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Daring the Impossible!

Heinrich Dirks (1842-1915) Missionary on Sumatra

By: Hermann Heidebrecht

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eBook | 15 November 2020

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In November 1869 the ship Electra sails from Amsterdam. On board is a young missionary Heinrich Dirks, together with his wife Aganetha, who are supposed to begin a new missionary work on the distant island of Sumatra. In the southern part of Batak territory, where Islam is advancing rapidly, their task is to found a new mission station and preach the Gospel. Most of the Batak are still heathen. They worship the spirits of the dead (begus), and are considered to be one of the last cannibalistic tribes in the world. A number of them have turned to Islam. There is not a single Christian in southern Batak-Land.

The passengers on the ship are very surprised at the plans of the young missionary. Most do not see any sense in doing missionary work among the native people and declare his task to be an impossible vision. "They should send more cannon and soldiers there and not such harmless missionaries," says an older gentleman. Another one observes: "The savages cannot help being the way they are, but to change them is impossible."

Will the young missionary succeed in reaching the distant island? Will any indigenous person become a Christian?

A true story that challenges and encourages us to dare the seemingly impossible for God.