BANDUNG — The sounds of country gospel music lulled the 140 LAI supporters in attendance at the Royal Dynasty Restaurant in Bandung during Country Gospel Night 2026, a fundraising event for the people of Rampi, North Luwu Regency. The event, which began at 18:00 WIB, was organised by the Bandung Fundraising Working Group (KKPD Bandung) in collaboration with the Bandung Representative Body of Churches and Christian Organisations (PGPK Bandung) to support the ‘One in Love’ Programme of the Indonesian Bible Society (LAI).

The evening was filled with a communal dinner, fellowship, and support expressed through pledges of faith and direct donations. The melodious voice of Herlin Pirena, accompanied by The Comets Country Band, filled the hearts of the attendees with enthusiasm and joy. However, behind the music and the warm atmosphere, the guests’ attention was drawn to a region thousands of kilometres away from Bandung and one they may never have heard of before: Rampi. 

The Chairperson of LAI, Rev. Dr Henriette T. Hutabarat-Lebang, described just how arduous the journey to Rampi is. She spoke from her experience of trekking through the forests of the Seko region, an area neighbouring Rampi. 

“I am sharing this experience so that we can gain a real sense of just how difficult the geographical access to Rampi is, particularly during the rainy season,” she explained. The hilly terrain, with its dirt and stony tracks, becomes waterlogged and slippery with mud when it rains. 

The support raised that evening was directed towards brothers and sisters living in remote areas. According to him, LAI exists to serve the needs of the church and to bring God’s Word to all believers. The continuity of this ministry is made possible through the support of the church and the congregation as LAI’s ministry partners.

The Chair of the Bandung KKPD, Mr Christy Agung Wijayadi, viewed the evening’s gathering as part of a collective movement. “When the concern of one person meets and unites with the concern of many others, what initially seemed small will grow into an extraordinarily powerful force for change,” he said. Through this movement, the Bandung KKPD aims to raise funds to provide 4,000 Bibles for the people of Rampi.

That longing then became all the more tangible through the testimony of Mrs Indrawati, a member of KKPD Bandung who has served alongside LAI for decades. At the age of 83, she recounted the story of a mother in a remote area who lost four children to illness. When asked how she managed to carry on, her answer left the deepest impression: “That is why we need the Bible.” For that family, what was needed was not wealth or an easier life, but the Bible as a guide for life.

The atmosphere shifted again when the video call connected the guests with Rev. Rocky from the GKST Rampi Classis. An unstable connection caused the audio from Rampi to cut out several times. The sound would disappear, then return. The room fell silent for a moment, as if waiting whenever the connection faltered. In that moment, the distance between Bandung and Rampi felt all the more real.

When the connection was re-established, Rev. Rocky expressed the people of Rampi’s longing to own a personal Bible. Their isolated geographical location makes the presence of a physical Bible something of great significance. 

The night grew late. The strains of praise and the sense of togetherness brought the hearts of those present closer together and drew them nearer to Rampi. All who have been touched by the power of God’s Word always wish to share the Good News with others. From Bandung, promises of faith and support were reaffirmed, so that the Word of God might soon be in the hands of those who await it. (per)