And the priest said to them, ‘Go in peace. The journey on which you go is under the eye of the Lord. Judges 18:6
Particularly among the more simple, rural class of people on the island of Sumatra, Indonesia, the idea or concept of merantau is very popular. Merantau simply
means “to wander about”.
The Indonesian concept of merantau usually involves a young person, particularly a male, leaving home in his late teens or very early 20s. Where he is headed
or how long he will be gone is uncertain. It contains the idea of possibly seeking his fame and fortune. The attitude is often that the wanderer will go from his familiar rural area and head to the city. He will take almost any job with the hope of a brighter future and looking for an “experience” both in the form of a job or profession, but also looking for life experiences.
Often unclear as to what he is looking for, and just going on a journey for a few years hoping to find something, a wanderer is often more open and feels much less social pressure from their family, friends and neighbors while on their merantau. It is easier and less risky to share the gospel with these young people
outside their villages, as often where they have come from is quite staunchly Islamic.
The reverse is also true. It is possible to send young Indonesian missionaries to new places and have them simply show up and explain to the local people that they are on a merantau or journey. This is an acceptable way to start getting to know a new community and share the message of Jesus.
LET’S PRAY
- Pray for Indonesians on a merantau, that those wandering aimlessly would wander right into the Kingdom of God.
- Pray that Christians, particularly businessmen, would see these young men as potential people they can invest in, both for a business experience and for the Kingdom of God.
- Pray for the release of young enthusiastic missionaries to go on a merantau to tough unreached areas to see God’s Kingdom established in areas where at this time there is no witness of the gospel!
Post credited to the editors at Worldchristian: visit http://www. worldchristianconcern.org/donate to support mission efforts to reach the unreached for Christ.
