Bible Works its Power in Camps of West Timor
by Geoffrey Stamp
JAYAPURA,
Indonesia — “There is no doubt that the Bibles we distributed among
the refugees in West Timor are having a powerful effect,” commented the
Rev E P Sembiring, Distribution Manager of the Indonesian
Bible Society (LAI). “In spite of the recent violence there, many
people have found new hope in the Scriptures and want the opportunity to rebuild
their lives.”
It was in August 1999 when the people of East Timor voted for independence from Indonesia, and then endured violence from pro-Jakarta militia before fleeing to West Timor. There are still many refugees, and Mr Sembiring and LAI staff distributed Scriptures among them on the border area between the two countries in May.
Powerful
“We discovered then how powerful the Word of God was for those who had received it,” he said. Some 1,000 Timor-Dawan Bibles and 1,000 Bible Comics in Indonesian were distributed as far as Atambua, the camp closest to East Timor.
“People who had been obsessed with political ideas had found the more peaceful way of reconciliation and mutual encouragement,” Mr Sembiring added. “Many of these former militia men, trained to control people through violence, have turned their lives over to Jesus Christ and are now trying to convince their fellows to do the same.”
In the camps, families share one room, with blankets hung up on string or wires to separate the sleeping and changing areas. There is no privacy, and no proper facilities. Coping day after day, with nothing to do but brood, has fomented resentment. Most of the people want a future, some land, a house to build, and work that feeds both body and soul. A few of them, however, are still bent on manipulating the others for their own political ends.
Bitter feelings
The recent deaths of five United Nations (UN) peacekeepers and several local people are the result of bitter feelings towards the international community, according to the Rev David Fina, a former UN refugee attaché. It is believed that a small group of politically-motivated East Timorese refugees was behind the killings.
“Most of the refugees do not want to remain in West Timor, but they want guarantees for their safety if they go back,” Mr Fina said. “There needs to be a meeting of the two sides so that a plan can be drawn up for their peaceful repatriation, but the leaders of the refugees are being manipulated by the militia.
Solution
“The UN’s withdrawal of its workforce is already having an effect upon the camps. It is likely that the people themselves will bring about a solution by pressurising their leaders to find a peaceful outcome,” he added.
The churches are working hard to help people in the refugee camps set aside their bitterness. The Evangelical Church of West Timor Theological College in Kupang has sent many young ministers in training to do their pastoral year among the refugees. They help teach the children, organise Sunday Schools and have started up literacy and hygiene classes.
Great risks
“We need to continue supporting the work of the young ministers,” said Mr Sembiring. “They are often taking great risks in their day-to-day contacts with the refugees. I am convinced that a Scripture distribution program aiming to saturate the camps with the Scriptures could make a substantial difference to these refugees and help them find a more peaceful way forward.”
Back in December 1999, a team of LAI staff visited the refugee camp in Atambua, where the recent trouble started. There they spoke to members of the pro-Indonesian militias who had been involved in the violence following East Timor’s vote of independence. There was still resentment among some of the East Timorese, who felt that their country had lost out by opting for independence from Indonesia, and it was in this atmosphere of bitterness that the Bible offered an alternative.
The team witnessed killers praying for forgiveness, finding new direction, and receiving Bibles with gladness. (WR 355/6 - 11.00) [PHOTOS]