative promoted by a group of Catholics in Jakarta, eager to deepen the work of "mission" through "concrete actions" to accompany the study of the Bible and prayer. An invitation to participation in various projects, has also been sent to Protestant Christian using a mailing list and people have responded well.
The first initiative of Catholics in Jakarta got underway on Palm Sunday to Wasior, a small town in the province of Papua, which was hit last October by a devastating flood that killed at least 146 people (see AsiaNews, 11/10 / 2010 Thousands fleeing Wasior, affected by the floods). A great place, according to the faithful to practice their faith in Christ through "out of the ordinary" gestures, such as charitable activities. Wasior, in fact, is in the area to the east of the Indonesian archipelago: to reach the capital it takes at least seven hours by plane, then about 10 hours aboard a boat.
In the small town hit by floods, the group of faithful of the capital intended to show the value of the "Passion of the Lord" in one of the most backward and remote areas of Indonesia. Before leaving for the "Catholic Mission", the volunteer group organized prayer meetings and launched a membership campaign by sending a mailing list. Many responded, among them non-Catholics like Mrs. Megawati Lie. "The Lord –the Protestant Christian explains to AsiaNews - has allowed me to express faith through a work of charity, service to others."
17 people joined the Wasior solidarity initiative, including a priest. Dr. Irene Setiadi, dermatologist gradueted in German and member of Catholic group Kelompok Bakti Kasih Kemanusiaan (Kbkk), explains that "there were only three men, the remaining were women, many of whom were participating for the first time. " The volunteers have provided free medical care and set up a flea market on Sunday, where they sold goods and basic commodities at low prices.
Wiewie Gunawan a women's group, confirmed that the Wasior shipment was "outside the ordinary" because the participants were not well acquainted with each other, so that half were new subscribers to Kbkk. However, once the purpose of the mission was outlined "all participated enthusiastically," says Wiewie, putting themselves at "each others service." Many of the group members are also entrepreneurs and businessmen who believe that "faith can not be manifested only with prayers, but must be accompanied by concrete actions."
Participants have initiated a fundraiser in aid of the people affected by flooding. Mrs. Vensie Tan, of Thomas Rasul Catholic Parish in West Jakarta, said she had "found a new way to profess the faith, by the humanitarian work in more remote areas." The mission to Wasior lasted about a week. On the return trip to the capital, the participants stopped in Ambon in Maluku province, making other charitable activities in support of the local population. 
