Touching Lives
Paying the Price for Peace
Tucked in the mountainous region of Irian Jaya, Indonesia, is the town of Bugalaga. Jonathan Abimbau is one of the Christians in this area striving to keep the area tribes at peace. He is the Evangelism Coordinator for this area and the interpreter of the Wolani language for the Luke Society International Director, Dr. Julius Surjadi. In February 2002, Jonathan put his faith to the test.
Due to some tense relations in Bugalaga, the Wolani tribe killed a Moni tribesman. When the Moni people ventured out for revenge, they killed a man from the Pogapa tribe. However, because the Pogapa and Moni people are from the same tribe, the Pogapa tribe pursued revenge on the Wolanis. The price of compensation would be one Wolani man surrendered to be killed in front of his relatives. By late April, tribal war broke out.
Nearly 400 Monis seized the village of Bugalaga with bows, arrows and spears. The Wolanis gathered 600 tribesmen in defense. While the tribes came closer to war, Jonathan led area pastors in prayer and fasting.
Then Jonathan approached the warring tribes and said, "I'll pay the compensation, even though I could lose all my things, because I don't want to see God's people kill each other." The Wolanis dropped their defenses and returned to Bugalaga.
The pastors and evangelists put together the compensation. The payment totaled a month's pay, 40 large pigs and traditional jewelry. It equaled more than a half year‚s wages, and half the cash was Jonathan's.
Soon after the war ended, Jonathan was plagued with malaria and dysentery. Jonathan believes the devil caused the diseases as an attempt to destroy his ministry. He continues to draw strength from 2 Corinthians 4:16, "Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day." Jonathan says, "I don't worry even though I lost my treasure in the earth because I believe to put my treasure in heaven, the souls,"
After recovering from his illnesses, Jonathan did an evangelism survey of untouched areas in July. Bad weather almost canceled the trip. But he and his team of twelve prayed together asking God for better weather. God answered their prayers, and they walked three weeks in the jungle without rain until the day they arrived back in Bugalaga.
Jonathan found six new places needing evangelists. The tribal chiefs welcomed him gladly into their villages. They asked him to build churches because they know wherever there are evangelists, the sick people get better.
Building God's Kingdom
Lush green mountains cover the land. Small rivers run through the valleys. From above, Irian Jaya looks like a peaceful place. The beauty, however, is only skin deep. Under the lush jungle trees lies an entirely different world. It's a world of separation, where villages could be miles from each other. It's a world of fear, where tribal wars are at the brink of every confrontation. It's a primitive world, where grass is still traditional clothing, schools are nearly non-existent, and many villages have not heard the gospel of Jesus Christ. That's why Dr. Julius Surjadi is there.
Since early 2001, the Luke Society has been partnering with Julius in Irian Jaya. Julius provides health care and educates evangelists from area churches. He depends on helicopters to get from village to village. The remote villages and primitive way of life present many challenges in Julius's work.
Having no medical attention other than witchcraft, the remote people of Irian Jaya constantly battle malnutrition, malaria and skin diseases. In an attempt to battle the physical sickness and spiritual darkness, evangelists are introduced to the tribes carrying a box of medicine and a Bible.
Nahum Nagapa from the village of Gepedo reports that since he brought medical attention to the village last January, his congregation has grown from 51 to 64.
Yesaya Bagao, from the Gonege village, was also trained in January. Recently, a woman from the tribe had grown quite ill. Her family turned to witchcraft, but the illness remained. Yesaya went to their hut, gave her medicine and shared the gospel of Christ with the family. Two days later, the woman was healed. She and her entire family have recently committed their lives to Jesus.
At the end of July, Julius visited the village of Jamur Besar. "After landing, many people, big and small, came rushing to the helicopter. They welcomed us very well," said Julius. Not too far from this village is a timber company station, which helped the village build a school and clinic. However, there are no teachers or paramedics. Many of the people are suffering from severe cases of leprosy. Julius was surprised that even though these people are more civilized than those in the Bugalaga area, they are far behind in health care. Because the village is located along the border of two districts, they don't get proper help from the government. The head of the village said, "We just receive the promises, but nothing come to the realization."
As Dr. Julius Surjadi continues his work to the unreached in Irian Jaya, keep him in your prayers. By remembering him you are participating in advancing the kingdom of God.
Laura Eisenga