Indonesia: Sunday School Teachers Say Time Behind Bars Was Worth It
Jun 26 2007
Postings >> Indonesia

Three Sunday School teachers in Indonesia said their time behind bars was 'worth it' as they were released on parole more than a year early.

Fellow inmates wept as Dr Rebekka Zakaria, Eti Pangesti and Ratna Bangun left Indramayu district prison at 6am on June 8, after an international campaign for their release.

They were due to be freed at 9am but officials brought the time forward after reports that extremists were planning to stage a protest at the women's early release. Their trial had been dogged by militants shouting murderous threats. Two busloads of Christians turned out to meet the trio at the prison gates -- and ensure their safety.

'This is nothing compared with the suffering and persecution faced by others,' Dr Zakaria told Open Doors. 'Compared with the Lord's love and what He has given me, it's worth it.'

The three women were sentenced to three years in September 2005 for 'Christianization'. They were accused of proselytising after welcoming Muslim children onto their Happy Sunday programme in Harguelis, West Java -- despite having parents' permission. Remarkably, Dr Zakaria was allowed to hold church services in the prison compound which members of her former church in Harguelis were permitted to attend. Officials had
shut down her old church shortly after her arrest.

The three women are also reported to have transformed the environment in the prison during their stay, by cleaning, gardening, decorating and sharing food.

The women's lawyer said that, as a condition of their parole, they will have to report monthly to the authorities in Cirebon until February 2009.

• Pray God's protection over these women, their families and their church. 'Muslim radicals are still scrutinising us,' says Dr Zakaria. 'Pray that we would stand firm and strong in the Lord, in whatever we do.'
• Pray that Dr Zakaria's church will be able to find new premises.