Good News from the Jayapura Congregation – Marion Tandipayung

God's Power in the Midst of the Pandemic

The Covid-19 pandemic and all its effects did not hinder God's power in changing a person's life. Marion Tandipayung, the second of 5 siblings who was born and raised in Timika, is an example.

For college, Marion moved to Jayapura and studied at Cendrawasih University. She studied there from 2013 until graduating in 2017, then returned to Timika to work at PT Pelni.

Three years later, the pandemic came. Marion felt that her life was just going nowhere, and she was even growing farther from God. She began to feel an emptiness in her life. 

At the beginning of 2021, Suwanti, her college friend who is a sister in the single ministry of GKDI Jayapura, invited Marion to join the PDA single online. This became the beginning of Marion's encounter with the community of Jesus' disciples in Jayapura. Marion felt that this was what she had longed for all this time: to be in a spiritual community that could support her spiritual growth.

After that Marion began studying the Bible with several sisters. Her biggest challenge was having a consistent quiet time, followed by fighting the flesh within her. 

However, because of God's grace and her great longing to know God, Marion seriously dug into every part of God's word that was taught. Even though the study was online, her zeal and joy did not fade in getting to know God more deeply.

At last, after studying the Bible for about 4 months, Marion decided to become a disciple of Jesus and be baptized. The long distance between Timika and Jayapura did not extinguish her zeal. On Sunday, November 30, 2021, she was willing to take leave from her work and go to Jayapura for fellowship, to worship together with the brothers and sisters, and to be baptized.

Marion has great sincerity and a willingness to be shaped by God's word. It is evident because she longs for her life to grow, take root, and bear fruit in Christ. This encourages the brothers and sisters in Jayapura, because in any situation and in any way, God's power can continue to be revealed. 

At present, Marion does have to return to Timika. However, she dreams of being able to take part in starting the mission to Timika that will be sent this year, 2022.

To God Be The Glory

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