This is the third time I’ve been blessed to travel through this part of Indonesia in the last 12 years…once by land, once by surf charter, and once with purpose. I’m aboard the Indo Jiwa with an eclectic crew of God-fearing, people-loving wave slayers, and waves have been slain the last 7 days, best I’ve had all year by far. We’re filming and taking photos for the upcoming “Surfer’s Bible,” and accompanying film organized and produced by Christian Surfers. But that’s not entirely why we’re all here; to the contrary…Being on a “Holiday’s with Purpose” trip takes the ‘’Indo boat trip” beyond the waves and into the islands, the villages, and the peoples lives that live here, and you are given the opportunity to serve those who have been devastated by the tsunami and subsequent earthquakes.

First stop North Nias where supplied with 12 soft top boards we were blessed to take a whole village surfing. I saw at least 100 kids in the water, boys and girls, some adults too. The captain said he hadn’t seen smiles on these villagers’ faces in ages because of the trauma they have experienced the last couple years. (Add more surfing here) Next off we go to a school built by a previous HWP trip and we spent some time with about 50+ kids singing songs, playing games… (Add surfing here) Then onto laying two concrete slabs around some HWP funded water pumps used by the local village (add blood, sweat, and tears here), it was difficult as none of us had ever laid foundation before, but we somehow pulled it off. (Add serious barrels here)

Onto another learn to surf day at another village – the joy expressed in the faces of these kids is so fulfilling, better than any wave I’ve gotten this trip. And we’re only half way done! It’s been a blessing for Shannon and I to be part of this trip and I highly recommend anyone wanting to get out there and have a vacation but make it something of worth, something that will be a memory in a child’s life forever- join Channa & Ruby and go on a Holiday with Purpose. Initially I thought helping out was going to interrupt all the surfing I so selfishly wanted to do…but I haven’t missed a beat, 2 surfs nearly every day – God wants to see if you’re faithful, and he’ll return the favor. Other than that a few nicks and scrapes, no serious injuries, amazing food, and God’s presence guiding us each day. –Shayne McIntyre, of FuelTV & Nat Geo’s “On Surfari”

 

My trip on the Indo Jiwa has been wonderful! The food on the boat has been fantastic with lots of variety, this has been very important to me being 3 months pregnant. The crew has been amazing; I’m really enjoying my time away from cooking and cleaning. My favorite time with Holidays with Purpose has been teaching surfing to a group of little girls in the village of Afulu. At first they were quite timid and shy to try to surf and by the end of the day I could not get them to stop. Their smiles were like sunshine to my soul! Such a blessing! I also enjoyed learning to work with cement as we built larger platforms to go around the wells so the women could more easily do their wash and water fetching. The Hinako islands are such a beautiful paradise with great waves, I even managed to get some of the less intense waves. Over all I’ve loved my visit on the Indo Jiwa with such great times with good new friends and epic memories!

~Shannon McIntyre, Surf artist and “On Surfari” (Shayne’s wife)