Yuel Yoga Dwianto, born on June 14, 1993, in Lampung, Sumatra, is the second-born child of a farming family. His parents worked hard growing rice, rubber, and cassava. Yuel completed his education in Lampung before moving to Yogyakarta to pursue his dream of becoming a pastor at the Christian College (STAK) MARTURIA in Nologaten, Sleman. After earning his undergraduate degree, Yuel was invited to serve in a church in Bengkulu. However, due to his parents' disapproval, he chose to continue his master's studies in Yogyakarta instead. During his academic journey, Yuel actively participated in various campus organizations, including the Stube HEMAT institution, which helped him develop critical thinking and self-improvement skills.

Yuel clearly remembers leaving Yogyakarta on December 7, 2022, with a determination to serve as a pastor and a willingness to go wherever God's will led him. He began his journey at GKSBS Baradatu, Way Kanan, Lampung, on December 10, 2022, with a 4-month Wiyata Bakti, living with the congregation. In March 2023, he passed the prospective pastor test organized by the Synod and started a 3-month orientation period at the same place. After being evaluated and found eligible, Yuel entered the application stage, which involved adjusting to GKSBS teachings, church order, liturgy, and sermons under the guidance of four pastors. He successfully graduated and moved on to the mentoring stage, focusing on practical aspects such as building spirituality, testimony, service, church management, and leadership. On December 12, 2024, he passed the preliminary exam and was declared eligible for ordination on February 13, 2025. This extensive process has thoroughly prepared Yuel to serve God's congregation as a pastor.

Yuel clearly remembers leaving Yogyakarta on December 7, 2022, with a determination to serve as a pastor and a willingness to go wherever God's will led him. He began his journey at GKSBS Baradatu, Way Kanan, Lampung, on December 10, 2022, with a 4-month Wiyata Bakti, living with the congregation. In March 2023, he passed the prospective pastor test organized by the Synod and started a 3-month orientation period at the same place. After being evaluated and found eligible, Yuel entered the application stage, which involved adjusting to GKSBS teachings, church order, liturgy, and sermons under the guidance of four pastors. He successfully graduated and moved on to the mentoring stage, focusing on practical aspects such as building spirituality, testimony, service, church management, and leadership. On December 12, 2024, he passed the preliminary exam and was declared eligible for ordination on February 13, 2025. This extensive process has thoroughly prepared Yuel to serve God's congregation as a pastor.

Building a thriving congregation is the heartfelt desire of every pastor. Just as God is the master designer of a building, He has meticulously crafted a plan, but it’s up to the workers to execute His vision. The GKSBS strategic plan should serve as a blueprint for nurturing the congregation in alignment with God's will. Blessings to Pastor Yuel Yoga Dwianto, S.Th., M.Pd. May you remain a faithful co-worker of God. ***

Have you ever heard the word ‘retreat’ or attended a retreat event? In Christian understanding, a retreat is a familiar concept, often involving withdrawal or taking a step back. It means taking time for solitude or isolation to reflect on life and nurture spiritual faith in God.

In Christian spirituality, Jesus exemplified a form of retreat by withdrawing from the crowd to pray, both at dawn and night. Several references highlight this practice:

• "And when he had sent the crowd away, Jesus went up on a mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone" (Matthew 14:23).
• "Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he got up and went out. He went to a solitary place and prayed there" (Mark 1:35).
• "But He withdrew to solitary places and prayed" (Luke 5:16).

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I am delighted to accompany the Christian Student Fellowship (CSF) of SMA N 1 Wonosari, Gunungkidul, in a retreat on January 25-26, 2025. This retreat is an opportunity to rebuild spiritual life, which forms a solid foundation for personal development, even since youth. The event focuses on reflecting on faith, especially obedience. Obedience means acting according to instructions, rules, or laws. One early example of obedience in the Bible is Noah (Genesis 6).

Noah's exemplary obedience teaches us valuable lessons:

1.   Command: God commanded Noah to build a large ark and gather all the animals in pairs in anticipation of a great flood.

2.  Strong Faith: Despite never having seen such an event, Noah trusted God's command and began building the ark without hesitation.

3.  Difficult Task: Constructing the ark as specified required tremendous effort, sincerity, precision, dedication, and could take several years.

4.   Facing Sceptics: Noah endured negative voices, scepticism, and ridicule from those who did not believe in the coming flood but remained steadfast in his obedience.

5.  Results: By faithfully following God's instructions, Noah and his family survived the flood, while others did not.

The relevance of obedience in students' daily lives is evident in how they follow government laws, spiritual (religious) guidelines, family expectations, organizational or school regulations, and societal norms. Noah's example teaches us that true faith is demonstrated through obedience, even when commands are challenging to comprehend. Obedience becomes the foundation for progress, instilling the belief that following God's commands leads to success.***

As 2025 begins, Indonesia faces several economic challenges shaped by global and national factors. In response, Stube HEMAT Yogyakarta organized a virtual discussion with Dr. Murti Lestari, an economics researcher and lecturer, on January 29, 2025. More than thirty students and activists from various regions, including Alor, North Sumatra, Lampung, Timor, Southeast Maluku, Sumba, Manggarai, Luwuk Banggai, Maldives, Gunungkidul, North Morowali, and Yogyakarta, participated in the discussion.

In her presentation, Dr. Murti Lestari explained that the global economic depression is a significant and prolonged decline in worldwide economic activity. Many countries are experiencing severe drops in production, sales, and investment, triggered by geopolitical conflicts, leadership changes, economic instability in major nations, trade wars, and financial crises. Domestically, this has led to declining trade, reduced corporate activity, increased unemployment, weakened purchasing power, layoffs, rising prices, and declining public welfare.

Despite these challenges, Indonesia remains relatively safe due to its abundant resources. Although management needs improvement, the country has developed biofuels as a supplement to petroleum and benefits from its strategic geographical location with year-round sun exposure. In terms of food, Indonesia has diverse ingredients to meet its needs, provided they are well-managed through efficient agricultural practices, water distribution, technology, and human resources.

During the dialogue, participants raised questions about the Regional Minimum Wage (UMR), the challenges faced by Gen Z in the job market, the role of education in addressing these challenges, and the impact of technological advancements on job opportunities. Dr. Murti Lestari responded by highlighting the government's careful consideration in setting the UMR, noting that not all companies can afford to pay the minimum wage without risking bankruptcy and layoffs. She emphasized that employers value positive character and attitude over high academic grades when hiring Gen Z workers. Educational institutions need to balance imparting knowledge and building character in students. Dr. Lestari also stressed that technological advancements are inevitable and that workers must adapt by improving their skills in using technology-based tools to remain competitive.

In conclusion, despite concerns about a global economic depression, Dr. Murti Lestari emphasized an optimistic outlook for Indonesia. She highlighted the nation's potential for self-sufficiency, stressing the importance of leveraging existing resources. The key to success lies in working with integrity, maintaining discipline, fostering creativity, embracing technology, and persevering. So, how optimistic are you about facing future economic challenges? ***

Playing music offers significant benefits for children's development. It supports brain growth, builds character and self-confidence, introduces new concepts, enhances creativity, trains focus, and boosts emotional intelligence. Understanding one's intelligence helps to refine skills, choose a major, select a suitable job, and assist others in finding their path.

Howard Gardner, a psychology expert, identified nine types of intelligence, including:

1.   Logical-Mathematical Intelligence: The ability to analyze situations systematically and argue with reason.

2.   Linguistic Language Intelligence: The ability to process words to write, read, speak, and explain something well.

3.   Visual Spatial Intelligence: The ability to think abstractly, interpret images, design patterns, and describe something.

4.   Kinesthetic Intelligence: Abilities related to physical activity, motoric, physical, and body coordination.

5.   Musical Intelligence: The ability to relate to voice, pitch, rhythm, singing, and mastery of musical instruments.

6.   Interpersonal Intelligence: The ability to interact, understand, and move others.

7.   Intrapersonal Intelligence: The ability to manage oneself, motivate oneself, analyze, and plan well.

8.   Naturalist Intelligence: The ability to interact with nature and the environment, and survive.

9.   Existential Intelligence: Interest and curiosity about life, death, and the meaning of life, including psychological aspects."

At Kebun Stube HEMAT Yogyakarta in Gunungkidul, musical skills are nurtured through activities using the angklung. Trustha guides children in practicing angklung to enhance their musical intelligence, motor coordination, concentration, emotional refinement, social skills, and discipline.

Children here learn that angklung, a traditional bamboo musical instrument, has been recognized by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity since 2010. Stube HEMAT Yogyakarta and its students showcased the angklung at the International Youth Camp in Wittenberg, Germany, in 2017. Playing the angklung involves more than just theory—it requires hands-on practice. This practice starts with learning the song’s notation, rhythm, and intonation. Next, participants learn how to properly hold and shake the angklung in time with the rhythm. The final step is to synchronize the angklung sounds so that the transitions between notes are smooth and seamless. Although challenging, participants displayed a strong willingness to practice and support each other.

From their angklung practice, the group performed at various events, including the Pepanthan Bendungan GKJ Wonosari New Year celebration, the anniversary and Christmas celebration of SD BOPKRI Wonosari 2, and the Christmas celebration for Christian teachers and employees of educational institutions in the Wonosari district and its surroundings.

This angklung musical breakthrough sparked interest in expanding angklung activities, from children's groups to mixed-age groups collaborating with adults. There may be other parties interested in providing angklung instruments, enabling more participants to join and ensuring the sustainability of angklung traditions. Are you interested in participating? ***

Stube HEMAT Indonesia students performed angklung at International Youth Camp in Wittenberg, Germany (2017)

The year of 2025 will be a challenging one for the global economy due to several major factors that influence global economic pressures, such as political uncertainty affecting global financial markets, geopolitical risks in which armed conflicts continue, and the trade dispute between the US and China. These factors will disrupt the global market and supply chain.

Amidst global economic pressures, people's economic power is one of the movements that’s possibly done. With a concept that emphasizes the importance of active community participation in economic activities that’s beneficial for improving shared prosperity. Credit Union (CU) is one form of economic organization that plays an important role to strengthen the people's economy. One of the pioneering CU at the local level /neighborhood level with 100 members is Usaha Simpan Pinjam 59 (USP'59). Savings and giving loan services are carried out every month at the house of the chairman of USP'59, which is also the secretariat of Stube HEMAT Yogyakarta. This activity has quite good dynamics. Initiated in 2001 by a resident who was a Bank employee, and the administrator of the local neighborhood association, this savings and giving loan activity continues to run even though the management personnel are changeable.

The Chairperson of USP'59 for the 2024-2025 period, Ariani Narwastujati said, "Savings and giving loan activity has been operating for 23 years with an initial capital of 2.5 million rupiah. The initial capital came from 100  area members of RT 59 Nyutran Yogyakarta with principal savings of 25 thousand rupiahs each. After being borrowed and saved, it is now around 344 million rupiah." Ariani believes that this business is one of the economic strengths of the local level where its members actively participate in decision-making and business management. The focus of this business is on savings and loans with a maximum loan of 8 million and an interest of 0.8% per month.

The interesting one is that the profits obtained are distributed back to members not only in the form of remaining business results (SHU) but also death funds and social funds. Death funds provide financial support for local resident/member USP’59 that passing away, while social funds are funds for members’ welfare that can be realized based on the agreement made in the Members’ Annual Meeting (RAT), such as parcels, t-shirts, or joint tours.

As one of the RT 59 activity units, the head of RT 59 becomes the supervisor and advisor of this savings and loan activity. Residents feel  that it helps them to get easy loans with fairly low interest. They can use USP'59 to access capital that can be used for various needs such as business capital, education, or other urgent needs because there is also available loan for a 'sebrakan'/sudden loan facility. Low interest is of course more affordable and profitable for its members.

Stube HEMAT once sent several students who were participating in the Jogja exposure program to see closely the savings and loan activities carried out by USP'59 to inspire the formation of local economic power in local regions. Local economic power are also expected to be able to improve the ability of the community to manage their economic activities so that a prosperous society is achieved. ***