[vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_single_image image=”128439″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center”][vc_column_text]By ICC’s Indonesia Representative
12/02/2021 Indonesia (International Christian Concern) – Seeing the innocent faces filled with joy warmed our hearts when we were in the midst of children from Kalimago Village, East Lore District, Poso Regency, Central Sulawesi. Who would have guessed that several months ago, precisely around 9 am on May 11, 2021, they experienced something which became a nightmare that haunts their lives?
Before their eyes, they saw the bodies of slain victims brutally murdered by the East Indonesia Mujahideen (MIT) terrorist group. These remains were removed from the site of the killing – the plantation area of the Kalimago Village community— to their village.
In October, ICC visited the village to take part in the recovery from the trauma experienced by the children of Kalimago. In collaboration with GKST (Christian Church Central Sulawesi) Region for Napu area, we held spiritual activities for a day with the theme “Do Not Be Afraid.” The activities carried out were in the form of worship and games emphasizing the Word of God: John 6:16-20 were picked for children, while Proverbs 23:17-18 for teenagers.
The activities began with all participants gathered in one large group, listening to the introduction from the team that came to minister them, singing praises to God, and games. The participants were then divided according to age groups: under six years old, seven to nine years old, 10 to 12 years old, and 13 to 15 years old.
Several methods were used to deliver the truth of God’s Word to younger children, such as storytelling using picture props, dramatization and drawing of the Bible stories. For teenagers, the teacher explained the Scripture after the participants read the passage. These verses were then incorporated as song lyrics.
Pastor. Osiyana Biu, one of the ministers who serves the teenagers, explained her song-making approach. “When teenagers memorize something with music or songs, they absorb it faster than merely reading it from their lips. Because music affects the soul, when we combine God’s Word with music, it will be easier to enter someone’s soul, especially teenagers.”
She added, “The target and objective of the emphasis on Proverbs 23: 17-18 for the teenagers we minister to, is to encourage them that when they are hurt, persecuted from others, they should not be afraid. All vengeance is God’s right not ours. The most important thing is that we must live in fear of God, for the future does exist, and our hope will not be lost. Do not hate.”
Equin, who was part of Class 10 to 11, told me, “The activities make me very happy, and I promise to practice in my life what I have been taught.” And Indah, who attended the eldest group, said, “It really touched my feelings when the Word of God was conveyed so that we don’t feel angry towards the people who hurt us, revenge is God’s right. My life and future are in God’s hands.”
Pastor Agustin Babao, the Chairman of Christian Church Central Sulawesi (GKST) Region for Napu area gave his appreciation for the implementation of these activities. He said, “Thank you for the presence of ICC. Through its Indonesia representative, you brought joy and inspired the children in Kalimago village so that in the future they can live their lives in God’s grace. Thank you, ICC.”
For interviews, please contact Addison Parker: press@persecution.org. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
