Java Earthquake Devastation

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Eyewitness to earthquake damage
in Java recounts horrific devastation

In a very remote village the correspondent photographed another two churches which had been completely destroyed.

This photo on the left shows a church in which the quake destroyed the ceiling and adjacent room.

The writer says: "This church is in a strongly Islamic area and prior to the quake had experienced attacks from the Muslim community. Local Muslim leaders came and told the church leaders that the church would have to be closed, because the worship music was too loud. However the church has been in the same place and used the same style of worship since 1981. This has caused great stress for the church’s pastor. The local Muslim leaders have said that God caused the earthquake to destroy the church."

In a very remote area the representative visited a church which was only completed in February.

"It began with just 15 people. As a result of the quake the church building will need to be demolished and they will have to start again. It is very unsafe. In the photo below right you see the pastor with his daughter.

The pastor and his wife were in the church praying on the morning of the quake, their daughter was at home sleeping. When the quake was over the pastor ran to his house and found that parts of the stone roof had collapsed and injured his daughter. A piece of debris had penetrated her leg through to the bone."

Elsewhere the wrier visited a church which has 332 members. "Eight members were killed and half of the congregation is injured. They have talked to their governing council in Jakarta but the council has not given any firm indication of help," he said.

"My impression here is that the situation for Christians is extremely serious. I am concerned that this event has already drifted off the radar in the West and yet the suffering of our brothers and sisters (and others) here is enormous. There is a humanitarian disaster here for the Christian community, the devastation is huge!

"I have documented reports of over 120 churches that are desperate. At least 7,000 houses for Christians will have to be rebuilt as well as the churches. This will be a huge operation and I can’t stress enough the urgency of the needs here."

As if the earthquake was not enough residents in the area are being daily faced with the imminent eruption of Mount Merapi (about 20-30km from where the writer is staying). "You can see the gas and thick clouds pouring out of the volcano and the lava flow today is 10km closer to Yogyakarta," he said.

"Please continue to pray for all the earthquake victims and those who are helping them. Pray also that there will be no further deaths and destruction caused by the eruption of Mount Merapi. Pray that Christians will be strong in the Lord and will find hope in Him. Pray that they may be able to bring comfort to others," he writes.

Concerned Christians are also asked to pray that the Christian minority will get sufficient help as well as the Muslim majority. "Christians in this area suffer discrimination and neglect. Pray that they will not be discriminated against in the aid efforts as happened in Indonesia’s Aceh province after the 2004 Tsunami."

Barnabas Fund’s e-mail news service provides the media and its supporters with urgent news briefs concerning suffering Christians around the world. Barnabas Fund works to support Christian communities around the world where they are facing poverty and persecution.

Further details, quotes and photos on this and other stories may be available for news editors on request.

Barnabas Aid is continuing to send assistance to Christian victims of the earthquake, providing food, tents, blankets, medical aid, counseling etc.

Please click this link https://secure.barnabasfund.org to donate online using the Fund's secure server. (Please quote project reference 22-618 when you send your gift.)

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for addresses of the Barnabas Fund regional offices and to print a donation page. (Please quote project reference 22-618 when you send your gift.)

Barnabas Fund, The Old Rectory, River Street, PEWSEY, Wiltshire, SN9 5DB, UK. Tel: +44(0)1672 564938, Fax: +44(0)1672 565030, E-mail: info@barnabasfund.org; Web: www.barnabasfund.org

** Michael Ireland is an international British freelance journalist. A former reporter with a London newspaper, Michael is the Chief Correspondent for ASSIST News Service of Lake Forest, California. Michael immigrated to the United States in 1982 and became a US citizen in September, 1995. He is married with two children. Michael has also been a frequent contributor to UCB Europe, a British Christian radio station.

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