Christian Relief Brings Hope to Indonesian Island
Indonesia's Nias Island is a bright spot in Southeast Asia. Christians thrive in this island off North Sumatra in an archipelago hosting the world's largest Muslim population. Just like in other Islam-dominated countries, Christianity here faces persecution from militants.
But more than the threat of persecution, Nias is faced with a bigger problem of neglect from the national government, having been isolated from the capital and its people bearing a marked difference from other Indonesians. DNA testing points to the locals' Chinese origins.
Government disregard had been more pronounced during the aftermath of the destructive earthquakes in 2005 and 2006. Christian organizations took the cudgels of helping the natives. After all, Nias is predominantly a Christian island representing 95 percent of its 760,000 inhabitants. There are 1,300 church buildings. Only 6 percent are Muslim.
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Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN) is one of the organizations that give relief to its people by providing free medical checkups to students of SD Barawanu Public School, a rare experience for families that thrive only on $5 a week by planting rubber trees.
The medical missions have given the pupils hope, according to school principal Manati Zai. "The fathers of most of these students are not good models because after harvest they just sit in front of their houses and drink alcohol," she told CBN. "It's the programs of CBN that help instill in our students the values from the Bible to help them have a better life," she added.
Aside from providing medical care, the teams of doctors and nurses also minister to the children. Many of the kids accepted Jesus as their Lord and savior after watching Superbook, and have manifested improvement in their character. "My daughter used to be rebellious," parent Sarina Gulo said. "Her character is changed after watching Superbook. Now she always prays and respects me," she continued.
