(Pondok Diakonia, GKSBS Batanghari, Lampung)

A morning greeting from Pdt. Em. Bambang Sumbodo (Board-in-charge of Stube HEMAT)

We are at GKSBS (Southern Sumatera Christian Church) Batanghari, Lampung. This church accommodates children who come from distant places from school and underprivileged families to continue their studies at a closer one. The children of Pondok Diakonia generally study at Christian junior and senior high schools in Metro, Lampung, about 30 minutes away from the place they stay. There are 36 children living in Pondok Diakonia. They learn not only knowledge at school, but also learn the realities of life with the necessary skills, such as cooking, planting vegetables, and raising goats. Children at their age are much encouraged though they must separate from their parents and siblings to pursue the future. There must be  a feeling of longing for the warmth of father, mother, sister, or brother. But, praise God that longing is replaced by the presence of the family of Rev. Theofilus Agus Rohadi, who serves GKSBS Batanghari, and as parents for children at the Pondok Diakonia.

The multiplication program of Stube HEMAT in Lampung with Rev. Theofilus as the multiplicator gives his own touch in efforts to empower human resources. The students of Stube HEMAT in Lampung grow as well as become mentors for the younger students at Pondok Diakonia.

During the workshop that we held on Wednesday (17/02/2021), the students at Pondok Diakonia were very enthusiastic to talk about their future. Each of them has a dream for the future, they wanted to get out of the helplessness they face due to the economic limitations of their parents. It can be seen on their enthusiasm to tell their dreams during the sharing session. Even some of them asked us about what they have to prepare to achieve their goals.

Pondok Diakonia has a male dormitory and a female dormitory, each of them has 4 rooms. There are a hall, coaching and training centers to support the activities of the children. Currently, there are 14 girls consist of one student is in junior high school and 13 others are in high school. Meanwhile, the boys are 22 in which 4 are junior high school students and 18 are in senior high school. The church provides dormitories, foods, beverages, electricity, and transportation. From the total of 36 children in Pondok Diakonia, 13 children are financed by the church, while the rest are covered by their parents to pay for the school fees. During 6 years service, a total of 54 children have been accommodated, and 7 of them continue their studies at the university level.

May God bless the children, Pondok Diakonia, Rev. Theofilus and his family and those who are called to serve Pondok Diakonia.***