Indonesian in Canada

Indonesian
Photo Source:  Endho - Pixabay 
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People Name: Indonesian
Country: Canada
10/40 Window: No
Population: 4,400
World Population: 10,412,100
Primary Language: Indonesian
Primary Religion: Islam
Christian Adherents: 15.00 %
Evangelicals: 9.00 %
Scripture: Complete Bible
Ministry Resources: Yes
Jesus Film: Yes
Audio Recordings: Yes
People Cluster: Malay
Affinity Bloc: Malay Peoples
Progress Level:

Introduction / History

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 diaspora, despite cultural, religious, and linguistic differences.

Indonesians began to emigrate to Canada after WWII. More came to escape political instability in the 1960s and 1970s.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Canada’s Indonesians have a number of cultural organizations, many of which deal with women’s issues. Other organizations were established along religious lines; Christian and Muslim.

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 Canada love to celebrate. They have both religious and non-religious celebrations for life events that bring together entire communities.

What Are Their Beliefs?

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.

What Are Their Needs?

Indonesians in Canada need the spiritual hunger it will take to become fully dedicated to the Lord of lords.

Prayer Points

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 Canada to disciple others, especially those from unreached Muslim and Buddhist communities.

Text Source:   Joshua Project