Indonesia: Christian martyrs, Laskar Jihad terrorists, kidnapped children, Page 2

December 2001

Articles in this issue:  War Against the Church, Page 1 | Indonesia, Page 2 | Indonesia, Pakistan, Page 3 | Pakistan, Page 4

“O LORD, You have heard the desire of the humble; You will strengthen their heart, You will incline your ear to vindicate the orphan and the oppressed.” Psalm 10:17-18

The Bitter-Sweet Gospel

	This church in Poso has already been heavily damaged by militant Muslims. These men and their families could be the next victims.

"It will turn your stomach sour, but in your mouth it will be as sweet as honey…" (Rev. 10:9) 

The Gospel of Jesus Christ has reached every corner of the world. While there are still many individuals and people groups who have not heard the Gospel, today we are witnessing the dynamic results of a fruitful harvest due to a century of explosive evangelism that has swept around the globe. As sweet as that is, the spirit of darkness is poised to take revenge and the church must prepare itself to face the bitterness of persecution. "All who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution." But in the end, oh how sweet it is, the crown of victory that our Lord has secured for the faithful.

GOD ANSWERS PRAYER

It is with great joy that ICC is able to announce that all of the Christians from Lata-Lata in North Maluku, Indonesia who were forced to convert to Islam or die and have been held against their will for over 18 months, are now free! We have been urging Christians to pray for these 1,300 Christians who have been held against their will by the jihad terrorists and have campaigned for their release. Finally, the last of the Christian hostages have been freed and have been reunited with friends and family. Praise the Lord!

Since ICC began Operation Rescue Maluku, together with other Christian groups in the United States, Australia, and Indonesia, rescue operations have been operating continually. So far, 2,800 people have been rescued from villages in North Maluku. There are still another 1,000 in various villages who urgently need to be rescued. There are another 5,000 who have been faring better, but still have been denied their freedom and are in need of assistance.

DISTURBING REPORTS FROM INDONESIA

Recently, hundreds of Laskar Jihad members have been arriving to strengthen the jihad declared against the Christians of Central Sulawesi on July 31, 2001. As a result the conflict in Central Sulawesi has escalated. Buses have been intercepted, burned and bombed in `bandit' style attacks. Many people have been killed. Cars are also stopped. Occupants that are discovered to be Christian are killed. 

Since the attack on America on September 11, Christians in Indonesia have suffered increased persecution. Entire villages have been attacked. At approximately 1:30 A.M. on October 1, 2001 the Christian village of Tomata was attacked by the Laskar Jihad. They used home-made and military weapons and bombs. Three bombs were set off destroying a church, the pastor's home, a school, and the home of a teacher. In total, 66 homes were burned along with 11 motor cycles. Darma Monina (21 yrs.) was shot dead and two others were wounded. Currently the neighboring town of Korontowu, where the jihad terrorists established their base, is being used as a staging ground for attacks against other nearby villages, including refugee centers.

A barracks housing 30 Christian refugee families (approximately 200 people) was attacked in the village of Madale, merely 2 miles away from the city of Poso. The attack took place at 3:00 in the morning on October 16, 2001. The government soldiers guarding the village were unable to stop the attack. The barracks was set ablaze and the refugees were attacked as they fled the building.

The young are being kidnapped...

On October 21, 2001, 50 jihad soldiers stopped a bus in the Muslim village of Labuhan and searched for Christian passengers. They discovered a lady and her 8-year-old son. The boy was pulled from the grip of his mother and abducted. He was last seen being dragged into the jungle while his mother screamed hysterically. The fate of the boy remains unknown.

ICC has been told that approximately 100 Christian boys living in villages occupied by the jihad terrorists have been forcibly removed from their Christian parents and taken away to distant Islamic jihad training camps.

Please pray for the Christians in Central Sulawesi who have suffered in these recent attacks. Pray as well for the Christians still held hostage in the jihad occupied villages of North Maluku. Pray that the police and military will be active and effective in keeping outside forces from entering the region.

(Click here for more information on Indonesia.)

Continued on Page 3...  

POSTED:  January 21, 2002

December 2001

Articles in this issue:  War Against the Church, Page 1 | Indonesia, Page 2 | Indonesia, Pakistan, Page 3 | Pakistan, Page 4