THRU LIGHT
I was born and raised In Indonesia as a Muslim. Since 1994 I’ve been “running away” from my family. I keep a distance from them so that I can practice my Christian faith. Until now, I haven’t told my family members that I am Christian. When I started elementary school, my parent hired private teacher specifically for learning and reading Qur’an. I prayed five times a day and fasting during month of Ramadhan. Everyday in my childhood, I followed five pillars of Islam. In addition, all the education I could get in Indonesia was imbued with Islam teachings. From Elementary thru High School you have to take Islam subject in the class which was requirement. I can read and write Qur’an, but I couldn’t find the peace and joy that I had been looking.
In short, after I graduated from high school and technical college. I applied for a job in electronic company which was located outside Jakarta and got accepted. In April 1994 I move to Sumatra and started working in American Microchip Company under QA/QC Department for over five years. At first, it was very tough one, since I had to endure loneliness apart from my family and surrounded by strangers. However, that was the first place that I found Christian faith. During that time, I got much help to learn about Christianity from my Christian coworkers. I felt peaceful and joy when I had gatherings with them. Thus, I felt interested to learn more about becoming a follower of Jesus. So, I asked one of my Christian coworkers if I could come to the Thursday Night Fellowship. She said yes, I could come to the Bible study and I was happy. On the first night of fellowship, we took turn to read a bible verse and they asked me to read. It was my first time to hold and read a Bible. I remember asked them that I wasn’t “clean” (for women Muslim won’t allow to touch and read Qur’an when you have monthly cycle. It’s consider haram) and they responded to me: It’s okay that I could hold the Bible. The first verse that I read was: 1 Corinthians 13: 4-7 “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres”.
I was amazed to see a group of my age were praying, singing hymns, study the Bible and sharing knowledge together. From then, I came to Thursday Night Fellowship regularly which helped me to learned more about Christianity and I got to know many other Christian friends as well. On the other hand, my Muslim coworkers stopped talking and hanging out with me. They gave me a dirty look and said that I was going to hell for being Christian. Nevertheless, with my Christian friends surround me and prayers of loving deeds and kind help brought a lot of warmth to me, and I was much touched by the love they lived out which I knew had to come from their Christian faith. The peace and joy from their lives were so real and it again caused me to desire to learn more about Christian faith. I have accepted Jesus Christ as my personal Lord and Savior. Still I didn’t feel complete without getting baptized. I referring to Jesus said on Matthew 28:19-20: “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age”. In early 1997 I called one of my sisters and asked if her husband could help me to get baptized. One of My brother-in law was born and raised in Christian faith, however he had to “convert” to Muslim so that he would be able to marry my sister. My brother-in law reached his pastor and set up the date and time for me to get baptized. I flew to Java province to visit my sister and her husband for a week (I kept a secret from my parent and my other family members). On Wednesday May 14, 1997 we were gathering on the river for my baptized that included my sister and my brother-in law families’ who came on that special day. I , Dhaniel Christine Natalie Wijaya received baptism in the name of Father, The Son and Holy Spirit.
In 1999, I received scholarship and resigned from my job and moved to Singapore. Before my farewell party, one of my coworkers asked me what I wanted for a gift, and I told her that I want a Bible and she gave me a Bible during the farewell party (I still have and keep at home).
In Singapore, I stayed for awhile with my aunt who is Muslim. After six months, I moved and stay on my own place. Since I live by myself, I felt free and I could go to church every Sunday without feeling fear or guilty for lying to my aunt. While living by myself in Singapore, I didn’t feel alone because I know that God’s always watching over me. Furthermore, during my free time, I like to read collection books by Mother Teresa (Come Be My Light, In My Own Words, No Greater Love, etc.) which I admire her works particularly personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ. After I graduated from college in Singapore, in late 2000, I received another scholarship and move to the United State. Since then I reside in the United State and feel no fear to practice what I believe.
Peace and Hope that I found by choosing Christian faith as wrote in the scripture Romans 5:1-5
“1 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;4 perseverance, character; and hope. 5 And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.”
I’ve been so blessed by God throughout the years, although it has not been without difficulties and storms in my life. I have experienced the peace and joy that transcend the surroundings and the more abundant life that Christ gives me. I believe that serving Christ requires perseverance. I may encounter obstacles of illness, troubled in relationships with family and relatives, temptation or any difficult circumstances. But, with God’s strength and as a Jesus Christ follower it helps me to be faithful. His word is thru guidance, as wrote on the Bible Psalm 119:105 “Your word is lamp for my feet, and a light for my path” I thank God for the strength He provides to help me persevere through suffering. In the light of God’s love, grace, and truth, I can find courage to help and strength to live for Him.
Even if we are all on the same path, each journey is different which they way that tell individual story. I am sharing with you this story is to thank God and His providence in leading me in my journey as a follower of His Son, Jesus Christ, and to thank as well those whom God has used in helping me grow in the faith. As I grow in my understanding of the Word of God I also desire to be more obedient and devoted to the Lord, living a holy life out of gratitude to His undeserved grace to me in His beloved Son, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I implore the enabling grace of the Holy Spirit as I embark on this lifetime pursuit of knowing God, glorifying and enjoying Him forever. ♥God bless you all♥
