Frans Silalahi on tower in Indonesia (Back to the Bible)
Country Director of Back to the Bible Indonesia, Frans Silalahi says this isn't an easy area in which to work. "That place faces many conflicts. Every year we always have religious conflicts there. Some of the Christians were sentenced to death because of those riots."
Silalahi is talking about the convictions of three men, charged will leading riots against Muslims in May of 2000. Many believe these were false charges and the executions were done to appease the Muslim majority.
However, this isn't stopping Back to the Bible's efforts to proclaim the Gospel through radio. Silalahi says they have received all the approvals needed go on the air. "Our main goal here is to reach the unreached people, especially the tribes, the Wana people and the second is the Mori people. There are more than 20,000 people that live on the coast, and that's our first target," says Silalahi.
A 70-year-old woman has been praying she'd be able to help reach these people. Silalahi says, "She said this is an answer from the Lord. She can't go to the Wana people any more, but she can speak from this radio station to reach the Wana people there."
Starting a radio station hasn't been easy in this area. To get there Silalahi says he flies three hours from Jakarta. Then, he gets on a bus and rides for another 13 hours. He then gets on a boat for almost two hours. Then, he travels by motorcycle for three more hours.
Despite the traveling challenges, the station is making great progress, Silalahi says, "We already have our studio. Our tower is already erected, but we're waiting for the transmitter from the United States. In June, the transmitter will arrive in Indonesia."
Getting the radio station on their air is just one issue facing them. "95-percent of the Wana people have no radio receiver. We will have a project to give the radio receivers to these people. So, when we broadcast the Gospel, they will be able to listen to this radio."
Back to the Bible is raising money to purchase these radios,
click here to help.
