Ministry in Australia

had invaded East Timor just at the time when the World Council of Churches (WCC) was meeting in Nairobi in December 1975. John Brown, an Australian delegate, was instrumental in drafting a motion for a plenary session of the WCC, condemning the Indonesian invasion. He was accused by the Indonesian delegates that he never discussed this motion with them, but it stands to reason, that since they were totally opposed to such a move, they were unwilling to discuss any motion that had anything to do with it. When it was passed by the assembly, the Indonesians feared that they would have to answer for it to their authorities. Fortunately, this did not happen, but they were most upset about this whole business. For a long time relationships between the DGI and the ACC were frozen.

After much pleading they finally agreed to meet again. A delegation of ten from each council met in Jakarta from 7 to 11 December 1976. I was one of the Australian delegates.

The event at Nairobi came first on the agenda, with a very frank discussion. It became clear to me, that we were dealing here with an example of our different culture, in particular, our different family structure, as we had discovered at Sydney. The nuclear family in Australia, emphasising the individual and seeing issues "either/or", and the extended family in Indonesia with its emphasis on the well-being of all, seeing issues "both and". Our discussion revealed a totally different approach we had towards the State and justice in general. While we didn't resolve any problems, we became more aware of each others points of view, and that was already very helpful. To deepen our understanding of one another, it was suggested, that at our next IAMG meeting, the subject of justice ought to be discussed, as seen from our two different perspectives. The meeting also agreed to send an Indonesian minister to the ACC in Sydney, mainly to minister to Indonesians living there.

In March 1977 the ACC passed a resolution to appoint a person on a part time basis as secretary for an Indonesia Desk. I was approached to fill this position. I was offered $1040 p.a. to work one day a week at the ACC office. This offer was discussed with the Elders. I would pay my remuneration into the church account, as I was not working on that day for the parish. This was accepted, and in July 1977 I started as Secretary of the Indonesia Desk at the ACC office in Sydney. I travelled by train each Wednesday, consulted with Jean Skuse, the General Secretary, also with John Brown occasionally.

The work consisted mainly of following up resolutions of the IAMG meetings, and planning for future meetings. My first major job was to prepare for the arrival of Musa and Mary Sinulingga with their three children from Sumatra. They were the first Indonesian missionaries to Australia, ministering mainly to Indonesian protestants living in Sydney. An Indonesian speaking congregation had to be established. We tried at first to keep it under the ACC, not linked to any specific denomination,

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