Masariku Network, 11 December 2003
Youths Shot while singing Christmas Carols
Poso, Joko Harmono, Dec 6, 2003
After weeks of increasing violence and multiple threats and pamphlets calling for the
extermination of the Christian community, and the killing of Christians "whenever and
where ever you find them", some sanity seemed to be returning to Poso City.
The Government had significantly increased security, made commitments to crack
down on anyone with weapons and brought in extra troops to guard 46 locations
where attacks might occur. In the light of this increased security and promises of
Government determination, once more the Christian community felt that there might
be light at the end of the tunnel. With all these extra troops in the streets, at street
corners and in specific risk areas an air of safety began to pervade the atmosphere.
At least that was the case until 8.15 pm last night.
In the heart of the city of Poso in Gatot Subroto Street, Kasintuwu, only 150 meters
from a police post and barracks, two armed men riding a motorcycle, carrying a
military-style pistol shot at 6 youths playing a guitar and singing Christmas carols.
The youths were sitting out the front of the Indonesian Christian Church (GKI),
formerly the Poso AOG Church, singing Christmas carols together. Two of the youths
were Pentecostals (GPdI), and four were from the Reformed Church (GKST).
As an expression of their commitment to friendship, unity and of being one in Christ,
they wanted to spend this time together worshipping the Savior. In Indonesia,
Christmas is celebrated through the whole month of December, and these youths,
unlike some other youths in the community who would prefer to be gambling or
drinking, they just wanted to be together to rejoice in the birth of the Savior, but the
reverberation of shots in the dark abruptly halted their rejoicing. It was the third such
attack in this vicinity in the last several months.
The incident occurred with six bullets being fired in quick succession at the six
youths from a distance of only 2 meters. Four of the bullets whizzed past in the dark
narrowly missing four of the youths, while the other two of them were hit and
wounded.
A testimony of the miraculous survival by the grace of God of these six youths, Andy
Lapian, 16, Yudi Fan Dewu, 16, Hidayat Guru, 20, Fifi Abram, 19, Fifien Rumapar, 16,
and Novita, 12, was shared in Church today. They believe that Christmas has come
early for them and they have been given the best gift of all, the gift of life.
The two wounded youths were Hidayat Guru who was shot in the wrist, and Fifien
Rumapar who was shot in the calf. Four of the youths scattered in different directions
as the shots were fired seeking refuge from these terrorists. Hidayat and Fifien lay
motionless on the ground and the terrorists fled on their motorcycle. Hidayat and
Fifien were taken to the Poso District Hospital for emergency treatment but were
quickly taken home by their families.
"The Christians here fear for the safety of those who overnight in the Poso hospital,"
said one Poso resident, adding that "there have been too many mysterious deaths of
Christians in that hospital who only had minor wounds." One witness, a retired
policeman, Mr. Fan Dewu, the uncle of Yudi, who heard the shots and being familiar
with the sound of weapons said, "The shots sounded like the shots fired from a Colt
45 pistol."
In response to this blatant challenge by these terrorists to the authorities that they
can act where ever they like and whenever they like, another 500 military men are on
their way to Poso.
Received from malukuwashdc via MASARIKU NETWORK
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