The Faith Journey of Ruben Onsu, Building Places of Worship to Aspirations for the Holy Land

Ruben admits that he always tries to make time to share stories with the public, especially when he is not in a hurry. However, when time is tight, he prefers to convey messages through video.

"That's why when I have time to share stories, I will definitely stop (for interviews), but if I'm in a rush and time is limited, it's not that I don't want to share. That's why like yesterday, on a good day, in a good month I just shared a video, and through that video, I hope there won't be any more misunderstandings that lead to slander," explained Ruben.

Ruben also explained that the place of worship he built is not a mosque but a prayer room. He chose to spend Eid praying in that prayer room because he feels he doesn't have a large family.

"That prayer room is not a mosque, actually thinking about it, just like yesterday during Eid, I was thinking where to go since I don't have any relatives. So I finally told my brother, there's a brother who accompanies me, I said, 'Brother, accompany me, I want to pray Dzuhur at the prayer room I built.' So we headed to Sukabumi, but I missed the Dzuhur prayer and ended up catching the Ashar prayer," said Ruben.

Not only to Sukabumi, Ruben also mentioned that he was involved in the construction of other places of worship. He also made time to pray at several locations even though he had to return to work the next day.

"Yesterday I intended to visit a mosque in Banten, I was also involved in that. Then I also went to Jupe's mosque. Coincidentally, it was Sunday, and the next day I had to start working, so I made sure to take time to go there. I want to visit the places of worship that I built yesterday; I want to pray there directly," he said.

During his visit to the prayer room he built, Ruben was not alone as he was accompanied by a friend who became the imam for the prayer. He shared that his friend even cried while praying with him.

"Yes, he made it himself, he cried himself. Maybe because from the beginning I wasn't anyone, he has followed my journey too," he explained.

According to Ruben, he now more often prays in congregation with those closest to him. He doesn't mind whether he prays alone or together, as long as the worship is done sincerely.

"So now if I choose to pray alone or in congregation with others, if Igun is indeed strong-minded, then I pray with him (a friend) and just cry. Praying with Ramzi, Ramzi just cries too," said Ruben.

Ruben realized that his friend's tears were due to the emotion of seeing the changes in his life. He himself did not consider that moment extraordinary because, for him, praying is a normal thing.

He feels that the changes within him are also felt by his closest friends. The moments of praying together become an emotional experience that touches some people around him.