Current location: Salatiga, Java, Indonesia
Home congregation: Gloria Dei, Iowa City, Iowa and Gloria Dei, St. Paul, Minn.
My perspective: Java was shielded from disaster by Sumatra,
which took the brunt of the Dec. 26 earthquake and tsunami. Aceh in
north Sumatra was leveled.
Aceh is the only Indonesian province
under sharia or strict Muslim law. Indonesians recognize Aceh's people
as a proud group that struggled for independence from the Dutch and
more recently from Indonesia. Aceh is isolated from the world by
Indonesia's attempt to control separatist rebels, hampering
communication and relief efforts.
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