Workers from The Voice of the Martyrs talked with a Christian girl named Ani in Indonesia. Two years before the interview, Ani’s village was attacked by radical “Laskar Jihad” Muslims. The attackers burned Ani’s home and church. Sadly, Ani’s grandfather died in the attack. Ani and her grandmother escaped into the forest. Here is what Ani told the VOM workers.

VOM: How old are you?
Ani: I am 16.

VOM: Tell me about going to school.
Ani: I am in the first grade of senior high school. I study at school from 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. I like all subjects, but I especially hope I can have success in English.

VOM: Where do you and your family live?
Ani: All of my family, including my grandmother, live in a refugee camp. I am not living with them. I’m living with a family in another district, because I have to go to school in this area.

VOM: What does your house look like?
Ani: The walls are made of bamboo, the roof of leaves, and the floor is soil.

VOM: Do you get enough food?
Ani: I get enough food with rice and vegetables, but I never get a balanced diet.

VOM: Tell us about your grandmother.
Ani: She is 64 years old. She has 16 grandchildren from her six children. I’m the daughter of her first son. One thing about her is no one can stop her from working. She has the responsibility for her family, because my grandfather died.

VOM: Tell me about your grandfather.
Ani: My grandpa was a bold and gentle man. He was mentally strong. He strengthened the Christian people in our village through his daily conversations and sermons. He was a deacon in our church.

VOM: What did he teach you?
Ani: He said to be honest and always study hard. He raised his children and grandchildren to know Jesus and to live in His embrace. He trained us to work and to carry responsibility, maybe because we have a farmer background. The most important thing he taught us is to forgive our enemies. The last words my grandpa said before he died were, “God, please don’t punish them, because they do not know what they are doing.”

VOM: Can you forgive the people who attacked your village?
Ani: As a human it is difficult for me to forgive, because the attack left a deep wound in my heart. But the Holy Spirit gives me the strength to forgive. I believe I will meet my grandpa in the Father’s house (heaven). The Word of God tells us that even if our house on earth is destroyed, God will provide a new house for us in heaven.

VOM: Do you have a favorite Bible verse?
Ani: Philippians 4:13, which tells me I have the strength to face all situations by the power that Christ gave me.

VOM: How is your life different now after the attack?
Ani: Because we are a simple farmer’s family, we are used to difficult situations. We are not shocked by suffering. One thing that burdens us is that we lost everything that belonged to us. But, thank God, we still have faith in the Lord Jesus, and no one can take that away from us.

VOM: Can you go back to your village?
Ani: I cannot go back. It is not safe.

VOM: Do you fear that there might be another attack?
Ani: As a human, yes, I am afraid. “Laskar Jihad” keeps trying to destroy Christians. But to be free of fear, I pray. I do not want to stay in sadness about riots and attacks. The Lord Jesus will give the best to us, including protection.

VOM: Do you have anything to say to children in the U.S.?
Ani: My advice is to count on the Lord Jesus above all other things, including a strong army and a good economy. We ask God to bless and control those things, (but we don’t depend on them). Terrorist attacks remind us that everyone must depend on the Lord Jesus, because in Him there is peace. Jesus will destroy fear and worry.
      Please do not waste your time attending parties, because it is vain. Have close fellowship with Jesus—God is entrusting the future of His church into your hands. Please pray for our country. Please pray for families who have lost loved ones, including my family. Thank you.