Indonesia Jakarta Mission: September 2018

Family History Update on Bali.

We, especially Mom, were looking forward to our planned visit to Bali. We fortunately were booked on a Garuda Airlines flight.

When we arrived on Friday around lunchtime, the Taxi driver immediately engaged in a happy conversation promoting Bali. By both of us experienced as a great welcome to this world wide famous tourist attraction. He drove us straight to our Hotel. It became instantly obvious that Bali traffic appeared much more organized & in line with traffic rules than Surabaya traffic. Including that we felt instantly that even though Bali is part of Indonesia, you are on different "terra firma". The fragrance that permeated the air is different as well. Our Hotel was located a few doors down from the Church. Another fact that amazed us that the allocated hotel room had no windows. We felt "held hostage" in a, nevertheless comfortable, holding cell. That night we were picked up by Bro. Sihol. He is a member of the Branch Presidency as well as owning his taxi & tour business. He drove us later that day way out of the city limits, some 1 1/2 hour away, to the Branch President Amat residence. Barely inside we were introduced to his Family & a single young member from Australia who rented a room in that house. That "Aussie" is operating his own landscaping business. President Amat showed us his table cloth sized chart with family names, dates & places of birth. He asked Sister Schmid if she would show him how to put the "masses" Online. Then we were treated to dinner prepared by his wife. As we are accustomed to when Members gather, way too much of delicious foods. However this time lacking the usual humongous amounts of refined "sugarized” treats.

The next day, Saturday we trotted the few hundred meters to the Bali Branch Meeting House. Mom helped Sister Anita Theresia with her 4 generations Online. Printing 9 names Temple ready to be presented at the Temple.

When Sunday arrived, we were anxious and ready to give our Family History Power Point Presentation. The membership of the Bali Branch consists of a few "all year round” members and some additional visiting tourists. The "Year-Round" attendants are some of the most happy & committed members you can imagine. Led by Branch President Amat. He is an incredibly enthusiastic & most energetic leader. Including a compassionate individual. He hails from France. Somewhere near Lyon. He lived in New Zealand and ended up staying here in Bali. Then marrying his local Indonesian wife. His children speak English, Bahasa Indonesia & French. The three lingos mixed like we ourselves did with English & Dutch at home. After the block we gave our Presentation & immediately after, Mom helped getting some Temple Ready names documented and the Family history room in Motion. The instantly created "Momentum", we believe, will be maintained for a long time due to the enthusiasm & commitment of President Amat and members like Sister Anita. A lively family History session ensued, including answering questions as to how to get the 4 Generations Online.

To our pleasant surprise we met up with Rachel Utomo a former Missionary we met in Surabaya. She ended up declaring herself an adopted Schmid grandchild. To date still calling us Oma & Opa.

President Subandriyo allowed us to use our "accumulated" P-Days to stay a few days longer on Bali at our own expense. Including that he wished us a Happy 55 Year's Anniversary that was part of his consent to linger longer. We stayed at the Poppies Resort. An exclusive lusciously landscaped retreat secluded from the forever busy Bali city limits. Our own private cabin was an incredible experience of luxury. Added to the fun was a booked tour with Brother Sihol driving himself through Bali. Ending up in one of the most popular tourist towns on the island, Ubud. From our cabin, we walked to the beach some 500 meters from the resort. I picked up some volcanic rock & sea shells to take home.We visited among others the approximately 1K ancient Hindu Temple. Only to be treaded in official attire we rented. We stopped for lunch at the pure organic self-grown "sayoran" (veggies) nursery. At the famous "Warung Pulau Kelapa" resort & restaurant. We feasted on the Original Indonesian "Rijsttafel". Incredible!!! Look up their website; www.ubudgourmet.com & "click" on the picture at the right of the page to experience a well-documented story including pictures of some of their well-prepared cuisine. Visiting the authentic batik place was a test of keeping our wallets only slightly open. I stayed a distance from Mom to prevent her from stopping me to purchase some unique hand Bali handmade Batik items on my own. She added her purchases including some batik small souvenirs to take home. The wood carving place with artists still creating beautiful wood art including using old fashioned tools, was a treat of pure skilled unschooled artists. Thousands of items displayed in the warehouse sized building were on sale. Fortunately preventing from buying were the weight of the items as well as the to, most Australian, tourist liberally marked up prices .

A week after we arrived on Bali, we flew back to Surabaya. Absolutely satisfied that we accomplished both a successful Family History visit & presentation. As well as enjoying a few well-earned days off.

Elder & Sister Schmid.