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   Ester Septi Karuniawati

Ester Septi Karuniawati's Story

I was born in a Christian family. My father is a minister who serves Sunda people. My mother is a homemaker but also helps my father in ministry. I have a older brother and two younger brother. My family is from Central Java. When I was little, my older brother and I were raised by our grandparents in Solo, Central Java.

When I was in fourth grade in elementary school, I had a chance to live with my parents in Bogor, West Java. I had a chance to witness many difficult challenges my father had to face in his ministry. One example is when I accompanied my parents in their ministry trip outside of city. My father received a telephone call from someone who tries to threaten our family. But my father's unshaken attitude helped us persevere to minister. When we returned home we found our house burnt down with all our belongings.

But this incident did not make my father withdraw from ministry. At that time I asked my father, "Dad, why are they so heartless?" My father answered me, "Because they do not know Jesus. And our task as believers is to bring them to the knowledge of the Lord." His words made me want to become like my father. We then had to move to Cianjur, West Java. We lost everything we owned. We had to start from zero. We slept on floor with any mattress or blankets. We ate anything that we could find. But none of these things made my parents complain.

I really enjoyed living with my parents. But it only lasted two years. When I graduated from elementary school, I had to return to live with my grandparents in Central Java. My grandfather was sick and my grandmother needed someone to help her take care of him. My grandmother was too occupied taking care of my grandfather to discipline us. And when she disciplined us she was not harsh as she used to be. Even though my daily needs were met by my grandparents I still missed my parents a lot. I wanted to live with them.

I began to get active in church since by second year in Junior high school. First I joined the choir. After awhile, I got involved in almost all church ministries. Almost everyday I went to church and spent my time there. I was lonely at home, and didn't have any close friend. And often my grandmother would throw her anger at me.

I often felt envious toward my friends being with their parents. I faced many important moments alone without my parents; i. e. my birthdays, track and field sports competitions when I won a race, etc. The feeling of loneliness led to despondence. I began to disobey and rebel. I began to do anything to make myself happy without concern for the others until I became restless without peace. I was active in church and I had trusted Christ. But neither my faith in Jesus nor activity in church took away my fear. I believed that the Lord gave me a life full of pity.

One day I had a dream which took me back to the event when my house got burnt down. In my dream I had not got out of the house yet and was ready to be burnt. But someone rescued me out of the house. But I did not recognize his face. But I kept hearing the voice saying, "Return … return … return." And I woke up. I realized that it was Jesus who wanted me to return and put my trust in Him. Then I remembered my desire to become like my father, that is, to introduce Jesus to people who did not yet know Him. I prayed and meditated upon Jer 29:11. "'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'" Since that time, I knew that I was not alone. I made a decision to enter Bible college to be equipped to serve the Lord. Amen.

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