I would like to apologize for the time gap between my last blog… I have attempted to write many times but could not find words to accurately convey my time in Bali. Now as I sit on a 24 hour bus ride to meet the rest of my squad, I have plenty of time to reflect and pray.
I’ll be honest, when my team and I found out we would be staying in Bali for a month I pictured your typical vacation destination… tourists, different culture, beautiful scenery (via google), new food… and I wanted to go wherever God was calling but I felt I was ready for something a little less “westernized.” I desired to get into the nitty-gritty and wasn’t sure how similar the month would compare with Australia. Yes, Bali does have a lot of backpackers and tourism (thanks to Eat. Pray. Love.) but there is also a beautiful harvest of the most kind, hospitable and generous Balinese people.
Early on I learned Bali is the only Indonesian island with majority Hindu people. I never knew much about Hinduism and even now after spending a month in Bali where Hinduism is deeply rooted in culture and daily life, I’m still a little confused.
Every morning, afternoon and night an aroma of incense filled the air everywhere we went as an offering to the gods. An alter built attached to every house, business and field. One day there was a special celebration that consisted of dressing up in traditional Balinese clothing and setting out heaps of extra offerings. The Hindu-Balinese are also preparing for their New Years celebration “Silent Day” which is the quietest day of the year. No one is allowed to leave their house, turn on lights, talk loudly, and no entertainment. There are also giant, bamboo framed statues created all around the island in observance of this day.
Although there are many things beyond my comprehension at this moment, the most overwhelming thing was how God used my friends and I this month.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him and He will make your path straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6
Over the past two months, I have heard of healings, recognized oppression of many kinds, and watched as the Holy Spirit touched people in a way I have never experienced before. God’s hand has been all over this month in Bali as we shared Jesus (Yesus) with people who have never heard the name before, explained what church was to travelers who had never heard of church before, prayed healing for people, taught English to children, got us out of a traffic ticket, and brought us to the most random villages to love on people.
God has been teaching me three major lessons:
1. The Holy Spirit that lives inside of me often expresses itself opposite of the way my fleshly self would. For example: Empathy is something my fleshly self has to work at and feelings don’t come as easy, but on multiple occasions I have felt the spirit pour words out of love and compassion out of my mouth and confirmed those words are what someone else needed to hear.
2. God’s love is overwhelming. Nearly every time we explained the good news (even at random times like the story of creation), God does all the work and touches people’s hearts. Men and women feeling the presence of God and bringing them to tears. He just wants people to know He loves them.
3. God’s presence feels different for everyone. After praying for a woman in a village, she told me (via translator) she felt bolts of energy come from my hands all the way up her arms and felt an overwhelming peace and love in her heart.
“Jesus is the way the truth and the life, no one comes to the father except through the Son.” John 14:6
When we learn more about Jesus, we learn more about the heart of God. His love is not a religion… his desire is not to cause division but to bring unity through the Holy Spirit. Those who believe in him are made new and receive the gift of the spirit.
“As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions.” Romans 14:1
“Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother.” Romans’ 14:13
“For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” Romans 14:17
One of my teammates pointed out how lucky the Balinese are to understand concepts of the Bible that are difficult for a typical westerner… concepts such as farming techniques, the phrase “your body is a temple”, and the understanding of kingdom.
It has been a privilege to live and serve with such a wonderful, loving people group ready to accept the free gift of Christ.
Praise God!
