Image Source:Artificial Intelligence (reconstruction of Pastor Susi’s face)
Hi everyone, Shalom Aleichem!
Good evening GanSist everyone! 
Welcome back to Supergirl Seriesa series of threads discussing how teenage girls aged 12–18 years can grow into strong individuals physically, mentally, socially and spiritually.
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In previous series, we have learned from various themes, ranging from physical health, mental toughness, education, to the example of Indonesian women figures. This time, we will learn from a figure who may not be well known to the younger generation, but who left a very deep role model, namely Pastor Susianti Tinulele.
Pastor Susianti Tinulele was born in Poso on 12 November 1976and is known as a young pastor in the GKST environment. His name later became part of the dark history of community conflict in Central Sulawesi in the early 2000s.
On 18 July 2004while preaching God’s word on the pulpit, Pastor Susi was shot in the forehead. Brain fragments mixed with dark red blood spilled from the bullet hole in his forehead, soaking the floor of the altar and making a huge mess. The word of God that he was conveying at that time was taken from 2 Corinthians 12:9.
This incident also resulted in 4 congregants being injured. One of the survivors was Desri Yanti, a teenager who suffered a gunshot wound to the right temple and then experienced permanent blindness in his right eye. Even though he suffered a serious injury, Desri Yanti was able to continue his life and build a family.
This story is certainly not intended to foster hatred towards certain groups or relive past wounds. Instead, this story teaches about human courage, devotion, and strength in the face of suffering.
So, what examples can young girls learn from Susianti Tinulele?
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1. Dare to carry out responsibilities even though the situation is difficult
Social conflict always creates fear. During the riots in Central Sulawesi, many people lived in uncertainty. Safety is not always guaranteed, and many people are traumatized by violence. Under such conditions, carrying out your duties as a spiritual leader is not an easy thing. However, Pastor Susi continued to carry out her responsibilities.
From here, we learn that courage does not mean not having fear. Courage actually means continuing to do what is considered right even though the situation is difficult.
In the lives of teenagers, forms of courage can be very simple, for example daring to tell the truth, daring to defend a friend who is being bullied, daring to admit a mistake, and daring to defend good principles.
Developmental psychology shows that moral courage is an important component in the formation of adolescent personality. Someone who is used to making decisions based on truth tends to have a stronger self-identity when they grow up.
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2. Devoting Yourself To Helping Fellow Humans
One of the things that can be learned from Pastor Susi is the spirit of devotion. Becoming a pastor is not just about speaking in front of many people. Pastors must also be able to listen, help, and provide encouragement to other people.
In modern society, many people focus more on the question of what they can get from others. However, the question that is no less important is what you can give yourself to others.
Research in positive psychology shows that prosocial behavior and empathetic actions are associated with increased psychological well-being.
It turns out that prosocial behavior is not only beneficial for the recipient of aid, but also for the person who gives it.
For teenage girls, prosocial behavior can be realized through many things, such as becoming a disaster volunteer, helping with school activities, teaching children in orphanages, helping elderly people in difficulty, and helping family members. Being an empathetic human being is a form of true strength.
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3. Continue to adhere to your beliefs and life principles
One of the most touching parts of Pastor Susi’s story is the fact that she was conveying a message about grace and strength behind shortcomings when the tragedy occurred. For many people, difficult circumstances often shake their beliefs and life principles. However, history shows that many great figures are actually remembered because they continued to uphold the values they believed in amidst difficult situations.
Teenagers today also face various pressures, such as pressure from social media, social pressure, pressure to be accepted by groups, and pressure to follow trends.
Therefore, having strong life principles is very important. Life principles help a person make wise decisions, resist negative pressure, determine the direction of life, and maintain integrity.
In the previous series, we have discussed the importance of building strength and self-identity. Firmness of principle is one of the foundations of this strength.
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4. Facing Suffering Without Losing Hope
The conflict in Central Sulawesi has left deep wounds for many families. However, the stories of the survivors show something extraordinary, namely the human ability to rise again after experiencing suffering.
One inspiring example is a teenager named Desri Yanti. Even though he experienced nosebleeds and sinus cavity damage, Desri was still able to continue his life, build a family and carry out his social role.
In psychology, the ability to recover after experiencing difficulties is called resilience or toughness. Resilience does not mean that someone is never sad or never hurt. Resilience means a person is able to adapt and continue living even though they have experienced painful events.
This lesson is very important for teenagers, because everyone will definitely face failure, rejection, loss, or sadness in their life. However, bitter experiences do not have to determine a person’s future.
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5. Become an Inspiring Young Woman
Many people think that a person’s influence is determined by the length of their life. In fact, history shows that many figures are remembered not because of their longevity, but because of the values they inherited.
Pastor Susi left an example of courage, devotion, steadfast principles, loyalty to responsibility, and a passion for helping fellow humans. These values can still inspire the next generation.
For teenage girls, this lesson is very important. We may not know what will happen in the future. However, we can choose how to live today. Do we want to be a person who only thinks about ourselves, or a person who brings benefits to others?
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What Can Teens Learn From This Story?
From the story of Pastor Susi and the survivors of this tragedy, there are at least 5 important lessons:
1. Dare to carry out your duties even though circumstances are difficult
2. Dedicate yourself to serving others
3. Have strong life principles.
4. Rise from suffering and not lose hope
5. Live life in a way that can inspire others
These five values are very much in line with the spirit of the Supergirl Series, namely forming young women who are strong physically, mentally, socially and spiritually.
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CLOSURE
Girls, history doesn’t always contain pleasant stories. There are also stories of suffering, loss and sacrifice. However, from history, you can also learn about courage, devotion and strength of heart.
Susianti Tinulele is not only remembered because of the tragic events that happened to her, but also because of the values reflected in her life.
Hopefully this story will inspire young Indonesian girls to become brave individuals, love fellow human beings, have principles in life, be resilient in facing difficulties, and become a source of inspiration for the environment around them.
Because, in the end, being Supergirl doesn’t mean being a perfect human being, but rather being a woman who continues to grow and continues to choose goodness, even when the world is not okay.
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SOURCE
International Crisis Group – Indonesia Backgrounder: Jihad in Central Sulawesi.
Human Rights Watch – Indonesia Reports.
Bandura, A. (1986). Social foundations of thought and action: A social cognitive theory. Prentice-Hall.
Masten, A. S. (2014). Ordinary magic: Resilience in development. Guilford Press.
Papalia, D. E., & Martorell, G. (2021). Experience human development(15th ed.). McGraw-Hill.
Peterson, C., & Seligman, M. E. P. (2004). Character strengths and virtues: A handbook and classification. Oxford University Press.
Putnam, R. D. (2000). Bowling alone: The collapse and revival of American community. Simon & Schuster.
Steinberg, L. (2017). Adolescence (11th ed.). McGraw-Hill Education.
World Health Organization. (2024). Adolescent health. World Health Organization.
World Health Organization – Adolescent Health.
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