Dozens of worshippers in flood-ravaged Sumatra held a bittersweet Christmas mass, their first service since the disaster killed over 1,100 people.
SOUTH TAPANULI: Dozens of worshippers gathered for a Christmas mass at a church in Sumatra, holding their first service since deadly floods swept the Indonesian island.
The Angkola Protestant Church in the hard-hit South Tapanuli district was festooned with balloons and simple decorations on Wednesday.
Outside, the street leading to the building was buried under mounds of debris and foliage.
Many in the congregation are still sheltering at evacuation sites after the disaster wreaked havoc on the island four weeks ago.
Churchgoer Krismanto Nainggolan said this year’s service was “different”, noting a mix of joy and sorrow.
“The feelings are mixed. Every word of the pastor’s sermon made us want to cry,” he told AFP.
“But the spirit of Christmas… gave us strength,” he added.
Krismanto lost his house in the flooding, while many of his neighbours were killed.
According to the National Disaster Mitigation Agency, 1,129 people died and more than 170 others are still missing.
While the annual monsoon often brings heavy rain, this month’s deluge was among the worst disasters to strike Sumatra since the 2004 tsunami.
In South Tapanuli, churchgoer Mea Rosmawati Zebua said she had not expected to be able to celebrate Christmas this year.
“In past years, Christmas was a routine. Now, (we are) very grateful because God still gives us the breath of life,” the 54-year-old told AFP.
The Angkola church moved its service to Wednesday afternoon ahead of forecast evening rain, pastor Yansen Roberto Ritonga said.
To prepare, the church had to remove towering heaps of mud that had been washed inside, with soldiers and police helping to clear debris.
A man rang the church’s bell before the pastor’s entrance, marking the start of the mass.
Around 30 worshippers, each holding a lit candle, sang Christmas hymns.
Yansen said this year’s Christmas served as a moment of “reflection” for the congregation.
Krismanto said that despite the widespread damage, he chose to see it as a new beginning.
“Our hopes depend solely on God because we are now starting over… our lives are starting anew,” he said.
