In Indonesia we have 5 recognized religions but the majority of the country are Focus People; about 200 million out of 255 million. With these numbers, we consider as the biggest Focus People country in the world. There is a huge wall of hostility between Christian and Focus People. For the Focus People , Christian are religion with three Gods, eating unclean food, drink alcohol; even many of them associate Christianity with western consumerism or America and they really don’t like it.
Proselytizing will cause serious implications to them and the family. When someone changes from being a focus people to being a Christian, then typically their family will stop having anything with them. Even in many cases, people are persecuted by the family and casted out from the village where they live.
In Indonesia, the Navigators more and more encourage those who believe to remain in their natural identity, i.e. stay as a Focus People.
I would like to tell the story of Sumi, a devoted Focus People; house girl who came to our family in 1999. She helped us with cooking, cleaning, etc. We live in a neighborhood surrounded by Focus People. Sumi was from a village and her family knew that we are Christian and they warned Sumi to be very careful around us because of the bad influence we might be on her. Her religion school friends in the village also do the same, they made a call and warn her every other week.
Over time, after couple of months Sumi got to know us well. We also had many people coming through our house – students and graduates who were part of the believers community – and as she worked she had many conversations them, and also got to know some of them really well.
She saw something in us that she really liked. The other day she asked us to meet, “Can I talk with you and Mrs Wiewiek personally?”
“Sure, what about it?”.
“I want to say many gratitude and thanks to you, because the opportunity you give to me to work in your family?”.
“Why is that, what’s happening?” We kind of surprise.
“I see so much wisdom being practiced in this house!”.
Some time later, she asked to the alumni who stays with us about the meaning of grace; term that practically not common to the Focus People. Afterward she told that about 2 weeks before she believed in Isa Almaseh (Jesus Christ in Arabic).
When we asked how saw it happening, she said it was 11 pm and she was so terrified with her realization of her sin. She asked forgiveness to her God but nothing happen. Then she kind of trying to repent and asked forgiveness in the name of Isa Almaseh. She surprised because she felt relieved and her burden was lifted up. She also told me that she has joyful heart and peaceful mind afterward with knowing the reason.
Since then she was helped by the alumni to study the Bible and grew in her faith, but secretly. She remained in her religion identity. We knew if she told her family that she was a Christian they would disown her, and even could be persecuted.
At some point she realized Isa Almaseh was good to her, but he could also be good for her family. So she would return to the village and share stories about how Isa is helping her. Her mother was responded well and started to pray to Isa.
Across my country we have many people like Sumi who are following Jesus but also living in the mainstream of Focus People society. There are many issues ad difficulties along the way, but we continue to see the Good News of Jesus Christ spread into people’s lives and make real changes for good.