Working in paradise

Monday, February 26, 2024 (Lent Day 11)

We spend part of the day helping organize the conference and part of it enjoying the island. We check out the fabric store on a street of textiles after walking through the traditional market. 

These old batik stamps (metal) were used to hand-press wax resists onto cotton and silk. Then the cloth would be dyed various colors. Now most fabrics are printed by machines.

We criss-cross the highway where this statue straddles the underpass. It can be a hair-raising step of faith to broach traffic. 

Lunch and supper are near the hotel for taste as well as convenience. This salad platter makes a wonderful supper for W and me as we meet the organizers of the conference to discuss the schedule. Since there's a Hindu festival on Wednesday, many places we'd planned to take attendees are closed. So plans have to change. 

These leaders are flexible: they serve in Mongolia, Romania, Taiwan, Thailand, Katmandu, and elsewhere. None are in their countries of origin.

Tuesday (Lent Day 12)

We are so tired that we sleep until 7, waking to bright sunshine. The river below sparkles with light.

W and I walk to Kuta beach and back (a few miles). The beach is littered with plastic, swept ashore by the currents. It is deserted: so much trash means you can't swim or fish in the ocean.

Many grand projects have been abandoned and many shops did not survive the pandemic. However, traffic has begun to flow again and tourists are beginning to return.

It's not unusual to step off the sidewalk into busy traffic. This may be due to obstructions (like this tree and 4 poles plus a wall) or bus stops (typically 1 meter high with a ramp up on one side and stairs down the other, placed smack in the middle of the walkway) or walls jutting out so that the sidewalk is less than 30cm (10") wide. Up and down we go.

The conference begins with dinner at the International Conference Center near the hotel. We are given an introduction to the schedule, pray together, and talk at our tables. David, the leader of MICN who spent the weekend with us in Bandung, reminds us of our common purpose.

Wednesday (Lent Day 13)

It's a full day, including a morning session led by Don Butera (New Tribes Bali). There's lively discussion afterward. 

W and I are not hungry for lunch so retire to our room for a short nap. The group rides to a Hindu temple ground. Bali is full of portals and statues and littered with trays of offerings to various gods. The visitors exclaim at the plethora of religious symbols at the entrances to homes and offices.

The view from the top of the cliffs is spectacular.

We are warned that the monkeys are vicious thieves. Despite all cautions, they steal several pairs of glasses off the faces of walkers, including from someone in our group. I loan him my reading glasses - the monkeys have pulled out one lens and torn the frame of his glasses to bits.

On our way back, most of the group walks along the shore to dinner in Sanur.

We're back at the hotel before 8:00 p.m., sweaty from the 90+% humidity and heat. The air-con in the van is minimal and it's been 88o (31oC) - and hotter in the sun.

Thursday (Lent Day 14)

When the sessions are done, 2 vans take us to Ubud, a hilly city north of the conference center. We eat lunch there and explore the arts and crafts of Indonesian workers.

For the Hindu festival, streets are hung with decorative poles. The event is about appeasing ancestors and chasing away evil spirits.

Temples and statues are everywhere.

Children march the streets banging drums and chimes.

At the side of the road, there's a typical tangle of wires.

But the beauty God makes is untarnished.

Late in the evening, we eat supper with colleagues at Nuri's, enjoying ribs and vegetables together.

We're ready for sleep when we get back to the hotel. The conference gathers global workers who lead international churches for a time of encouragement, reflection, and mentorship. Thanks be to God.

Read more:

*In the Lord I take refuge; how can you say to me, “Flee like a bird to the mountains?” Psalm 11:1

Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. Hebrews 10:35 NKJV

Moravian Prayer: Almighty God, thank you for your living word, which guides us through life. Your word is a lamp for our feet. Help us to be aware of your voice and listen. Give us the confidence to know which way to go, as you shine the light in our darkness. Amen.