“How to do the Ment`s Right!”

While still in Taiwan our team encountered a fellow traveller while surfing who coincidentally had just been to the Mentawai Islands! In his thick auzzie accent, he gave us some “tips” for going to the Ments. None of which were actually the least bit helpful. Therefore I , with the help of the team, decided to compile a more accurate list on “how to do the Ments right” (Please note this is a summary, but feel free to message me for the full exhaustive list).

The first item we encountered that we dearly needed yet didn’t have was…toilet paper! The Mentawai islands are remote and I mean remote! Theres one boat that goes to them about once a week for people and one for supplies. Unfortunately this supply boat does not bring toilet paper to the island! Since there is no running water, a bathroom consists of a hole in the ground known as a “squatty potty” and a bin of brownish floaty-filled water with a bucket for showering. This was quite a change from long hot showers back home. Thankfully we were able to find a small store that sold tissue paper and clean water by the cup and we soon quickly adjusted to the new bathroom situation.

To do the Ments right, you’ll also want to make sure you have a device for capturing the breathtaking beauty of the place (plus a long battery life and waterproofness doesn’t hurt). Our contact/translator Tepan had a handy dandy chinese GoPro knock off that did the trick just fine. I thought Hawaii was beautiful, but my oh my I think it`d be hard for anything to compete with Mentawai. The whitest sand, clearest waters, most colourful fish, greenest palm trees, sweetest coconuts, kindest people, and most powerful majestic waves. While in the Ments, I was reading Romans and cames across 1:20 which says:

“For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse,”

How God does reveal His character of creativity and His majesty in places like Mentawai!

Luckily for our team, some German missionaries came to this part of Indonesia before us. Some were canabalized and some were poisoned but they brought the Word of God to the people and because of it, the majority of the Mentawais are actually Christian! We got to see the fruit from the ultimate sacrifices of those before us. Being a Christian Island in a Muslim country can be very difficult and because of their faith the Muslim government doesn’t send the money and resources they should be making Mentawai quite underdeveloped. However, this also means God`s creation is left basically untouched!

The majority of our ministry in the Ments consisted of strengthening the body of Christ. However, even though we were there to encourage them, I think they encouraged all of us just as much if not more. It was inspiring witnessing these people passionately worshipping the same God half way around the world. In the mornings we`d usually visit Christian schools (which there were plenty of!) and in the evenings we`d attend different church groups. Every time we were told “no worries you don`t have to prepare anything.” Yet somehow, in the Ments this seems to often mean you will be preaching the sermon. In the beginning, this had us giving many thought up on the spot preachings, but with time, we got prepared to be “unprepared.” Never did I imagine I would be singing a solo in front of a crowd in a different language or teaching a large group how to Hawaiian dance (without even knowing how myself). But God always met us where we were giving us strength and confidence. We were always met with smiles and applause and asked for pictures and autographs (yes, to do the Ments right make sure to practice your autograph and always smile for the camera since if you`re a white person of “boule” you become an automatic celebrity!)

All in all, to do the Ments right remember to always be chill because that is “Indo Style bro.” Whether they want you to eat live giant worms or fish heads it all turns out well in the end (only half our team ended up puking and sick ;). Embrace the kindness and hospitality of the people and do anything “for the friendship.” And always keep in mind that its the journey not the destination that counts. Because, any boat ride you take will at some point have you stranded with a broken motor paddling and bailing in that mighty powerful Mentawai sun. Just remember you`ll get back eventually and that crazy sun will turn into one of the most glorious sunsets of your life.

Thank you for reading “How to do the Ments Right.” Our team sincerely hopes this guide will be a useful aid in your own Mentawai adventures!