Ladies’ Christmas Program at the Siloam GKII* of Tarakan.

Saturday the women of the church I attend held their annual Women’s Christmas Program. I thoroughly enjoyed it mainly because it was so culturally rich.

Part of the reason I attended was that the MAF women had been asked to sing a song in English for the program. But let me start at the beginning.

The program was to begin at 2:00. But in keeping with what the Indonesians refer to as “rubber time,” it actually didn’t start until 2:30. And even then, not all the participants were present. Gotta love it! ☺

The program had three parts to it: A. A singing competition. B. The actual program. C. Business reporting: financial report, presentation of the winners of the singing competition, handing out gifts to the staff etc.

The singing competition was very interesting. Seven different groups of women participated – including a group that didn’t arrive until almost 3:00. ☺ Each group dressed in matching outfits; some wore identical batik shirts with black skirts; others had designated a style of clothing but allowed a variety of colors. They mentioned later that the style of clothing prescribed was “traditional” – long batik skirts with lacy sequined blouses. One group of ladies even sported identical hair styles. It was obvious that they had spent a great deal of time and effort not only with their singing but with their appearance also. They all sang the same song: Am I a Soldier of the Cross – in Indonesian of course. They were all very good. The group that won had incorporated a little choreography. ☺ Really just a simple stepping from one foot to the other. We were kept in suspense concerning the winner until the very end of the program. One thing that amazed me was the level of noise going on in-between performances. It seemed that everyone was talking to their neighbors as the next group prepared to take the stage. You can't let things like that bother you.

After the 45 minute competition, the “program” began; basically a church service – congregational singing, scripture reading, special music and a short sermon. The buleh (white people) sang their special music during this part. I don’t think we’ll quit our day jobs. ☺

The business session happened last. I missed most of what was said – much too fast and too many unknown words for me to follow. The two MAF women with me tried to translate bits and pieces.

Around five o’clock, the program ended and it was time for food. The food was served outside. We were fortunate that it didn’t rain and it wasn’t unbearably hot either. Of course, no meal is complete here without a huge container of rice. In addition a chicken dish, noodles, a bean dish similar to black-eyed peas which was very, very spicy and tasted sort of like liver, a mixed vegetable dish, and salty rice porridge were served alongside the rice. I tried it all. ☺ Most of it was quite good but the beans were too spicy for me.

As women finished up eating, they tossed their leftovers into a box on the ground. Soon, three dogs – possibly strays, I don’t know for sure – discovered this source of food and were having a hey day. Fortunately, we had been directed to eat inside and so I was spared having to eat my food while watching the dogs eat theirs. ☺

And so at 5:30, three and half hours later, it was all over. Another cultural experience added to my list. ☺

* This church is a Christian and Missionary Alliance denomination church. The Siloam is just a distinguishing name such as Mt Zion, Berea, or Bethel might be in the U.S. The GKII stands for Gereja Kemah Injil Indonesia which loosely translate to Gospel Tabernacle Church of Indonesia.