Indonesia:
John Dawson had an opportunity to be in Jakarta to pray with hundreds of
believers during the rioting of last May. The following are excerpts
from a report by Ester Anggawidjaja:
In the midst of all difficulties, God worked in tremendous and
miraculous ways during John Dawson's ministry in Indonesia. As the
program changed completely, God opened other significant doors. To our
surprise 300 people came to the first meeting in Jakarta even though the
city was in ruins. There was no better time for Indonesia to hear this
message of reconciliation, for such a time as this.
On May 19, John and Julie's silver wedding anniversary, reconciliation
took place between pastors and their congregations, male and female,
Chinese and non-Chinese, charismatic and non-charismatic churches. There
was groaning as healing came from deep, centuries old wounds. There was
an atmosphere of open heavens afterwards.
By the grace of God, John had two opportunities for night radio
broadcasts on a secular radio station, which closed with intercession.
Reports were received that many listeners experienced deliverance on
hearing this "on time" message.
The third meeting day in Jakarta, May 20, was National Awakening Day. It
was rumored that a hundred thousand students all over Indonesia would
flood Jakarta forcing Suharto to step down. The whole city filled with
terrifying fears, streets were blocked. But to our amazement the
attendance to the prayer meeting was more that 300 courageous people
eager to pray for the nation!
The next morning on the public holiday of the Ascension of Jesus Christ,
Suharto stepped down! Jesus declares He is above all rulers!
One of the results of John's trip was the birth of an IRC office in
Indonesia. Ester Anggawidjaja is acting as the field coordinator.
They joined with World Vision, Bridge of Love, Woman's Aglow Indonesia
and a large prayer network under Iman Santoso on August 10 - 13. The
entire focus was healing of the nation. This included intercession,
inner healing, deliverance, reconciliation, counseling for
post-traumatic stress disorder and critical incident stress debriefing.
In short, it is bringing the love and healing of Jesus to a land filled
with blood, hatred, violence, and extreme trauma. (A special concern are
the hundreds, possibly up to 1,000, Chinese women who have been raped,
many brutally and even mutilated. Some have committed suicide in their
despair and shame.) It was a large public meeting with thousands
expected. Here is a report from Ester of the first day.
It's all God's grace and miracles! We started at 4 p.m. with about 7,000
people. Pieter Bos and Wout Bouwman came to the stage representing the
Dutch. The atmosphere totally changed as they confessed sins committed
by the Dutch towards Indonesians for three and a half centuries. People
from the audience screamed, wept, and yelled when they heard the
confession. About 10 people came forward confessing their deep hurts
from suffering under colonialism. Pieter washed their feet. Hearts were
broken. It's a matter of dignity to witness a Dutch representative wash
the feet of an Indonesian after all the terrible greed and pride.
Joe Ozawa represented the Japanese as he repented for sins committed
during WWII. Even though Japanese colonialism ruled Indonesia for only
three and a half years it was more cruel than the Dutch rule. Joe's
confession included the raping of women by Japanese soldiers. Again
there was great tears and washing of feet.
Both Pieter Bos and Joe Ozawa said they have been representing Dutch and
Japan in many countries, but this was one of the most powerful events
they have ever experienced, as the stadium was surrounded by armed
soldiers and tanks to protect us! The process of healing began with
prayers of forgiveness to these two former masters.
The evangelical and charismatic groups reconciled and declare to
overlook differences and come to unity for the sake of the Body in
Indonesia.
During the time of repentance between the Chinese and the indigenous
peoples a middle-aged man came forward. He confessed that he had a role
in teaching Prabowo, Suharto's son in law, former chief of elite force
that is allegedly behind all abductions and tortures, to deeply hate the
Chinese. Since that time this man came to know Jesus.
Unexpectedly, a lovely young Moslem girl came to the stage to express
how she had bitterness towards the Chinese because in their
underestimation of her they called her stupid and treated her cruelly.
She too wept as she extended forgiveness to the Chinese. She closed
pleading that we should all live in harmony and peace. Yes,
reconciliation has begun between Moslem and Christian.
The event lasted for five long hours. It was all God that we experienced
reconciliation on five major issues in one night! Pieter Bos went on the
air at two radio stations. He repeated the confessions and to our
amazement many callers expressed gratitude and released their
forgiveness as well towards the Dutch. Yes, the healing process has
begun for Indonesia. To God be the glory!!!!
Antioch:
Nine hundred years ago this month nearly all the residents of this city
were slaughtered by a conquering Crusader army. Today, 90 Christians
from 19 nations presented an apology to representatives of the various
communities in this city of some 300,000. Before and after the official
events, groups of Christians circulated through the city, meeting local
Muslims, Jews and Christians and delivering the message of apology for
the way Christians have in the past-misrepresented Jesus Christ.
During the official events, representatives of the government, police,
the Muslim community, the Jewish community and Christians, both Catholic
and Orthodox received the Reconciliation Walk message and messengers.
The Deputy governor spoke for so many when he expressed his gratitude
and wished us well for the rest of the journey through Syria, Lebanon
and on to Jerusalem. He stressed that if all people had the same
attitude as the Reconciliation Walkers, the world would be a peaceful
place. He hoped that we all would consider Antakya (Antioch) our home.
In addition to the planned events, many unexpected opportunities arose.
Church officials from Syria were in the city for the celebrations of
"St Peter and St. Paul Day" and they also warmly received the message.
In addition, the President of the Democratic Party of Turkey stayed in
the same hotel as the team and joined me for breakfast. He also
commended us for our efforts to remove the bitterness that still lingers
from ancient events here.
During these few days there were many very meaningful encounters on the
streets. One team of Chinese Americans met a bright, outgoing
thirteen-year-old boy who had one eye that would not open. He also
explained that he could see very little with that eye when he held the
eyelid open. When there was bright sunlight, he could see nothing at
all. After prayer, the eyelid opened about half way and he could see
much more clearly. He took the team home to a very happy family of nine
who spoke no English, but pressed them to stay for some hours while they
expressed their joy and gratitude with food, drinks and friendship.
Since then the boy has wanted to stay with the team constantly.
Later in the day, some of us were guests at the celebration of St. Peter
and St. Paul at the Orthodox church. It was a remarkable gathering of
Christian leaders and Muslims guests. There were various high-level
Archbishops and representatives of the Vatican and the Patriarch of
Damascus. After an Archbishop spoke, it was the turn of the Muslim and
governmental representative, who happened to be the Deputy Governor who
had attended our reception earlier. He spoke of how our message had
moved him earlier and that we had showed that people could admit
mistakes, which were made many centuries earlier and how, that attitude
could pave the way for peace and respect of one another. Once again I
learned that if we do not become aggressive and pushy, God has his ways
of getting His will done.
While some of us were at the Orthodox festivities, others were visiting
the synagogue and another group was with the Mufti (the Muslim leader).
The Mufti greeted them warmly and showed kind hospitality. When the
message was read to him he expressed his gratitude. Meanwhile, the
Jewish leader was very moved and took the group into the Synagogue and
showed them where his framed copy of the message would hang.
C. Lynn Green
Reconciliation Walk
Martin Luther King Jr.
PO Box 3278
Ventura CA 93004-3278
805 642-5327
805 642-2588 Fax
http://www.reconcile.org