Where's yours taking you?
Christmas and New Year in Rural Bali
Happy 2010!!!
After 3 weeks, we have emerged from the tropical jungles of Bali… Flying from NZ with the EarthCare DTS team after a 2:45am start, we have spent the last few weeksat the Bali Appropriate Technology Institute (BATI). Set in the rural villages and hills of terraced rice paddies, BATI is a beautiful demonstration centre of water filters, pipes, pumps, ponds and rivers, set in a green, jungle valley. Hosted by R and M, amongst other things, we joined in local village community development projects, learnt the process of making virgin coconut oil, exchanged cooking lessons with our lovely Balinese cooks (we taught pizza and scones in the concrete wood oven, they taught us to prepare and cook cassava root!) and went walking along the narrow village roads and paths. Or minds skips backs to the sights and smells of a typical walk… beautifully terraced hills of rice paddies, meticulously cut channels of running water, the looming volcanic mountain behind, banana leaf and dog prints in the narrow, cracked, concrete roads, the surprise sight of people bathing in the many water races, the pervasive smell of durian fruit, muggy heat and torrential downpours of rain.
Slowly but surely, the Balinese villagers of the area are building concrete paths over their slippery, mud tracks. One morning, we helped carry rocks for a bridge from far, far below in the river valley.We were struck by the contrast of our western way of efficiently completing tasks verses the village “many hands to share the load” way. Usually, we would charge in, push ourselves for a full day and almost compete against each other in order to get the job done. However, the villagers worked in harmony, altogether, happily pacing themselves - a few hundred rocks today and some more another day, allowing themselves to complete their work at home as well.
Christmas and New Years Day is celebrated on the 31st in Bali. However, on the 24th we went to a very special church service in Denpasar, with carols, the story of Jesus’ birth, real decorations and a lovely atmosphere with Christians from many countries. The 25th was a fun combination of working on a solar shower system, learning to cook cassava root, lots of delicious Balinese food, a movie and a hilarious, colourful gift exchange (no money spent, everyone had to create something from the surrounding jungle!).
The following day, we were privileged to attend the baptism service of two Christians on the other side of the island. The Christian village and church were an incredible testimony to God’s transforming power in the lives of the Balinese. About 75 years ago, a group of the first Balinese Christians were evicted to the tiger and malaria infested, western jungles of Bali. Today, what was meant to be punishment is now an incredible village of orderliness, generosity, beauty and Balinese culture, with their art and music redeemed and being used to praise and glorify God.
On the 31st, R and M hosted the surrounding villagers, their friends, our team and orphanage children for a huge Christmas celebration and feast. At 7:30am, the villagers arrived to prepare the food – every part of the spit-roasted pig was used! Before lunch, Christmas carols were sung, we performed a nativity play and a local pastor gave a challenging message. In typical Asian style, as soon as the food was over and by mid-afternoon, everyone had returned home. The food preparation is the party!
We were so blessed by R and M wonderful hospitality in their jungle home. Despite the beauty of Bali, we knew it was time to head on to Cambodia. After another 3am start and a very long day, we arrived in Cambodia. The first two days have been spent amongst the heat, noise and clamour of Phnom Penh… We spent a morning with B and D from New Zealand who are serving in Cambodia. B was a great encouragement to the team and we had a good time learning more about Cambodia, in worship and in prayer. The team are working through big cultural changes. We are presently based in Cambodia's second largest city, Battambang, in towards the northwest part of the country.
We really value your prayers in such different and at times stressful places. Please would you pray for:
Protection – as we travel, over our health, emotionally, mentally and spiritually
Rest! – for good, restful sleeps in at times oppressive spiritual atmosphere
Wisdom – in guidance for the team and in the agriculture course that is being facilitated presently with a group here in Battambang.
Which specific ministries to be involved in in Battambang
Unity - as a team
Thankyou for joining with us… your encouragement and prayer means so much.
After 3 weeks, we have emerged from the tropical jungles of Bali… Flying from NZ with the EarthCare DTS team after a 2:45am start, we have spent the last few weeksat the Bali Appropriate Technology Institute (BATI). Set in the rural villages and hills of terraced rice paddies, BATI is a beautiful demonstration centre of water filters, pipes, pumps, ponds and rivers, set in a green, jungle valley. Hosted by R and M, amongst other things, we joined in local village community development projects, learnt the process of making virgin coconut oil, exchanged cooking lessons with our lovely Balinese cooks (we taught pizza and scones in the concrete wood oven, they taught us to prepare and cook cassava root!) and went walking along the narrow village roads and paths. Or minds skips backs to the sights and smells of a typical walk… beautifully terraced hills of rice paddies, meticulously cut channels of running water, the looming volcanic mountain behind, banana leaf and dog prints in the narrow, cracked, concrete roads, the surprise sight of people bathing in the many water races, the pervasive smell of durian fruit, muggy heat and torrential downpours of rain.
Slowly but surely, the Balinese villagers of the area are building concrete paths over their slippery, mud tracks. One morning, we helped carry rocks for a bridge from far, far below in the river valley.We were struck by the contrast of our western way of efficiently completing tasks verses the village “many hands to share the load” way. Usually, we would charge in, push ourselves for a full day and almost compete against each other in order to get the job done. However, the villagers worked in harmony, altogether, happily pacing themselves - a few hundred rocks today and some more another day, allowing themselves to complete their work at home as well.
Christmas and New Years Day is celebrated on the 31st in Bali. However, on the 24th we went to a very special church service in Denpasar, with carols, the story of Jesus’ birth, real decorations and a lovely atmosphere with Christians from many countries. The 25th was a fun combination of working on a solar shower system, learning to cook cassava root, lots of delicious Balinese food, a movie and a hilarious, colourful gift exchange (no money spent, everyone had to create something from the surrounding jungle!).
The following day, we were privileged to attend the baptism service of two Christians on the other side of the island. The Christian village and church were an incredible testimony to God’s transforming power in the lives of the Balinese. About 75 years ago, a group of the first Balinese Christians were evicted to the tiger and malaria infested, western jungles of Bali. Today, what was meant to be punishment is now an incredible village of orderliness, generosity, beauty and Balinese culture, with their art and music redeemed and being used to praise and glorify God.
On the 31st, R and M hosted the surrounding villagers, their friends, our team and orphanage children for a huge Christmas celebration and feast. At 7:30am, the villagers arrived to prepare the food – every part of the spit-roasted pig was used! Before lunch, Christmas carols were sung, we performed a nativity play and a local pastor gave a challenging message. In typical Asian style, as soon as the food was over and by mid-afternoon, everyone had returned home. The food preparation is the party!
We were so blessed by R and M wonderful hospitality in their jungle home. Despite the beauty of Bali, we knew it was time to head on to Cambodia. After another 3am start and a very long day, we arrived in Cambodia. The first two days have been spent amongst the heat, noise and clamour of Phnom Penh… We spent a morning with B and D from New Zealand who are serving in Cambodia. B was a great encouragement to the team and we had a good time learning more about Cambodia, in worship and in prayer. The team are working through big cultural changes. We are presently based in Cambodia's second largest city, Battambang, in towards the northwest part of the country.
We really value your prayers in such different and at times stressful places. Please would you pray for:
Protection – as we travel, over our health, emotionally, mentally and spiritually
Rest! – for good, restful sleeps in at times oppressive spiritual atmosphere
Wisdom – in guidance for the team and in the agriculture course that is being facilitated presently with a group here in Battambang.
Which specific ministries to be involved in in Battambang
Unity - as a team
Thankyou for joining with us… your encouragement and prayer means so much.
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