Lina's fear of evil
Lina is a young Minangkabau woman from a large family, all of whom are proud of their culture and religion. They do everything that Islam requires of them, but they are also involved in other traditional practices. Instead of going to a doctor when someone is sick, they will often visit a dukun (a traditional healer). Lina especially believes that evil spirits are everywhere and she is very interested in all things supernatural.
Because of these beliefs, she is often tense and is afraid of almost everything. Even sudden loud noises make her jump, and she sleeps with a light on at night. Muslim’s say, “Bismillah i-rahman-ir-rahim (in the name of God, most Gracious, most Merciful)” before they eat; Lina says it before practically every bite of food she takes.
Religious Attitudes
This life of fear even affects Lina’s attitude toward her religion: she sees God as a faraway figure and she tries to do all her religious duties not out of a desire to be faithful and obedient, but because she is afraid of going to hell when she dies. She seems resigned to the idea that she will never be in paradise, because her good deeds never seem to be enough to outweigh her sins.
Even though Lina has had many conversations with some followers of Jesus about the forgiveness of sins through Isa Almasih (Jesus the Messiah), she is still too afraid to even consider the possibility that it is actually truth. Unfortunately she only believes that Jesus is simply a prophet, and that He cannot protect her from evil spirits. Millions of other Minangkabau have never had the opportunity to learn about Jesus.
The Minangkabau People
The Minangkabau, numbering about 8,659,000, are the fourth largest ethnic group in Indonesia and exercise significant influence in the country. While some Minangkabau are scattered across the country on various islands, they originate from the province of West Sumatra.
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Prayer starters:
* Pray that the Holy Spirit will open the hearts of the Minangkabau to the truth that only Jesus can bring salvation, and that He can free them from a life of fear.
* Pray that Minangkabau people, including Lina and her family, will no longer look to the dukuns to solve their problems but rather they will look to Jesus for help and healing.
* Pray that whole families of the Minangkabau will come to a trusting reliance on Jesus.
Folk islam
In many countries popular “Folk Islamic” practices are often even more important than orthodox Islam in the daily life of millions of Muslims. Orthodox Islam does not usually have a real expectancy that Allah will actually intervene in difficult situations. He is basically inaccessible. Therefore many people search out Muslim holy men for help. In some countries the tombs of various Muslim holy men are reputed to be places of blessing where people can also seek help. Various things including talismans and the “Hand of Fatima” are often used against the “Evil Eye” and evil spirits.
Video: Home of the Minangkabau People [2 min]
Background Information on INDONESIA is Here →
+ Gospel Language Link: Hear the Good News in the MINANGKABAU language
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Yeah, the belief that only Jesus brings salvation also means that everyone else who doesn't accept Jesus goes to Hell, so this belief should cause Lina to feel more scared for her loved ones. At least in Islam, Jews and Christians are also guaranteed a place in Heaven.
Jesus sure loves all. He won't personally show up but expect people to believe, he'll roast people in Hell for disbelief but He loves. What a love. The love of the most abusive spouse is better than this!
According to Christian belief, Anne Frank went straight from being roasted by Hitler for being a Jew, to roasted by God for being a Jew!
to Fawzia: I am not sure if you really believe that this is Christianity or if you are deliberately misrepresenting it. First of all, Islam does NOT "guarantee Christians and Jews a place in [paradise]" (heaven is not an Islamic concept). In his early writings, Mohammed tried to get Jews and Christians to follow him by conciliation, but when that did not work, he rejected his earlier revelations and condemned all non-Muslims. Very few Muslims concede paradise to Christians or Jews, or even to all Muslims - if Allah decides (for whatever whimsical reason) that you are out, you are out! Besides, the issue is not whether a road is broad and inclusive or not is irrelevant - the question is, where does it lead? That defines the real difference between Islam and Christianity. Islam's paradise has little to do with Allah - he is just as removed from his followers there as he was on Earth. Christianity seeks to reunite humankind with their Creator and Father and the Christian heaven is the fulfillment of that relationship. As for Anne Frank, Islam certainly gives her no hope! And will not the Father, Judge of the whole Earth, do right? We can leave it in His hands because they are hands of love and comfort. The Christian message to Lina, and to you as well, Fawzia, is that God is on our side and will do His best to ensure that we know it, even to the extent of sending His Son, the only perfect representation of the Father, to lift the burden of guilt that was bowing us down off our shoulders so we could look up to our loving Father, and to show us the way back to Him and to accompany us on that way so that He can lift us up when we stumble and fall.
Thumb up for the first part of your reply, another thumb up for the second part.
Pray for the MInangkakbau:
* for the few Mingankakabu Christians
* for visions, dreams, nad revelations of Jesus for these people
* for key leders to come ot Christ and share the Gospel with this people
* for the bIble to be made avliable in thier langauge to them
* for Christian radio to impact this people
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....john.... your text/explanation above is long winded... islam is a religion that simplifies life, the main reason why , we minang, is very much attracted and practises islam,
....john.... you need to try harder, but, we minang shall remain muslim...
harun ali....
Greetings! I know this is kind of off topic but I was wondering if you knew where I could locate a captcha plugin for my comment form? I'm using the same blog platform as yours and I'm having problems finding one? Thanks a lot!