A Reflection on "Invitations..."

I am intrigued by words. The word invitation sticks in my mind when I reflect on our SALT experience. An invitation really was the first grain of SALT, and invitations were sprinkled throughout from start to finish.

First came the invitation (here the dictionary definition of “a spoken or written request for one’s presence or participation”) from the HKBP to partner in some way related to enhancing the English language skills of Indonesian teachers. This invitation was received and acted upon by the I-K Synod Mission Committee. The next invitation was extended by the I-K Synod Mission Committee. I think the meaning “an allurement, enticement, or attraction” fits nicely this time! Yes, the committee attempted to entice and attract its members and other interested synod folk to its invitation to participate in a pilot project that was in the making. When eleven facilitators were found, they each invited (another meaning is “welcome”) their congregations and friends to be a part of SALT with their prayers and gifts of support.

The days in Batakland, Sumatra with our sisters and brothers of the HKBP were filled with countless invitations. The “welcomes” we received every step of the way are unforgettable. Remember our reactions: as we were met at the Medan airport by Plasthon, Erista, and Sondang? As we sat down to an Indonesian feast at the hotel that first night? As we saw the Welcome banner stretched across the District V building?

As we were privileged to become acquainted with each and every participant in formal and informal SALT sessions? As we learned about the mission and ministry of District V in visits to the church headquarters, the deaconess school, the hospital, congregational life in the shadows of the tea plantation, the women’s association, the seminary, the orphanage center, theBibelvrouw Eben-Ezer compound, the schools where our new friends teach? Of course every invitation to extend a hearty Horas! greeting and share food and drink together was a blessing to us as well, whether at a tea plantation, the Ulos factory, Chinese restaurant, or the home of the Mayor of Pematangsiantar himself.

By the way, there is one more meaning for the word invitation: to lure, to entice, tempt. How about using this meaning to keep the invitations going. May there be many occasions when we can “lure, entice, or tempt” fellow ELCA members to an awareness of the mission and ministry of our HKBP companion synod through our experiences.

Horas!

Claudia