INDONESIA: ABDUL MEETS JESUS IN THREE DIFFERENT DREAMS

Abdul is a university student in Aceh a province in the northwest of Sumatra, Indonesia – a place known for its strong Islamic identity and enforcement of Sharia law. He was bright, quiet, and constantly searching for the truth. But thanks to a dream, his life has been forever changed.  

In the dream, a man appeared to him and gently said, “I am the Truth.” Abdul had this same dream three times, always with the same man, always with the same words. 

Abdul woke up from the third dream trembling. “Why does He keep coming to me?” he whispered to himself. Unsure of who the figure was, Abdul was filled with curiosity, but worried what his family would think and do if he told them about the dream.

Finding answers online

He secretly downloaded a Bible app and began reading late into the night, locking his door and hiding the app beneath layers of folders. “I needed to know who He really was,” Abdul said.

Unable to keep the questions inside, Abdul turned to Christian forums online. One admin noticed his passionate questions and reached out. Through that connection, Abdul was introduced to a local believer in Aceh, working with seekers like Abdul, and for the first time, Abdul felt like he had someone to walk with him on his journey. His heart opened, and soon after, he made a decision that changed his entire life – he was baptised. 

After his baptism, Abdul’s longing grew, not just to follow Jesus, but to speak about Him. But in Aceh, that kind of talk wasn’t safe. “People started calling me crazy,” he said. “They looked at me like I wasn’t one of them anymore.” So, Abdul made a decision to leave it all. He left college, left his home, and moved to Medan (North Sumatra Province), hoping to live his faith freely. 

In Medan, Abdul found new purpose. He joined a media group and worked as a translator, helping to translate the Bible into the Aceh language. For six months, he poured his soul into the work, believing others deserved to read the words that had changed his life.

‘He’s possessed!’

But the news of Abdul’s faith had already reached home – he could not stop sharing his new faith and his social media accounts were full of Christian messages. One day, his family invited him back for a celebration for his younge brothers. He accepted, not realising it was a trap. After the event, when he tried to return to Medan, they stopped him. 

His stepmother confronted him: “Are you a Christian now?” Abdul paused and answered softly, “Yes, I am.” 

The house erupted. Whispers turned into shouts. “He’s possessed!” some cried. Others called for local religious leaders. Abdul tried to flee, but his extended family caught him. He was dragged before two Islamic leaders who began to perform rituals, trying to “cleanse” him from the “Christian spirit.” 

Panicked, he managed to contact his discipleship mentor, who is connected with Open Doors local partners. The advice was heavy, but wise: “Do what they ask for now. Wait. We’ll get you out safely.” So, Abdul began to pretend. He joined the prayers and bowed in the mosque, but in his heart, his faith in Jesus held firm. 

Then, one night, the door opened. The chance came. Abdul escaped once again to Medan. 

Today, Abdul lives in hiding. He has been in regular meeting with an Open Doors Local partner for the last few months.  

“I’m always looking over my shoulder,” he admits. “I’m afraid someone will recognise me and take me back.” His life is far from peaceful, but his heart is steady. “I’ve seen Jesus. He called me by name. I cannot go back.” 

*Name changed for security reasons