Sukawati Chapter Closes

Before coming to Bali, Cheryl had suggested I help Ririn and Mari (whose full name is Mariati) who are helping a new Christian family near Amlapura, north west of Denpasa. This family has been struggling to make a living since the husband injured himself. The Amlapura couple are wanting to grow and sell produce. They have already cleared some of the land and have a few chilli seeds growing in pots.  Before leaving Australia I bought some seeds which are suitable for growing here in the tropics.  I also brought my soil test kit.  I asked Ririn (her English is quite good), who was going to see the family, to bring me back some soil to test.  While she was there to please take photos of the area so I can get a bit of a gist of what to expect when I go.  I also suggested whenever they ate fruit they keep the seeds.  I was very surprised that the girls had no idea that you could grow plants from seeds you collect from fruit and vegetables.  As of this revelation we are now saving seeds from the fruits we are eating.  I was delighted to see that the durian seeds had sprouted within a couple of days.  Most of these seeds we are saving are for the farm but some are for Cheryl’s home.

When the girls returned from Amlapura with the soil sample I showed them how to test it. As suspected, this rich volcanic soil was the perfect pH for plants. I then tested the soil in Cheryl’s pots.  It was alkaline, which was a great example for the girls to see the difference in the soil test as the potted soil sample change to light shade of purple unlike the natural pH of the farm soil which had turned green after testing.  This is possibly the reason why Cheryl’s basil didn’t survive.

There are many temples here in Bali with every Hindu home having an elaborate raised platform where offerings are placed daily.  One such temple is on our way to and from town.  One afternoon while returning to the house we had to wait for devotees to cross the busy road with baskets of extravagant floral offerings balanced on their heads while riding side saddle on the motor-bikes.  I was trying to take photos out of the window as Cheryl also wanted a few shots but didn’t want to be seen taking them as this was her home neighbourhood, Sukawati.  We decided to stop a little further up the road so I could walk back to do the tourist thing.  I didn’t want to get right up in the worshiper’s faces so tried taking shots from a distance. I did get a few strange or was it unwanted looks. Then as I entered one of the temple grounds I was approached by a woman who pointed to her skirt.  Oh! Yes of course I was wearing slacks not a skirt.  I politely thanked her and retreated to a more appropriate spot where I took a lovely photo of children all dressed up in their special temple cloths.

Sunday morning Ririn and I joined Cheryl in going to her church.  It is held in one of the foreign workers homes.  This couple had business here in Bali and their house and grounds were very lavish with large well looked after gardens and a swimming pool making it look more like a resort.  There were some amazing testimonies of what the Lord had been doing that week, including a baptism, deliverance and ministry into the prison.

As Cheryl drove back we were unable to turn off the car alarm.  We had been having trouble with the alarm for days and needed one in particular of two remotes. Unfortunately we had left the one that worked back at Cheryl’s house, so all the way back both Cheryl and I tried turning it off as she drove.  Occasionally it worked but then would start up again.  The locals must have thought “crazy foreigners!”  Just as we reach Cheryl’s she had success!  What a relief!

I had been hoping to collect my bathers and return for a swim in the pool and to hear the testimony of the guy who was getting baptised but I think there was another miss communication and Cheryl drove back on her motorbike alone.  Never mind there were things I wanted to do at the house including finish the North Beach community garden newsletter and my last blog update before emailing them to Elaine to have them both proof read. What a blessings she is.

On Sunday afternoon people started arriving from various places around Bali and Lombok for dinner, there were meetings at YWAM over the next few days. Three more girls were added to the sleepover guests so once again I was sharing the room.  This time with Achie who came in from Lombok. A westerner arrived, she was from Sydney.  Introducing herself I realised it was Linnea who I had been communication with to try and bring her bank card up when I came.  Unfortunately it didn’t arrive in time for me to bring it, arriving on the 28^th May.  My neighbour Kath picked it up from my PO Box and Nick who was coming up later in June had offered to bring it with him.  Another Aussie, Ps Jason, whom I should have realised I’d also been chatting to on WhatsApp before I arrived also came. In fact I brought him up some chocolates he had requested and it was his house I’d been weeding.  He had noticed my work when he arrived home and was very grateful.

Monday morning I was up early and ready to join Maris on the back of her motorbike weaving along the back road to a smaller market that we had been to last week.  She had a long list and I had a short list to make Cheryl’s Thai Red Curry (packet mix) which I added extra vegies and lemongrass to.  On our return to the house the visiting girls and Ririn went off to their course at the YWAM base here in Bali.  I cooked my dish and while it was cooking, I fried up the leftovers from Friday’s lunch hoping it was still ok to eat. Mariati cooked a banana cake and started singing happy birthday.  It was very prophetic, I told her my birthday was just under two week away.

That afternoon I started on my gardening jobs around Cheryl’s place.  I wanted to help the girls learn how to make containers for planting seeds.  I cut a large old plastic bottle, punched some holes for drainage and filled it with the soil we bought the other day.  I also cut a few large milk containers to be used in a similar manner.  I’m hoping this will give the girls some examples of how to compromise and use what is already available. Into the larger container I planted the pineapple top which they also didn’t know would grow from the tops.  In the other I put the seeds of the mangosteen.  Then in the banana garden across the laneway from the house I started a compost heap.  As the ground was like rock, I decided the best method was just put the scraps in a pile to which they can add soil later and plant more seeds.  There’s nothing the dogs will eat and if the rats come Cheryl’s cats will have a treat.

Than later that afternoon Jason returned with the girls around 4pm, now that my work was done I went for a stroll along the path we had taken that morning to the market.  I was greeted along the way with a “hello” from all the neighbours.  All along the trail was a drain of running water which entered a steam at the bridge near the temple.  En route back Jason and a friend passed me on their motorbikes.  The house was quiet again.

The following morning Cheryl was up early taking Mariati to the airport as she was flying home to spend some time with the family.  I couldn’t believe I slept through it all waking just after they had left.  I didn’t even hear the very noisy gate or car taking off (no alarm this time).  I kept out of the way of the other girls returning for their course.  Once they had left, I breakfasted then set about planting a chilli which was growing in the pot Cheryl had previously grown her basil in.  This time I made up some new potting mix from the sand and cocopeat mix.  Using the previously used pot I then sprinkled both my seeds from Australia and the dead flower heads from Cheryl’s plant, hoping there are some seeds in them.  I then put a row of little stones dividing them and two labels. We’ll see which ones grow and survive here in Bali.

I had decided this was a good day to take Maris out for lunch and at the same time get my hair cut. My curly locks were getting to hot.  Maris completed her chores and beatified herself (this took at least 20mins although she really didn’t need to make any improvements).  I waited for her outside the front doors in the cool breeze. Finally ready to go but she couldn’t find the right key.  We prayed. I was about to message Cheryl but then looked up from where I was now sitting, inside behind the doors and saw the key in the lock!  But not so fast, we couldn’t get the key out of the lock! I even sprayed it with WD40 and prayed again!  Maris had given up and went upstairs to take her jacket off.  I decided to check the keys she had already tried as one looked very similar.  Sure enough it worked. Praise the Lord!  We were going to walk down the track we had gone to the market on, the one I later walked down but by the time we got going it was close to midday and scorching hot!  I suggested we take a short cut across the market gardens as it was much quicker.  It was a bit tricky though as we had to balance on the raised walkways dividing the garden beds by irrigation diches.  At the end of the road we asked a local business men directions, they all sit outside with the roller-doors raised.  We went in the way suggested and found a beauty salon but they didn’t do hair.  The woman here suggested the opposite direction so off we went again.  Just after crossing the bridge Maris stopped to ask again.  I could see she really didn’t want to go any further (this younger generation just doesn’t have the stamina! Or is it she just doesn’t like walking in the heat of the day – yes that is probably more like it).  The other challenge we have is her English is as poor as my Indonesian so all our conversations were done through Google translate – quite a challenge to say the least!  I gathered the woman and she agreed the salon was to far to walk, I suggested we turn back.  Maris looked relieved.  I still wanted to take her out for lunch but put it off once again for a better time.  We were both relieved on returning to the house to sit and recuperate in the shade with the cool breeze.

I then went on line to see if I could find where the closest hair salon was.  I found Rhez Two Salon a 25 min walk from the house or a 4 min motorbike ride.  You guessed it, I chose the 4 min ride.  Cheryl arrived just before 3pm and decided she too wanted a haircut so together we went on her motorbike.  At first a young girl put the cape on back to front. I was a bit concerned but then the owner of the salon took over. He knew what he was doing, I wanted to keep it quite long at the back but more bobbed and short on top to encourage my curls as in the heat longer hair just flattens.  I was pleased with the result.

Wednesday was a home day except for my trip to the market with Maris to buy some fruit and vegies for the house.  The other girls including the guests were back to YWAM for the day.  I then show Maris how to mix the compost. We had a small collection of kitchen scraps to which we added weeds and dried leaves then soil we had bought.  This was then mixed together to help the compost pile breakdown. Cheryl had a tradesman come to fix a few things including our wobbly toilet and hinges on a cheap kitchen cupboard.  She also had a list of things for herself to do around the house.  When I noticed Cheryl was doing some fix-it chores I volunteered to help.  She was very grateful as this allowed her to get on with other chores. She also mentioned it was easier to explain what she needed done in English as although her Indonesian is quite good it is still very limited. I glued several things together, did some hand sewing on a little bag she had bought in Sydney on a visit to Australia and sewed some elastic onto her bottom bedsheet to stop it coming untucked.  I also made another Thai curry and a vegetable dish for the evening meal and my late lunch. At the end of the day I noticed the handyman’s battered old tool bag had a broken zip which I knew how to fix.  He was very impressed, showing me how he had glued parts together to make it last longer.  That evening just as the girls were returning, I took a walk through the village saying hi to all the locals and stopping to chat to some youth who wanted to practice their English.

With the one toilet out of action, six of us needed to share the girl’s bathroom which was at times difficult when you need to go, like right now!  I went to bed early as we had a big day ahead the following day.  I didn’t sleep well but was still up early to be ready by 7am when we prayed together before leaving.

Taking with us things for a snorkel and for the family on the farm both in my small back pack and tucked away under the seats of the motorbikes, I swung my leg over the seat behind Cheryl and followed Ririn and Maris stopping once for petrol and a loo stop before reaching our destination. It was about an hour’s drive leaving me feeling like I’d just come off a horse!  We were introduced to Ketut, his wife Wayan and their 10 yr old son. Ririn and Maris have been working with this couple who recently gave their lives to Christ. They had a very simple dwellings.  There was a thatched roof hut for the kitchen and a one room bedroom hut with a tin roof which leaked onto their mattress.  This hut also had an outdoor covered area for entertaining.  This is where we sat, the girls on a bench, Cheryl, myself and Wayan on another very old mattress which I was praying didn’t have bedbugs! After our initial light chat we were shown around the land (we are not sure if it’s theirs or rented). Ririn translated while I made some agricultural suggestions to what might help their productivity; such as how to make compost, testing to see if the soil needs water or not, how best to grow and what did they want to grow.  Cheryl thought I should be suggesting things to grow but my thought was they already knew what grew best and what could make them the most income.  They wanted to grow flowers which they can sell for a good price to the Hindu worshipers.  They already had seedlings as well as some chilli plants growing in black plastic bags.  I suggested when they plant them out into the prepared plot, to start small with rows of intermingled plants, one of each type in the same row to help deter disease and pest insects.  This companion planting will also help attract beneficial insects.  I also suggested they try to grow marigolds as I had seen them growing here, they are great pest deterrents.  After discussing horticultural things we sat and took communion, prayed and encouraged one another in the things of God.  The family told how their family and friends were persecuting them because of their new found beliefs. While they discussed things further I took a wander around the property to try and get a feel for what challenges they had.  One was carrying water from the stream which was a four meter sharp slope from where the house and land was, making it difficult for them to carry water to the plants. Plus Ketut had just had a hernia operation and was not to do any vigorous work. This set my mind a thinking on what might help.

Leaving this lovely family Mari and I waited at a café for Cheryl and Ririn who went to visit another family.  This was my opportunity to bless Mari with a coffee.  We chatted via Google translate till the others returned when we ate lunch together before heading back to the house.  Cheryl and I stopped along the way at Crystal Beach for a swim through the coral. It was nice but I’m starting to think one coral reel looks like another and after Christmas and Cocos Island I think I’ve seen my fill of reefs and reef life. Heading back we stopped again, this time for me to buy another durian as the air was filled with their alluring cent.  There were many to choose from as hawkers lined the highway. I was offered a green one but chose a medium sized yellow one which was prized slightly open for me to sniff and feel the fruit.  Tender to the touch, a ripe tempting aroma and a great price.  I couldn’t wait to get back to try it. I had chosen well it was all that I hoped for. Thank you Jesus!

Friday was my last morning with Cheryl and her girls.  I had shared my room with Archie, a leader from Lombok, her English was excellent.  I mentioned that I’d like to visit Lombok so we shared our contact details so I could call her if the Lord opened the way for me to visit.  Jason had already invited me to stay with him and Anne and I also wanted to visit Serenity and Nick who had only recently returned.

Before leaving, Cheryl had asked me to finish one last gluing job.  I needed to first buy some Super Glue which I was hoping I could buy within walking distance of the house. Walking through the village this time I was stopped by an elderly gentleman who wanted to talk.  His English wasn’t bad but his hearing was terrible.  Fortunately he wanted to do most of the talking.  He explained the Balinese family tradition of naming their children which showed where in the family one is born.  He was the third child so was called ‘I (pronounced ee) Nyoman’, I would be called Ni (nee) Made (madae) Sally being the second child.  I had wondered why I had met so many people with the same name especially Kitut, they are the fourth child.  All male’s are ‘I’ and all female’s ‘Ni’.  Child both male and female from the first to the fourth are Wayan, Made, Nyoman and Ketut.  It must be very confusing with so many people in every Balinese family with the same name!  I Nyoman also introduced me to two of his daughters, one a midwife with her 2yr old son.  I Nyoman invited me into his home to see his workshop.  He carves vases from local wood to sell in the markets and told me his sister had ordered a box of Super Glue for him online.  He had so may he wanted to give me three.  I only accepted two and promised if I was back in the area I’d come and visit again.   Cheryl was touched by my story and also promised to visit and thank him for his generosity.

It didn’t take me long to complete the gluing task and a bit more data entry before a quick lunch after which Cheryl drove me to Gayle’s home.  We stopped for another melting moment ice cream in a cone at Cheryl’s favourite store Mixue en route.

The first Bali chapter closes and another of my 2023 Adventure is about to begin. It will be exciting to see what the Lord has in store for me.

Photos:  1. Star of Bethlehem    2. Soil sampling lesson    3. Children at the temple    4. Flowers in the village    5. Market    6. Banana cake    7. Rhez Salon hair cut    8. Ketut, Wayan and the team    9. Ririn  speaking to Ketut and Wayan   10. I  Nyoman    11.  Fields seen from Cheryl’s home

Prayer & Praise Points:

The Lord has graciously provided some amazing adventures since my arrival in Bali of which I’m forever grateful.

Praise Him for His continual provision, guidance and love.

Praise Him for answered prayer in helping me impart knowledge to my fellow gardeners at Share In’s Gardening Basics series.  I’m also learning from them in a variety of ways.

Please pray that we all have opportunities to share His love with others.

Pray also for Ketut, his wife Wayan and son that they will stand strong against persecution from those around them. Pray also that they will be able to make a living from the little plot of land they have.

Please continue to pray for Kat to have an enjoyable time here in Perth and for her to be able to catch up with all those she would like to see.

Praise the Lord her sessions with Ray have gone well, please continue to pray that this treatment will help correct her health problems.

Please also pray for Jen that she will remain safe and well during her adventures and travels in Europe and the UK.

Please continue to pray with me for those caught up in the extreme weather conditions and the consequences.

Let’s all pray for world peace and for the refugees who are caught up in the suffering this war has caused, both in Ukraine and Russia.

Please continue to keep my sisters, Tricia, Jen and Kat, in your prayers.  Pray that they will come to know the love of Jesus.