Indonesia: Chased into the Arms of Jesus Print E-mail
Seeking the Truth
Bobby was a Muslim teenager. When he was asleep, he had dreams about Jesus and heaven. He wondered what the dreams meant. Many Muslims are not comfortable asking questions about their faith, or their holy book, the Quran. They just accept what Muslim leaders tell them.
 
But, after his dreams, Bobby had questions. He bought three books: a Bible, a Hindu book, and a Buddhist book. (Hinduism and Buddhism are religions that do not agree with the Bible.) He thought the books might help him find answers. Bobby began to read the books in his bedroom.
 
Muslims believe that Jesus was a good man. But they do not believe He was the Son of God. They do not believe that people are saved by the grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ. Instead, they believe that Allah, who they worship, lets people into heaven if they have done enough good works. But no one knows how many good works are “enough.”
 
Bobby learned more about Jesus from the Bible he bought. But before he could decide what he believed, he got in trouble. “One day I forgot to lock my door,” Bobby said. “My mother came in, and seeing the books, she screamed. My father told me, ‘You’re a sinner.’” Bobby’s parents thought the books were “unclean.”
 
Running with the Truth
They locked Bobby in his room and went outside to burn the books. “I climbed out the window and slid down the drain pipe,” said Bobby. He ran and pulled the Bible out of the fire. Then he continued running with his family chasing him.
 
Bobby hitchhiked to a city and fell asleep leaning against a wall. The next day he discovered his “pillow” was the outside wall of a church! Christians from the church took Bobby to their home, cared for him, and answered his questions about the Bible. He decided to follow Jesus!
 
Sharing the Truth
Bobby’s family and other Muslims continue to give him a hard time because of his new faith. Bobby prays for his family and shares the truth about Jesus with Muslims when he can.
 
Extra Information!
Christians who talk to Muslim youth in Indonesia about Jesus are risking a great deal. A law there says no one can lead a child to become a Christian through “tricks” or “lies.”
 
Because of this law, three Sunday school teachers went to prison for almost two years. Some Muslim parents sent their children to the teachers’ “Happy Sunday” class. The teachers did not use tricks or lies in their classes, and no one in the class changed their religion. But the teachers were sent to prison anyway.

To protect their identities, the names of some of the people on this site and some identifying details have been changed. Some of the quotes and stories have been edited and paraphrased from the original sources for clarity.