Indonesians is a generic term for the hundreds of ethnic groups from Indonesia. There is a trade language, Bahasa Indonesia, but when it reaches the local level, it has so many borrowed words that Indonesians often cannot communicate with one another using that language.
Like most people, they are more likely to socialize with those from their country when they are in the diaspora, despite cultural, religious, and linguistic differences.
Australia is a popular destination for Indonesians who hope to earn a better living. Indonesians were in Australia even before the British began to settle there. Starting in the 1870s, Indonesians were recruited to work in the sugar cane fields. Others fled there in 1942 to escape Japan’s brutal occupation.
About one-fifth of the Indonesians in Australia are students, usually for higher education. In 2010, Indonesian-Australians established the first and only English-Indonesian bilingual school in Australia.
No matter where they live, Indonesians prefer to live with family members. Those in the diaspora often live apart from their families, something that takes them out of their comfort zone. They believe in showing respect to their elders and authority figures.
Indonesians like hot, spicy food, like what they are used to in their own country. There are plenty of hot chilis in Indonesian cooking. Some of their food is sweet, because of the coconut and sugar that is often part of their dishes.
Indonesians in Australia love to celebrate. They have both religious and non-religious celebrations for life events that bring together entire communities.
Most Indonesians are Sunni Muslims, though there is a large Christian minority among the ethnic Javanese and others. The only country where Indonesians are considered unreached is Vietnam. They can be used as a mission force to Muslims wherever they live.
Indonesians in Australia need hearts that are open to obeying Christ’s command to take the gospel to a dying world.
Pray for the Lord to provide them with all they need to thrive spiritually and materially.
Pray that Indonesians in the diaspora will put their identity in Jesus Christ, the one who offers dignity, purpose, and eternal salvation for all who call on his name.
Pray for Indonesians in Australia to disciple others, especially those from unreached Muslim and Buddhist communities.
Scripture Prayers for the Indonesian in Australia.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indonesians
https://theculturetrip.com/asia/indonesia/articles/11-things-you-should-know-about-indonesian-culture
https://whatsnewindonesia.com/others/feature/lifestyle/10-things-you-should-know-about-indonesian-culture
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indonesian_Australians
| Profile Source: Joshua Project |
