First I must apologise about my lack of blogging, I'm sure it's not a lack of seeing "signs", just lack of organisation!

The other day I received an email from some friends in Indonesia asking for prayer for a mutual friend who had a slight problem. The following is the story:

Our friend was travelling on his motor bike when a fellow biker in front hit a women pedestrian, our friend tried to avoid the accident but unfortunately also hit the women who subsequently died. The first rider ran away (this happens frequently in Indonesia) leaving our friend behind to 'face the music'. The Police put him under house arrest and charged him with death of the women. Under Indonesian practice, the family of the deceased can ask any amount of money from the accused and press charges.

The police charge carried a maximum of 5 years prison. After making contact with the victims family our friend was able to come to a very reasonable agreement with them; they asked for a manageable amount and would not press charges. The Police also decided not to press the more serious charge with a lesser one holding a maximum 2 year sentence or a R5million which is about US$550. This is an amazing result considering the complicated system in Indonesia and the corrupt nature of the police there.

Our friend is a faithful labourer in Indonesia, he has planted many churches around the area he lives, which is a strong Muslim area. He has been full time pastoring these churches over 20 years.

In Indonesia it is very rare for people from a "Christian" background venturing into a Muslim area and actually becoming friends with them and thinking about introducing them to 'Isa Al Masih".

I was telling this to a group at the weekend and today I received an email from one of the guys attending the meeting from Tauranga and offering some money for our friend as he had been touched by this situation. Praise God.