{"id":26086,"date":"2020-05-26T12:00:24","date_gmt":"2020-05-26T03:00:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vomkorea.com\/?p=26086"},"modified":"2020-05-28T13:11:04","modified_gmt":"2020-05-28T04:11:04","slug":"vomk-report-102","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vomkorea.com\/en\/2020\/05\/26\/vomk-report-102\/","title":{"rendered":"PERSECUTED INDONESIAN CHRISTIAN USES BURN SCARS TO EVANGELIZE"},"content":{"rendered":"

[vc_section][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”26092″ img_size=”full”][vc_custom_heading text=”On May 13, 2018, a terrorist attack on Surabaya Central Pentecostal Church killed 10 people and left one church member with burns over 85% of her body. According to Voice of the Martyrs Korea representative Hyun Sook Foley, that church member, Fenny Suryawati, continues to recover and is now using her burn scars to share Christ with her Muslim neighbors.” font_container=”tag:p|font_size:1.2em|text_align:left” google_fonts=”font_family:Noto%20Sans%3Aregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic|font_style:700%20bold%20regular%3A700%3Anormal” el_class=”headline”][vc_column_text]According to Representative Foley<\/span><\/span>,\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Fenny\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Suryawati<\/span><\/span>\u00a0was standing at the bottom of a staircase near the main entrance to the Surabaya Central Pentecostal Church\u00a0<\/span><\/span>the morning of May 13, 2018<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>when\u00a0<\/span><\/span>a<\/span><\/span>\u00a0black minivan rammed the church\u2019s gate, striking two parking attendants. Five bombs inside the vehicle erupted into a ball\u00a0<\/span><\/span>of fire, igniting the gas tanks of five cars and 30 motorcycles parked nearby.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

\u201cI felt heat all over my body,\u201d Fenny said haltingly as she recounted the horror of the blast. \u201cI was asking the people for help.\u201d The flames scorched 85 percent of\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Fenny\u2019s<\/span><\/span>\u00a0body, including most of her face. She said\u00a0<\/span><\/span>she\u2019ll<\/span><\/span>\u00a0never forget the feeling of the water flowing down her smoldering skin as other church members tried to quench the flames burning her flesh. \u201cIt helped,\u201d she said with a grateful smile. \u201cI felt the cold and also caught some water in my mouth.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]As flames consumed the church entrance, Pastor\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Yonathan<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Biantoro<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Wahono<\/span><\/span>\u00a0led 1,300 worshippers inside the building toward the back door.<\/span><\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_single_image image=”26091″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”][vc_custom_heading text=”Fenny can no longer hug her daughter, Clarissa, because of her fragile skin.” font_container=”tag:p|font_size:13px|text_align:center|color:%23000000|line_height:1.45em” google_fonts=”font_family:Noto%20Sans%3Aregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Fenny was moved to an evacuation area, where she was reunited with her daughter, Cla<\/span><\/span>rissa, her husband,\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Erry<\/span><\/span>, and her mother-in-law. At the time of the blast,\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Erry<\/span><\/span>\u00a0was inside the church and Clarissa was standing near the top of the stairs on the second floor. She suffered burns to her forehead, stomach and hands, and her mouth was bleeding from a shrapnel wound.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]A church member helped Fenny and Clarissa into the back of his car and sped toward the hospital, not knowing whether Fenny would survive.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]At the hospital, doctors placed Fenny in a tub of warm water to stop the burning and stitched up the open wounds above her eyes and on her upper lip. They then took her to surgery to remove the shrapnel embedded in various parts of her body. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOne piece of steel pierced my left side,\u201d she said, pointing to the spot. \u201cThank God it did not hit my lungs.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_column_text]Doctors spent hours dressing her burns. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAt that moment I started to feel the heat again,\u201d she said. \u201cThe pain came back, too.\u201d<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Over time,\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Fenny\u2019s<\/span><\/span>\u00a0skin hardened. Every four days, she was given anesthesia so a doctor could slowly peel away the dead skin. She underwent that procedure 21 times; doctors could not perform skin grafts because she\u00a0<\/span><\/span>didn\u2019t<\/span><\/span>\u00a0have enough healthy skin left. During\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Fenny\u2019s<\/span><\/span>\u00a0three months in the hospital, Pastor\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Yonathan<\/span><\/span>\u00a0and members of\u00a0<\/span><\/span>her<\/span><\/span>\u00a0church regularly visited her in the intensive care unit to encourage and pray for her.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_single_image image=”26090″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”][vc_custom_heading text=”Fenny\u2019s feet are scarred with the pattern of the sandals she was wearing the day of the bombing.” font_container=”tag:p|font_size:13px|text_align:center|color:%23000000|line_height:1.45em” google_fonts=”font_family:Noto%20Sans%3Aregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]After her release from the hospital, Fenny received physical therapy twice a week for several months to regain strength in her hands. Her healing has progressed slowly and painfully. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPersecution is uncomfortable, but what can I do?\u201d she said. \u201cNow I must go on with what has happened.\u201d<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Voice of the Martyrs Korea Representative Foley says that t<\/span><\/span>oday,<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Fenny\u2019s<\/span><\/span>\u00a0mobility remains limited by the tenderness of her cracked, purplish skin. The tops of her feet are scarred with the pattern of the sandals she was wearing the morning of the bombing, a constant reminder of that horrible day and everything it cost her.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Fenny said she has learned to love the scarred face that star<\/span><\/span>ts<\/span><\/span>\u00a0back at her from the mirror, but it has taken time. She admits it was difficult to overcome the initial shock and shame of her disfigurement. She still works to overcome the fear and anxiety that confront her every time she leaves her home, but she said she has chosen to forgive those responsible for her current condition. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI am not a woman stays angry,\u201d she said softly but confidently. \u201cI am a woman who likes to surrender all to God and let Him arrange all for me.\u201d<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

\u201c<\/span><\/span>Fenny<\/span><\/span>\u00a0has surrendered more than the events of May 13, 2018<\/span><\/span>,<\/span><\/span>\u201d says Representative Foley<\/span><\/span>.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u201c<\/span><\/span>She has had to relinquish control in every aspect of her life. She relies on others, mainly her husband,\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Erry<\/span><\/span>, to<\/span><\/span>\u00a0help her<\/span><\/span>\u00a0get through each day. She requires help bathing and dressing each day, and she is resigned to wearing loose-fitting gowns that don\u2019t cling to her fragile\u00a0<\/span><\/span>skin.<\/span><\/span>\u201d<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]The most difficult part of her new life, Fenny said, is the necessity of avoiding physical contact. Clarissa\u2019s hugs are now too\u00a0<\/span><\/span>painful<\/span><\/span>\u00a0to bear. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s\u2026 so\u2026 sad,\u201d she said, emphasizing each word with a nod of her head as her eyes filled with tears.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_single_image image=”26093″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”][vc_custom_heading text=”Pastor Yonathan led efforts to rebuild Surabaya Central Pentecostal Church, adding a stronger gate and protective barrier. While concerned for church members\u2019 safety, he also wants the surrounding community to see that they will remain faithful to Christ.” font_container=”tag:p|font_size:13px|text_align:center|color:%23000000|line_height:1.45em” google_fonts=”font_family:Noto%20Sans%3Aregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Representative Foley says that<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Clarissa, now a fifth grader, is nearly pain free.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c<\/span><\/span>She<\/span><\/span>\u00a0wants to be a doctor when she grows up so she can help the suffering of people like her mother for whom she prays\u00a0<\/span><\/span>daily<\/span><\/span>,\u201d says Representative Foley<\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Representative Foley says that t<\/span><\/span>he<\/span><\/span>\u00a0parts of the\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Surabaya Central Pentecostal Church<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>building damaged in the blast have been repaired, and a larger, stronger security gate and a new protective barrier have been installed at the building\u2019s entrance.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u201c<\/span><\/span>The<\/span><\/span>\u00a0church continues to gather for worship and love Muslims in its neighborhood, and Pastor\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Yonathan<\/span><\/span>\u00a0said he doesn\u2019t fear another\u00a0<\/span><\/span>attack<\/span><\/span>,\u201d says Representative Foley.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_column_text]Representative Foley says that these days<\/span><\/span>\u00a0Fenny is finding the courage to step out in public more often.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c<\/span><\/span>When she senses people staring at her scars, she quietly asks God a new question:\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u2018<\/span><\/span>How<\/span><\/span>\u00a0can I be used in this\u00a0<\/span><\/span>situation?<\/span><\/span>\u2019<\/span><\/span>\u00a0When people ask about her burns, she eagerly tells them about Christ. She wants Him to use her story and her pain for the advancement of His\u00a0<\/span><\/span>kingdom<\/span><\/span>,\u201d says Representative Foley<\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_single_image image=”26087″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”][vc_custom_heading text=”Surabaya Central Pentecostal Church \u2013 one of three Indonesian churches that were bombed by radical Muslims on May 13, 2018.” font_container=”tag:p|font_size:13px|text_align:center|color:%23000000|line_height:1.45em” google_fonts=”font_family:Noto%20Sans%3Aregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Representative Foley says that<\/span><\/span>\u00a0t<\/span><\/span>he Voice of the Martyrs\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Korea<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>continues to help pay medical expenses for Fenny as well as for others affected by the bombings.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Individuals interested in donating to the \u201cFenny Fund\u201d can visit www.vomkorea.com\/<\/a><\/span>en\/<\/span>donate or give via electronic transfer to\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\uad6d\ubbfc\uc740\ud589<\/span>\u00a0463501-01-243303<\/span>\u00a0(KB\u00a0Bank)<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\uc608\uae08\uc8fc<\/span>: (<\/span>\uc0ac<\/span>)<\/span>\uc21c\uad50\uc790\uc758\uc18c\ub9ac<\/span>\u00a0(Account\u00a0<\/span>holde<\/span>r<\/span>)<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Please include the name \u201cFenny<\/strong>\u201d on the donation.<\/span>\u00a0The deadline for donations for this emergency project is\u00a0<\/span>June 30.<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][\/vc_section]<\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"[vc_section][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”26092″ img_size=”full”][vc_custom_heading text=”On May 13, 2018, a terrorist attack on Surabaya Central Pentecostal Church killed 10 people and left one church member with burns over 85% of her body. …","protected":false},"author":659,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"give_campaign_id":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[857,235,869,140],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-26086","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-russian-special","category-special-column","category-china-special","category-vomk-report"],"translation":{"provider":"WPGlobus","version":"3.0.2","language":"en","enabled_languages":["ko","en","zh","ru"],"languages":{"ko":{"title":true,"content":true,"excerpt":false},"en":{"title":true,"content":true,"excerpt":false},"zh":{"title":false,"content":false,"excerpt":false},"ru":{"title":true,"content":true,"excerpt":false}}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/vomkorea.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26086","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/vomkorea.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/vomkorea.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vomkorea.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/659"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vomkorea.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=26086"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/vomkorea.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26086\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/vomkorea.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=26086"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vomkorea.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=26086"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vomkorea.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=26086"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}