Traumatised communities in Moluccas receive Scriptures

By Rifka Herawati, Head of Distribution Department, Indonesian Bible Society

AMBON, Indonesia — The violence that exploded in the Moluccas four years ago was so horrific that it continues to have devastating effects on people’s lives. Former neighbours who once lived together in peace started fighting, torturing and killing each other without mercy. Many innocent people died and thousands of families were forced to flee their villages.

Those who survived the conflict have lost loved ones, homes and possessions, and are still trying to come to terms with their loss. Some have given up hope of ever finding peace in their hearts again.

One of the villages at the heart of the turmoil was Sameth – a Christian village in Central Moluccas. Here, many homes were destroyed, along with two schools and the village church. Many villagers disappeared during the conflict and have never been seen again. The same fate was suffered by people living in other Christian villages in the area, such as Kairatu, Uraur and Soya.

These villages, among others, received material aid from the international community. They also received help from the Indonesian Bible Society, which knows from experience that Scriptures can play a meaningful role in helping victims of violence come to terms with what they have been through. Many thousands of Scriptures were distributed immediately after the conflict.

Understanding that trauma has long-term effects on people’s lives, the Society has continued this work, with support from Opportunity 21. Working with Yayasan Maluku Membangun (Developing Moluccas Foundation), it has been channelling Scriptures to Christians from villages like Sameth, who are still struggling to accept what happened to them.

The Society has received many letters of thanks from people, saying that the Scriptures are helping them to face their lives with courage and hope again. With the harsh economic climate in Indonesia, many of these people are too poor to buy their own Scriptures.