Setia Finds Strength in Her Listener Community

Setia laughs and chats as she and a friend walk along the dirt road that runs through their village. Others in Setia’s village emerge from their homes—faded wooden cubes with rusty roofs of corrugated metal.

The pungent smell of durian, a thorny fruit that is unique to southeast Asia fills the air. Everyone converges at a larger home near the edge of the village and sits cross-legged on the floor of the main room. One woman strums a guitar and they begin to sing hymns with tunes that would be familiar in many North American churches

This gathering on Indonesia’s island of Sumatra is one of the dozens of listener communities—groups that gather in response to the Indonesian radio outreach of ReFrame Ministries.

Delima, who pastors this group and others in the region, leads the singing and a time of prayer.

A Respite For Setia

For Setia, this time spent worshiping and hearing God’s word offers a monthly respite from her otherwise stressful life.

“Her husband is a violent alcoholic,” shares a member of BTGMI’s Indonesian ministry team. “They have become very poor, and even had to sell much of their land to support her husband’s lifestyle.”

Unfortunately, Setia’s situation is all-too-common in her village. Many of the women like her spend most of their time and energy providing for the family’s physical and spiritual needs.

“When Pastor Delima started a listener community in Setia’s village, Setia joined almost immediately,” shares BTGMI’s Indonesian ministry team. “Every day she listens to our sermons and songs on her radio and once a month she attends the community meetings while also going to church every week.”

A Source of Strength

Time spent in God’s Word has given Setia strength to respond to her terrible situation. Although she once focused her energy on resenting her husband, she now tries to encourage her six children and five grandchildren.

“The Word of the Lord strengthened me to face my life’s struggles,” Setia shared. “I have also been able to strengthen other family members.”

This positive response has in turn had a positive effect on her husband. Lately, he has been drinking less and has begun to help her work in the field.

As Setia and her family endure the effects of COVID-19, the Indonesian ministry team asks us to pray for her physical health. Setia’s high blood pressure and work situation make her especially vulnerable to the virus should she contract it.

“Please keep praying for us to be faithful in following God,” Setia added.