An updated report on the Rev Rinaldy Damanik   Ian Freestone International Friends of Compassion (IFC) Feb 13, 2003.   Last night I spoke at length with Rev Rinaldy Damanik, whom I met in February 2002. He is in prison in Palu, Central Sulawesi and awaiting trial for 'possession of weapons'. What follows is some brief background, a report on his condition, a fascinating testimony of an angelic visitation whilst in prison, the current trial that he faces and his hopes for the future. I encourage you to send this report far and wide, so that Rev Damanik's sufferings are not in vain but may be used by the Lord to highlight the injustice in Eastern Indonesia as well as give further support to those who continue to suffer.   Some brief background Rev Rinaldy Damanik is married with one daughter and is head of the Crisis Centre of Central Sulawesi, based in Tentena. In this position he was responsible for informing the international community of the attacks and human rights violations against the Christians in the region. The Crisis Centre is the Protestant Church Body that has provided assistance to those who have fled the 'Poso conflict' in Central Sulawesi which broke out in December 1998. Rev Damanik promoted efforts for reconciliation and was a key figure in drafting the Malino peace accord in December 2001 which brought significant peace to the region. In July and August 2002 further attacks broke out, led by members of an Islamic militia group - Laskar Jihad. In these attacks a number of Christian villages had been razed to the ground and a number of people had been killed. Indonesian military, elements of the local police force and even local government officials are accused of providing support to these attacks and arriving on the scene well after the carnage had been inflicted. Part of Damanik's responsibilities included responding to calls for assistance with evacuations and enabling fleeing villagers to safely escape to more secure areas such as Tentena. It was on one of these evacuation missions that the car Rev Damanik was in was stopped by police and the occupants ordered to move away from the vehicle. Later Damanik discovered he was being arrested for carrying weapons in his car; a charge he categorically denies.   Mona Saroinsong, Coordinator of the Crisis Centre in Nth Sulawesi says of these events, "It seems that Rev. Damanik was arrested both in order to silence him and to placate the extremists who still have influential supporters in the government and the military."   Between September 10 and December 22, Rev Damanik was held in the National Police Prison in Jakarta as a suspect concerning the violence in Poso. In fact he shared his confinement with leading suspects of the Bali bombing, including Iman Samudra.   On December 22, Damanik was, without warning, moved to the police prison in Palu. The next evening he became violently ill and almost died after eating food given him by prison officials. Poisoning is suspected, but the official statement from the hospital was that there was nothing wrong with the food. Prior to this, a key witness in Damanik's defence was found shot dead. Again, the 'official statement' was that he accidentally shot himself when playing with his firearm. (These types of "accidents" have been regular occurrences in Central Sulawesi, as well as in other parts of the country). Mona Saroninsong suggests, "Both Christians and Muslims have been victimised in Central Sulawesi. This victimisation has been at the hands of local government, military, and police. Whilst Laskar Jihad did inflict much death and violence, they too are just one of the victims that are being used by other players to escalate the conflict. Only now the local people are beginning to see this."   On Feb 3, and again on Feb 10, 2003 Damanik, and his volunteer legal team have been presenting their defence to the court in Palu. They ask for our continued prayers and support. There is another hearing on February 18.   Damanik's testimony Last night, February 12, 2003 Rev Damanik reported to me that in the first week of his arrest he was feeling angry inside.   He had gone to Jakarta to present himself as a witness to the conflict in Poso and then discovered that the police were now making him a suspect and were detaining him indefinitely. He felt cheated and let down by the justice system and felt like rebelling. "But I then accepted this as God’s will, and realised that many people are praying for me and supporting me, reported Damanik in the interview.   In this change of heart concerning his circumstances, Rev Damanik realised how God could use his confinement to further His purposes. To begin with, there had been very little accurate reporting of the conflict in Poso. Damanik knew many of the facts. He knew his arrest would provide an opportunity to publicly declare the facts of the situation in Poso. "If the truth is not told, then there can be no reconciliation. In order for people to forgive, they need to know who to forgive. My desire is not to be vindictive and blame people, but to clearly set forth the truth, so that there might be true peace" said Rev Damanik. In fact whilst in Jakarta, Damanik had opportunities to 'negotiate his release' and become a free man. Instead he chose to defend the charges against him in order that the truth concerning Poso might be told.   It was also here in the police prison in Jakarta that Damanik got to know his fellow prisoners - some of whom were the leading suspects in the Bali bombing! Again, here was another opportunity given by God to share the grace of Jesus Christ. "In one conversation I talked about the philosophy of God and how many people use the concept of God simply to further their own ends. They make God do the evil that they want to do."   Rev Damanik also met an Islamic militant leader who had been paid to assassinate him! This self-confessed terrorist had been responsible for the transportation of weapons and ammunition around Indonesia and into Central Sulawesi. During the conversation with Damanik this man apologised for his attitude and his evil intent. The two of them were reconciled right there in the prison!   Another miraculous event took place in Damanik's prison cell on December 1, 2002. This experience has strengthened Rev Damanik and is the reason for the strong hope and courage that he has in this time of trial. Here Rev Daminik tells of the incident in his own words:   It was a Sunday and I was fast asleep. I was then woken by a man who came into my cell at around 3.00a.m. I noticed the door was not locked. He was a dignified looking man, with a strong but calm and gentle voice and was wearing glasses. He was also holding a newspaper under his arm. After waking me he gave me the newspaper and pointed to an article. He told me to copy out the parts of the article that were marked in red. The man then turned and walked out of the cell. I reached for my notebook and began transcribing the text of the article in the newspaper. It took me about 15 minutes. As I was completing the full stop on the final word of the article the man returned and took the newspaper. He then told me not to follow him but to stay where I was and not attempt to leave the prison. The man left and I fell into a deep sleep. When I woke the next morning I was still leaning up against the wall. I began to think about what had happened the previous night and I assumed I must have been dreaming. But then I saw my notebook and my own handwriting stained by the tears that I had shed. I spoke to the guards on the morning duty and I asked about a strange man coming into my cell. They insisted that no one had come into my cell and that it was impossible for anyone to walk straight past the armed guards.   Here now is the content of that article, read out to me last night. It is a rough translation into English but reflects the broad meaning and content.   On one side there are many people who are willing to sell their truth and dignity just to be able to achieve power and status in the kingdom of men. On the contrary there are a few people, who never choose to fight against the truth and so betray their inner heart. These few are those who are not of this world; their lives keep on suffering like sheep in the middle of the wolves. This is a very difficult point; but never run from trouble and never be afraid to face the difficulty. The difficulty is normal. In this work of faith there is no way that is easy and simple to reach the noble purpose. In the same way there is no cheap price to get something which is really priceless.   Difficulty is something which goes hand in hand with the truth. Difficulty sticks to truth like glue in the jackfruit*. Like the smell of durian*, it cannot be avoided or denied! So although truth is difficult and very expensive we don’t have any choice. We have to be willing to pay the expensive price. The alternative is to say goodbye to the truth. The truth lover has to fight extra hard to be someone with an iron will and at the same time be a person with a pure and transparent heart (like glass). The iron will is strong; it cannot be bent. It is unswerving in its commitment to truth, like John the Baptist, who was prepared to confront Herod the King with those things that were wrong. It was impossible for him to bend or renounce his faith. But there is pain for the truth lover because his heart is like glass and can be scratched and indeed broken. John the Baptist was ultimately killed for his commitment to the truth (i.e. his body was broken) but because he had an iron will it was impossible to shake his faith. His total commitment is the fixed price without the discount! The glass heart is one that is clean from one’s own hidden interests and personal agenda. As with glass, the truth lover is sensitive and easily broken over the injustice and falsehood in the world. This broken-heartedness is not a sign of weakness, but it is a sign of strength and power. He is strong willed and his sharp mouth is able to speak out in the face of untruth and the falsehood of his surroundings. His heart cannot be still or quiet. His heart is always full of fight against injustice.   (*Jackfruit - Indonesian fruit with very sticky substance, *Durian - local Indonesian fruit with overpowering smell and strong taste)   Rev Daminik has entitled this article, "To enjoy the warmth and cheerfulness of the dawn, there is no other way but to pass through the darkness of night"   Now in Palu awaiting another trial, Rev Damanik has made these words a motto, "I will pass through the darkness of night in order to experience the dawn." It is the message of encouragement he is seeking to give to his flock that are concerned for him in Central Sulawesi. He discourages them from repaying evil with evil and exhorts them saying,   "God is the true truth and eternal God. He is full of forgiveness and blesses us with truth and grace which gives us the powerful ability to us to face any challenge and sufferings."   It is this same testimony that Damanik gives to the courts when he is required to present his defence. He repeats the words given to him by the mysterious visitor in the prison cell and then outlines fact after fact, name after name and all the details known to him of the Poso conflict.   Mona Saroinsong reports, "This is amazing, because the truth of the Poso conflict has never been fully told. Rev Damanik is naming names and is giving detail about government money that was intended to be spent on the refugees but was never passed on. These details tabled in the court are being reported in the local newspaper and many local people, both Christians and Muslims are protesting outside the government offices demanding fairness and justice."   So you can see God is using Damanik's unfair arrest to achieve His purposes.     The Present Situation I asked Rev Damanik if he had a message to the international community and the church around the world. He replied:   "I want to convey my gratitude and thanks for your prayers and moral support that has been given to me. Thankyou not only for the help you have given me but for drawing attention to the Poso conflict. This support is helping all of the victims and is addressing other issues within Indonesia. Please don’t worry about me. Through God, I am strong enough for everything. I am willing to be sentenced 1000 years, or even to be hung as long as the truth prevails and that Poso might have peace."   I told him that we will continue to pray for him and that we will support him. I encouraged him to take courage in knowing that the whole Body of Christ is suffering with him.   The continuation of the trial set down for Tuesday February 18 is now complicated by the fact that the Justice Minister has unilaterally changed the charge against Damanik from 'found with weapons' to 'being a provocateur. This is a much more broad sweeping allegation. Damanik's legal team suggest that he not answer this new charge, but that a letter concerning this surprising accusation be made and sent to the High Court of the State. This may mean that the trial gets dragged out for a while yet, but again Damanik is positive. "It will take time and energy. But I am willing to suffer in order that the truth might come out".   Will you join us in praying for Rev Rinaldy Damanik. Pray too for his legal team and for the Crisis Centre of North Sulawesi which is extending moral support to their brother in the Lord. Pray that there will be widespread international attention concerning this issue, that witnesses will have confidence to come forward and that there will be sufficient finances to continue with the legal process until justice is fully done. Pray that the truth concerning Poso would be told clearly and that there will be lasting peace and reconciliation in the region.     Contributions to offset the costs of Damanik's defence, which among other things involves travel and accommodation for his legal team, can be sent to:   Crisis Center Sinode Am Bank Mandiri Manado, SULUT-Indonesia No. 150.0002087763 Attn. Philep M. Regar, Drs. MS (The treasurer of SAG SULUTTENG)     Ian Freestone International Friends of Compassion