INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN CONCERN
----- Original Message -----
From: steve
Sent: Sunday, December 31, 2000 4:25 AM
Subject: INDONESIAN CHRISTIANS
NEED URGENT HELP
The following report was passed on to me from a pastor in Alaska who
traveled recently to Indonesia and is aquainted with the author of
this
report, who is from Australia.
This is my fifth and probably last epistle from Manado for the year.
As it
turned out David was able to get a flight back home, and John and I
have the
privilege of spending Christmas in Manado! But rather than continuing
to
send you emails over Christmas I'll make this the last one.
I've taken hours of video footage which I will attempt to edit down
to one
hour. If you want a copy let me know and I'll arrange duplication on
my
return. Especially powerful has been the interviews. We've talked to
lots of
people who as part of their own grieving have been thankful to share
with us
their experiences. It leaves you pretty stunned. It is a mixture of
horrific
tragedy, evil and shocking, mixed with miracles, intervention and praise
to
God. In an hour and a half long interview today with Pastor Carol and
wife
Jane from Ternate in Maluku, we were left reeling once again. They
were
crying, we were crying, and I'm attempting to video the whole thing
without
shaking the camera too much and sniffling into the microphone as I
sat
behind the camera. I have not come face to face with the persecuted
church
as I have here. I have not heard the most incredible stories of intervention
as I have here. I have not seen a spiritual depth and commitment to
reconciliation as I have here. Its like a time warp into the book of
Acts.
In fact, its a sharing in the very sufferings of Christ. The purpose
of
these emails has been to have you share in that. The video will help
too if
you get a chance to see it. But probably our greatest participation
is in
prayer as we enter into God's heart for the suffering of HIS Church;
indeed
His Body. As Jesus said to Saul on the road to Damascus, 'why are you
persecuting ME'. It is Christ who is being persecuted here and there
are
plenty of 'Sauls' that need to be saved. Carlos and Jane told us of
one they
knew of today - a leader of the Jihad movement in Ambon who when leading
an
attack against a church fell on his knees and repented of his sins
and
called off the attack! So it CAN happen.
There are also some really sad stories. Carlos told us of the choice
his
pastors faced of 'convert to Islam or die'. Some were killed, some
escaped
(including Carlos), four of them chose to convert. Can you imagine
being
placed in that situation? I can't. Of the 53 congregations under his
care, 3
of them have all become Muslims in order to survive. I think of Peter
who
denied Christ three times but was later restored by Jesus. Carlos said
they
have heard from Maluku that these people are weeping every day at having
become Muslim. I thought of Peter who 'went outside and wept bitterly'.
Then
in John 21, Jesus does not write Peter off but restores him to fellowship.
Please pray for these pastors. If you want their names I can email
you
personally.
We have heard the most incredible stories of intervention. We have heard
on
several occasions from different sources the story of Jihad warriors
attempting to land their boats in order to attack another Christian
village.
There is a mysterious figure dressed in white with a beard, riding
a white
horse who repels the attackers, their is total confusion, and in the
confusion a number of Muslims are killed. This is without Christians
firing
a shot! The Christians did not know this was happening, until they
started
being visited by the military who were looking for an Australian (can
you
believe that?!) who was fighting for the Christians. They sent out
investigative teams to look for this 'Australian'. Christians asked
them to
describe what he looked like and then responded, 'that's not an Australian,
that is the Lord Jesus Christ'. Isn't that cool. And I've heard it
from
enough credible sources to believe it is not an 'urban myth'. Other
interventions include jihad fleeing at the sight of thousands of opposing
forces that weren't even there! Check the story on Elisha. We've heard
of
pregnant women and elderly fleeing into the mountains and climbing
cliffs
hanging onto thin vines and branches that did not break and on and
on and on
it goes. But many are also killed. My mind goes to Hebrews 11 which
lists
the heroes of faith, some of whom 'gained what was promised' and experienced
the miraculous, others who lost their lives in order to 'gain something
better'.
Time in the refugee camps has been particularly special. We've been
blown
away by the openness and love of these people, who despite obvious
needs are
so full of Holy Spirit joy. In one camp this week I gathered a few
kids
together to say, 'Happy Christmas Australia' on video. (Sorry you won't
get
it in time). Then there were more kids, then more kids, all wanting
to say
Happy Christmas. They looked like a children's choir all standing there,
so
I said, 'Do you know any songs?' They then started singing. (Boy these
kids
can sing!). Then the adults started to gather with the children and
sing
with them. (We've now got a large crowd all singing!). Then after a
few
songs I said, 'would you like John and I to sing a song?' We sing,
more
people come. Then we share a message of encouragement. Then Jeff (never
one
to miss an opportunity) preaches a Jungle Doctor story that is totally
captivating. Then later we are leading people in prayer and worshipping
some
more.
This is the sort of spiritual openness in the camps. Many are full on
Christians strongly encouraged by the fellowship, but a good number
are
'Christian' in name only and so there is a tremendous opportunity to
share
the gospel.
Better sign off. Finally, please be in prayer for the believers in Maluku - in the areas of Ambon, Ternate, Tobelo, and Halmahera. ...
I would ask you to remember these Christians in Indonesia in prayer,
for the
suffering has intensified. Please consider giving financially and encourage
others to do the same. ICC is considering a trip to Indonesia and would
like
to provide as much encouragement and comfort as possible to those who
have
been forced to flee and who have suffered great loss.
IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN DONATING MONEY TO HELP, YOU CAN DO SO ONLINE
AT
ICC's HOME PAGE: www.persecution.org
Thank you and God bless you,
Steve Snyder
ICC
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