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Evangelizing Indonesia - Aussie Style View missions trip pictures here. After an uncertain lead-up to the missions trip, including the Bali bombing (October 2002), the Marriot hotel bombing (August 5, 2003), and numerous terrorist threats in the country of Indonesia, we were never sure until we actually stepped on the plane whether or not we would be going. From August 18-29, 2003, the Australian Youth Missions Team traveled from one side of the island of Java to the other and back again. The visit included 23 hours on planes, a 14-hour train trip, 60 hours of traveling on a bus, and 30 hours in church services. The remainder of our time was spent fellowshipping with the Indonesian young people, preparing for the services, sleeping, eating, and, of course, a little shopping. The ministry was aimed towards encouraging the church to revival and unity, while always making an appeal to the unsaved to implement the Acts 2:38 message. We found that the hearts of the people were always open and hungry to receive from the Lord and we were treated with the utmost hospitality and love. Not That It Was Safe Indonesia is a country of continual political and religious unrest. Throughout the last 10 years it has experienced uprisings, coups, terrorist attacks, and riots. The myth of a paradisiacal country blessed with natural resources is often put to the test by deep racial divides, religious warring, high-handed autocracy, government corruption, economic mismanagement, and natural disasters. The latest round of sectarian violence and military muscle flexing has made Indonesia a problematic destination for most Western travelers. Before leaving, the Australian Government continually warned that Australians defer all travel to Indonesia. We were told to avoid all facilities where Americans and Westerners are known to live, congregate, shop, or visit, especially hotels, clubs, restaurants, shopping centers, housing compounds, transportation systems, places of worship, schools, or outdoor recreation events. We prayed about our trip, our loved ones prayed about it, and it was decided that we would still go to Indonesia. The Bible tells us that, “No weapon formed against me shall prosper.” With all the hindrances to us traveling to Indonesia, I was convinced that God was going to do something great! Midnight, Jakarta We were informed in Jakarta that unofficially, the country is now 20 percent Christian. If this were correct, it would mean that there are roughly 40 million Christians in this, the world’s most populous Muslim nation. Obviously, this would not be publicized due to serious fears of violent reprisals from the militant Muslims. After leaving Jakarta, we traveled to Bandung (a city three hours east of Jakarta) before going to Surabaya, Indonesia’s second biggest city. (We traveled to Surabaya via a 14-hour train trip, which wasn't too pleasant given I was suffering some "Indonesia Belly" for the entire trip.) Surabaya is a hotbed for Islamic fundamentalism and it was in this city that we felt most unsure about our safety. We held the church service on a busy main street in the city. I was very conscious of not standing out the front of the church too long. Still, we had a mighty move of God when we ministered at a non-UPC Oneness church. Eight people were filled with the Holy Ghost and over 15 were refilled with the Holy Ghost, rededicating their lives to Jesus Christ. The pastor of the church there commented after the service that he hasn't seen revival in Surabaya like this for many years. From Surabaya (East Java) we traveled many hours in a small bus visiting four other smaller cities and towns where we preached in UPC churches. On one occasion we preached until about 9 p.m. and then, straight after service, traveled through the night to the next village in time for the Sunday morning service. Given the extreme heat, windy roads, and different foods, this all made for a tiring experience, to say the least! In these services, which were sometimes held in sweltering afternoon heat, we saw the Lord fill 69 people with the Holy Spirit, and even more refreshed and healed. Several were delivered from demonic possession. I will never forget one young boy in the town of Blitar. He had been heavily involved in martial arts and when we began to pray for him he began to manifest violently. We prayed in Jesus name and then suddenly an amazing peace came over him and he began to speak in other tongues. Praise the Lord!
Australians and Indonesians Together Brother Stanley Harvey (who is on the Foreign Missions Board for the United Pentecostal Church of Australia) and myself alternated the preaching. Sister Marcela Ferrari and Sister Patricia Pachi testified and exhorted, while the whole team participated in singing some special items. Team Members included Stanley Harvey (Grace Tabernacle Christian Centre, Sydney, Australia), Jonathan Downs (Calvary Chapel, Canberra, Australia), Patricia Pachi (Pentecostals of Perth, Perth, Australia), and Marcella Ferrari (Grace Tabernacle Christian Centre, Sydney, Australia). Special mention must be made of the 10 Jakarta youth members that accompanied us in our trip. They were also helpful, ensuring that our needs were always met, and making our trip enjoyable with their fellowship. Their ministry was invaluable as they tirelessly prayed many through to the baptism of the Holy Spirit. I pray that the UPC Indonesia has benefited greatly from the Australian involvement and continued partnership would be crucial to the churches' growth and well-being. I was extremely blessed on this trip and do count it a great honor and privilege for having been chosen to be a part of this missions venture. I am thankful that the burden for missions is also being poured into the hearts of the next generation and a program that reflects this.
ninetyandnine.com © 2003, Jonathan Downs --------- Jonathan Downs is a PK, married to his princess (Melanie), and lives in Canberra, Australia where he is currently the Music Director at Calvary Chapel. In spite of graduating from college, he can still go strong to the hoop when the game’s on the line. |
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