Watching the airplane route on the screen with a mixture of excitement and nervousness, I knew that I was getting nearer to my destination, Jakarta, Indonesia. This was my first time visiting Indonesia, a country famous for its thousands of islands. As the airplane began its descent for landing, breaking through the veil of clouds, the landscape beneath grew more distinct and clearer, and suddenly one Bible verse came to me: “My ears had heard of you, but now my eyes have seen you” (Job 42:5). At that moment, I felt so touched that I could not help but offer a little prayer of blessing upon this beautiful land and the people living on it.
Upon arriving in Jakarta, what impressed me deeply was the warm welcome and loving greetings from the sisters in Indonesia, whether online or in person. I felt deeply accepted as a member of the larger Good Shepherd family. I had a wonderful time in the Jakarta community. The convent was surrounded by beautiful gardens and natural scenery, and each loving greeting and smile from the sisters created a nurturing atmosphere for my spiritual growth and fostered my sense of belonging as a Good Shepherd Sister.
My main ministry at Santa Maria Fatima School was to support and participate in school activities and to assist a sister with her Chinese class in the kindergarten. To encourage the students and cultivate their creativity in learning Mandarin, I adopted a play-centered teaching approach, stressing that playing is learning and that having fun in the process is crucial to maintaining the students’ interest and motivation—particularly for preschool children learning a foreign language. We played number games, learned vocabulary through body actions, sang songs, and danced to the rhythm. In this relaxing learning atmosphere, I felt so blessed to have this wonderful time learning, playing, and laughing together with the children.
Aside from teaching Chinese, I also participated in school activities. During the Open House Day at the school, the sisters set up a few stalls selling various products: handmade rosaries, clothes, shoes, plants, eco-enzyme, and Calamansi drink, etc. To participate, I also set up a game stall with sisters to attract people and to create an opportunity to interact with students from our school or children from outside. I prepared two games: Building the Eiffel Tower and a Target Game. For the “Building the Eiffel Tower” game, which challenged one’s balance and concentration, the player had to stack 15-17 bottle caps without them falling over. In the Target Game, the player had to throw balls at the target to score points. As an opportunity to encounter our students and children, in playing games, we had a wonderful time having fun and laughing together. As St. Mary Euphrasia once said, “Try to make them happy, very happy, by the help of God…nourish them with the overflowing charity which should reign in your hearts.” (Mirror of the Virtues, p. 33)
Additionally, I had an opportunity to assist the sisters and to accompany students during their recollection at Samadi, a famous retreat house in East Jakarta. The students were looking forward to this precious chance to deepen their spiritual growth and to have quality time with one another. The recollection was enriching and fruitful. There was one experience that impressed me deeply. The sisters used the River of Life as a metaphor to help the students reflect on their own lives. Many students cried when answering a seemingly simple question: “As rivers are hindered by stones, what obstacles have you met in your life?” Many of them wept because they felt that they had never been given a proper chance to express their difficulties and true feelings, and felt neglected and unheard. I was moved to hear their sincere sharing and to see how the students consoled and encouraged one another with kindness and great empathy. At the end of the recollection, I remember clearly one girl shouting with enthusiasm to the sisters present, “Do not quit your job! You are important to us!” This feedback gave us great encouragement and food for thought: “What does it mean to be a Good Shepherd Sister?”
During this three-month ministry experience in Jakarta, I had a beautiful encounter with the sisters and the students of Santa Maria Fatima School. It was a precious chance for me to get to know people from different linguistic and cultural backgrounds here in Indonesia. Being a Good Shepherd Sister from Taiwan, even with limited Indonesian language skills, I was deeply touched by the sincere smiles and warm acceptance from those whom I encountered. Their sincerity and generosity in welcoming me into their midst have become a precious memory dear to my heart. Through this international experience in Jakarta, I have come to understand more and more deeply the meaning of the Good Shepherd motto: “One Person is of More Value than the Whole World.” Each person I encountered was so precious and unique, deeply loved by God.
(Written by Sr. Lydia Wang, RGS, Jan 24, 2026)