Indonesia and Malaysia 2013

Waves of skyscrapers in Jakarta almost seem to compete for sunlight the way trees would in a forest. Locals tell us that nearly 80% of the 250 million people in this country live on this tiny island.

Pirates and explorers used to wrangle over spices during a bygone era in Indonesia. Today, Indonesia has become an economic juggernaut with a growing economy poised to compete in the 21st Century.

Spiritually, the country is diverse. Next week, many Indonesians will celebrate the birth, life and impact of Buddha. While Christianity is growing at a rapid rate, nearly 80% of the overall population is Muslim. Tensions are still apparent here, though we have not seen any public protests or other issues during our stay.

In fact, the Christian church here is working hard to find ways to unify the culture using faith. Our hope is that Regent's mission may have a positive impact on this remarkable place. Through partnerships and recruiting Indonesian students, we hope to bless this historic island nation and further God's kingdom.