Nine years have passed since I experienced the most severe episode of mental disturbance in 2014. Since then, God has provided protection and recovery for me. Praise the Lord that I was also able to complete my Master of Theology thesis at STTRII and graduate. The long journey to complete my theological studies was not easy. Thankfully, God gave me Laura Lee to be my wife, who has always been faithfully by my side, even though we often faced economic challenges.

Actually, after graduating from STTRII, we briefly returned to Bandung and settled there for a year. Then, at one point, specifically at the end of 2015, God led us to Tanjung Pinang to venture and struggle there. Tanjung Pinang is a city close to Laura's birthplace, where her parents live. It was in Tanjung Pinang that we started a new life.

Over the nine years in Tanjung Pinang, even until now, God has performed many miracles. I was once allowed by God to work as an IT Manager at a Singaporean company for three years, even though I was not in the best health at that time. It is indeed strange and an incredible blessing from God. In addition, while working part-time as an IT Manager, I was also able to serve at the Yayasan Lembaga SABDA, thanks to support from Mr. Tjahjadi Lie, the brother of the rector of my institute at Reformed Institute, Mr. Joshua Lie. It was Ko Toni Afandi, an old friend from STTRII, who introduced me to Mr. Tjahjadi Rameli Lie. Moreover, I also participated in IT ministry under Mr. Tjahjadi's son, David Limanputra, to develop the MySABDA Study Bible Application.

In these nine years, my life has become more stable. The dosage of medications I need to take has decreased, yet remains stable. I believe that God continues to lead me towards a deeper healing process. His goodness and mercy continue to follow me. Additionally, I believe that what is most important is not just to be healed, but to be a blessing and declare the glory of God, because that is what we are called for.

During these nine years, we are also grateful that God enabled us to buy a house so we can have our own place. Looking back, in 2014, our economy had once dropped to zero, even into the negatives. However, God continued to help us, our family relationships, and our health, until we were able to own our home.

I sometimes reflect. Bipolar disorder sometimes requires me to rest a lot. Yet, it turns out that even in rest, God continues to bless because the Keeper of our lives never sleeps.
"A song of ascents. Of Solomon. Unless the LORD builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain. In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat—for he grants sleep to those he loves." (Psalm 127:1)

Now, I feel a profound sense of gratitude. I know that up to this stage, God has helped me (Eben-Haezer). Thanks be to God! Besides, God also allowed me to serve Him in the Bible Study program, deliver the word, give reflections, do counseling, teach IT programming in church, present spiritual seminars on Zoom, and more. All of this is an extraordinary grace from God. With each passing day, I feel more grateful because God has brought us into a spacious land.

I believe that God has not finished His work with me yet. He will continue to work in my life, for He who has called me to serve Him is faithful. He will carry on His work in me, just as Apostle Paul said:"I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus." (Philippians 1:6)

I believe that God has already prepared all the good works for the future, in which He wants me to live.
"For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them." (Ephesians 2:10)

I also believe that the year 2023 is not the end of my struggles and testimonies but a starting point in my life to be renewed in the Lord, to glorify Him more, and to become a greater blessing to others. When God has allowed and accompanied me through the valley of the shadow of death, I am also enabled to believe and see with the eyes of faith that: "Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever." (Psalm 23:6)

My prayer is that the Lord would use me again at His altar, to be a fragrant offering for the glory of His name. And, may I continue to be close to the Lord, as David said through his Psalm:
"One thing I have asked from the LORD, that I shall seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD and to meditate in His temple." (Psalm 27:4)