Dr. Arinafasa Laia

A Missionary Life:
Rev. J. Wesley Day
China, Malaysia, Indonesia

Dr. Aranafasa Laia, Nias Island

When Wesley Day, already retired, was back in Indonesia as a United Methodist Volunteer in Mission, he sponsored the education of a young Indonesian man nicknamed "Fasa."

That man is now Dr. Aranafasa Laia, who has returned to his home island of Nias, off the coast of Sumatra, to bring medical care to his home community.

Dr. Fasa's work is in the town of Gomo in the interior of Nias Island.

The clinic was extensively damaged during the recent tsunami and earthquake in that area. United Methodist Missionary Don Turman, of Wesley Methodist Church in Jakarta, writes in his July 2005 Newsletter:

"Steve and I have just returned from spending three days in Nias, going there with a team from Wesley Church Jakarta to help Dr. Aranifasa Laia in making plans to rebuild the clinic in Gomo.

Damage to Clinic in Gomo, Nias

"We were saddened by the destruction caused by the March 28th earthquake and the stories of suffering and death. Many of the people are living in tents or makeshift quarters because their homes are destroyed or severely damaged. In addition to the clinic, the church building in the town of Hilisimaetano has to be completely rebuilt.

Methodist Church in Hilisimaetano Before and After Earthquake

Devastation to Hilisimaetano Methodist Church

Congregation and Makeshift Church in Gomo, Nias

The other Methodist church buildings were damaged but can be repaired. Rev. Paul Dirdak and United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) are working with the Indonesian Methodist Committee on Relief (IMCOR) to rebuild the Gomo clinic and the Hilisimaetano church. We were pleased to see that there are many international organizations present and they will meet many of the needs of the people. One of the greatest needs now is the rebuilding of the homes which most people seem not to be able to afford. There was little evidence that reconstruction of homes and other buildings has begun but we are in contact with Habitat for Humanity regarding rebuilding some homes in South Nias. Other organizations will also be helping to rebuild houses."

An earlier account of the damage appears on the site of the United Methodist General Board of Global Ministries.

Knowing of the importance of Dr. Fasa's work to Wesley Day, his family selected Dr. Fasa's clinic on Nias as the object of memorial contributions that might be given.