As I told you in the previous article, our life in Indonesia faces many challenges and difficulties. But all this did not prevent me from eventually becoming fond of Indonesia.

Having many friends in places of worship

In a previous article, I once told a woman who invited my mother to attend a worship event. From there, I got a turning point from my dislike of Indonesia to starting to like Indonesia.

At that time, my mother took me, my father, and sister to worship services; I refused because, like most Hong Kongers they don't like religious things. But in the end I went with my mother to the worship service, and from there I got joy and comfort.

I often attend worship events because I have a lot of good friends there. They are very different from the friends I know in Hong Kong because they are friends with a sincere heart and if we need help and assistance, they are always ready to help and support.

One of the closest friends I know in a place of worship

I had many good friends that I knew at the place of worship at that time, and one of my closest friends was Firman Santoso.

We both live in the Sunday market area, and we often go to places of worship together. The person said he was very patient; he knew all my ups and downs in Indonesia, and I also knew his struggle from high school, German language courses, studying in Germany, so that he became a successful doctor in Germany. Firman is currently the father of 3 children and a well-known Gynaecological doctor (Obstetrics & Gynecology Specialist, Gynecology Oncology Subspecialist and Minimal Invasive Surgery Subspecialist) in Indonesia.

After I returned to Hong Kong, we also still told each other about the situation and development of Indonesia and Hong Kong until now. 

A photo of our reunion in 2000. From right, Firman, me, and our friend Eron. We met again for the first time after I returned to Hong Kong in 1993.

Visited Firman who was conducting his lecture in Germany in 2004. From right, Firman, me, and Osco, who are also our best friends. At that time, Firman had to live frugally to cope with the cost of living while studying in Germany, but during my 10 days in Germany, he always gave me food treats and accompanied me around the city of Berlin after lecture hours.

Photo in 2017. Firman is now a successful and well-known doctor in Indonesia. I felt so happy to watch my best friend reach the point of success with his struggle from scratch.

Firman is now a father who has been blessed with 3 children.

Seeing the kindness and sincerity of Indonesians through school principals, teachers and schoolmates

The principal, teachers, and school friends are also the reason why I finally feel at home and like Indonesia. In the past, what I learned in Hong Kong was "If we do good, we will be harmed", but during my association with Indonesians whom I met almost every day for almost 4 years, their actions made me understand that the slogan "Our kindness will be rewarded with kindness" is still present in this world and does not only happen in drama or fiction films.

When I was in the 3rd grade of junior high school, the principal, Mr. Wayong, received a threat from someone in power and ordered him to expel me from school. But after he discussed it with the teachers, he decided to keep me and refused the order by risking his position. I will tell you about this incident in the following articles.

I was very moved at the time, compared to my grandmother in Hong Kong, who risked my future for the sake of her own good name, but the principals and teachers in Indonesia had no family relationship with me, yet were willing to risk their jobs to protect me. Even though my family and I have experienced many bad things in Indonesia, the kindness and sincerity of the people around me make me still love Indonesia.

Reunion with some junior high school friends in Jakarta in 2017.

After returning to Hong Kong in 1993, I went to Indonesia again for the first time and reunited with the teachers of Seruni Don Bosco Pondok Indah Junior High School in 2000. Every time I go to Indonesia, I definitely take the time to visit them. But unfortunately, I could not meet the principal of Mr. Wayong, because he had passed away at that time.

Reunion with teachers of Seruni Don Bosco Pondok Indah Junior High School in 2015.

Relations with cousins and uncles are good

After I went to places of worship often and started to have many friends in Indonesia, I began to adapt to the environment in Indonesia, and my mindset also began to change. Therefore, I started to like to joke and became a pioneer for my male cousins and uncle number 7 and other cousins from Surabaya when I came to Jakarta to invite them to do naughty things. My naughtiness sometimes caused problems for my mother and aunt. However, during the lessons at school, I remained serious about studying and did not want to do things that violated the school rules.

In the next article, I will tell you what naughty things I have done after I was able to adapt to the environment in Indonesia.