Continuing Attacks in Sulawesi

23 November 2005

The Christian community in Sulawesi, Indonesia is in shock after two more attacks this past weekend left one person dead and three others injured.

In Palu, 150 km from Poso, two women and one man were attacked by men with machetes on Friday, November 18. Three attackers on a motorcycle approached a second motorcycle carrying 20-year-old Supriyanti and her friends Anca (23) and Evi (20). Supriyanti was slashed in the neck and Evi's arm was almost severed. Anca escaped serious injuries. As they sought medical treatment, they were turned away from the first hospital because the wounds were considered too serious. Supriyanti died from severe blood loss before they reached a second hospital.

A second attack in Palu on the following day has left Novlin Pallinggi (37) in critical condition and her husband Pudji Laksono (45) in stable condition after gunmen shot them at close range shortly after they left a church service that evening. Doctors at the Undata General Hospital in Palu managed to remove a bullet from Pudji's chest. At last report, they have been unable to dislodge two bullets from Novlin's chest and ribs.

A city official in Palu has suggested that since the attacks in Poso did not stir up violence between Christians and Muslims as desired, militants may be trying to do so in other communities like Palu.

Ask God to draw the perpetrators of these crimes to Himself. Pray that Indonesian Christians will continue respond to such acts of violence in a Christ-like manner. Pray that Evi's arm will heal and that she will receive excellent medical care. Pray that Supriyanti's family and friends will be comforted in their loss. Also pray for Anca as he comes to terms with the trauma of having watched one of his friends die from her wounds. Remember Novlin and Pudji in your prayers as they recover from the gunshot wounds. Pray that the Lord will use these incidents to actually further His Kingdom.

For more information on persecution in Indonesia, click here. The Voice of the Martyrs has released a 20-minute feature on the persecution of Christians in Indonesia, entitled "Island Jihad." To view the video, go to https://www.vomcanada.com.

Indonesia

Country Information
Population
279,476,346 (2023 est.)

Ethnicity (%)
Javanese (40.1), Sundanese (15.5), Malay (3.7), Balak (3.6), Madurese (3), Betawi (2.9), Minangkabau (2.7), Buginese (2.7), Bantenese (2), Other (23.8)

Religion (%)
Muslim (87.2), Christian (9.9), Hindu (1.7), Other (0.9), Unspecified (0.4)

Leader
President Joko Widodo (2014)

Government type
Presidential republic

Legal system
Civil law system based on the Roman-Dutch model and influenced by customary law

Sources: CIA World Factbook.
Pray for Indonesia
Pray for the continued growth of the church in Indonesia, despite the intense opposition and persecution that has taken place. May the destructive plans of the enemy to eradicate Christianity be frustrated and nullified.

Pray that whatever is intended for evil, God will turn around for good – causing such hatred and violence to not only discredit extremism, but to also compel many to seek salvation in Christ... including the perpetrators of persecution.

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