CryIndonesia
Maluku's Suffering Church Has A New Voice
Legendary singer/songwriter Sir Cliff Richard has added his voice to the campaign in
support of the suffering Church in the Indonesian province of Maluku.
Australian church workers have enlisted the support of Sir Cliff for 'Cry Indonesia'; a
recording project undertaken among the people of Maluku who have suffered at the
hands of Islamic extremists over the last three years. The tragedy in Maluku is one
that has taken the lives of 10,000 of the Malukan people and left 600,000 homeless. In
what is believed to be the first ever commercially available recording of the suffering
church, 'Cry Indonesia', has given a voice for the victims of the conflict.
"Christians in Maluku have suffered terribly for their faith. Their songs have come
directly out of the fire of persecution. I warmly commend this CD, which will both
break your heart and inspire you to worship. Through their songs we can share in the
sorrows and suffering of our brothers and sisters in Maluku who have lost everything
for the sake of Christ," says Sir Cliff.
Cry Indonesia producer, Pastor Ian Freestone, has made a number of humanitarian
trips to East Indonesia since the crisis began. He saw the potential of capturing the
stories and songs of those who have suffered.
"It was distressing to me that the plight of the people of Maluku had gone largely
unnoticed by the international community. After hearing the beauty and depth of the
songs that were being sung I saw how their voices could be used to trumpet their
cause around the world," Freestone said. "Even now after hearing the songs 50 times
each I am deeply moved by the grief expressed as well as their strong faith in Christ
in the face of pain." One example of this is the opening track on the 'Hearts of Faith'
CD in which two young women sing:
Although Maluku is destroyed, dissolved in dust Nevertheless our faith is unshaken
Because we belong to You, not to the world
The people of Maluku are famous throughout Indonesia for their melodic songs and
natural islander-style harmonies. A simple guitar accompaniment was all that was
needed to ensure the focus was on the potency of the words. In another song five
young girls from North Maluku sing:
Goodbye, goodbye Ternate town
We came to Bitung town fleeing to find refuge
We the people from Ternate, oh.
We gather together in a rattan cane factory and talk
about what happened in Ternate
Oh, Oh, how sad it is!
We remember our homes and churches that are burned to
the ground and shed our tears
The companion 'Cry Indonesia' video brings the CD to life in a visual way. It contains
rare footage of Maluku, images of destruction, refugee communities, live music
recordings, testimonies of survivors and much more.
"We believe this video will draw awareness in the West to the plight of the suffering
church; not just in Maluku, but around the world. We also believe it will serve as a
great encouragement to Christians everywhere who face various kinds of trials,"
Freestone said.
Both the 'Hearts of Faith' CD and 'Cry Indonesia' Video, published by The Barnabas
Fund, are now available online at www.dayspringdirect.com
The CD sells for $19.95, and the Video sells for $19.95. The complete package can
be purchased for $29.95. (All prices include GST within Australia, but do not include
postage).
All profits from sales go to the needs of Christians in East Indonesia. For further
information about the Cry Indonesia project, you can visit
http://cryindonesia.rnc.org.au
As well as from Sir Cliff Richard, further endorsments for the 'Hearts of Faith' CD have
come from:
- DR PATRICK SOOKHDEO, Director, The Barnabas Fund
- DAVID BUSSAU, AM, Founder, Maranatha Trust and Co-founder of Opportunity
International
- REV. STEVEN L. SNYDER, International Christian Concern
- JOHN LINDNER, Vice President, Christian Aid Mission (USA)
- BRIAN PICKERING, National Coordinator of Australian Prayer Network
- PROF JAMES HAIRE, President of the Uniting Church in Australia, previously
missionary/theologian in Halmahera, North Maluku
- DR JEFF HAMMOND, Indonesian Director for IFC, Senior Elder at Abbalove
Ministries in Jakarta.
- DAVID GARRATT, Co-Founder of Scripture in Song Recordings
- LADY CAROLINE COX, The Baroness Cox, Deputy Speaker of the House of Lords
UK, and President of Christian Solidarity Worldwide, UK
- BOB GUY, Director, Open Doors Australia
- DR PHIL PRINGLE, Founder and President, Christian City Church International and
Senior Minister, Christian City Church, Oxford Falls, Sydney
http://cryindonesia.rnc.org.au
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