Faith Journey 2025

March to September - Indonesia, Singapore

11.09.2025

Transparency

At the beginning of May, Eva told me that many Christians make the mistake of waiting for God to give them instructions instead of taking the first step themselves. I then decided to travel to Indonesia. At that point, I didn't have enough money to book the flight, but my Father in heaven gave me peace about this matter.

Three days later, I received a gift of 500 euros without having asked for it. This enabled me to book my flight and pay for a few things for the trip. Another three days later, I received another gift of 500 euros. This covered all the costs for my planned one-month stay, and my exciting journey with Jesus could begin.

Jakarta

On May 16, I arrived in Jakarta, Indonesia. During my stay there, I spent time with Bayu and David from Ets Coffee Roaster and their wives, Amelia and Anna. I was also invited to the Coffee Festival in Jakarta. Among other things, we watched the auction of Benediktus Rudin's green coffee. He won second place in a competition with his Robusta Pulped Natural, even though it still contained 17% moisture (normally 11-12%).

Together with Joesi Sihombing, I visited the Jakarta Praise Community Church (JPCC). In a small group, I shared my story of deliverance through Jesus. One thing that struck me during my stay was that there was a lot of structure. I then received the following sentence from the Spirit of God: “The more structure and control there is, the less the Holy Spirit can work.” This is also one of my areas of growth: trusting God more instead of apparent certainties and my own mind.

Labuan Bajo

After that, I headed to Labuan Bajo on the island of Flores. I visited Christa at the KAFFEEkostBAR and followed the initial preparations for the planned move to the new location. After working with the Bamboo Cafe, the plan was to continue in August in a vacant store diagonally across the street.

I also got to know Christa's community. I stayed with David and his wife Viecy. David mainly helps Christa with roasting and tasting, and with maintaining the roasting machine in the KAFFEEkostBAR.

Colol - Tangkul, Wejangmalih

Together with Viecy and Hanna, I traveled to the Colol region to visit the coffee farmers. Despite a motorcycle accident, we finally arrived in Tangkul after some delay. A few days later, Christa, David, and Brian joined us.

In consultation with Nicolas, I announced to the farmers that we would be purchasing their green coffee from the 2024 harvest and that they should make the necessary preparations. Although we did not have the necessary funds at that point, we firmly believed that God would provide the financial resources. We then determined the weight and drew up a distribution plan for the Döbeln and Labuan Bajo locations. It is important to note that the majority of the farmers had stored their entire raw coffee harvest for us, trusting that we would purchase it.

We visited the coffee gardens again and the farmers explained how they grow and process their coffee. This brought some misconceptions to light. Unlike Kahawa, the Juria coffee variety can be harvested not only every three to five years, but even every one to two years with good care and sufficient nutrients. In addition to the Arabica SL-795 variety, some coffee gardens also grow the Kartika variety. Until now, these two varieties have been mixed together, but this is set to change from 2026.

Benediktus showed us the grafted coffee plants once again. An older plant with a Robusta rootstock had Arabica SL-795, Yellow Caturra, and Robusta. However, Arabica plants are often grafted onto Robusta rootstock. This makes the plants more robust and also achieves higher yields.

While I was still there, the Holy Spirit inspired me to ask Lazarus Tundu about baptism with Christa's and Brian's help and to explain it to him. Shortly before my departure, he decided to be baptized - by complete immersion in water - and thus to publicly profess his faith in Jesus. This also represents a departure from Catholicism - a man-made religion - and a step toward communion with the one living God.

Jember

Afterwards, I traveled with Christa to Jember in the province of East Java to visit the NOR company, owned by Kusnandar. The factory manufactures coffee roasting machines and machines for processing green coffee. It also produces its own green and roasted coffee.

Kusnandar worked at the Indonesian Coffee and Cocoa Research Institute for ten years before deciding to start his own company with a colleague. We visited the institute with him and gained an insight into the current research being conducted there. Among other things, ongoing research is being carried out on mixed crops, such as coffee and papaya. On one day, we also visited coffee farmers in the region.

The employees at the NOR factory explained the operation and maintenance of the machines to Christa in detail. They also took the time to roast several batches with us. In addition, we were allowed to inspect the manufacturing of the machines.

Yogyakarta

After that, I traveled on to the student city of Yogyakarta to visit Hendro and his family. Hendro is an unpaid pastor at GBI Generasi Baru Yogyakarta (GENB) for the younger generation and runs a dojo for Japanese karate at home - the Shinsedaikan Dojo. Hendro had just returned from a trip to Japan. Since his return was delayed, I was only able to spend a short time with him. I stayed with Nicolas' relatives for the first few days. Nevertheless, I still had the opportunity to fellowship with a small group from the church.

Jakarta

After returning to Jakarta, I felt a strong desire to spend more time in Yogyakarta with Hendro and his community, as well as in Tangkul with the coffee farmers. I shared this with my spiritual family in Germany. Nicolas encouraged me to take advantage of the freedom to stay longer. So I decided to extend my visa and prolong my trip by a month. It was also a decision against money, because I could neither refund nor change my return ticket to Germany.

Yogyakarta

I visited Hendro's family again. I was invited to spend time with small groups and tell them my story of deliverance with Jesus. I also had the opportunity to speak at a Sunday service. The following Monday, a man named Manuel invited me to tell my story again to his group. Unlike before, this time it turned into a conversation instead of a monologue.

Afterwards, Manuel invited me to dinner and opened up to me. He told me about his sexual impurity, that he has a girlfriend and has slept with her in the past. I encouraged him to tell Hendro about it too. The next day, we drove there together and Manuel confessed his guilt there as well.

I stayed in touch with Manuel afterwards, and he later told me that he had also confessed his guilt to his group.

Labuan Bajo

With a stopover in Jakarta, we then headed back to Flores. There, I helped Brian and David with the renovation work for the new location. One day, Nicolas told me that we had received a gift of 125 million rupiah (equivalent to about €6,000) from a woman. Yes, our God provided the necessary finances for the purchase in good time – Not by strength and not by power, but by God's Spirit.

Colol, Tangkul

This time, I didn't have anyone with me who could help me with the translation. So I communicated by cell phone.

I told the farmers about the wonderful work of Jesus, through whom the financial resources necessary for the purchase of the green coffee were made available.

After a few days with the farmers, it emerged that Nobertus had acted in a similar manner to Lodovikus Vadirman from the Asnikom cooperative, with whom we continued to work until early 2023. Green coffee was purchased from other farmers and resold to us. Likewise, the processing was sometimes carried out in an unscrupulous manner. Nobertus denied everything, but we received several statements confirming this. A farmer who had sold to Nobertus informed Benediktus of this.

Due to the lack of trust, Nicolas, Christa, and I decided not to purchase Nobertus' green coffee from the 2024 and 2025 harvests, but to leave the door open for cooperation from 2026 onwards, provided that Nobertus commits to acting in truth and justice.

Jakarta

With plans to return to Germany, I headed back to Jakarta. Nicolas informed me that the horse we had purchased about a year ago was to be sold again, as most of our farmers did not want to use it and we wanted to use the money for other things that would benefit all farmers.

A little later, Nicolas informed me that Nobertus had also been dishonest when purchasing the horse. According to him, the horse had cost 13 million rupiah at the time, but we were told that it was worth around 8 million rupiah. Nobertus denied this as well. Furthermore, he refused to return the horse, which is the property of the KAFFEEkostBAR family, and demanded compensation for its care in the amount of Rp. 50,000 per day, which is equivalent to approximately Rp. 22.5 million.

When I heard this, I told Nicolas that I actually had to go back there. He agreed, and I decided to change my travel plans again and extend my stay. However, as my visa was about to expire, I had to leave the country first.

Singapur

Instead of flying on to Frankfurt, I stayed in Singapore for a while. I visited coffee roasters and explained the two-kings principle and the availability of green coffee from the Colol region on the island of Flores. Above all, the conversation with CY and his wife Pei Pin from the ASK Coffee Roastery was very beneficial for me.

A few days later, I went to the mission organization Youth with a Mission (YWAM) and found accommodation there. I also told them about the principle of justice given by God and about my personal story with Jesus.

I also met people from the “mega church” City Harvest Church and was invited to the “Saturday Service.” For me, it was like my previous experience at JPCC in Jakarta: a big show with music, technology, lighting, and preaching. Admittedly, I don't have much experience with churches, but I am grateful to Jesus for leading me to my real family in Germany.

Shortly before my departure, I had a financial crisis and asked someone for a loan. I told Nicolas about it, and he encouraged me to ask my spiritual family for support. So I paid back the loan and asked my real family for help. During my time in Indonesia, I repeatedly received support from a certain person. I came to rely on this support. Then the Spirit of God spoke to me and told me that I should rely on Him and not on people. So I told that person that I would no longer be accepting their support.

Bandung

Once again, I traveled to Jakarta, then continued on to Bandung by bus.

I originally went there to meet our exporter Dave and a coffee farmer. But then Andrew and Gabriella, a pastor couple for youth and students from the Inspire Community Center (ICC), opened their home to me. I also told them what Jesus had done in my life. They then invited me to talk about it in two small groups.

I was only able to communicate with Dave to a limited extent, and a visit to coffee farmer Nono Suhana was not possible.

At Nicolas' request, I had the opportunity to spend two days with SUJI Experience Bar employee Naufal, roasting coffee with the “sample roaster” and later conducting a “cupping.” They took a lot of time to explain things and answer questions.

In my free time, I visited other coffee roasters to establish contacts. It remains to be seen who is willing to live by the two-kings principle together with the farmers.

Colol - Tangkul, Wejangmalih, Nkiong

With stopovers in Jakarta and Labuan Bajo, I traveled to the Colol region for the third time.

Together with Hanna and the coffee farmers, we went to Nobertus to demand the horse back. But once again, Nobertus refused to hand over the horse. However, God gave us guidance for the conversation and the ability to speak with authority. Finally, Nobertus agreed and returned the horse. The animal was then placed in the care of Lazarus.

It's not about portraying Nobertus as the guilty party, but I want to report openly on what happened. Both we at KAFFEEkostBAR and the farmers hope that Nobertus will repent from the bottom of his heart instead of hardening his heart.

Hanna traveled back again. Later, Christa and Christin Hanna arrived from Labuan Bajo. One day, coffee farmer Hironimus from Wejangmalih came to Benediktus' house to have his green coffee processed. He originally wanted to hire Lodovikus, but then changed his mind. After processing the coffee with the hulling machine, we got into conversation with him. He told us that the people in the region are more afraid of tradition, i.e., of other people, than of God. Theft and abuse seem to be accepted as a given, but people are afraid of being rejected by family and friends if, for example, they miss a traditional event.

He also told us about strange things happening in his renovated house, namely that he cannot communicate well with his wife there and that misunderstandings and arguments often arise. They then have to leave the house in order to talk to each other in a reasonable manner. He asked us for help, whether we could pray for this matter, and invited us to his home the next day.

The next day, we went to the coffee gardens with the farmers. When we wanted to return to the village later, we saw that the horse had fallen and injured itself. It lay on the ground for quite a while and couldn't get up. God gave me the inspiration to pray for life and healing, and He also gave me the wisdom and success to act in this situation. After a while, the horse got up and I was able to lead it to Benediktus' garden shed. A short time later, Papa Keyla and Mama Tota also came to take care of the horse.

Christa and Christin Hanna were already in Wejangmalih, and Hironimus picked me up. He told us that they had performed a traditional ritual to protect and bless the house and did not understand why this communication problem now existed. What they did not know was that they had opened a door for impure spirits. The same applies to their Catholic (occult) practices. Hironimus thanked us for the conversation but did not want to give up his tradition.

The next day, Christa and Christin Hanna drove back to Labuan Bajo. When I went to the coffee garden in the afternoon, I saw that the horse had recovered and was no longer lying on the ground. Yes, God had provided restoration. I stayed one more day and then drove back to Labuan Bajo.

It is also worth mentioning that we bought 0.69 kg of vanilla from Lazarus Tundu and his wife Mama Dino for 3.62 million Rp/kg and 1.38 kg for 200k Rp/kg.

Labuan Bajo

Together with Christa, I applied the knowledge I had gathered using SUJI's “Sample Roaster.” The connection with the Artisan program ran smoothly, making it possible to document the roasting process with this roasting machine.

Bali - Denpasar, Kintamani Stuhl

During my stay in Denpasar, I visited the small Klar Coffee Roastery. Together with the owner, I was allowed to carry out two test roasts with her NOR roasting machine.

The Curtina Coffee Farm is located in Kintamani, in northern Bali. I had the opportunity to visit the farm and gain an insight into how coffee is grown and processed. The Curtina Coffee Farm has its own one-hectare plantation and buys coffee cherries from surrounding coffee farmers to process them.

Surabaya

In Indonesia's second-largest city, I met with a team from PT Yama Ekspress. In previous years, Dave from Bandung had used this service for transportation. Due to new government regulations, the conditions had changed, so we looked for another solution and contacted PT Yama Ekspress directly. We discussed our request to export green coffee to various countries.

Yogyakarta

This time, I stayed at Manuel's house with his group. Once again, I set out to find coffee roasters who value not only quality but also fairness. I visited the coffee bar Wombats Coffee Wijilan. I was given the tip to visit the Mandala Roastery. Instead of talking to an employee or the owner, I got into conversation with Tondi. He is a Muslim man from North Sumatra. He talked about his faith, and I testified to him about the work of Jesus in my life and also talked about our ministry in the coffee trade. We stayed in touch and he invited me to come to Medan.

I was also able to take part in an excursion organized by Manuel's group to the mountains in Tawangmangu, on the border with East Java. There was a man in the group who was a Hindu, and a situation arose in which this man was encouraged to pray while we were eating together. The intention was to give him space and show him respect. For me, this is incompatible, because I cannot sit at the same table with Jesus and invite demons. I see a big problem in acting in a way that pleases people instead of looking at what pleases God. This makes me wonder whether certain heresies, such as Marian devotion or hypergrace, arose in a similar way.

Later, I had some deep conversations with Charlie, Manuel's brother. He told me about his dark past in Satanism and how he changed his life.

Finally, I visited Jogja Coffee Week. I met familiar faces from roasteries and had more good conversations in which I was able to talk about our unworldly way of doing business. I was able to recount some experiences and the history of KAFFEEkostBAR.

My name is Markus. At the beginning of 2024, Jesus freed me from pornography addiction and perversion. God gave me grace to repent and forgave me.

If you have any questions about my journey or would like to learn more about my personal testimony, I invite you to get to know me personally. I would be happy to visit you and share what Jesus has done in my life.

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