A letter from Bernie Adeney-Risakotta in the U.S., returning to Indonesia
SUmmer 2014 - Building a Just Society
Dear Family, Friends and Colleagues,
What do you care about passionately? I was amazed at the extreme emotions of people watching the World Cup in Brazil. When Germany beat Brazil 7-1, millions of Germans experienced ecstatic joy while the whole of Brazil went into mourning. Many wept blinding tears of despair. Do they really care that much about a little ball being kicked around a field? Well, no, they don’t care about the ball, but they care passionately about the triumph or defeat of their national team. Their own identity feels tied to the fate of their national team. Brazil’s loss in the World Cup could bring down the government in the next election. Most Americans don’t care that much about football (soccer), but a similar thing happened in Boston when the Red Sox won the World Series last summer. We, along with millions of other people, felt proud to live in Boston when the home team won.
-1_small200.jpeg)
Bernie and Farsijana beside a painting and collage on Searching for Papua
Even more extreme emotions have been sweeping through Indonesia during the past months, not because of the World Cup, but because of the election. Two hundred and forty million people (Indonesia is the fourth largest country in the world) are torn between hope and despair in connection with the election of the next president. The country is polarized. Many feel that if their candidate wins, the nation will be saved and the future will be bright. Conversely, if the opposing candidate wins, it will bring on destruction and despair. One candidate appears like the Savior of the nation (Ratu Adil=The Just King), while the other candidate is seen as the Devil in disguise. Sincere Indonesians differ with each other about which is the Savior and which is the Devil.
Although we are in Boston, we are not shielded from the extreme emotions that zap like electricity around the country. Thanks to the Internet, we read multiple Indonesian newspapers every day. Farsijana interacts with thousands of people about the election through various social media. Like most people who love Indonesia, we are passionately partisan. We like one candidate a lot and don’t like the other. We have great hope for Indonesia if one side wins and many fears if the other side wins. This summer Indonesians are determining who they are and where they are going.
There were over 500,000 polling stations in this country of 240 million people, scattered over 6,000 islands. Reputable quick-count polls showed that Joko Widodo (Jokowi) won at least 52 percent of the vote, but his opponent, Prabowo Subianto, refused to concede. The official Election Commission announces the winner based on the “real count” near the end of July, just before we return to Indonesia. Unfortunately there are many possibilities for fraud in the tabulation of votes. Whoever is announced the winner, his opponent will probably challenge the results in court. Conflict is likely and violence is a possibility. This is the second largest open and free election in the history of the world. But democracy is not easy.
-2_medium300.jpeg)
Children and adults enjoyed her painting on silk about the beauty of Papua and the multimedia piece on Mama Josepa, an activist who protested the destruction of the forest.
Of course neither side is the Savior and neither is the Devil. Both are just human beings with a multitude of complex strengths and weaknesses. No matter what they promise, neither one can “save” Indonesia. Nor can either of them destroy Indonesia. Does that mean that the election is not that important? I don’t think so. There is a lot at stake, for the people of Indonesia, for the Muslim community, for the Church, and perhaps for the world. A growing minority want Indonesia to become a more strict and militant Islamic state. Some are suspicious of democracy and believe Indonesia needs more authoritarian rule in order to manage the great diversity of the nation. For 16 years Indonesia has been building a democratic, open society. The so-called “Arab Spring” in the Middle East shows how difficult is the process of reform. Indonesia has been a beacon that demonstrates the possibility of an open, democratic, constitutional and pluralistic nation state in the largest Muslim country in the world. This election may determine whether or not that light is dimmed.
So, how does this affect our work for reconciliation, justice and peace in Indonesia? We have spent this year away from Indonesia trying to get some perspective. In addition to traveling around the U.S.A. speaking, we’ve spent a lot of time in reflection. For me, it’s been a time for research, reading and writing. I’m trying to express what I think and feel about Indonesia in words that will reach many more people than I can in person.
-3_small200.jpeg)
This sculpture expresses Farsijana’s horror at the sufferings of a Papuan man who was tortured and then died shortly after his release from prison.
Farsijana is learning new, artistic means of expressing her passion for justice and peace. Some things are too deep for words. Farsijana focused her passionate attention on the suffering of the people of West Papua. Papua is rich in natural resources that are ruthlessly exploited by U.S. companies, working with the Indonesian military. Mining activities enrich the Indonesian and American economies but devastate the environment and impoverish the Papuans.
Where is Indonesia traveling? We don’t know. All we know is that the future is in God’s loving hands. Wherever Indonesia is going, we will be part of the journey. With your prayers and support we return to Indonesia on July 30 to share with our Indonesian colleagues their struggle for building a just society where Muslims, Christians and other people of conscience can live together in peace. A special thank you to those of you who support us financially. If any of you would like to know how you can share in our work, please let us know or contact the PC(USA).
Salam hangat,
Bernie and Farsijana
baryogya@gmail.com
The 2014 Presbyterian Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 227
Read more about Bernie and Farsijana Adeney-Risakotta's ministry
Write to Bernie Adeney-Risakotta
Write to Farsijana Adeney-Risakotta
Individuals: Give to E200303 forBernie and Farsijana Adeney-Risakotta's sending and support
Congregations: Give to D506007for Bernie and Farsijana Adeney-Risakotta's sending and support
