Missionaries from Indonesia

As Edward Adolf Meulemans of Jakarta, Indonesia, was contemplating his life one evening two years ago, he realized that he had received many blessings from the Lord. He wondered, “What can I give back to Him for everything He has given me?” A prompting came to serve a mission. He and his wife, Ritschy Adelina Meulemans, discussed and prayed about the idea and received the answer to serve. Now they are serving a two-year proselyting mission among their own people in the Indonesia Jakarta Mission.

Brother Meulemans was baptized in December 1994, and Sister Meulemans followed soon thereafter. The story of their conversion begins when his parents and sister joined the Church about 30 years ago in Pasadena, California, and invited the Meulemans to investigate the Church. They declined for many years until in 1994 Brother Meulemans traveled to the United States for a family reunion, where he felt touched by the Spirit and decided to learn more. When he returned to Indonesia, he went to the mission home and asked to be taught the gospel. He met with the mission president for three hours every morning for six days. At first Sister Meulemans did not join the meetings, but by the time he was finished with the discussions she too was ready to study.

Brother and Sister Meulemans are members of the South Jakarta Branch, Jakarta District, where he has served in the branch presidency and she has served in the Relief Society presidency. They are fluent in the Javanese language as well as Indonesian, Dutch, English, and German. They have one daughter and five grandchildren. “Our Heavenly Father is never too late, never too early, but was on time in 1994,” says Brother Meulemans.

Now it is time for serving a mission.—Joan Dixon, Jakarta English Branch, Jakarta Indonesia District