News / Thoughts

Indonesia: Children recovering after bomb

Last year, on 13 November 2016, Alvaro Sinaga, aged four-and-a-half and Trinity Hutahaean (four) were playing with two of their friends, Anita Sihotang and Intan Banjarnahor, in Samarinda, east Borneo. Sunday school had finished and they had some free time before the main church service ended, when an explosion ripped through the playgroup.

A terrorist had thrown a bomb at the children – all of them suffered devastating burns. A day after the attack, two year old Intan died.

Alvaro and Trinity

“It was just a week after we returned from North Sumatra to attend my mother-in-law’s funeral,” says her mother, Diana Sinaga. “So we were already in deep sorrow… Intan brightened up the house with her singing and never ending questions, and now she’s gone. It feels so quiet.”

Intan’s father holds a photo of Intan

Alvaro suffered from severe burn injuries on half of his head, neck and hand. He has since had 26 operations, and was finally able to go back home in late April.

“There were moments when I was broken-hearted and lost hope,” said Alvaro’s father, Hotdiman Sinaga. “He is my precious joy and pride, he is smart and handsome. I believe he will be alright. God’s Word says that He will never let me be tempted beyond my strength. His promise has become my strength. Alvaro is my only child and I have to be strong.”

“I forgave him already”

Trinity’s mother, Sarinah, was on duty as church elder when she heard the blast. “I saw her head covered with smoke and her face black. Her body was so hot that I had to rip away her clothes.”

Trinity, the most severely burned of the three, is undergoing steroid injections to remove keloid (scarring) – a painful process.

Despite the hurt, Sarinah knew that she must forgive the perpetrator. Sarinah said, “I don’t have any hatred towards the bomber. I forgave him already. The most important thing is for my daughter to recover well.”

Two-year-old Anita, pictured below with her father, was the youngest of the bomb victims. She spent one month in hospital and still has to go back for check-ups. Anita has not yet forgotten the sound of the explosion. Whenever her father starts the motorcycle engine, she runs away.

Her father, Jackson Sihotang, recalls seeing the children afraid by fireworks on New Year’s Eve: “It’s so heart-breaking to see them that dreadful night. And we felt so powerless to change the situation.”

Hope returns

Since the attack, the children’s families have been struggling to get their lives back together. They battle physical pain, trauma, anger, guilt, a sense of powerlessness… But positive progress is being made.

The children are also beginning to regain some self-esteem. Alvaro often uses his hands to display the ‘peace’ symbol. And Trinity has a contagious spirit that keeps her smiling.

For Intan’s family, a new arrival is bringing hope and life back into the home. “This baby,” says Diana of her new baby girl, “she cures our longing to see my late daughter.”

Alongside local churches and mission agencies, Open Doors workers have visited the children and their families multiple times since the tragic attack. As well as practical support, Open Doors has spent time praying with the families and produced a video of prayers and greetings from staff members’ children to encourage them.

“That prayer, it goes straight to my heart,” said Trinity’s mother. “Your gifts and support, and that from other churches and believers, have helped to remind us that there are many good people out there. Thank you for keeping us in your prayers.”

About Indonesia

Indonesia ranks as number on Open Doors’ 2017 World Watch List. Christians here are facing increasing dangers from radical Islamist groups, who are gaining in popularity throughout Indonesia – the most populous Muslim nation in the world.

Thank you for your prayers for Alvaro, Trinity and Anita. Please continue to pray for them and for other secret children of the church around the world – their stories are regularly featured in the Open Doors Prayer Diary.

Pray now…

• That Alvaro, Trinity and Anita would be healed and grow in their love for the Lord
• For strength for their parents and grace to forgive their children’s attackers
• For Open Doors staff providing protection, provision and education to persecuted children around the world.