Mark is in his third year of his internship with TransformNation (TfN) program. Previously, he served at an MSI school on the Island of Promise for two years. Randy graduated from the TfN program in July 2020 and is in his first year of his internship. Both Mark & Randy are serving in the Western Archipelago for the first time.

Mark is a native Sumbanese and Randy is a native Sabunese. Their tribes live on islands located in the southern part of Indonesia.

The Western Archipelago is located at the western part of Sumatra Island. The area is very famous for its surfing sites. In the district where MSI teachers are serving, there's around 90,000 people living there. Most of them depend on farming.  More than a third quarter of the population lives in poverty, with almost 10% struggling with illiteracy. Around 25,000 children stop schooling after junior high school.

1. What do you think is the most challenging part of serving children: building the school building or providing educators for them? Why?

2. How do you feel when you see that Mark's role and duty as a teacher is not only teaching in the classroom?

3. What kind of changes would you like to see in the lives of children in the Western Archipelago and how can you be a part of those changes?

4. Are there any questions you have about the work? What would you like to learn or understand better?

1. Please pray for Mark and Randy in their first year of serving. May they adjust well with the children they serve, the local teachers, partners, and the community.

2. Please pray for the development of the new school building. May God provide all that is needed.

3. Please pray for unity and peace amongst our partners, teachers, community, and the local government of the Archipelago, so they can put priority on serving and ministering to the children and their wellbeing.