Wednesday, June 29, 2005

INDONESIAN CHRISTIANS SEEK RESTORATION OF MARTYRS’ CHURCH
Jeff Hammond of Bless Indonesia Today has just visited Duma and told ANS why Christians there are planning a new church and martyrs’ memorial.

By: John M. Lindner
Special to ASSIST News Service

JAKARTA (ANS) -- A small village in Indonesia has experienced two events--one divine and one horrific--that have each changed history and civilization in the region.

Duma, a small village on the island of Halmahera in the Province of North Maluku, was the village where the gospel was first brought to that region in 1866 by the Dutch missionary, Rev. Van Duijken. >From this village the gospel spread throughout the region, also known as the Moluccas or Spice Islands. By the late 20th century, virtually all the 1,500 people in Duma were Christians and met in a large church structure that had taken 12 years to complete. (Pictured: The original Duma Church).

The Fall of Duma

In mid-2000 a very sinister event occurred that abruptly changed the face of society in that region. On June 19, 2000, Duma was attacked by Islamic jihad forces for the 21st time. Always before local Duma defenders had been able to fend them off. This time the jihad forces were accompanied by an Indonesian military unit, Brawijaya 512 from East Java.

The Christian defenders were no match for the military might, and the jihad troops overran the village. As they passed through the village they fire-bombed the church where over 600 women, children and elderly had taken refuge. The terrorists then shot at those caught in the building or attempting to flee, massacring 211 in the church and leaving another 140 badly wounded and in need of urgent medical treatment.

More tragedy followed. Over 100 villagers tried to escape by crowding aboard the Cahaya Bahari, an already overcrowded ferry headed for Manado in North Sulawesi. The boat, licensed to carry 250 passengers, sank in rough water with about 500 passengers on board. Rescuers found only 10 survivors three days later.

In August 2000, Bless Indonesia Today led by Jeff Hammond began helping Duma survivors as they arrived in Manado. BIT was organized in 1998 by the Abbalove Church in Jakarta under the Indonesian name, Yayasan Berkati Indonesia, and was registered in 2001. Hammond, an Australian citizen, was born and raised in the islands and he and his wife have lived there for over 30 years and speak fluent Indonesian.

The first group of 112 refugees needing medical attention was housed in a church hall in Kleak Campus, Manado, while some were taken to the Malalayang Hospital. BIT extended its care to another 1100 Duma refugees who were housed in makeshift refugee camps in Tobelo, elsewhere on Halmahera Island..

The Restoration of Duma

In October 2002, the Christians were determined to return home and re-occupy the village where the gospel had first entered their world. They did so slowly.

At first some came only during the day time. Snipers and nighttime attacks against people walking alone killed and wounded several more of the community. Then the believers began staying there a few days at a time. Finally some of them moved back permanently, though living there still is not without risk. Today 80% of the houses in Duma have been rebuilt.

In June 2003 the bodies of the 211 slain martyrs of Duma were moved from their mass graves and reburied in a Martyrs’ Cemetery beside the ruins of the old church. In October 2003, a monument to the loss of 100 more on the Cahaya Bahari was completed at the cemetery.

The rebuilding of the new church began in April 2005. It is 15m (47 ft) wide and 40m (130 ft) long, large enough to accommodate the whole community. According to Hammond, the mayor of North Halmahera gave US$25,000 to help start this project, and the governor of the province has promised another US$28,000. Another $10,000 has come in from another source, leaving a remaining need of US$107,000 to complete the construction of the new church building. (Pictured: Construction on the new Duma church has begun).

Simultaneously steps are underway to turn the remains of the old church building into a memorial. The original building was pentagonical in shape. The plan is to construct a new structure inside the remains of the old church building with the new roof extending out over the old walls to preserve them from the elements as a memorial. A mural will be painted on the inside of the new walls depicting the history of Duma: its early days in heathenism, the coming and spread of the gospel, the tragic massacre in 2000, and the return of the people back to their village. The structure will create five prayer rooms, which Hammond calls “a House of Prayer for all nations.” The cost of the memorial structure is estimated at $75,000, with $10,000 already received. (Pictured: The Cahaya Bahari Memorial lies between the ruins of the old church (background) and the new church (not seen). Annette Hammond is in foreground).

A Witness to the Nation

The people of Duma are no longer content to be a witness only in the Moluccas. They are convinced that they have a responsibility to maintain the gospel and to be a witness to the entire country and to show Indonesians that through the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ there is forgiveness and healing power.

“The restoration of Duma is an amazing opportunity to fully restore a village that has suffered the loss of many martyrs. It is a key to demonstrate the power of Christian forgiveness and the love of our Lord Jesus Christ. Special kairos moments like this are rare and we, as the Body of Christ, have a tremendous unrepeatable opportunity. Let us not waste it!”

Additional Duma projects include drilling wells, providing medical services, establishing a widow’s guest house and fish farm and other empowerment projects. More information can be obtained at Bless Indonesia Today or by writing to BIT@WorldChristianMinistries.org.

Persons in the U.S. wanting to assist in the restoration of Duma may designate a gift to BIT via credit card on the World Christian Ministries website. Or checks can be sent to World Christian Ministries, 3995 William Court, Charlottesville, VA 22903, indicating BIT in the memo section. Persons living outside the U.S. will find ways to donate through the BIT charity Bless Indonesia Today website or by writing to BIT@WorldChristianMinistries.org.

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Persons in the U.S. wanting to assist in the restoration of Duma may designate a gift to BIT via credit card on the World Christian Ministries website. Or checks can be sent to World Christian Ministries, 3995 William Court, Charlottesville, VA 22903, indicating BIT in the memo section. Persons living outside the U.S. will find ways to donate through the BIT charity Bless Indonesia Today website.