The Papuan journey, between sorrow and hope

Some argue that the 60-year journey of the Papuan people to independence is similar to the 40-year odyssey of the Israelites to the promised land.

Indeed, looking at the journey of the Israelites 3500 years ago, this was not only through the harsh desert, the challenges of thirst and hunger, but also the dangers of warfare against hostile nations, starting with the Egyptians who had previously enslaved them for centuries.

But in the midst of these challenges, God unexpectedly intervened: When Israel was almost slaughtered by Pharaoh's army, God parted the Red Sea to save Israel. Indeed, this remarkable event continues to be a point of reference for oppressed people throughout the ages. Whenever a nation experiences slavery or genocide, they remember that God has not forgotten them and that one touch of His hand can change the course of history. 

This was true for the Jewish people, when they suffered in exile, under Roman oppression or in the hell of Nazi concentration camps. But it is also a reference point for the black people, those who were enslaved in America. It has also been an inspiration for Papuans who want to free themselves from the Indonesian colonial yoke (1963-now).

Just as the Israelites often strayed to idols and murmured, the Papuans are also no better than other nations in the world. But God chose them, not because they were good, but purely out of compassion for their suffering and pain. In Exodus 3:7, the Lord said, “I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering."

At the moment, it seems as if the struggle of the Papuan nation has reached an impasse and the "red sea" has not yet opened for it. But we must keep our faith strong because in due time, God will open the way. Waaa... waaa... waaa...