Good News from the Yogyakarta Congregation - Angel

In September 2018 God once again gave victory to the ministry single Yogyakarta. A sister named Angel welcomed God into her life and was baptized.

Angel is a medical student at one of Yogyakarta's state universities. Because she felt the major was not right for her, she stopped studying in 2010, then took up law at another university in 2012.

Her first year of college was very enjoyable. Besides liking her major, Angel hoped to make her family proud by becoming a Bachelor of Law. As the oldest of three siblings, Angel felt responsible to set an example for her younger siblings, especially in academic achievement.

Outside her studies, Angel also started a business. In 2014, her business successfully reached monthly revenues of hundreds of millions of rupiah. This proud achievement received much attention from the media, business circles, and motivators. A writer named Alberthiene Endah was even interested in writing Angel's life story and business journey. The result was a biography entitled Satu Lentera Seribu Cahaya.

Living far from her parents made this woman born in Sorong accustomed to being independent, especially financially. Her independence made Angel arrogant, disrespectful toward her parents, and feel that she did not need their advice or guidance.

Angel's business success did not last long. The following year, she suffered very heavy losses because of mistakes in investing. Her business income declined drastically, and Angel even suffered major losses to the point that she had to borrow from several banks. Her studies were also threatened with drop out because of very poor grades as a result of often skipping classes.

In her lowest condition, Angel began to be abandoned by her business associates and the people closest to her. Out of frustration, Angel repeatedly tried to end her life in various ways. She felt alone, with no one left. Her relationship with her mother was not good. Angel also felt that God did not exist, so for many years she embraced atheism.

The situation changed when Derio, Angel's friend who at that time was Bible study, invited her to attend a service at GKDI. Angel got to know several sisters, who then invited her to hang out at the beach. This warm welcome made Angel see that there was something different about the GKDI community. She felt comfortable and quickly blended in with the brothers and sisters.

During that fun time , a sister named Anna invited Angel to join Bible study. At first, Angel felt unfamiliar with it, but she did not mind trying and eventually was willing to study in May 2018.

During the Bible study, Angel felt greatly helped. She realized that her life was very chaotic and far from God'splan. Almost every aspect of her life was not pleasing to God. There were many bad traits in her that should have made God angry.

When she entered the study about sin, Angel realized that she was a sinner who needed God'sforgiveness. She also became morecommitted to following Jesus after the study on the cross. Angel saw Jesus' immense love, so great that He was willing to give His life in order to give her a life of peace.

The cross of Jesus enabled Angel to accept her past. Jesus' forgiveness for her great sins made Angel decide to forgive the people who had once left her. She also had to apologize to her parents, and especially to her mother.

Angel's greatest challenge was returning to Sorong to apologize and ask her parents for one more chance to continue her studies. Starting a conversation again with her mother felt awkward for Angel. Moreover, apologizing was not in her character. However, driven by the desire to live rightly in God, Angel dared to do it.

By the help of God, Angel's efforts bore fruit. Her mother gave her one more chance to transfer universities and continue the studies that had been delayed.

A few days later, Angel returned to Yogyakarta and continued Bible study. After experiencing many changes in herself, on 12 September 2018, Angelcommitted to living in God's plan and gave herself to be baptized.

Becoming a disciple of Jesus made Angel a friendly person who no longer blamed others for her past. Her own younger sibling felt that change. According to her, Angel was no longer a hot-tempered person and no longer liked to use harsh words. Their sibling relationship has now become closer. As an expression of gratitude for the new life given by God, Angel often spend time with people who are going through struggles and encourages them. She diligently prays with them and invites others to also experience the goodness of God.

As a person more ready to face life's challenges, Angel is trying to repay her business debts in the right way. She is no longer afraid to think about the debts that are not yet settled because she believes God will open a way. As Angel struggles to live according to God'sway, her business has also slowly begun to recover. She even found a new investor for her business. At present Angel is striving to complete her studies at the new university and fulfill her dream of graduating in 2019 with a Bachelor of Law degree.