I am glad to be closing this chapter of my life, and starting a new one.

When I was growing up, everyone who heard of my aspirations (about serving my birth country) always told me that this would never happen, and that my voice would never be heard.

But the will of Providence is different from that of men, and by God’s grace and perseverance, my aspirations have come true.

With the publication of Kado untuk Bangsa (“Gift to the Nation”), I feel that I have fulfilled all my duties to my birth country, and can with good conscience start a new chapter of my life. I am very proud of this book, because it talks about the role of religious faith in the context of responsible citizenship, and it is endorsed by various leading Muslim scholars in Indonesia.

When the religious riots and blasphemy cases erupted in Indonesia about 7-8 years ago, everyone told me that there was nothing I could do, and that the only thing I could do (as a member of a racial and religious minority) was to keep quiet! A Catholic couple even told me point-blank during Adoration (a most sacred moment for me) that due to my ethnic background and physical appearance, I should never even attempt to do anything for my birth country.

But God’s will is different from man’s will, and He who allowed a virgin to give birth [the virgin birth of Jesus being acknowledged by both Christians and Muslims] has in His grace allowed me to fulfill my duties to my birth country despite all the odds and difficulties.

After Kado’s publication, I could feel the burning fire in my heart sated, its embers dying down and transforming into other ‘small’ loves and personal aspirations.

I may not be as active online in the future.

For those who are curious about my last gift for Indonesia, an acquaintance of mine has helped me set up an IG account for it: @audreyyu_kado (with its last post being on Aug 17, 2024–Indonesia’s birthday). There will be no further posts, since I am closing this chapter of my life.

In a world where there is so much chaos and conflict, I am grateful that Indonesia is at peace, and that I have devoted a significant part of my youth for this noble cause.

Wishing everyone a most joyful and blessed Christmas!

May your hearts be filled with joy, love and peace, this Christmas season and always.

Take care everyone!