Developments in Indonesia

Despite its long and ancient history, todays Indonesia is a young nation having gained independence in 1948 from centuries of colonialisation. Recent economic development has brought profound changes to Indonesian society. The inflation rate currently hovers at around 10% and the 1997 Asian economic crisis has left many sectors of the country crippled. Each year 2 million people enter the workforce yet only 3% will find employment. Even if they do find work the income is usually not enough to live on. A civil servant earns a mere US$20 per month, a factory worker will earn US$40 per month, a rice farmer will earn .17 cents per day.

Recent laws in Indonesia, such as having to carry an identity card, and the legacy of the trans-migration scheme, have done little to unify this vast and diverse nation. Indeed, many believe that these new laws have created ethnic tension in previously quiet regions.

Rapid urbanisation has meant that now an estimated 40% of the entire population live in massive cities particularly on the island of Java with Jakarta, Surabaya and Jogyakarta.

Indonesia is the Largest Muslim Nation

Today Indonesia is at a point of crisis. Recent leadership changes, scandals, student riots, ethnic murders and more, have created an unstable political scene. Indonesia is a difficult place to govern in the best of times with such huge cultural and ethnic diversity. Every major region of Indonesia has suffered. In March 2001 more than 500 Madurese were brutally massacred by Dayaks with more than 40,000 Madurese fleeing the area. Since 1975 independent Muslim movements in the province of Aceh have caused the deaths of at least 6,000 people. In the past two years clashes between Muslims and Christians in the Maluku Islands have left 500 dead and half a million people homeless.

As the largest Muslim nation in the world, Indonesia is one of the greatest challenges to missions today. There are literally thousands of villages and towns throughout Indonesia that are 100% Muslims with no Christian witness. Yet, throughout Indonesia, particularly in the cities, there are large churches and the Body of Christ is growing rapidly.

Flag of Indonesia

Map of Indonesia

Prayer Guide for Indonesia

* Pray for those in leadership in Indonesia. For government officials, for police and military chiefs, for heads of tribes and households.

* Pray for those who have recently lost family members and homes, that God would bring comfort.

* Pray for those enduring economic hardship. Ask God to open doors for Christian workers to create employment opportunities.

* Ask that the Holy Spirit would bring conviction upon Muslim and non-Muslim ethnic groups who may be retaliating against recent massacres in the name of God. (Zechariah 4:6)

Background on Indonesia (World Factbook)

The Dutch began to colonize Indonesia in the early 17th century; the islands were occupied by Japan from 1942 to 1945. Indonesia declared its independence after Japan's surrender, but it required four years of intermittent negotiations, recurring hostilities, and UN mediation before the Netherlands agreed to relinquish its colony. Indonesia is the world's largest archipelagic state and home to the world's largest Muslim population.

Current issues include: alleviating poverty, preventing terrorism, consolidating democracy after four decades of authoritarianism, implementing financial sector reforms, stemming corruption, and holding the military and police accountable for human rights violations. Indonesia was the nation worst hit by the December 2004 tsunami, which particularly affected Aceh province causing over 100,000 deaths and over $4 billion in damage. An additional earthquake in March 2005 created heavy destruction on the island of Nias. Reconstruction in these areas may take up to a decade. In 2005, Indonesia reached a historic peace agreement with armed separatists in Aceh, but it continues to face a low intensity separatist guerilla movement in Papua.

Indonesia is an archipelago of 17,508 islands (6,000 inhabited)

Economy of Indonesia

Indonesia still grapples with persistent poverty and unemployment, inadequate infrastructure, endemic corruption, a fragile banking sector, a poor investment climate, and unequal resource distribution among regions. Declining oil production and lack of new exploration investment turned Indonesia into a net oil importer in 2004. The resulting inflation and interest rate hikes dampened growth through mid-2006, while large increases in rice prices pushed millions more people under the national poverty line. Economic reformers introduced three policy packages in 2006 to improve the investment climate, infrastructure, and the financial sector, but translating them into reality has not been easy. Unfortunately, Indonesia suffers new natural disasters all the time. Donors are assisting Indonesia with its disaster mitigation and early warning efforts. The government in 2011 faces the ongoing challenge of improving Indonesia's infrastructure to remove impediments to growth

About Indonesia

Population: 245,613,043 (July 2011 est.) World rank #4

Life Expectancy at Birth: 71.33 years. World rank #137

Ethnic groups: Javanese 40.6%, Sundanese 15%, Madurese 3.3%, Minangkabau 2.7%, Betawi 2.4%, Bugis 2.4%, Banten 2%, Banjar 1.7%, other or unspecified 29.9%

Religions: Muslim 86.1%, Protestant 5.7%, Roman Catholic 3%, Hindu 1.8%, other or unspecified 3.4%

Languages: Bahasa Indonesia (official, modified form of Malay), English, Dutch, local dialects, the most widely spoken of which is Javanese

Literacy: 90.4% -- Male: 94%, Female: 86.8%

School life expectancy: 13 years

Presenting Indonesia - Video

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Wiped Out

Throughout Aceh province, entire coastal towns and villages were wiped out, with more than 220,000 dead and thousands more left homeless and without employment. Certainly this terrible event will forever bring spiritual and social changes to Aceh province. One should not say the earthquake and tsunami were "judgment" from God (as do many Muslims). The natural geological forces involved in this type of event are well known.

Happily relief aid has poured into Aceh province from all over the world, but it will clearly take many years of hard work and social adjustment before things will return to normal. One positive result though has been that the prolonged armed conflict involving the Indonesian security forces and the Aceh rebel movement - a conflict which caused tens of thousands of deaths - has at least temporarily stopped. Numerous aid workers have flown in from many countries to areas formerly inaccessible because of the war.

Veranda to Mecca or "Aceh Nanggroe Darussalem"

The province has long been called the "Veranda to Mecca" because of its strict adherence to Islamic law, not unlike the Arabic city of Mecca itself. Before air travel, Indonesian seafaring pilgrims going to Saudi Arabia often stopped at Banda Aceh (Aceh harbour) before continuing their pilgrimage, making this province a "gateway" to the Muslim "Holy Land".

A few years ago the province became the only region of Indonesia where Islamic sharia law was officially in effect. The Acehnese (current estimated population 3.5 million) have striven for independence for many centuries, including during the Dutch colonial era. Since the introduction of sharia law, many local churches have been closed down. Like in post-war Afghanistan, so much has to be done in this stronghold of Islam to win over the hearts of the people.

Resources

The province is rich in resources such as oil and wood products; there are other resources that have never been tapped. Let us pray that sustainable development will take place in Aceh. Respect needs to be given to the Acehnese desire that decadent Western moral values be kept from infiltrating and polluting their society. May the gospel of Jesus the Messiah (Isa Almasih) be proclaimed and demonstrated in a relevant, non-threatening and culturally sensitive manner. The Acehnese need such an approach so that they may eventually come to the Prince of Peace, who has long wanted to embrace them and grant them His divine protection.

Since the downfall of former Indonesian President Suharto, Aceh has been much more than just Indonesia's most fundamentalist Muslim province. As the country's only province under Islamic sharia law, it has been an inspiration to the extremist movements that are attacking Christian villages on the islands of Ambon and Sulawesi. It has equally been a safe haven for the Taliban-style training of Indonesia's own insurgency.

Flag of Indonesia

Map of Indonesia

Prayer guide for Aceh, Indonesia:

* Pray that Aceh province benefits from long-term recovery efforts, including the rebuilding of lives, infrastructure and social organisation.

* Pray that Muslims see the love and concern of Christians through the relief efforts (Matt 5:16).

* Pray that the imperishable hope of Christ reaches Indonesia's people even through the present crisis (1 Cor 13:13).

* Pray for God to open doors for the gospel to be communicated despite opposition (1 Cor 16:9).

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What are the Deli Malay beliefs?

Islam came to the Malay during the 15th century, and has proved to be central to their identity: "to be Malay is to be Muslim". For many, however, their faith is not an intellectual one. Customs and habits are handed down through the generations, and animist beliefs are also incorporated into their culture. There are currently around 50 Christians among the Deli - most of these conversions have been by marriage, and the converts have since had to move outside the Deli community.

How do the Deli Malay live?

The Deli are known for being fishermen, working the Malacca Straits between Sumatra and Malaysia. As a result of large-scale commercial fishing, there is less and less room for individual or family fishing activities. This has contributed to the Deli becoming the poorest of the poor. They have large families, often with six or seven children: the whole family shares one room in a house made of wooden planks, usually by the sea. Most have no electricity, and few have access to clean drinking water. The river and shore is used for drinking, bathing and washing clothes. The Deli have a reputation for being lazy, and most children will have left school by 10-12 years of age. Deli cultural values come from their Islamic beliefs, which focus on living in peace and harmony with those around them.

What do the Deli Malay need?

Most importantly, the Deli need to know the truth of faith in Isa al Masih (Jesus Christ). They need people to come alongside them and chat to them in a context which is relevant to their understanding and worldview. If the Deli are to come to faith in Isa al Masih, it is vital that there are well-trained national workers to live alongside them and share the gospel with them in an appropriate way.

They also need opportunities to earn a fair wage doing jobs which are tailored to their level of education, so that they can provide a better standard of living for themselves and their family. Their culture needs to learn to value education, so that children will stay in school longer and be able to compete for better jobs. They also need better access to basics such as clean water and electricity.

Flag of Indonesia

Map of Indonesia

Prayer for Indonesia:

* Plead for God's mercy and intervention on behalf of the Deli.

* Pray that the few Delis who have received the Spirit of the Messiah would be faithful in witnessing and sharing in a way appropriate to a Deli context.

* Pray that God will thrust more workers, both local and foreign, into the Deli harvest field.

* Pray that God will establish many more small business platforms for witness in Deli areas.

* Pray that God will raise up strong local communities of believers among the Deli in the near future.

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The majority of the Jambi Malay live in the sparsely inhabited province of Jambi on the central eastern part of Sumatra, Indonesia.

This province comprises a lowland basin of dense jungles and swamps linked to the Batang Hari River and its tributaries. Many Jambi Malay seek their livelihood from work related to these rivers. One of their main economic activities is fishing; with traditional equipment, they catch a variety of fish. As many as 60% of Jambi people work as farmers, though only 30% of the province's income is provided by agriculture. Other major products from the area include timber, plywood, rubber, palm oil, copra, coffee, and tea.

Few Jambi Malay have received higher education. Most seem satisfied with their lifestyle or else believe that little can be done to change it significantly. The official language of Indonesia is Bahasa Indonesia, but many Jambi Malay speak a dialect of Malay known as Bahasa Jambi in their homes and villages.

Fanaticism

The Jambi Malay are Muslim, known for their Islamic fanaticism. Islam was established as a religion in Jambi in the 16th century when Arab traders arrived on the island. Today, every village and nearly every "kampung" (close-knit neighborhood) and Rukun Tetangga (neighborhood unit) has a building for worship and a training place for the practice and teaching of Islam, complete with at least one "ulama" (Islamic teacher and Islamic law expert).

The Jambi Malay take great pride in their villages being completely Muslim, where people practice folk Islam much more than those in the cities. Just as each village neighborhood has an RT (elected leader of the Rukun Tetangga), they usually also have a "dukun" (traditional healer). The dukun intercedes on behalf of his patient/devotee with pleas to Allah or the spirits for healing. Religious leaders of the "masjid" (mosque) provide mothers with amulets for their young children to protect them from evil spirits.

Flag of Indonesia

Map of Indonesia

Jambi Batik

Some aspects of Jambi culture surround a rich, beautiful fabric called Jambi batik (bah-teek). Within the village, many skilled women join together to make batik cloth. An intricate, colorful design is applied to fabric by a lengthy process using wax to make the pattern and dyes made from plants and berries. Many women wear batik sarongs and use the fabric to carry their babies with them as they go about their tasks. Exceptionally good batik is also prepared for wedding parties.

Prayer guide for the Jambi Malay of Indonesia:

* Pray for long-term Christian laborers to work among the Jambi Malay people.

* Pray for the love of Jesus Christ to penetrate the walls built up against the gospel, so that the people of Jambi may find their identity and freedom in being children of God.

* Pray for the Jambi Malay who have accepted the gospel, that they would become strong and courageous witnesses to their own people, resulting in a culturally-adapted Jambi Church.

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Culture of the Lampungese of Indonesia

Known for their hardness, vengefulness and pride, the Lampungese have proved to be a difficult people to reach. More than 90 per cent of the Lampungese embrace Islam; many are devout, some militant. Lampungese Islam is intermingled with forms of spiritualism, the wearing of amulets and superstitions.

A large influx of Javanese into Lampung province through transmigration has caused the Lampungese to hold even more tightly to their culture and especially their religion. The churches that exist in Lampung province are mostly Javanese. These churches are seen as a threat to Lampungese culture and identity. As if culture barriers were not a great enough hindrance to the Gospel, many Christians in Lampung province are paralysed with fear and are unwilling to share the Good News because of possible persecution.

The Work among the Lampungese of Indonesia

God is at work among this people, and many are praying that recent conversions will lead to a spiritual awakening among the Lampungese. Some Indonesian believers are living and working among the Lampungese to share the Gospel with them. Currently, there are a couple of small groups of Lampungese believers, and many of these believers have a strong desire to share the Gospel with their friends and families. For now, they worship in secret.

Flag of Indonesia

Map of Indonesia

Efforts are being made to sow the Gospel seed among the Lampungese. Some of the Bible has been translated into their language (some can also read and understand the Indonesian Bible). An evangelistic radio programme is being translated and adverts have been placed in papers inviting those curious about the Gospel to learn more: some Lampungese are responding. A public display of tracts has received some letters of response from those who want to learn more. God is also raising up men and women to disciple new believers. May God be revealed to many more of these people!

Prayer Focus for the Lampungese of Indonesia

* Pray for the Lampungese people to begin to question their present belief system.

* Pray for the few Lampungese believers to persevere despite persecution and to share the Gospel with their friends and family. Pray that they will have boldness and be willing to forsake all for Christ's sake (Acts 4:19-20).

* Pray for the missionaries who work among the Lampungese. They need encouragement after seeing little fruit.

* Pray for the Indonesian churches to sense God's desire for the Lampungese to hear the Gospel and be saved, and have the courage to reach out to them.

* Pray for the new groups of believers to hold tightly to the truths of the Bible and live in a way that honours God (Ephesians 4:1-3).

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Rafflesia, worlds largest flower

Worlds Largest Flower

The Rejang (also called Djang) live in the tropical rain forest on the heights of the Barisan Mountains of Sumatra, the largest of Indonesia's islands. This tropical island, home to the Rafflesia, the largest flower in the world, has a hot and humid climate, although it is comfortably cool in the mountains.

Cut off from the World

The Rejang are divided into five groups that are located in the fertile highlands, the Musi valley, and the coastal area next to the Indian Ocean. For many centuries the Rejang were cut off from the rest of the world. Proud of their own history, they show little interest in other cultures and are suspicious of outsiders. Both men and women wear colorful, traditional batik cloths, called "sarong" or "kain." Their main food is rice mixed with vegetables and fruit. Products from the area include rice, tea, coffee, palm oil, ebony, and rubber. Some Rejang work on plantations; others are experienced craftsmen working with wood, metal, leather, and paper.

Rejang villages vary in size from 15 to 900 homes. Villages with an irrigation system can hold more than 4000 people. The community elects the village chief. Each village has a hall, where ceremonial dances and feasts are celebrated. A traditional Rejang house is built on poles, about 1.5 to 2 meters above ground, with an open porch for receiving guests. Artistically carved horizontal poles and pretty, colorful panels decorate the outer walls of the houses. Traditionally, the father is the head of the family, but marriage agreements determine whether a child will belong to the family of the mother, of the father, or to the clan.

Flag of Indonesia

Map of Indonesia

About 50 Christians among 700,000 Rejang in Indonesia

In earlier times the Rejang practiced animism. They believed that all natural things have undying souls. Islam was brought to Sumatra by Muslim merchants at the end of the 13th century; since the 20th century, almost all Rejang have converted to Islam, however, animist rituals play an important role in everyday life. Magic and occultism are used for protection and to fight against sickness, infertility, and enemies. Unfortunately, there is no Bible available in the Rejang language and no Christian radio or TV programs. A few local missions are working among the Rejang, but so far they have had little success; about 50 Christians are known among this people.

Pray for the Rejang peoples of Indonesia:

- Pray that the Lord would call men and women to witness for Christ among the Rejang.

- Pray that God would keep, strengthen, and encourage the few Rejang believers who live isolated among their people. May they find the courage to witness for Christ.

-Ask God to call qualified linguists to translate the Bible into the Rejang language.

-Pray that there will be a spiritual breakthrough, so that many will become open to the Gospel.

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About the Lintang of Sumatra

The Lintang are generally farmers, cultivating rice and coconuts. Their region also has many coffee plantations (the coffee is sold for export), as well as rubber trees and fields with vegetables and spices, which grow particularly well in the mountains. The fields and plantations are in valleys and on mountain slopes, far away from the villages. The villages are deserted during the harvest periods, because the families stay near the plantations, even at night. This is especially true of the annual coffee harvest. The Lintang also keep water buffaloes, goats, chickens and ducks. Although they live near rivers, they do not practice pisciculture.

It is common for young people to choose for themselves whom they want to marry; the wedding, however, is organised by the parents. When there are disputes among the Lintang, the families try to settle the conflict through special counselling. If no agreement can be reached, a village elder can function as a mediator. Some problems require an appeal to the court of religious affairs in the nearest district town.

Sunnite Islam among the Lintang people of Sumatra

The Lintang have been faithful followers of Sunnite Islam for centuries, and there are numerous mosques in every town and village. They observe all Islamic holidays, including the celebration of "Eid al-Fitr" (Feast of Breaking the Fast) at the end of the month of Ramadan. Although the Lintang are faithful followers of Islam, their form of the religion also mixes in other practices. People gather for the obligatory Islamic prayer times, but they also pray to the spirits of their ancestors, expecting help from them. They fear the spirits connected to certain places or objects. Healers and witches drive out evil spirits to bring healing.

Flag of Indonesia

Map of Indonesia

Until now, no part of the Bible has been translated into the Lintang language, and there is no church among this people group. There is only one small town situated in the Lintang area with any Christians - and these are Chinese Christians. Only one woman among the Lintang is known to be a believer, but she does not live in her home region.

Prayer for Indonesia:

* Pray that the Lintang people discover true peace, forgiveness and assurance of salvation. Pray for an indigenous church to come into being.

* Pray for the production of evangelistic tapes and the Jesus film in the Lintang language, as well as radio programmes in the related Oran language, which the Lintang are able to understand. Christian literature in the Indonesian language is also understood, but needs distribution.

* Pray for the sending out of Indonesian evangelists to the Lintang, that they may have wisdom and be sensitive to the needs of the people.

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