A letter from our Chairman, Fr. Gordon Walker (July 13, 2010)

(Download the.pdf version.)

July 13, 2010

Dear Friend of the Indonesian Orthodox Church,

Christ is in our midst!

These are difficult times for the Church in Indonesia and for Fr. Daniel Byantoro in particular. We who seek to love and follow Christ are well aware of the spiritual warfare and attacks that we experience. But men like Fr. Daniel, who serves on the spiritual “front line” in the largest Muslim country in the world are even more aware of the daily spiritual attacks. This is just one of the reason he needs your constant prayer and spiritual effort.

Last night, I called him (it was 8 am his time) and he could hardly speak. He is very ill with what sounds to me like a severe case of the flu. He has been in bed sick for over 2 weeks. Please pray earnestly for him. I fear he isn’t eating sufficiently. He has given everything he has financially to the priests who call him begging him for money for food for their families. For no announced reason, Moscow stopped sending the monthly stipend to the priests which they had been sending all last year. They stopped doing so in January of this year.

Fr. Daniel has a habit of giving all his own money to the needy and then will be reduced to eating the poor food that can be bought from street vendors in Jakarta. It is not quality food and only the poorest usually buy this food which they get very cheaply. I’ve scolded him for doing this but he says he is so moved by the needs of the priests that he will literally give them his last cent.

Our own country is having difficulties in this economic downturn, but a country like Indonesia suffers vastly more. And those who convert to Christ have an even heavier burden to bear. Jobs are harder for them to find – especially for the priests who are often spurned for having turned from Islam to Christ and have become Pastors of Churches.

Please pray earnestly for Fr. Daniel’s health and strength. He plans to return to America in August and we will be arranging speaking tours for him If you have special times you would prefer to have him visit your parish, please contact us soon.

Fr. Daniel and I have spoken by phone on several occasions. During recent weeks in June and July, he has been invited to preach in a large prison in Jakarta. He called the prisoners to repent from their sins and turn to Christ for forgiveness and transformation. He told me that larger numbers come to hear him preach and one of the “Big Criminals” (one well known for his major crimes) asked Fr. Daniel, “ Why has no one ever told us these things before? Why have I never heard this message?” Fr. Daniel said that he was obviously deeply touched by the Holy Spirit. Father has had to return to teach and catechize the many converts. But who will carry on when he leaves for America?

Also, during July a large concert has been planned to be held in Jakarta. Over 300 tickets have been sold for $15.00 each. The purpose is to have a popular singer perform and to use the occasion as a fundraiser for Fr. Daniel’s ministry. Please pray that God will touch many people through this effort.

On July 9th, he spoke to a larger charismatic gathering in Jakarta. On the 30th, he has been invited to speak to a large ecumenical gathering that will include Protestant, Catholics and Orthodox. He asked for prayer for a unique public meeting on July 24th. It is being advertised and he expects a large attendance. His topic is: “Do Christians Worship Three Gods?” This is the most effective charge that the Imams continually make against Christianity. Fr. Daniel has made powerful presentations explaining the Holy Trinity and that Christians do not worship three gods. The response to these presentations has been very good in the past. However, this type of a gathering can also be very dangerous. Please pray that God will protect him and prevent rioting from occurring.

I thank you for all you may have done for this modern day Apostle Paul. He is undergoing intense spiritual and health attacks. There is even an Orthodox clergyman who is writing very terrible letters making false accusations against Fr. Daniel. This is one of many attacks he has had to endure. If you can make even the smallest donation at present, please do by either returning the enclosed envelope or by going online to our website and making a secure credit card or paypal donation.

Again, thank you for your intercessory prayers for this humble Apostle. Please recruit as many “prayer warriors” as possible who will faithfully intercede for him.

Your friend and fellow servant in Christ,

Fr. Gordon Walker, Founder and Chairman of the Board, Friends of Indonesia, Inc.

(If you need more information, please contact Matushka Krissy Miclean, administrator, at info@friendsofindonesia.org or call at (410) 864-8007. Your name and info will never be given to any other organization.)

Friends of Indonesia • PO BOX 9484 Baltimore, MD 21228 • http://friendsofindonesia.org • info@friendsofindonesia.org