THIS is a stirring account about humble Christian men and women who courageously stood firm through political upheavals, religious conflicts, and a clergy-inspired ban that lasted 25 years. Learn about a brother whose name was on a Communist death list and about a former crime boss who became a mature Christian. Read the heartwarming story of two deaf girls who became friends and then discovered that they were siblings. And learn how Jehovah’s people are successfully sharing the good news with the world’s largest Muslim population.

Land Straddling the equator between Australia and continental Asia, Indonesia is the world’s largest archipelago. Most of its more than 17,500 islands feature rugged mountains and dense tropical forests. With more than 100 active volcanoes, it is also the most active volcanic region on earth.

People Indonesia has the fourth largest population in the world (after China, India, and the United States) and is home to more than 300 ethnic groups. The Javanese and Sundanese ethnic groups make up more than half the population.

Religion About 90 percent of Indonesians are Muslims. The rest are mostly Hindus, Buddhists, or nominal Christians. Many people also follow traditional indigenous religious customs.

Language More than 700 languages are spoken throughout the archipelago. The national lingua franca is Indonesian, derived from Malay. Most people also speak a regional language at home.

Livelihood Many people are small-scale farmers or traders. The country has rich deposits of minerals, timber, crude oil, and natural gas and is a major supplier of rubber and palm oil.

Food Rice is the staple. Popular meals include nasi goréng (fried rice and egg with vegetables), satay (barbecued meat skewers), and gado-gado (salad with peanut sauce).

Climate Hot and humid. Monsoon winds produce two seasons​—wet and dry. Thunderstorms are common.

DURING the 16th century, the spice trade powered the global economy much as the trade of crude oil does today. Spices such as nutmeg and cloves, which came from the famed Spice Islands (now the provinces of Maluku and North Maluku in Indonesia), fetched fabulous prices in Europe.

Explorers Christopher Columbus, Vasco da Gama, Ferdinand Magellan, Samuel de Champlain, and Henry Hudson all sought routes to the Spice Islands. The search for Indonesian spices thus gave humans their first comprehensive understanding of the geography of the planet.

Alexander MacGillivray, the branch servant in Australia, paced about his office deep in thought. For several days he had been wrestling with a problem, and he had finally come up with a solution. Now he needed to talk to Frank Rice.

Frank, a hardy 28-year-old colporteur (pioneer), had arrived at the branch office a few weeks earlier. He had learned the truth as a teenager and started in the colporteur work soon afterward. He then spent over ten years preaching throughout much of Australia, traveling by horseback, bicycle, motorcycle, and motorized caravan. After stopping briefly at Bethel, Frank was now ready to tackle his next territory assignment.

Calling Frank into his office, Brother MacGillivray pointed to a map of the islands north of Australia. “Frank, how would you like to open up the preaching work here?” he asked. “There is not one brother in all these islands!”

Frank’s eyes were drawn to a string of islands that gleamed like pearls in the Indian Ocean​—the Netherlands East Indies (now Indonesia).a On those islands lived millions of people who had not yet heard the good news of God’s Kingdom. Pointing to the capital, Batavia (now Jakarta), Frank said, “That is where I want to start!”

Preaching in Java

In 1931, Frank Rice arrived in Jakarta, a large, bustling city on the island of Java. He rented a room near the center of the city and filled it with cartons of Bible literature, astonishing his landlady.

“At first I felt rather lost and homesick,” recalled Frank. “People strolled around in white drill suits and pith helmets, while I sweltered in my heavy Australian clothes. I spoke not a word of Dutch or Indonesian. After praying to Jehovah for guidance, I decided that there must be people in the business district who spoke English. That is where I started preaching​—and what a fruitful field it proved to be!”

Since most Jakarta residents spoke Dutch, Frank studied hard to get a working knowledge of the language and soon began preaching from house to house. He also tackled Indonesian and gradually learned that language too. “The problem was that I had no Indonesian literature,” said Frank. “Then Jehovah guided me to an Indonesian schoolteacher who became interested in the truth and agreed to translate the booklet Where Are the Dead? More booklets followed, and soon many Indonesian-speaking people became interested in the truth.”

In November 1931, two more pioneers from Australia arrived in Jakarta, Clem Deschamp, aged 25, and 19-year-old Bill Hunter. Clem and Bill had brought along a pioneer home on wheels​—a house car, or motorized caravan—​one of the first to arrive in Indonesia. After they learned a few Dutch phrases, they set off on a preaching tour covering the major cities in Java.

Following in Clem and Bill’s tire tracks was Charles Harris, another hardy Australian pioneer. Starting in 1935, Charles covered most of Java by house car and bicycle, placing literature in five languages: Arabic, Chinese, Dutch, English, and Indonesian. Some years he placed about 17,000 pieces of literature.

The amount of literature that Charles distributed made many people sit up and take notice. One official in Jakarta asked Clem Deschamp, “How many people do you have working down there in East Java?”

“Only one,” replied Brother Deschamp.

“Do you expect me to believe that?” barked the official. “You must have quite an army of workers down there, judging by the amount of your literature being distributed everywhere!”

The early pioneers kept constantly on the move in order to reach as many people as possible. “We worked through the island from end to end, seldom speaking to anyone twice,” said Bill Hunter. Along the way they sowed vast quantities of spiritual seed that later yielded a rich spiritual harvest.​—Eccl. 11:6; 1 Cor. 3:6.

Sumatra Hears the Good News

About 1936, the pioneers in Java discussed how to expand the work to Sumatra​—the sixth-largest island in the world. This rugged island spans the equator and contains large cities and plantations along with extensive swamps and rainforests.

The pioneers agreed to send Frank Rice, so they pooled their meager funds to pay his fare. Soon afterward, Frank arrived in Medan, North Sumatra, with his two witnessing bags, 40 cartons of literature, and a little money in his pocket. Frank was a man of strong faith. He immediately set to work, confident that Jehovah would provide what he needed to carry out his assignment.​—Matt. 6:33.

During his last week of preaching in Medan, Frank met a friendly Dutchman who invited him in for coffee. Frank told the man that he needed a car to preach the good news throughout the island. Pointing to a broken down car in his garden, the man said, “If you can fix it, you can have it for 100 guilders.”b

“I don’t have 100 guilders,” Frank replied.

The man fixed his gaze on Frank. “Do you really want to preach to the whole of Sumatra?” he probed.

“Yes,” answered Frank.

“Well then, if you can fix the car, you can take it,” said the Dutchman. “If you get the money, you can pay me later.”

Frank set to work on the car and soon had it running smoothly. He later wrote, “With a car full of literature, a tank full of petrol, and a heart full of faith, I headed off to preach to the people of Sumatra.”

One year later, having covered the island from top to bottom, Frank returned to Jakarta. There he sold the car for 100 guilders and mailed the money to the Dutchman in Medan.

A few weeks later, Frank received a letter from Australia directing him to a new pioneer assignment. Immediately, he packed his bags and headed off to open up the work in Indochina (now Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam).

Radio Broadcasts

IN 1933, the brothers arranged for a radio station in Jakarta to broadcast English recordings of Brother Rutherford’s radio lectures. Additional lectures in Dutch were read over the airwaves by a man who was interested in the truth. The broadcasts aroused a great deal of interest and helped the brothers to place more literature in the field.

When the radio station aired Brother Rutherford’s forceful lecture “Effect of Holy Year on Peace and Prosperity,” the Catholic clergy had had enough.a Working through their minions, they had Brother De Schumaker, who had supplied the recording, charged with “slander, ridicule, and animosity.” Brother De Schumaker vigorously defended the charges but was fined 25 guildersb and court costs. Three major newspapers reported on the trial, resulting in an even greater witness being given.

The Lightbearer

On July 15, 1935, the Watch Tower Society’s 52-foot (16 m) ketch Lightbearer arrived in Jakarta after a six-month voyage from Sydney, Australia. Aboard were seven zealous pioneers who were determined to spread the good news throughout Indonesia, Singapore, and Malaysia.

For more than two years, the pioneers on the Lightbearer visited large and small ports throughout Indonesia, distributing vast quantities of Bible literature. As the vessel entered each small port, “the crew would turn on the transcription machine and play one of the lectures of J. F. Rutherford, then president of the Watch Tower Society,” related Jean Deschamp. “Imagine the surprise of isolated Malay villagers on seeing a large yacht arriving in their port and hearing such a loud, powerful voice coming through the air. A flying saucer could hardly have aroused more interest.”

Enraged by the brothers’ bold witnessing, the clergy eventually pressured the authorities to ban the Lightbearer from entering many Indonesian ports. In December 1937, the Lightbearer returned to Australia, leaving behind an outstanding record of missionary activity in Indonesia.

DURING the late 1930’s, a new religious movement called the Bibelkring (a Dutch name meaning “a group of Bible students”) emerged around Lake Toba in North Sumatra. The movement started after several schoolteachers accepted literature from a visiting pioneer, likely Eric Ewins, who had preached in the Lake Toba area in 1936. What the teachers read prompted them to leave the Batak Protestant Church and establish home Bible study groups. Those groups grew and spread until their members totaled into the hundreds.a

Drawing on the literature left by the pioneer, the early Bibelkring identified several Bible truths. “They refused to salute the flag and shunned Christmas and birthday celebrations. Some even preached from door to door,” said Dame Simbolon, a former member who accepted the truth in 1972. Yet, lacking support from God’s organization, the movement soon fell victim to human reasoning. “Women were not allowed to wear makeup, jewelry, modern dress, or even shoes,” explains Limeria Nadapdap, another former member who is now our spiritual sister. “Members were also forbidden to obtain a national identity card, a stand that incurred the wrath of the government.”

The Bibelkring movement eventually split into several factions and gradually declined. When pioneers later returned to the Lake Toba area, many former Bibelkring members accepted the truth.

In 1933, Frank Rice invited Theodorus (Theo) Ratu, a native of North Sulawesi, to help him operate the Jakarta literature depot. “I became very interested in the noble Kingdom work and started to preach along with Brother Rice,” recalled Theo. “Later, I joined Bill Hunter on a preaching tour of Java and the crew of the Lightbearer on a voyage to Sumatra.” Theo was the first Indonesian to accept the truth, and he pioneered for decades in Java, North Sulawesi, and Sumatra.

The following year, Bill Hunter placed a copy of the booklet Where Are the Dead? with Felix Tan, a student living in Jakarta. Felix returned to his family in Bandung, West Java, and showed the booklet to his younger brother, Dodo. Both were amazed to learn from the booklet that the first man, Adam, did not have an immortal soul. Adam was a soul. (Gen. 2:7, ftn.) With their spiritual appetites aroused, Felix and Dodo scoured the secondhand bookstores in Bandung for more Watch Tower publications. They also shared what they had learned with their family. After devouring all the books and booklets they could find, they wrote to the literature depot in Jakarta. To their surprise, they received an encouraging visit from Frank Rice, who brought them new literature.

Soon after Brother Rice returned to Jakarta, newlyweds Clem and Jean Deschamp visited Bandung for 15 days. “Brother Deschamp asked our family if we would like to be baptized,” related Felix. “Four members of my family​—Dodo, my younger sister Josephine (Pin Nio), my mother (Kang Nio), and I—​symbolized our dedication to Jehovah.”a After they were baptized, the Tan family joined Clem and Jean in a nine-day preaching campaign. Clem showed them how to preach using a testimony card that contained a simple Bible message in three languages. Soon the small group in Bandung became a congregation, the second in Indonesia.

The Pope’s Hat

As the preaching work gained momentum, the clergy of Christendom stirred from their slumber. They and their agents wrote articles in the press attacking the beliefs and the work of the Witnesses. The articles prompted officials at the Department of Religious Affairs to summon Frank Rice for questioning. Satisfied by his answers, the officials allowed the work to continue unhindered.b

During the early 1930’s, most colonial officials ignored or tolerated the preaching work. But when Nazi Germany rose to power in Europe, some bureaucrats changed their tune, especially those who were ardent Catholics. “One Catholic customs official impounded a shipment of our books on the pretext that they contained unfavorable references to Nazism,” recalled Clem Deschamp. “When I called at the Customs Department to complain, the hostile official was on vacation. His replacement​—a friendly non-Catholic man—​promptly released the books, saying, ‘Take all you can while the regular man is away!’”

“On another occasion, officials insisted that we censor two pictures in the book Enemies,” said Jean Deschamp. “They objected to caricatures of a writhing serpent (Satan) and a drunken harlot (false religion). Both were wearing the papal hat (miter).c We were determined to distribute the book. So three of us sat at the wharf in the stifling heat, plowing through thousands of books to black out pictures of the pope’s hat!”

As Europe edged toward war, our publications fearlessly continued to expose Christendom’s hypocrisy and political meddling. In turn, the clergy ratcheted up pressure on the authorities to restrict our work, and several of our publications were banned.

However, the brothers were determined to move ahead with the work, and they made good use of a printing press they received from Australia. (Acts 4:20) Describing one of their strategies, Jean Deschamp related: “Whenever we printed a new booklet or magazine, we had to submit a copy to the authorities for approval. We printed and distributed the publication early in the week. Then, at the end of the week, we took a copy to the attorney general’s office. When the publication was rejected, we shook our heads sadly and then hurried back to the printery to print the next publication.”

Brothers and sisters who distributed banned publications often played a game of cat and mouse with the police. For example, while witnessing in Kediri, East Java, Charles Harris unwittingly called on the local police inspector.

“I’ve been searching for you all day,” said the inspector. “Wait while I get my list of your banned books.”

“While the inspector rummaged inside his home,” says Charles, “I stashed the banned literature in hidden pockets in my coat. When he returned, I gave him 15 booklets that were not banned. He reluctantly gave me his contribution, and then I placed the banned literature further down the street.”

Printing Under Pressure

When World War II engulfed Europe, literature shipments from the Netherlands to Indonesia dried up. However, the brothers had seen trouble coming and prudently arranged for a commercial company to print the magazines in Jakarta. The first issue of Consolation (now Awake!) in Indonesian appeared in January 1939, and The Watchtower in Indonesian was released soon afterward. The brothers then bought a small press and began printing the magazines themselves. In 1940, they received a larger flatbed press from Australia with which they printed booklets and magazines in Indonesian and in Dutch, covering the expenses out of their own pockets.

Finally, on July 28, 1941, the authorities banned all of the Watch Tower Society’s publications. Jean Deschamp recalled: “I was typing in the office one morning when the doors flung open and in marched three policemen and a senior Dutch official in full regalia​—medals, white gloves, dress sword, and plumed hat. We were not surprised. Three days earlier we had received inside information that our publications would soon be banned. The pompous official read a lengthy proclamation and then demanded to be taken to the printery to seal our press. But my husband told him that he was too late. The press had been sold the day before!”

The Bible, however, had not been banned. So the brothers kept preaching from house to house, using only the Bible. They also conducted Bible studies. But since the prospect of war loomed in Asia, the foreign pioneers were directed to return to Australia.

In early 1942, the Japanese military juggernaut swept through Indonesia, seizing it with a viselike grip. Many brothers were forced to do hard manual labor​—building roads or clearing ditches. Others were interned in squalid prison camps and tortured for refusing to support the war. At least three brothers died in prison.

One Dutch sister, Johanna Harp, who lived in a remote mountain village in East Java, was able to avoid the camps for the first two years of the war. She and her three teenage children used their freedom to translate the book Salvation and issues of The Watchtower from English into Dutch.a The translated publications were then copied and smuggled to Witnesses throughout Java.

The few Witnesses who still had their freedom met in small groups and preached cautiously. “I was always on the lookout to talk informally about the truth,” said Josephine Elias (formerly Tan). “I carried a chessboard when visiting interested people at their homes so that others would think I was merely playing chess.” Felix Tan and his wife, Bola, preached from door to door, pretending to sell soap. “We were often followed by spies of the Kempeitai, the dreaded Japanese military police,” said Felix. “To avoid suspicion, we visited our Bible students at varying times. Six of our students progressed very well and were baptized during the war.”

Dissent in Jakarta

As the brothers adjusted to the wartime hardships, they soon faced another serious test. The Japanese authorities ordered all foreigners (including Chinese-Indonesians) to register and to carry an identity card bearing an oath of allegiance to the Japanese Empire. Many brothers wondered, ‘Should we register and sign the identity card, or should we refuse?’

Felix Tan explained: “The brothers in Jakarta urged those of us in Sukabumi to refuse to sign the identity card. But we asked the authorities if we could change the wording on the card from ‘the undersigned have sworn allegiance to’ to ‘the undersigned will not impede’ the Japanese army. Surprisingly, they agreed, so we all obtained cards. When the brothers in Jakarta heard about our decision, they called us apostates and cut us off.”

Sadly, most of the hard-liners in Jakarta were arrested and renounced the truth. One brother who refused to compromise ended up in prison with André Elias. “I reasoned with him on the registration issue and helped him to get a more balanced view,” said André. “He humbly asked forgiveness for cutting us off. We then had a grand time building each other up, but tragically, he died because of the harsh prison conditions.”

Merdeka!

When the war ended in 1945, the brothers and sisters were eager to press on with the preaching work. One brother who had been imprisoned and tortured wrote to the branch office in Australia: “Here I am again after four long weary years, unbroken and still of the same mind. During all my troubles, I never forgot about the brothers. Can you please send me some books?”

The longed-for literature soon arrived in the country, a trickle at first but then larger shipments. A group of ten publishers in Jakarta resumed translating publications into Indonesian.

On August 17, 1945, the leaders of Indonesia’s independence movement proclaimed Indonesia an independent republic, triggering a four-year revolution against Dutch colonial rule. Tens of thousands of people died in the ensuing chaos, and more than seven million people were displaced.

Throughout the revolution the brothers kept preaching from house to house. “Patriots tried to force us to shout their war cry ‘Merdeka,’ meaning ‘Freedom,’” said Josephine Elias. “But we told them we were neutral in such political affairs.” In 1949, the Dutch handed over sovereignty of their longtime colony to the Republic of the United States of Indonesia (now the Republic of Indonesia).b

By 1950, the brothers in Indonesia had endured nearly ten years of conflict. But a huge work lay ahead of them. How could they spread the good news to Indonesia’s teeming millions? From a human standpoint, the task seemed impossible! Yet, in full faith the brothers pressed ahead, confident that Jehovah would “send out workers into his harvest.” (Matt. 9:38) And that is what Jehovah did.

In July 1951, the small congregation in Jakarta gathered together to welcome Peter Vanderhaegen, the first Gilead-trained missionary to enter Indonesia. By year’s end, another 13 missionaries had arrived from Australia, Germany, and the Netherlands, nearly doubling the number of publishers in the country.

“I had visions of going from house to house using gestures to communicate,” recalled Fredrika Renskers, a Dutch missionary. “But since so many people spoke Dutch, I mostly preached in that language at first.” Ronald Jacka, from Australia, related: “Some of us used a testimony card with a short printed sermon in Indonesian. I looked at the card before knocking on each door and tried to recite the words from memory.”

With the missionaries taking a strong lead, the number of publishers quickly grew from 34 to 91 in just one year. On September 1, 1951, a branch office of the Watch Tower Society was established at André Elias’ home in Central Jakarta. Ronald Jacka was assigned as branch servant.

Other Areas Open Up

In November 1951, Peter Vanderhaegen was assigned to Manado, North Sulawesi, where Theo Ratu and his wife had established a small group. Most of the locals were professed Christians and showed great respect for God’s Word. Many householders invited the Witnesses in and asked them to explain Bible doctrines. They often spoke to groups of ten people. Fifteen minutes later, about 50 people would be listening. Within the hour, the discussion would move to the front yard and up to 200 people would join in.

Early in 1952, Albert and Jean Maltby established a missionary home in Surabaya, East Java, Indonesia’s second-largest city. There they were joined by six missionary sisters​—Gertrud Ott, Fredrika Renskers, Susie and Marian Stoove, Eveline Platte, and Mimi Harp. “Most local people were moderate Muslims and were very friendly,” says Fredrika Renskers. “Many people seemed to be just waiting for the truth, so it was easy to start Bible studies. Within three years, the Surabaya Congregation had 75 publishers.”

About that time, a Muslim man named Azis from Padang, West Sumatra, wrote to the branch office requesting spiritual help. Azis had studied with Australian pioneers during the 1930’s but had lost contact with them during the Japanese occupation. Then he stumbled across a booklet that was published by Jehovah’s Witnesses. He wrote: “When I saw the Jakarta address on the booklet, it renewed my spirit!” The branch office quickly dispatched circuit overseer Frans van Vliet to Padang. He discovered that Azis had talked to his neighbor, Nazar Ris, a spiritually hungry civil servant. Both men and their families accepted the truth. Brother Azis became a faithful elder. Nazar Ris became a special pioneer, and many of his children are zealous Witnesses today.

Soon afterward, Frans van Vliet visited an inactive Dutch brother who was rebuilding a war-damaged oil refinery in Balikpapan, East Kalimantan. Frans accompanied the brother in service and encouraged him to study with several interested people. Before the brother returned to the Netherlands, he had established a small group in Balikpapan.

Later, a newly baptized sister, Titi Koetin, moved to Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan. Titi preached to her relatives in the Dayak community, helping many of them learn the truth. Some of those new ones returned to their villages deep in Kalimantan and established groups that grew into strong congregations.

Producing Indonesian Literature

As the preaching work spread rapidly, the brothers needed even more literature in Indonesian. In 1951, the book “Let God Be True” was translated into Indonesian, but the authorities revised the Indonesian spelling system, making it necessary for the branch to revise the translation.a When the book was finally released, it stirred much interest among Indonesian readers.

In 1953, the branch office printed 250 copies of The Watchtower in Indonesian​—the first local edition to appear in 12 years. The 12-page mimeographed magazine contained only study articles at first. Three years later, it was increased to 16 pages, and a commercial firm was printing 10,000 copies a month.

The monthly edition of Awake! in Indonesian was introduced in 1957. It rapidly reached a circulation of 10,000 copies. Because of a nationwide shortage of printing paper, the brothers needed to apply for a paper license. The government official who handled their application told them: “I consider the Menara Pengawal (Watchtower) one of the best magazines in Indonesia and I am only too glad to help with the paper license for your new magazine.”

In 1953, Peter Vanderhaegen was assigned to the circuit work in Indonesia. His circuit included the whole country and stretched some 3,200 miles (5,100 km) from east to west and 1,100 miles (1,800 km) from north to south. To cover this vast area, he often had many hair-raising experiences.

In 1954, Brother Vanderhaegen traveled to the eastern region of Indonesia, a religiously diverse area including the islands of Bali, which has a large Hindu population; Lombok and Sumbawa, with a predominantly Muslim population; Flores, which is mainly Catholic; and Sumba, Alor, and Timor, which are mostly Protestant. Traveling by rickety boat, he preached briefly at several islands along the way before arriving at Kupang, the capital of Timor. “I preached in Timor for two weeks,” Brother Vanderhaegen related. “Despite heavy rain, I placed all of my literature, obtained 34 magazine subscriptions, and started several Bible studies.” Special pioneers followed up on this interest and established a congregation in Kupang. From there the good news spread to the neighboring islands of Rotè, Alor, Sumba, and Flores.

When the Protestant clergy in Kupang saw that their flocks were listening to Jehovah’s Witnesses, they became filled with jealous rage. One senior clergyman ordered Thomas Tubulau, an elderly one-handed tinsmith, to stop studying with the Witnesses, adding that if he did not stop telling others what he had learned, blood would be shed. Thomas boldly replied: “No Christian would say what you just said. You will not see me at your church again.” Thomas became a zealous Kingdom proclaimer, and his daughter became a special pioneer.

Nevertheless, Timor’s clergy were determined to stamp out Jehovah’s Witnesses. In 1961, they successfully pressured the Department of Religious Affairs and the local military authorities to ban the house-to-house preaching work. So, the brothers simply adjusted their witnessing methods. They spoke to people at markets and wells, to fishermen bringing in their catch at the beach, and to families tending graves at cemeteries. After one month, the military authorities relented and announced over the radio that there was freedom of religion in Timor. When the Department of Religious Affairs insisted that house-to-house preaching was still forbidden, the brothers asked them to put their statement in writing. The officials refused. After that, the brothers resumed their house-to-house work unhindered.

When missionaries Piet and Nell de Jager and Hans and Susie van Vuure arrived in Papua in 1962, they too were opposed by Christendom’s clergy. Three senior ministers confronted the missionaries and demanded that they preach elsewhere. From the pulpit, in print, and over the radio, the clergy falsely accused Jehovah’s Witnesses of stirring up trouble against the government. They also cajoled, threatened, or bribed any parishioner who started studying with the missionaries. And they pressured local community chieftains to oppose the preaching work.

These efforts backfired when one chief invited the missionaries to speak at his village. “After the chief assembled the villagers, Piet and I gave two short talks explaining our work,” recalled Hans. “Then our wives demonstrated how we would knock at their doors, accept their invitation to step inside, and share a short message from the Bible. The chief and his people responded favorably to our presentation and allowed us to carry on our work freely.”

These and other incidents followed a familiar pattern. Rarely did Muslims oppose the preaching work; invariably the opposition came from Christendom’s clergy. This pattern continues to the present day.

“Brought Before Governors . . . for a Witness”

Jesus told his disciples: “You will be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a witness to them and the nations.” (Matt. 10:18) These words have repeatedly proved true in Indonesia.

In 1960, a prominent Dutch theologian in Jakarta published a book that denounced Jehovah’s Witnesses as false Christians. This book prompted many clergymen to take up the cudgel against the Witnesses. For example, the clergy in one town wrote to the Department of Religious Affairs accusing the Witnesses of “confusing their church members.” When the officials invited the brothers to respond to the charges, they presented the facts and gave a good witness. One religious official counseled his colleague: “Let Jehovah’s Witnesses alone. They are waking up the sleepy Protestants.”

In 1964, a group of Protestant clergymen in Papua appealed to the Parliamentary Committee on Religious and Social Affairs to have the work of Jehovah’s Witnesses banned. The branch office, in turn, requested to appear before the committee to make a defense. “We addressed the committee for nearly an hour and clearly explained our Bible education work,” said Tagor Hutasoit. “One opposed politician​—a Protestant—​falsely accused us of provoking religious unrest in Papua. Most Muslim committee members, however, were sympathetic. They told us: ‘The Constitution guarantees freedom of religion, so you have the right to preach.’” Following this meeting, a high-ranking government official in Papua declared: “The new government . . . maintains freedom of religion, and this also applies to newcomers in that field.”

On July 9, 1964, the Indonesian Department of Justice officially registered the Bible Students Association, a legal corporation used by Jehovah’s Witnesses. But before the brothers could enjoy full religious freedom, they needed to be registered with the Department of Religious Affairs. This agency took advice from the Directorate General of Christian Community Guidance, which was staffed by hard-line Protestants who were implacably opposed to Jehovah’s Witnesses.

One day a brother met a senior official who worked closely with the Minister of Religious Affairs. The two men discovered that they came from the same village, so they enjoyed an animated discussion in their native dialect. When the brother told the official about the problems that the Witnesses were having with the Directorate General of Christian Community Guidance, the official arranged for three brothers to meet directly with the minister, a congenial and sympathetic Muslim. On May 11, 1968, the minister issued an official decree recognizing Jehovah’s Witnesses as a religion and confirming their right to carry out their work in Indonesia.

The senior official also volunteered to bypass the Directorate General of Christian Community Guidance so that foreign Witnesses could obtain missionary visas. With the help of this fair-minded administrator, 64 missionaries were admitted to Indonesia over the next few years.

By 1968, about 300 missionaries and special pioneers and more than 1,200 publishers were carrying the good news to every corner of Indonesia. The missionaries gave valuable training to the local brothers. This helped speed up their spiritual progress. The training was timely because storm clouds of persecution were swiftly approaching.

A “Christmas Gift” for the Clergy

In 1974, the Directorate General of Christian Community Guidance resumed its long-running campaign to ban Jehovah’s Witnesses. The director general of that department wrote to each regional office of the Department of Religious Affairs, falsely claiming that Jehovah’s Witnesses were not legally recognized. He urged local officials to act against the Witnesses whenever they caused them “difficulties”​—a thinly disguised invitation to persecute Jehovah’s people. Most officials ignored the direction. But others seized the opportunity to ban the meetings and the house-to-house preaching.

Around the same time, the World Council of Churches (WCC) was planning to hold an international assembly in Jakarta, a move that local Muslims viewed as provocative and aggressive. Because religious tensions were escalating, the WCC canceled the assembly. However, Christian proselytizing had become a hot issue, and many politicians were nervous. Predictably, the clergy tried to blame Jehovah’s Witnesses by loudly complaining about their preaching activities. This caused more officials to view the Witnesses in a negative light.

In December 1975, with religious tensions still increasing, Indonesia invaded East Timor (now Timor-Leste), a former Portuguese colony. Seven months later, East Timor was annexed, fueling patriotic fervor throughout the nation. The brothers remained politically neutral and refused to engage in military service or salute the flag, a stand that aroused the ire of senior military commanders. (Matt. 4:10; John 18:36) Moving in for the kill, the clergy clamored for the government to act against the Witnesses. Finally, in mid-December 1976, the clergy received their “Christmas gift”​—the government announced that Jehovah’s Witnesses were banned.

FROM August 15-18, 1963, hundreds of publishers from across the country and 122 international visitors converged on the city of Bandung, West Java. They had come to attend the “Everlasting Good News” Assembly, the first international assembly to be held in Indonesia.

To prepare for the event, the brothers had to overcome numerous obstacles. The venue had to be changed three times because of national Independence Day celebrations. When rising inflation prompted the authorities to raise transport fares by 400 percent, some delegates simply adjusted their mode of transport. One brother walked six days to reach the assembly. Seventy delegates from Sulawesi traveled five days on the crowded open decks of boats to attend the event.

At the convention, the Indonesian delegates were thrilled to meet their Christian brothers and sisters from other lands, including two members of the governing body, Frederick Franz and Grant Suiter. One visiting delegate observed: “The brothers seem so happy here; they are always laughing and smiling.”

Over 750 people attended the assembly, and 34 were baptized. “The landmark gathering prompted many interested ones to take their stand for the truth,” said Ronald Jacka. “It fired the local brothers with enthusiasm for God’s work.”

When the brothers at the branch learned of the ban, they swung into action. “We moved our confidential records, literature supplies, and branch funds to safe houses throughout Jakarta,” says Ronald Jacka. “We then moved the branch office to a secret location and quietly sold the previous branch office buildings.”

Most of the local brothers remained active and unafraid. They had endured severe trials leading up to the ban, and they continued to trust in Jehovah. But some brothers were caught off guard. A few elders became fearful and signed statements agreeing to stop preaching. Others revealed the names of congregation members. The branch office sent mature brothers to fortify the congregations and to help those who had compromised. John Booth, a member of the Governing Body, also visited Indonesia and passed on some much-needed fatherly advice.

Clearly, Jehovah, the Great Shepherd, was strengthening and comforting his people. (Ezek. 34:15) The elders began taking an increased spiritual lead, and the publishers found new and discreet ways to preach. (Matt. 10:16) Many brothers bought copies of a modern, affordable Bible from the Indonesian Bible Society and offered them to householders, tactfully including the Kingdom message where possible. Others removed the copyright page from our publications and distributed them to interested people. Many pioneers continued to preach while posing as door-to-door salespeople, as their predecessors had done during the Japanese occupation.

Then, in 1977, the Department of Religious Affairs struck another blow​—they refused to renew missionary visas for Jehovah’s Witnesses. Most Witness missionaries were reassigned to other countries.a “Hundreds of brothers and sisters came to the airport to say good-bye,” recalls missionary Norbert Häusler, who served with his wife, Margarete, in Manado, North Sulawesi. “We walked to the steps of the plane and paused to look back. A sea of hands waved to us, and a collective cry echoed across the tarmac: ‘Thank you. Thank you for being here.’ We boarded the plane and wept.”

Outrage on Sumba

As news of the ban spread throughout the archipelago, the Indonesian Communion of Churches urged its members to report any Witness activity to the authorities. This triggered a wave of arrests and interrogations on many islands.

In Waingapu, on the island of Sumba, the district military commander summoned 23 brothers to the local military camp and demanded that they sign a declaration renouncing their faith. When the brothers refused, the commander ordered them to return to the camp the following day​—an eight-mile (14 km) round-trip on foot.

When the brothers reported to the commander early the next morning, they were called forward one by one and ordered to sign the declaration. When a brother would refuse to sign, soldiers would beat him with thorny branches. The soldiers worked themselves into a frenzy, knocking some brothers unconscious. Meanwhile, the other brothers awaited their turn. Finally, one young brother named Mone Kele stepped forward and wrote on the declaration. The brothers’ hearts sank, but the commander went berserk. Mone had written, “I intend to remain one of Jehovah’s Witnesses forever!” Mone was beaten and bruised and ended up in the hospital, but he remained spiritually unbroken.

The commander tried for 11 days to break the brothers’ integrity. He ordered them to stand all day in the hot tropical sun. He forced them to crawl on their hands and knees for several miles and to run long distances carrying heavy loads. While holding a bayonet at their throats, he commanded them to salute the flag; still, they refused. So he ordered that they be beaten some more.

Each morning the brothers trudged to the camp, wondering what new torments awaited them. Along the way, they prayed together and encouraged one another to stay loyal. And each night they shuffled home, bruised and bloodied, rejoicing that they had stayed faithful to Jehovah.

Upon learning of this mistreatment, the brothers at the branch office immediately telegraphed protests to the military commander in Waingapu, the regional military commander in Timor, the divisional military commander in Bali, the supreme military commander in Jakarta, and other key government authorities. Embarrassed that his vile actions were being publicized throughout Indonesia, the military commander in Waingapu stopped persecuting the brothers.

“Jehovah’s Witnesses Are Like Nails”

In the years that followed, countless Witnesses throughout Indonesia were detained, interrogated, and physically abused. “In one area, many brothers had their front teeth knocked out,” recalls missionary Bill Perrie. “When they met a brother who still had his front teeth, they would jokingly ask: ‘Are you new? Or have you been compromising?’ Despite their trials, those who had been persecuted never lost their joy or enthusiasm for serving Jehovah.”

During one 13-year period, 93 Witnesses were sentenced to jail terms ranging from two months to four years. Experiencing such mistreatment only strengthened their determination to stay loyal to Jehovah. After serving an eight-month jail term, Musa Rade visited the brothers in his area to encourage them to keep on preaching. “Being in prison taught me to depend on Jehovah more, and it actually made me spiritually stronger,” he said. Little wonder that some observers declared: “Jehovah’s Witnesses are like nails. The more you hammer them, the deeper they go in.”

During the ban, most congregations continued to meet together for worship in private homes. To avoid attracting undue attention, however, many congregations did not sing Kingdom songs. Some meeting places were raided by the authorities, but usually the brothers were undisturbed.

The brothers often used family reunions or wedding celebrations as occasions to hold larger assemblies. “Couples typically registered their marriage and obtained a police permit to hold a large wedding reception,” explained Tagor Hutasoit. “During the reception, the bridal party sat on the platform while brothers presented a series of Bible talks.”

At one assembly a policeman approached Tagor privately.

“Most weddings last only two or three hours. Why do your weddings last from morning to evening?” the policeman asked.

“Some brides and grooms have many troubles and need lots of helpful counsel from God’s Word,” Tagor replied.

“That makes sense,” nodded the policeman.

Under the cover of a multiple wedding, brothers presented part of the 1983 “Kingdom Unity” District Convention at a large Jakarta sports stadium. A peak of nearly 4,000 brothers and interested ones attended the convention, and 125 people were baptized privately before the program. Later, when the ban was less rigidly enforced, the brothers held even larger conventions, including one attended by over 15,000 people.

Building a Branch Office While Under Ban

During the 1980’s and 1990’s, the branch office repeatedly petitioned the government to remove the ban on Jehovah’s Witnesses. Brothers in other countries also wrote to the Indonesian government and its ambassadors, asking why Jehovah’s Witnesses were outlawed in Indonesia. Many officials favored lifting the ban, but the powerful Directorate General of Christian Community Guidance repeatedly blocked their efforts.

In 1990, the brothers concluded that it might be possible to build a new branch office in an inconspicuous location. That same year, the Governing Body approved the purchase of a property near Bogor, a small city about 25 miles (40 km) south of Jakarta. Few local brothers, however, had construction skills. How, then, would the new facility be built?

The answer came through the international brotherhood. The Brooklyn Construction Office and the Regional Engineering Office in Australia supplied the architectural plans. Some 100 international volunteers provided the needed expertise during the two-year project.

Hosea Mansur, an Indonesian brother who acted as a liaison with various local officials, related: “When Muslim officials saw my initials, H.M., on my hard hat, they assumed that the letter H stood for ‘Hājjī,’ a highly esteemed title claimed by those who make pilgrimages to Mecca. They thus treated me with great respect. This simple misunderstanding made it easier to organize the work.”

The new branch facilities were dedicated on July 19, 1996. John Barr, a member of the Governing Body, delivered the dedication talk. The 285 people in the audience included 118 branch representatives and former missionaries from many countries and the 59 members of the Indonesia Bethel family. In the two days that followed the dedication program, 8,793 delegates attended the “Messengers of Godly Peace” District Convention in Jakarta.

Jehovah Delivers His People

In 1998, Indonesia’s longtime President Soeharto (Suharto) resigned, paving the way for a new government. In turn, the brothers intensified their efforts to have the ban on the work lifted.

While visiting New York in 2001, the Indonesian Secretary of State, Mr. Djohan Effendi, toured Brooklyn Bethel and met with three members of the Governing Body. He was impressed by what he saw, and he acknowledged that Jehovah’s Witnesses had a good reputation worldwide. Mr. Effendi favored lifting the ban, but he said that the final word would have to come from the attorney general of Indonesia, Mr. Marzuki Darusman.

The attorney general also favored lifting the ban, but hostile officials in his department kept stalling in the hope that he would soon be replaced. Finally, on June 1, 2001, Tagor Hutasoit was summoned to the attorney general’s office. “In that same office, some 25 years earlier, I was handed a document stating that Jehovah’s Witnesses were banned,” recalled Tagor. “But on this day, the attorney general’s last day in office, he handed me a document revoking the ban.”

On March 22, 2002, the organization of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Indonesia was officially registered by the Department of Religious Affairs. The director-general of the department told branch representatives: “This registration document does not grant you freedom of worship. That freedom comes from God. This document states that your religion is officially recognized by the government. You now have the same rights as other religions, and the government is at your service.”

EARTHQUAKES, tsunamis, and volcanoes often disrupt life in Indonesia. When these disasters strike, Jehovah’s people are quick to help those who are affected, especially their spiritual brothers. For example, in 2005 a massive earthquake leveled Gunungsitoli, the largest town on Nias Island in North Sumatra. Congregations on the neighboring island of Sumatra and the branch office immediately shipped relief supplies to the affected area. The local circuit overseer and a branch office representative flew to the island to encourage and reassure the brothers. “People around us were paralyzed with fear,” says Yuniman Harefa, an elder on Nias. “But the quick response from God’s organization assured us that we were not alone.”

When the leaders of the churches of Christendom heard that Jehovah’s Witnesses had been granted freedom of worship, they cried out in anguish. More than 700 clergy and lay leaders from seven Protestant churches held a seminar in Jakarta to urge the government to reinstate the ban. But the government stood firm.

As news filtered around the country that the ban had been lifted, many interested people wrote to the branch office, asking for literature or Bible studies. In 2003, over 42,000 people attended the Memorial, more than double the number of publishers in the country. Nearly 10,000 people attended an assembly in Jakarta, including a high-ranking official from the Department of Religious Affairs. The official was amazed to see younger and older ones in the audience looking up cited scriptures in their copies of the Bible. He assured the brothers that he was determined to correct the misinformation about Jehovah’s Witnesses.

The end of the ban also paved the way for missionaries to return to Indonesia. The first missionaries to return were Josef and Herawati Neuhardta (from the Solomon Islands), Esa and Wilhelmina Tarhonen (from Taiwan), Rainer and Felomena Teichmann (from Taiwan), and Bill and Nena Perrie (from Japan). They were followed by new Gilead missionaries who were assigned to North Sumatra, Kalimantan, North Sulawesi, and other outlying areas.

In 2005, the branch office conducted classes for two new theocratic schools. One of the instructors for the Ministerial Training School (now called the School for Kingdom Evangelizers), Julianus Benig, stated, “I really enjoyed helping the students to improve their teaching and speaking ability and to become even more useful to the organization.” Many graduates of this school now serve as special pioneers or circuit overseers. Most of the brothers who attended the first class of the School for Traveling Overseersb had initially been trained while the work was under ban. The new school helped them to carry out their assignments after the ban had ended. Ponco Pracoyo, who attended the first class, stated: “The school helped me to be more empathetic and more responsible in carrying out my role as a circuit overseer. It was refreshing and motivating!”

Filling an Urgent Need

During the 25-year ban, most congregations in Indonesia met for worship in small private homes. Few congregations could afford to build a Kingdom Hall, and it was almost impossible to obtain building permits for new places of worship. With many congregations bursting at the seams, the branch office set up a Kingdom Hall Construction Desk (now called the Local Design/​Construction Department) to address this urgent need.

One of the first areas to benefit from the new building program was Nias Island in North Sumatra. “When we heard that we were getting a new Kingdom Hall, we were elated,” says Haogo’aro Gea, a longtime member of the Gunungsitoli Congregation. “The branch office sent seven construction volunteers to oversee the project. The hall was completed in 2001.” Faonasökhi Laoli, a member of the local building committee, relates: “We previously met in small private homes, and the community looked down on Jehovah’s Witnesses. But as soon as we finished the Kingdom Hall, our average meeting attendance jumped from 20 to 40. Within 12 months, it increased by over 500 percent. Our place of worship is the finest in the area, and the community views Jehovah’s Witnesses with respect.”

In 2006, in Bandung, West Java, brothers started searching for property to build the city’s first Kingdom Hall. “It took 12 months to find a suitable property,” says Singap Panjaitan, an elder who served on the building committee. “But we needed to get approval from at least 60 non-Witness neighbors before the authorities would give us a building permit. Seventy-six neighbors supported the project, including one influential woman who had initially opposed us. When the hall was finished, we invited our neighbors and the mayor of Bandung to an open house. The mayor stated, ‘This clean and tidy place of worship sets the standard for all other churches to imitate.’” The two-story Kingdom Hall was dedicated in 2010.

Since 2001, over 100 Kingdom Halls have been built in Indonesia, but many more are needed.

During the many years under ban, the brothers in Indonesia wisely followed Jesus’ counsel to “prove yourselves cautious as serpents and yet innocent as doves.” (Matt. 10:16) But when the ban ended, many needed to learn how to preach “with boldness.”​—Acts 4:31.

For example, some brothers hesitated to preach from door to door and focused on return visits and Bible studies. Others held back from speaking to Muslims. Many introduced themselves as Christians instead of as Jehovah’s Witnesses and used Bible translations from Christendom rather than the Indonesian edition of the New World Translation.a Others held back from distributing Bible literature freely.

Some of these habits were carried over from the ban. Others stemmed from local culture, which favors compromise over confrontation, subtlety over openness. How could the brothers be readjusted?

Jehovah provided the answer in the form of kindly counsel from spiritually mature brothers. (Eph. 4:11, 12) For example, in 2010, visiting Governing Body member Stephen Lett warmly encouraged the brothers to uphold God’s name by freely using the New World Translation in the ministry. “Brother Lett’s talk deeply affected many publishers,” says missionary Misja Beerens. “They saw the need to stand out as Jehovah’s Witnesses and proudly defend God’s Word.”

Since Indonesian Muslims often associate Jehovah’s Witnesses with Christendom, the Indonesian edition of the Kingdom Ministry gave the following helpful direction: “Clearly identifying yourself as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses at the outset of your conversation is often the best approach. . . . We proudly represent Jehovah, and we want to make his name and purposes known in our assigned territory!” Shinsuke Kawamoto, who serves at the branch office in Indonesia, relates: “This direct but tactful approach brings good results. Many Muslims are curious about Jehovah’s Witnesses. They want to know what makes us different. Their curiosity allows us the opportunity to give a good witness.”

Publishers were also encouraged to increase their distribution of The Watchtower and Awake! “For people to get to know us, they need to read our magazines,” explains Lothar Mihank, the Branch Committee coordinator. “Magazines soften the ‘ground’ and encourage people to be more receptive to the truth. When we distribute them far and wide, we give more people the opportunity to learn about Jehovah.”

Public Witnessing Makes an Impact

In 2013, the Indonesia branch launched two new preaching initiatives approved by the Governing Body: special metropolitan public witnessing and congregation public witnessing. These exciting developments are allowing many more people in Indonesia the opportunity to hear the good news.

The first of several special metropolitan public witnessing tables was set up in a large electronics mall in West Jakarta. Then local congregations began setting up public witnessing carts and tables in their own territories. Within a year, more than 400 public witnessing tables and carts were operating in cities across Indonesia. What results have been achieved?

Yusak Uniplaita, an elder in Jakarta, reports: “Before we started public witnessing, our congregation requested 1,200 magazines a month. Six months later, we were requesting 6,000 magazines a month. Now we request 8,000 magazines a month. We also place many books and brochures.” In Medan, North Sumatra, a small group of pioneers set up witnessing carts in three locations. During the first month, they placed 115 books and about 1,800 magazines. Two months later, some 60 pioneers in seven locations distributed over 1,200 books and 12,400 magazines. “These new preaching methods are exciting the brothers and revealing the spiritual potential in Indonesia,” says missionary Jesse Clark. “Public witnessing is here to stay!”

Using the Language of the Heart

Indonesia lies at the heart of one of the most linguistically diverse regions on earth.b While most people speak Indonesian, the lingua franca, many also speak a local ethnic language​—their language of the heart.

In 2012, the branch office decided to gauge the needs of this diverse language field. “We started by translating material into 12 local languages spoken by about 120 million people,” says Tom Van Leemputten. “When our Javanese translators saw the first sample tract in Javanese, they shed tears of joy. At last, they had spiritual food in their own language!”

Most congregations, though, continued to hold meetings in Indonesian, even in areas where most people spoke an indigenous language. “In 2013, my wife, Carmen, and I attended a two-day assembly on Nias Island in North Sumatra,” recalls Lothar Mihank. “Most of the 400 people in the audience spoke the Nias language, but all of the talks were in Indonesian. After consulting with the speakers, we told the audience that the next day’s program would be in Nias. The next day, more than 600 people crammed into the auditorium.” Carmen adds: “It was obvious that those in the audience paid more attention to the program in Nias than they had the day before when the talks were given in Indonesian. They were delighted to hear​—and fully understand—​the Bible’s message in their language.”

Even deaf people in Indonesia can now “hear” the truth in their own language. Since 2010, the Indonesian Sign Language translation team has produced seven brochures and eight tracts in Indonesian Sign Language. Additionally, the branch office has sponsored 24 sign-language classes that have trained over 750 signers. Today, 23 sign-language congregations and groups are giving spiritual help and comfort to an estimated three million deaf people living in Indonesia.

Currently, the Translation Department has 37 translation teams. There are 117 translators and 50 support personnel working in 19 locations across Indonesia.

In 2008, Indonesia reached a peak of 21,699 publishers. The branch facilities were stretched to the limit. Also, because the facilities were built during the ban, they were in an out-of-the-way location. Clearly, a larger branch nearer to Jakarta was needed.

About two years later, the brothers purchased a property that was very different from the previous branch​—the entire 31st floor of an ultra-modern 42-story office tower near central Jakarta. The brothers next bought 12 floors in a nearby apartment tower to accommodate 80 or more Bethelites. They also acquired a five-story building to house the Bethel Home departments.

A team of construction servants from different countries worked along with local contractors to remodel the offices and the apartments. “Jehovah repeatedly helped us through seemingly intractable problems,” says construction overseer Darren Berg. “For example, we wanted to install a state-of-the-art wastewater treatment plant, but the authorities were unfamiliar with the technology and refused to approve it. Then a local Witness who is an engineer took our case to a senior official. The official promptly approved our request, stating that he completely trusted our brother’s recommendation.”

The new branch facilities were dedicated on February 14, 2015. Governing Body member Anthony Morris III gave the dedication talk. “We are now located in a prestigious district among some of the leading corporations in Indonesia,” says Vincent Witanto Ipikkusuma, a member of the Branch Committee. “We are not hiding anymore. People now notice Jehovah’s Witnesses. They can see that we are here to stay.”

“Preaching Here Is a Feast!”

In recent years, growing numbers of Witnesses from around the globe have moved to Indonesia. “Need-greaters play an important role in countries like ours,” explains Lothar Mihank. “They bring experience, maturity, and enthusiasm to their congregations, and they help to build greater appreciation for the worldwide brotherhood.” What motivated them to move? And how have things worked out for them? Consider some of their comments.

Jason and Casey Gibbs from the United States relate: “We studied the population-to-publisher ratios in the Yearbook and discovered that Indonesia has one of the highest ratios in the world. Then some friends who were need-greaters told us that there was great potential in Indonesia. So we phoned the Indonesia branch, and they directed us to Bali. The English field in Indonesia was just starting to open up, so we would be able to make an impact right away. We planned to go for one year, but we’ve stayed three. Most people we preach to have never heard of Jehovah’s Witnesses. How rewarding the ministry is!”

Stuart and Mandy Williams, a middle-aged couple from Australia, state: “We wanted to meet people thirsting for the truth, so we decided to move to Indonesia. In Malang, East Java, we have met hundreds of English-speaking university students who eagerly listen to the good news. And they love the jw.org website! The preaching work here is awesome.”

Takahiro and Mari Akiyama, who pioneer in Yogyakarta, on the island of Java, relate: “Here we feel safer than we did at home in Japan. People are kind and polite. Many of them, especially the young people, are curious about other religions. One day while manning our public witnessing table, we placed about 2,600 magazines in only five hours.”

Dan and Janine Moore, a couple in their late 50’s, explain: “When we go preaching, people gather around us. We smile at them; they smile back. They are curious, then interested, then excited. When we show them something in the Bible, some say, ‘Can I write that down?’ They marvel at the Bible’s spiritual wisdom. We’ve been here for a year, and we’re sorry we didn’t come earlier. We were looking for the next preaching frontier​—and we’ve found it!”

Misja and Kristina Beerens came as missionaries in 2009 and now serve in the traveling work. They report: “Even on Madura Island in East Java, one of the most conservative Muslim areas in Indonesia, the response to our preaching work is fantastic. People stop their cars and ask for magazines. They say: ‘I’m Muslim, but I enjoy reading these magazines. Can I have extra for my friends?’ Preaching here is a feast!”

Fields White for Harvesting

In 1931, when Frank Rice arrived in Jakarta, some 60,000,000 people lived in Indonesia. The population today is approaching 260,000,000, making Indonesia the fourth most populous nation on earth.

Meanwhile, Jehovah’s Witnesses in Indonesia have also experienced remarkable growth. In 1946, ten faithful publishers emerged from the wreckage of World War II. Today, the country has over 26,000 publishers​—clear evidence of Jehovah’s blessing! And with 55,864 people attending the 2015 Memorial, there is excellent potential for further increase.

Jesus declared: “Yes, the harvest is great, but the workers are few. Therefore, beg the Master of the harvest to send out workers into his harvest.” (Matt. 9:37, 38) Jehovah’s servants in Indonesia echo those words. They are determined to keep working hard to help sanctify Jehovah’s great name in this island nation.​—Isa. 24:15.

IN May 1963, anti-Chinese riots erupted throughout West Java. The city hardest hit was Sukabumi, where our family ran a trucking business. Hundreds of crazed people​—including some of our neighbors—​smashed their way into our home. We huddled in terror while the rioters smashed and looted our possessions.

When the mob left, other neighbors came to comfort us. My father sat with them on the living-room floor. There among our shattered possessions, he found his big Sundanese Bible. He opened it and told our neighbors that these troubles had been foretold. He then explained the joyful Kingdom hope.

My father never focused on storing up earthly treasures. He often reminded us: “Spiritual things must come first!” Thanks to his zealous example, his wife, six children, 90-year-old father, and many relatives and neighbors accepted the truth.

DURING World War II, Brother Elias and his wife, Josephine, appeared before officials in Sukabumi, West Java, at the headquarters of the dreaded Kempeitai, the Japanese military police. André was interrogated first. Questions rained down on him like hammer blows. “Who are Jehovah’s Witnesses? Do you oppose the Japanese government? Are you a spy?”

“We are servants of Almighty God and have done nothing wrong,” replied André. The commanding officer grabbed a samurai sword from the wall and held it aloft.

“What if I kill you now?” he snarled. André placed his head on the office desk and silently prayed. After a long pause, laughter erupted. “You are brave!” said the officer. He then summoned Josephine. When her testimony agreed with André’s, the officer barked: “You are not spies. Get out of here!”

Several months later, André was denounced by “false brothers” and imprisoned. (2 Cor. 11:26) For several months, he survived by eating food scraps scavenged from the cell gutter. Still, the jailers could not break his integrity. When Josephine was able to visit him, he whispered to her through the prison bars: “Do not worry. Whether they kill me or set me free, I will remain faithful to Jehovah. They can carry me out as a corpse but not as a traitor.”

After six months in jail, André defended himself before the Jakarta High Court and was released.

Some 30 years later, when the Indonesian government banned Jehovah’s Witnesses again, the district attorney in Manado, North Sulawesi, summoned André to his office. “Do you know that Jehovah’s Witnesses are banned?” he asked.

“Yes,” replied André.

“Are you now prepared to change your religion?” asked the official.

André leaned forward and dramatically beat his chest. “You can tear my heart from my body, but you can never make me change my religion,” he boomed.

The district attorney dismissed André and never bothered him again.

In 2000, André died at the age of 85, after some 60 years of zealous pioneer service.

MY MOTHER was a warmhearted, outgoing person who loved the Bible. When she met Gertrud Ott, a missionary in Manado, North Sulawesi, she readily agreed to a Bible study and came into the truth. But my father, Erwin, a prominent banker and later chairman of the Jakarta Stock Exchange, vigorously opposed her new faith.

One day, my father gave Mother an ultimatum.

“Your religion or your husband​—you must choose!” he raged.

My mother thought long and hard. Then she gently replied, “I want both​—my husband and Jehovah.”

My father was speechless, and his anger evaporated.

In time, my father became more tolerant, for he loved my mother very much and greatly valued her wisdom and insight.

My mother, however, wanted her husband to join her in true worship. After praying earnestly about the matter, she remembered that my father loved to learn languages. So she decided to display Bible texts in English around the home. “I’m trying to improve my English,” she told him. Realizing that he valued public speaking, she also asked him to help her rehearse her Theocratic Ministry School talks. He agreed. Appreciating that he was hospitable, she asked if they could accommodate the visiting circuit overseer. He consented. And knowing that he cherished his family, she gently suggested that he might like to sit with us at Christian conventions. So he did.

My mother’s patient and discreet efforts gradually softened my father’s heart. Later, when our family lived in England, he attended meetings and befriended John Barr, who became a member of the Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses. That same year, my father was baptized, bringing my mother unbridled joy. In the years that followed, he showered her with love.

Some of our friends liken my mother to Lydia, a first-century Christian woman who showed outstanding hospitality. (Acts 16:14, 15) But I often think of her as being like Sarah, who happily subjected herself to her husband, Abraham. (1 Pet. 3:4-6) My mother was a chaste, respectful, and deeply spiritual woman who touched all who knew her. It was her example that helped my father into the truth. To me, she was a true daughter of Sarah.

IN THE early hours of October 1, 1965, troops linked to the Indonesian Communist Party (PKI) assassinated six prominent generals in an attempted coup. The government’s response was swift and ruthless. In what has been described as a nationwide “orgy of violence,” some 500,000 alleged communists were slaughtered.

Several weeks after the failed coup, a senior military commander told me that my name was at the top of a list of religious leaders in our area whom the communists had planned to liquidate. He even offered to show me where my grave had been dug in preparation for my burial, but I politely declined. In the highly charged political atmosphere, I did not want to be seen in his company and risk compromising my reputation as a Christian neutral.

IN 1964, I was assigned as a special pioneer to Manokwari, West Papua, where a small congregation faced fierce opposition from the local clergy. Soon after I arrived, a Protestant minister stormed up to my house.

“I am going to destroy this house and rid Manokwari of Jehovah’s Witnesses,” he thundered.

Because of my police training, I was not intimidated by his bluster. Nevertheless, I answered him calmly, and he eventually left in peace.​—1 Pet. 3:15.

Back then Manokwari had eight publishers. Today, some 50 years later, there are seven congregations in the area. More than 1,200 people attended the local convention in 2014. When I see what Jehovah has accomplished in this remote region, I feel truly satisfied at heart.

ON ONE occasion, Brother Sormin was summoned by the Director of Intelligence at the attorney general’s office.

“You are Indonesian, so be frank with me,” said the official. “What are Jehovah’s Witnesses really doing in Indonesia?”

“Let me tell you my story,” replied Brother Sormin. “I once was the leader of a criminal gang, but now I teach people the Bible. That is what Jehovah’s Witnesses are doing in Indonesia​—taking no-good people like me and turning them into good citizens!”

The Director of Intelligence later declared: “I hear many complaints about Jehovah’s Witnesses. But I know that it is a good religion because it helped Mr. Sormin to change.”

ON April 14, 1989, I was conducting a meeting in the town of Maumere, on Flores Island, when government officials burst into the house and arrested me and three others.

The guards at the local prison tried to force us to salute the flag. When we refused, they beat us and kicked us and made us stand in the blistering sun for five days. We shivered at night on hard cement floors in our tiny cells, filthy, exhausted, and aching from our wounds. The prison warden repeatedly urged us to compromise, but we replied, “Until we die, we will not salute.” Like countless Christians before us, we felt privileged to “suffer for the sake of righteousness.”​—1 Pet. 3:14.

ON January 19, 1999, growing hostility between Muslims and Christians exploded into violence about three kilometers (1.8 miles) from my home. The situation was chaotic.a

After seeing to the safety of my family, I phoned other publishers to check on their welfare. I urged them to remain calm and to avoid dangerous areas. Later, the elders visited the flock to strengthen them spiritually and to encourage them to meet for worship in small groups.

The branch office urged us to evacuate any publishers who were living in dangerous areas, and we passed that direction on to several families. One brother who refused to leave was later killed by an armed mob. But every person who heeded the direction from the branch office survived.

IN 2013, our small congregation in Tugala Oyo heard thrilling news​—we would receive a new Kingdom Hall! The local authorities welcomed the project, and 60 of our neighbors signed a petition giving their approval. One neighbor told us, “If you want 200 signatures, you will get them.”

Two experienced Kingdom Hall construction volunteers came to supervise the building of the new hall, which was completed in November 2014. We never dreamed that our congregation would ever have such a fine place for worship. Truly, Jehovah surpassed our expectations!

Linda: When I was 12, my mother revealed that I had a younger sister who had been given up for adoption. I wondered if she had been born deaf like me. But I grew up not knowing who she was.

Sally: I never knew that I was adopted. My “mother” cruelly beat me and treated me like a servant, so I grew up sad and lonely​—an added burden for one born deaf. Then I met Jehovah’s Witnesses and began studying the Bible. When my “mother” found out, she whipped me with a belt and changed the locks on the door, imprisoning me in the house. At age 20, I ran away from home, and the Witnesses took me in. In early 2012, I was baptized.

Linda: When I was 20, I started studying with Jehovah’s Witnesses. Later, I began attending district conventions in Jakarta, where the program was interpreted for the deaf. There I met many other deaf people, including Sally, a Witness girl who lived in North Sumatra. I felt a certain familiarity with her but thought nothing of it.

Sally: Linda and I became good friends. I thought that we looked alike, but I dismissed the notion as a passing thought.

Linda: In August 2012, the day before I was baptized, I felt a deep longing to find my lost younger sister. “Please let me find my sister,” I begged Jehovah, “because I want to tell her about you.” Soon afterward, my mother unexpectedly received a text message from a person who knew about my lost sister. This set in motion a chain of events that led to my contacting Sally.

Sally: When Linda explained that I was her long-lost sister, I quickly flew to Jakarta to meet her. Exiting airport security, I saw Linda​—along with my father, my mother, and my other older sister—​waiting to greet me. I was shaking with emotion. We all hugged and kissed​—my mother held me the longest. Everyone was crying. When my father and mother tearfully apologized for having given me up for adoption, we cried and hugged some more.

Linda: Because of our different upbringings, we have had to learn to accommodate our different personalities and habits. But we love each other very much.

Sally: Now Linda and I live together and attend the same sign-language congregation in Jakarta.

Linda: Sally and I were separated for more than 20 years. We thank Jehovah that we are reunited at last!