Go, Ask Viki: Testimony from East Samaria, Nov 2007
He has been living in the east Samaria for over 30 years. He lives at a village called Palee village. His name is Pak Ali, 55 years old. He often comes to our clinic in Samaria. He usually comes for medicines or just for a health check up. He knew about our clinic when we once did a mobile clinic at his village. Pak Ali is a retired soldier. Actually, he is not an Acehnese. He was born in Bataknese family (South Tapanuli) but he is married to an Acehnese women.
One day he came to our clinic, complaining about the ulcer he had at one of his leg. The ulcer was broken and was getting larger. He complained about all the illness he had and said that he had been tired of all the illness and the stroke that had lasted for years. Moreover, he also had illness resulting from soldier’s beating him during his being in prison for 9 months. The beatings cost his left hand bent and stiff. He was send to jail for being accused of having contact which the group of separatist army.
When he was complaining about all the illness I told him, “There is a person who can heal you. His name is Jesus. He is not only a prophet but he is God.” Then he responded, “We never believe that He is God, He is only prophet.” But I insisted that He is God.
Coming back home, he felt uneasy. Later that night he dreamed of seeing two churches at South Tapanuli region. One of the churches was Bataknese traditional church but he was not sure of another. In his dream there was a voice urging him to believe what Viki had told him (Viki is me). The voice kept saying that he had to believe Jesus Christ is God. He replied to the voice, “Do not offer Jesus Christ to me. I believe he is only a prophet.” However, the voice persistently kept on saying and repeating the same words. And again he refused to believe that.
For fearing of being asked to believe Isa Almasih (Lord Jesus) as God, he didn’t show up to our clinic. Instead, he went to a hospital for his ulcer problem. The strange thing was, even though the ulcer had been broken, he was not feeling better and the wound was getting worse. Finally he decided to come to our clinic and I met him. “I could not sleep well because you told me that Jesus Christ is God,” he said to open our conversation. He was confused about my statement. “I had gone to the hospital for the ulcer at my leg but they were not able to cure me.”
While cleaning his wound I told him not to forget keep it cleaned. “Perhaps it was because you are often forgot to clean the wound. “It would not get better if you could not keep it cleaned,” I advised him. Suddenly, he inquired me who Viki is. I replied him that Viki is my name. Soon, he was ready to tell me about his dream. Not feeling convenient to talk with him alone, I asked a Christian brother (Brutu) to accompany me. We were all ready to talk when his friend, who helped driving him to the clinic looked suspicious. Brother Brutu then, stopped the conversation and promised to visit him next day.
On the following day, brother Brutu and I want to visit Pak Ali. While I was cleaning and treating his wound brother Brutu started to continue the canceled talk we had the day before. “I want to know who Jesus Christ is. I can’t forget about this matter. It worries me so much that I can’t sleep at all. I don’t know I can’t prevent my self from thinking about this,” said Pak Ali staring the talk. Brutu responded on Pak Ali’s story by explaining the beginning of God creation, the fall of men to sin, and the redemption of sin in the name of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
In the room where we were having a talk there was picture of Abraham’s preparing to sacrifice his son, Isaac. Pointing to the picture, brother Brutu described him that God had prepared a lamb to substitute Isaac to be sacrificed for God. Brother Brutu showed him that the picture is representing the redemption of man. One sacrifice for all the world. And the sacrifice is the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ who is the Son of God alone. Brother Brutu assured him that everybody who believes in Jesus Christ and accept Him as God will have eternal life.
Having listened to brother Brutu’s explanation Pak Ali said, “I agree what the things you told me.” “Everybody who believes in him must confess with their own mouth that Jesus Christ is God. Do you mind praying together with us?” brother Brutu challenged him. “I don’t mind he answered, then we prayed together. Pak Ali asked God to forgive all his sin and confessed Jesus Christ is God. He invited the Holy Spirit to come to his heart. His wife was there, seeing all we did and talked about. But she doesn’t speak Bahasa so she couldn’t understand what we were talking about.
Brother Brutu then wanted to know Pak Ali’s understanding about the Holy Spirit. He raised a question to him, “Where do you think the Holy Spirit now is?” Pak Ali replied that the Holy Spirit is in Heaven now. Brother Brutu ascertained him that the Holy Spirit is there in the heart of everyone who accept Jesus Christ as Lord and savior.
After praying together in the name of Jesus Christ Pak Ali clarified that he was not going to be a Christian. “Never persuade me to follow your religion,” he said. We told him we were not going to ask him changing his religion. We only wanted him to believe Jesus Christ as God. We also reminded him to pray to Jesus Christ. He was so glad at that time especially when he knew who ever receive Jesus Christ as God will go to heaven. We have never met him again. That was the last time I saw him.
Prayer:
- Pray that God will give Pak Ali a longing heart to know him more.
- Pray for deeper understanding and knowledge about Jesus Christ.
- Pray that God will give Pak Billy and I wisdom to lead Pak Ali in a discipleship. Pak Brutu will live Samaria and the ministry as well and Pak Billy will take responsible for.
