A New Dream in Him

Testimony by

Santy Oey

Jakarta, Indonesia

Dream #1: Make as Much Money As Possible

My name is Santy from the West Jakarta Singles Ministry. I was born in a simple Chinese family, raised with religions other than Christianity. My life was hard when I was young because I had to do a lot to help support my family. I grew up and became an introvert, quiet, self-focused, and I was carrying a lot of disappointment.

In my mind, I just wanted to earn as much money as I could.

In 1995, I decided to leave my hometown, Jambi, in Sumatra. I moved to Jakarta,  determined to improve our family’s financial situation.

After two years, out on one of the Plazas in Jakarta, a sister invited me to come to church. At that moment, I ignored the invitation, because I felt I was doing well in my religious life. But that sister did not give up on me. In the end, I felt curious, so I came to church and agreed to study the bible.

That same year, on Dec 16, 1997, I made the decision to be a disciple of Christ.

I felt grateful and overwhelmed with joy because God had changed me into a new person; a shining and happy woman!

I kept spreading the good news and joyfulness I had. The changes in my life had an impact on my family. My nephew became a disciple in 1998. Then in 2002, my younger sister was baptized, too.

There were a lot of moments, though, when I felt lonely, sad, and scared that I would be left alone in the end, since all my siblings and friends were getting married around me. Anytime I was around my family, they would always ask me about a partner in life.

In 2008, I joined the Precious Woman Fellowship in our church (for women 35 years old and over, and about fifteen years in Christ). I have learned so much from this community. These are women like me, with many struggles, who have already overcome the challenges. It inspired me and encouraged me a great deal.

God was working powerfully in me through the fellowship we had in this group. Slowly but surely, the sadness, loneliness, fears, and worries began to fade away.

Dream #2: Enjoy Life and Love People

I've been a disciple now for 23 years. My life is not always smooth and easy. It's still hard. I still have to struggle. But I leave it to God in prayer and keep reading the scriptures that give me strength.

God has blessed me a lot. Now I'm working on my own small business and feel like I am standing in a very firm and solid spiritual place.

As a mature single, I had to make the decision to enjoy my life. I feel like I have been through the biggest and heaviest challenges and struggles. Those hard times gave me priceless experiences. They drive me to be more grateful and to grow as a single mature woman.

1 Corinthians 15:57-58:

But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

Now my dream has changed. I want to help those who are struggling the way I did.