I received very bad news last Saturday. We found out that Poniman was taken from his jail cell on Wednesday afternoon and deported to Indonesia. It came as a shock because, after sitting in jail since last September, the attorney had been saying that his appeal was likely to be granted because they would have deported him months ago if they were going to deny his appeal.

The news was very discouraging because everyone did everything right and still Poniman was sent back. Members of the congregation wrote letters to senators and congressmen. You sent Poniman letters of support and pictures and books. And the entire congregation prayed that he might be released and that might be able to come back to us.

One of the truths of life is that sometimes we do everything right but we still lose. But that is only true if you judge victory by the final decision. Sometimes victory is in the trying. In the case of Poniman, your prayers and your other acts of kindness went a long way toward showing Christ's love. Many people have also come to better understanding of the injustices that really happen in this country. And we can hope and pray that Poniman's ordeal will move the United States a little closer to the day when we all understand that we need intelligent, hardworking young men and women from around the world to keep our economy and our spirit as a nation strong and healthy.

I will keep informed of Poniman's status as we find out more in coming weeks. In the mean time, please keep him and all our other members who are at risk of deportation in your prayers. 

Yours in Christ’s Love,

Rev. Dan Johnson