“ The water unexpectedly got bigger. We ran to the big road, the water came from the river as big as it was, my son's carriage (motorbike) was washed away, in less than half an hour my house was also washed away. None of my belongings could be taken with me," said Inang Nurlina Sitompul, one of those affected by the Sibolga floods.
"Now, when it rains heavily we are afraid. The trauma is still there," said one resident. The memories of the floods and landslides that hit Sibolga and Central Tapanuli in November 2025 are very strong in their hearts. How could it not be, the incident was so sudden. That morning, the residents were doing their usual activities. Some were going to school, others were preparing to go to work.
Suddenly a flood hit. The situation became very chaotic, electricity and communication were cut off, roads were cut off. People ran to evacuate. They had no possessions to take with them. In fact, many of them were separated from their families.
But amidst the grief and loss, a glimmer of hope is slowly emerging. In December 2025, a team from Lembaga Alkitab Indonesia (LAI) came to distribute aid in the form of foodstuffs, clothing, as well as trauma assistance to affected residents. Now, LAI is back to provide faith strengthening through the distribution of 3,974 copies of the Bible to churches and people of God in Sibolga and Central Tapanuli. This Bible donation is the result of support from God's people in the city, with the following details:
- Toba language Bible = 1,634 ex
- Alkitab 062 TI SL = 630 ex
- Alkitab 052 TI = 850 ex
- Alkitab 032 TI = 860 ex
As the Bibles were handed out, some of the congregants seemed to hold back their emotion. They had rediscovered the grip they had lost in the floods and landslides. For them, the Bible they received was the most beautiful gift. “We thank God, that in the midst of an uncertain situation we still have a grip, namely the word of God. Our possessions may be lost, but our faith in the Lord Jesus must remain firm, said one of the parishioners with a trembling voice. (zvp)
