Bali Short Term Trips 2008

Sue's Diary of Bali Trip (Feb 1st - 15th)

WEEK ONE

DAY 1 - Fri 1^st

Flight to Bali. Met by Rev I Made Priana wife Orin and daughter Grace, as well as Franky, assistant to Nyoman Suwitra. Staying at Made Priana’s home at Tegaljaya north of Kuta. Galungan and Kuningan season (end of year celebrations) was in full swing throughout the island, giving us great opportunities to see Balinese Hinduism in action.

DAY 2 - Sat 2nd

Taken by Made Priana to breakfast at Dhyana Pura Beach Resort, owned by the Bali Protestant Church. The Hotel’s ownership is in dispute currently, due to a lawsuit by relatives of the man who sold the land 30 years ago to the Church. They say that it was not his land to sell. The Church won the first round in the local court, but lost at regional level. It will now go to the High Court in Jakarta. This is chewing up time and money for the church, both of which could be better used in evangelism. But the hotel is a key piece of church property, and used as an income spinner for many of the welfare projects, as well as being a place of re-creation for Christians from all over the world and a place for church activities (lectures, seminars, retreats etc. Constant prayer is being lifted for the case in a special “Ruang Doa” at the hotel. Rosemary and I took part in an hour of this.

We also met I Wayan Ruspendi, the General Manager of the Hotel, and his wife and child, Filia and Dominique (18 months old). Filia is a daughter of the former bishop, Suyaga Ayub (Ruspendi stayed at the Scarcella’s home two years ago, when in Sydney).

Driven to Kuta. Visited the “Bali Blast” Memorial to those who died in the first bombings. Always hard to look at the names of the South Sydney victims like Jodie O’Shea, whose mother, Rhonda, in her grief, came to the curate’s house in Sylvania , to bring school supplies for Balinese children a year after losing her own daughter. Went around the corner to the street…looked for Donna. One woman said she had gone home for Kuningan, but then a woman and I locked gazes and both realized who the other was…(much to the annoyance of the first woman who thought she would make a sale). Donna was so happy to see me…she has had a hard life since the bombings. Her daughter got pregnant out of wedlock and has saddled her with a young baby. The son’s marriage broke down. She has had health problems which have meant her eyesight is going. She certainly looked much older than the last time I saw her. I know now that she did get the money I left for her. She was very, very thankful, and said that “I saved her life” and was “like a sister”. Took tour of Kuta Beach, The Hard Rock Café, then home.

DAY 3 - Sun 3^rd

Went to Padang Luwih, which is right beside the Dhyana Pura training college. Made was preaching. I sang “Kau Besar” and then Rose and I sang “Blessed Assurance” (to “Wasn’t It Good?”) Gave away the first sponsored Bible, to an old man named “toothlessmumble”. I noticed that, although he had a hymn book, he didn’t have a Bible, though he could read. So, at the end of the service, I asked him politely did he have a Bible? He said he did, but it got a “bit” burnt ( I would say a “lot” burnt), and was too ashamed to bring it to church. He was thrilled to receive the Bible from Brian.

Went home for lunch, then Made drove us to Alas Kedaton to see the Monkeys. Did some shopping at the tourist market. From there we went on to Tanah Lot Temple, which is an island temple, accessible at low tide. Seeing as it was Kuningan season, there was a major procession out to the island. We waded out and watched what we could (access to the holy areas was forbidden). Back on shore, Rose persuaded me to have our photo taken with a GIANT python wrapped around us. Quite scary. Bought some decorated pencils from a child seller (it was a holiday so no problems with this! It was just a temporary job for her).

Visited Untal-Untal on the way back. Some of the girls were still at Bible study when we arrived, but gradually trickled in. Then a figure launched itself at me from behind with the words “Remember me?” and a big grin-Novi! She is just such a lovely girl! Sang with the girls as they sat around. We had a “your turn/my turn” game with it. Ate dinner there, then (5 mins notice) gave a talk on Deborah and how God can use women. Ordered handicrafts from the girls. AUD $100 Many had had exams, so there wasn’t a lot in stock. They would be ready by the time we left.

Day 4 - Mon 4^th

Went to PPLP for the Welcome of Dutch Students from Inholland University. They are spending several months working in Bali, as part of their degrees. Not Christians, but they are going to be evangelized. Rose and I (reluctantly) got to welcome them! (we weren’t exactly dressed for it). Had lunch there. Then went to the Dhyana Pura for a swim. Driven by Pak Man.

Day 5 - Tues 5^th

Walked to Tiara Gatzu. Bought some of the sponsored school supplies and shoes for little girls. Looked for a taxi to take us home….instead got a lift with some workers. Two Balinese (one Christian!), some Javanese (one from Yogya) and a Madurese. Told them what I was doing, that we were helping children in need. The Javanese asked if I were Christian. I said yes, but, if a child was hungry, it didn’t matter if it were Hindu, Muslim or Christian: it needed food. He agreed. Cost us Rp 20 000.

Met Kharisma, who wants to improve her English by coming to Australia for a month. She lives out of Tabanan. He is high up in MBM. First went to see Abdi, which is always lovely. I got to see the report cards of Abdi and Putu the elder sister. Putu is slightly above the average, but clearly no academic. I think she will probably leave at the end of SMP. Abdi is just holding on around the middle of the class. So no long period of schooling there either. We will be looking at vocational training for both in the not too far future, I would say. Went to Kharisma’s home. She lives in a beautiful home her father built. Wants to come in May. Maybe we can find another family to take her for 2 weeks.

Day 6 - Wed 6^th

9am. Met by Resa who wants to go to Australia as an assistant to Paul Murphy’s friend’s wife who runs a pre-school. Lovely girl. 23 yo from Dalung. Visited Kuta SD6 and 2 again with small supplies of pencils. The SD6 staff know me well now and were over the moon to see me and meet Rose. Gave pep talk to the kids.

To Kuta Square. Realised I had left my money at home. Aaaggh! Had to buy only a little at Daun. Next time. To Kuta Parking Sentral for lunch in Food Court. Home. Rose realized she had left her credit card in the ATM at Kuta. 6 pm to Ruspendi’s for 26^th birthday party of Filia’s sister. Lots of praising and singing. Good food too. Driven home by sister who has been in America for a number of years.

Day 7 - Thurs 7^th

To Bedugul .Made had to lecture at the Wisma Nengah Kerti. Weather not good, so the mountains were very cold. The Wisma is very beautiful. Gardens, villas, places for tents, and a man made cave chapel.

Drove to Singaraja to Widhya Asih VI. Pak Johanes has done a great job. He has found lots of sponsors and the place is humming with activity. Apart from school, the kids have the opportunity to specialize in one area of vocational training:

Went shopping, spent $150 AUD. On way home, stopped at Lake Bratan, so Rose could see.

WEEK TWO

Day 8 - Fri 8^th

Walked around Tegaljaya. Found the ideal place for Rose and Michael to open a P.O. LOL! Driven to the Synod Office. Bought some Bibles. Went to Sesetan (Orphanage Headquarters), where we met the kids of the senior orphanage and saw the Harapan school. Also bought some things made by widows/single mothers.

Franky drove us to the Ubung community, just out of Denpasar. They are known as the River People as their makeshift community perches on the side of a very polluted river. The Church took an interest a while ago and two Christian families have taken up residence, one as co-ordinator of the project and the other as Sunday School Teachers. Electricity has been put in (just! As we sing “Bodge the Builder….) but it is a muddy walk up to the houses even when there hasn’t been rain for a while. Floors are cement, there is no finishing on the walls, but this is an improvement on some of the nearby houses. The Church has also begun a Kerupuk Factory (prawn chips) that the women and men can sell. There are also several sewing machines operating, the women being pieceworkers for established outlets.

Visited Dewi, the Sunday School teacher. Her father in law (still a Hindu) was in hospital, very sick. I offered her some money for medicines, and we talked about needs. Her main concern was that she had no resources for the 20 plus children who came to Sunday School each week. So I promised to buy her some Bible readers. This is all low key as the families are Hindus. But she was excited at the prospect.

Back to the Synod office with Franky, where we were told that there was a cremation on nearby. Went to the cremation grounds and saw a double. We were allowed to get very close. Back to Sesetan for lunch at 2pm and arrangements made to go to Blimbingsari Saturday.That night we went to change money, then went to Tiara Dewata where we bought a lot for ourselves and for the stall.

Day 9 - Sat 9^th

Franky drove us to Blimbingsari, a big drive, considering he was not staying! We stopped at Soka along the way, and (of course) did some shopping. Our next stop was Melaya where we bought two big sacks of rice, one for Blimbingsari and one for Melaya orphanage. To Blimbingsari- a lot of new kids. Small gifts given out in a reasonably orderly manner. Then we went swimming at the Bishop’s pool. Had a short ride on Putu (bishop’s wife’s) motorbike. Fun. We were supposed to take 10, but ended up with 15. Paid for them. Spent time helping those who were still unable to swim to gain confidence. After dinner, we handed out the donated dresses….wow! Poor Rose. She was overwhelmed. It was like DJS post Christmas sale. Not all donated dresses could be accounted for! LOL! There were 4 students from an Anglican school in WA at Blimbingsari and one German.

Day 10 - Sun 10^th

Went to Church at Blimbingsari (Protestant village). It was a full Balinese dress day. There was a female gamelan ensemble, with Putu, the bishop’s wife, and Reni, the orphanage head. There was also a guest speaker from EMS Germany, (like EMA) who spoke in German, which was translated by Ketut Waspada. 9 member churches were represented, including 2 Toraja, Minahasa, Makassar and Menado. Lunch at orphanage, then to pool. Supposed to take 10, 13 came. Once again, teaching basic skills to those with us who could not swim, including a 14 yo who is in 5^th class ( no doubt because of missed years). She was attracting a lot of interest from some big boys from outside, so we kept an eye on her. Left with Franky in afternoon. Dropped in at Melaya (first time) and saw some of the ex-Blimbingsari kids, including Eka, AGung, Tanu and others. So tall. All growing up. Passed through Palasari (Catholic village) to show Rose. Home. Watched Rose’s film on TV. Very sunburnt. Ouch.

Day 11 - Mon 11^th

Walked to the Tiara Gatzu to buy supplies for Bangli orphanage. Caught cab home. Only cost Rp 10 000. Lots of points on Orin’s card! LOL! Made left for Switzerland. 2pm went to Bangli. Only 24 kids. God is good. Enough supplies for all. Very well behaved. Did Gospel Bracelet presentation with them as well.

Day 12 - Tues 12^th

Went with Franky to Sesetan at 10am.  Donated money for

Changed money, then to Kuta Pasar Seni- shopping. To Maranatha Bookshop to buy supplies for Ubung Sunday School-Bible Story Books and attendance cards. Ate at M23 (Mazmur 23) in Renon….think we got Bali belly from ice in the tea. Home. Massage in the evening-ouch!

Day 13 - Wed 13^th

9am to Tiara Gatzu for writing books and pens for Amlapura. Also bought book folders, pencils, glue, scissors, paper, rulers, pens, coloured pencils and crayons, plasticine, storage baskets, sticky tape, plastic tumblers, plates, soap, washcloth for Ubung Sunday School. Bible donated by June Lee also going to Ubung for reference in Sunday School.

2pm Ratih came with mum and dad. Gave them Rp 400 000 to buy chickens so they don’t have to keep outlaying for meat.  Need to find support for Putu Ratna, as she is smart and wants to go on to Senior High. This would be a great change in the fortunes of this family, which has not seen a member get past primary school. Dad is on fire with praise for God.

3pm Untal-Untal order arrives. My big “keker” (Balinese mountain chickens) are great.

6pm to Nyoman Agustinus’ house. He was in Australia with the Lutheran Church for 4 years. The kids have forgotten their English already. New house (only 2 weeks old).  Spaghetti dinner. Nice. Rose and I have upset tummies.

Day 14 - Thurs 14^th

Left 8am. Thought we were just going to Amlapura, but turned out we were going to Sega as well. Poor Rose not well, so we had to stop at Candi Dasa. Sega is the end of the road in East Bali, literally. The Church has paid for a road to be built to it (the next village is eager to have one to it too, but the Government has not come up with the finances yet). There are 200 families, of which 12 are Christian. 10 000 teak trees have been planted, ie 50 per family, for an ongoing source of income. Each family has also been given a cow and a pig. Some have 3 or four already after 5 years. The slopes have been reforested with banana, cassava and taro, as a result of which, rainfall has increased, and the villages have water even after the rain  has finished (cf villages down the road whose water courses are dry.) All houses in Sega have tanks as well.

There is an SD near Sega, but no high school, so the older children are sent through to Amlapura orphanage. It is amazing to think that some children who live high on the slopes of nearby hills have to clamber down these like mountain goats to get to school. There is a village centre in Sega, which is now run by the locals, who have been trained for 5 years. It includes a play group. There is also a co-op shop, but Nyoman is trying to find out why it was closed the day we were there. The Church is hoping to see the same results at Seraya, which has no Christians. Ate at Amed. Very bad weather. No fishing boats out that day. Quick visit to Amlapura orphanage. Gave encouragement talk to the kids and gifts. Found out the cook had run off, leaving the children to cook in shifts. 18 kids. All but one from Sega. He is from the Maluku. Rose was so sick I forgot to take pics. Gunung Agung elusive, particularly in bad weather.

Day 15 - Fri 15^th

To Ubung Community at 9am. Raining badly, so did not attempt to go up to the houses. Gave the Sunday School Materials to Pak Chris, the co-ordinator of the community. To Dhyana Pura so Rose could buy a silver chain. Bought a toaster for Orin on way home. Rested. Went to airport at 6pm after watching Rose and I singing. Just as we were leaving, Resa came (she had left gifts for us). Did some shopping at airport (mostly window shopping as the departure tax had gone up.) sigh. Left at 10.10, but bad weather got us into Sydney (Aus) later than we should have, at 7.30am.

Summary of Financial Support (provided by members of WIC and other individuals).

Money to outlay:$1706 AUD at Rp 800 000 per dollar (this is slightly less than exchange rate, but if I pay the orphanages in Australian dollars, they gain on the exchange)

1. Untal-Untal Orphanage –AUD$100 for handicrafts (receipt available)

2. Singaraja Orphanage-AUD $150 for handicrafts (invoice mislaid)
3. Widhya Asih Foundation- AUD$200 for sewing machine for Ubung community
4. Widhya Asih Foundation-AUD$300 ($100 Denning family/$200 Cornell family,both of Sylvania; receipt to be amended as incorrect amount was put. I have emailed for a new one)
5. Widhya Asih Foundation-$50 for baby chickens for orphanages (receipt available)
6. Widhya Asih Foundation-$50 to buy pig/s for Blimbingsari and Melaya (receipt available)
7. Widhya Asih Foundation-$50 for rice for Melaya orphanage. (receipt available)
8. Bought 2 sacks of rice for Blimbingsari and Melaya on way to visit =Rp 270 000($33.95) (receipt available)
9. Donation of $200 to Dharma Priana Foundation (receipt available)
10. Money spent at Tiara Gatzu and Tiara Dewata and Ramayana Mall, Synod Office on school materials, shoes and Bibles (including those for dresses/toys sponsored) and for supplies for kids at orphanages (Blimbingsari, Bangli, Amlapura)

11. Rp 800 000 to family of Ratih to spend on chickens to raise and for needs of children. (no receipt) =c $1518.

12. Rp 100 000 to Ibu Reni for Blimbingsari accommodation
13.  Rp 370 000 for Bibles from Synod Office =c 1558.
14. Rest spent on sundries eg pool entry for 28 kids, Bible story books and attendance cards for Ubung Sunday School and arts and crafts from shops. (some receipts available)

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