By: Dr Sigit Triyono

 

Her name is Mrs Samaria Fanaetu (aged 50), a participant in the New Bible Readers Programme (PBA) in South Nias. She is part of the Adult Learners’ Group, under the guidance of tutor Mrs Feniati Halawa. Samaria comes from the village of Bawositora on the island of Sigata, in the West Batu Islands sub-district, South Nias Regency.

 

Samaria’s life is not easy, as she is both a widow and a housewife. Day in, day out, she works weaving coarse mats. Every two weeks she earns an average of one hundred and fifty thousand rupiah. Although she is illiterate, Samaria understands the figures printed on the banknotes.

 

Samaria has two children. Her eldest son did not manage to complete his university studies and is now married. As the eldest son, he has become the main breadwinner for both his own family and his mother’s family. Samaria’s youngest child, a daughter, completed her university studies in 2025 and is now struggling to find a job at a school in the Batu Islands area.

 

Samaria was born into a Christian family. Although she is unable to read the Bible or the hymn book, she remains active in church services and fellowship. For her, worship and fellowship are essential. In her modest circumstances, it is vital to worship and foster social connections within the community. 

 

When the New Bible Readers (PBA) programme, organised by the Indonesian Bible Society (LAI), was launched in early 2025, she was very keen to take part in the activities so that she could eventually read and study the Bible in depth. She was so enthusiastic that, throughout her learning journey, she did not limit her study to class hours. Whilst weaving a mat, she would work on the tasks set by her tutor. Although she was not yet fluent, she diligently tried to read the Bible in both the Nias and Indonesian versions, which she had obtained from her son.

 

Her keen curiosity means that Samaria always brings her Bible and the Hymnal to every home worship service. As a result, those around her were inspired and encouraged to participate by sharing their insights from reading the Bible.

 

At the closing ceremony of the LAI Bible Literacy Programme in South Nias, on Tello Island on Friday, 10 July 2026, Mrs Samaria was present to represent the learners in her group. The journey from her village to Tello Island (the island with the most comprehensive facilities amongst the islands in the Batu Archipelago) took Mrs Samaria 2.5 hours by ordinary boat (commonly known locally as a ‘Robin’ motorboat). This was assuming favourable weather conditions with no stormy winds.

 

Mrs Samaria testified to how overjoyed she was, as she can now read fluently. When I invited her to come to the front to demonstrate reading a few verses from the Gospel of Matthew, she was able to read very fluently. She faltered slightly at one point, as it turned out her reading glasses needed to be replaced with a stronger pair.

 

For him, the LAI PBA programme has been a blessing that has boosted his confidence, as he can now read fluently and has even gained the courage to speak in front of large groups of people.

 

As Mrs Samaria read, the entire audience fell silent, listening intently and  immersed themselves in the words being read. I, too, felt goosebumps and was deeply moved. Not only because of how fluently Mrs Samaria read, but also because of how good God is in loving His people.

 

By being able to read the Holy Scriptures or the Bible, the faithful who were once “blind” become “enlightened”. As in the reflection on the Word delivered by Father Reinhard Pasaribu of the Catholic Parish of Tello Island, which drew on the passage from Mark 10:46–52 concerning Bartimaeus, the blind man healed by Jesus.

 

The LAI Bible Study Programme in South Nias for 2025–2026 comprises 56 groups with a total of 1,120 participants, including both children and adults. These are spread across the Batu Islands archipelago, comprising: the sub-districts of Batu Islands, East Batu Islands, West Batu Islands, North Batu Islands, Tanah Masa, and Hibala.

 

This programme is carried out in collaboration with local churches: BNKP (Banua Niha Keriso Protestant Resort 38 & 39), the Catholic Church (Tello Island Parish), GPdI (Pentecostal Church in Indonesia), GKII (Indonesian Gospel Tent Church), and the local GKPN (Nias Protestant Christian Church). Both the tutors (numbering 56) and the participants are all members of the congregations of these churches.

 

The PBA programme is designed as a one-year course and involves a two-stage assessment. In the second stage, 76 per cent, or 856 people, out of 1,120 participants were declared to have passed. The criteria for passing are the ability to read several sentences fluently and to write simple sentences. Each participant who passed received a Bible and a certificate from LAI. Around 24 per cent of learners were deemed not to have passed, mostly because they were absent from the assessment due to traditional or family events they could not miss.

 

Now Mrs Samaria can read well. May she and the other graduates of the LAI PBA programme continue to be enthusiastic about reading the Bible and  may their lives always be guided by the Lord. I hope that the other “Samarias” in the Batu Archipelago will do the same.

 

Thank you to our partners who support LAI through prayer and financial contributions, enabling this programme to run smoothly and bless so many people. May God always bless us all. (ST).