October 22, 2002
Bombing in Bali

Dear Praying Friends--

Since the bombing in Bali there have been a number of reports of the disbanding of the Laskar Jihad. They are responsible for the greatest part of the attacks in Maluku, North Maluku and Central Sulawesi. The disintegration of this murderous group would be an answer to prayer. They say they have reorganized for social work, education, and political efforts. They have a new name to their organization and legal advice for their new direction.

I am very cautious about the news of their disbanding. I have seen the results of their brutality and have heard the first hand reports of the attacks upon innocent and unarmed Christians. I do not have one ounce of trust in anything they say. I am in a wait and see if the news is true, mode. I reserve my elation until I see--refugees able to go back to their villages and rebuild their homes and churches and are allowed to worship freely--when Jihad bases in Irian Jaya and Central Sulawesi are empty--when all weapons are confiscated from jihad bases and soldiers as well as the disarming of local Muslims--when the Indonesian Military protects innocent Christians who try to resettle--when a single church is allowed to be built in the North Maluku capital of Ternate. Christians have been warned that they will be killed if the set foot in Ternate--and with Islamic Law enforced there it would be impossible to have a Bible in public let alone a church and freedom to worship. I will believe it when the land taken from Christians is given back to them and compensation for the loss of property and possessions is given. I will believe it when I see the LJ soldiers taken to courts for the murders and human rights violations of the people in the regions over the last four years of attacks.I will believe it when I see the Indonesian Military who joined the LJ massacre of the village of Lata Lata and Duma brought to justice. When the sound of bombs stops all over these regions.

The disbanding of the Laskar Jihad will not bring back one grandfather, grandmother, father, mother, or child whose lives were taken in the systematic killing of the infidels. Adel and Methu will not get to hold their eight year old son, Christianto, who was brutally murdered in the jungle outside their village on the Island of Doi--nor will the innumerable parents who can't find their children or know their children are dead. The disbanding of the LJ will not rebuild a single home or church. It will not rid the many who sleep with the nightmarish memories of the terror they have experienced. The disbanding of the LJ will not restore the disgrace of the leadership of Indonesia who stood by knowing thousands of innocent people were being killed. Orphanages are full of children who don't give one rip about the disbanding of this group they want their parents back and they will grow-up without the love of a father and mother because of the unrestrained actions of the LJ. How many young and old stood with a machete or homemade weapon in hopes of protecting their village from the assault of the LJ soldiers who were armed with military standard weapons who sent 600,000 people fleeing to the refugee centers. The disbanding of the LJ will not make an ounce of difference among the crooked military, police, or political and religious leaders who used this crisis to fill their own pockets with tarnished blood money. I have sat with families who have lost everything and will stand with them as they watch and see what all this means for them.

Please pray for the saints who are asking what this all means for them. These are simple people who have a simple faith in God. It would be the greatest news but we must be reserved until we see the freedoms restored to the Christian refugees. The Laskar Jihad could emerge as smaller terrorist groups or could just continue only under different leadership.This could be a way of avoiding legal implications. If there is no Laskar Jihad who do you blame for the continued attacks? We do not know what will happen over the next year or years with terrorism in Indonesia.

Thank you for all the support and prayers for the people of Indonesia. Keep praying for their safety and future.

Please remember the families who lost loved ones in the terrorist bombing in Bali. Many of them were Australians. There is a national grieving over the senseless loss of these innocent vacationers.

Hebrews 13:3--