Presbyterian Church in Ireland - Mission Overseas - INDONESIA: Former Moderator of GMIH seriously ill

21st April 2010

Rev Agustinus N Aesh, a former Moderator of our partner church, Gereja Masehi Injili di Halmahera (GMIH), the Evangelical Christian Church in Halmahera, is seriously ill in hospital in the Indonesian capital, Jakarta.

Agustinus was Moderator of GMIH from 1997 to 2002, and gave outstanding leadership to the church at a time when Christian and Muslim communities in the Moluccas Islands or 'Spice Islands' (of which Halmahera is a part) were set against each other in a vicious inter-faith conflict, where previously they had coexisted peacefully.

The trouble began in early 1999 in Ambon in the Southern Moluccas, following an argument between a bus-driver and one of his passengers. Spurred on by Laskhar Jihad activists from outside the region, who encouraged local Muslims to rise up against their Christian neighbours, the conflict rapidly spread throughout the Moluccas islands, reaching Halmahera by Christmas of that year.

In the ensuing conflict, which lasted more than four years, many atrocities were committed by both sides. Many hundreds of people lost their lives and thousands were displaced, being forced to flee from their homes and villages. Hundreds of churches and many mosques were destroyed and in some cases, whole villages raised to the ground. A number of Christians were also forced to convert to Islam.

In all this time, Agustinus Aesh, who had a high price on his head and had to keep constantly on the move for fear of being found, worked tirelessly for peace, seeking to reason with those Christians who were in favour of violence. He also travelled to a number of countries outside Asia to tell what was happening in Halmahera.

His close friendship with the local Muslim leader, The Sultan of Ternate, and his election as one of the few Christians in the regional ‘Maluku Utara’ (North Moluccas) representative assembly, were significant in helping the process of restoration and reconciliation after the conflict ended.

Agustinus, who is now suffering from throat cancer, is receiving treatment in a church hospital in Jakarta. Given the nature and seriousness of his illness, his medical expenses are understandably high and beyond the means of his family to meet, so they need help from those can assist.

Any who would like to contribute towards these costs, can channel their gift through the Mission Overseas Office. Cheques should be made payable to The Presbyterian Church in Ireland and accompanied by a letter or note explaining that the money is for ‘Aesh Medical Expenses’ and making clear who it is from.

We encourage prayer for Agustinus and his family at this time; and that, in God’s providence, the treatment he’s receiving may prove successful and that he will be fully healed of his cancer.

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