Caught in the middle

NDONESIA
VOM recently reported that on November 8th, two girls were attacked on their way to a Christian school. Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) reports Siti Nuraini, 17, a Muslim, died in Poso Kota general hospital November 9th. Her Christian friend Ivon, also 17, remains in critical condition. This incident closely followed the beheading of three Christian schoolgirls on October 29th, and represented a further escalation of violence. The Reverend Rinaldy Damanik, Moderator for the Central Sulawesi Christian Reform Church, and Chairman of the Central Sulawesi Churches Crisis Co-ordination Centre, has been in close contact with Christians and government officials in Sulawesi and has appealed for a stop to the violence. He stressed security officials needed to act promptly to ensure those guilty of the attacks are brought to justice and also to try and prevent further attacks. As reported in the Jakarta Post, Presidential spokesman Andi Mallarangeng said the President had ordered security forces to bring the perpetrators to justice and urged residents not to launch revenge.

An international Christian human rights organization is urging the immediate release of three wrongly accused Indonesian Christian Sunday school teachers who have lost their appeal to overturn charges. This means a three-year prison term for the women—Dr. Rebekka Zakaria, Eti Pangesti and Ratna Bangun. They are currently serving a three-year prison sentence in the Indramayu district of West Java, having been wrongly convicted of "attempting to coerce children to change their religion" under the Indonesian "Child Protection Act." Christian Freedom International (CFI), reports that on November 22, 2005, the three Sunday school teachers lost an important appeal to have their sentences reduced or overturned by a higher court.

Pray God will soften the heart of the judge who will hear the next appeal, giving him compassion for these innocent women. Pray they will be comforted and made aware of the many people who are praying for them. Pray the Lord will minister to the children while their teachers are in prison.

This i got from the Voice of the Maryters, more info can be found at www.persecution.com if anyone wants. This kind of story is not one anyone wants to hear but it happens in countries all over the world today. Some people like the two girls in this story get caught in the middle of these conflicts. There is fighting over land and resources, religion, power, alot of things. These problems are very serious to some, so serious that children are killed. This is a problem.

Some people take this persecution and stand up for the name of Christ through it all. Maryters are found dying for many causes and beliefs. Christian maryters have been documented since the stoning of Stephen by a group of Jews including Saul. Sometimes these people are considered heros and other times insane. I can't really determine what they should be judged as for i don't know their story. I believe one should live out their life the way God calls them and if while living their faith they come into situations where their proclaiming their faith will put them into danger they have to make a decision. I can only say with what i have experienced so far in my life I can not deny my God. This is easier said then done, however it is a decision only an individule can make.

This and many other stories like it pull at my heart and bring the fight for social justice home. First and most importantly i can pray about it. i can also inform others. i can stand up for what i know to be right and true and try to live out my life as God calls me, i encourage you to do the same.

God Bless!
~your sister in Christ, Erin~