Worldview

Bali, the beautiful island God created. We stayed in a particular place called Green Camp for two and a half days. Its purpose was to preserve the Earth God created that we have used and harmed. We experienced a lot of new things, learned new things and it was a blast. The camp was extremely natural and eco-friendly. In the camp we spent everyday in nature. To some of us, especially the girls, the camp was uncomfortable and disgusting. However, to some of us, it was a very good learning experience.

                     

Marco: The first activity we experienced was the mud wrestling. It was very fun to learn the style of Balinese fighting and from that activity we learned teamwork. We were drenched in mud and it was very uncomfortable. From the experience we can learn to persevere. The mud represents the burden that we carry in this world. It represents all the worries for the earthly things and the water we used to clean it was God’s word. Therefore we won’t be tied up with this world and we will worship and serve God. It can also represent the ridicule and negativity we get from non-believers. Eventually, in heaven, we will be rewarded with cleanliness from earthly and fanatic things.

Celvin: The activity after mud wrestling was coconut climbing. First we used our harness and helmet. After we started climbing, we realized something. We realized how great our God is and how great his creations is. The tree was very strong and tall and can be used as logs to build anything. The leaves were big and wide and can be used to make roofing and keep us cool. The fruit can be used for food as the water was sweet and fresh and the meat very delicious. Also the fruit can be used as oil for our food. There were holes and grips for us to climb easily. This experience showed us that God provides for us. He provided the tree which can be used for almost everything. The grips and holes also to help us climb easier, even though the people did it. But it was all planned by God.

Michael: We also learned some valuable lessons about how the environment and how some things work. One of these lessons are about fertilisers as the guide thought us what fertilisers have to go through to become acceptable and functional and also the ingredients that contribute to it. We started off by going through the process of how fertiliser is created and we went to the stable where they kept 2 cows. We had to dig up the manure and transfer it to a bag with leaves where it would decompose and become fertiliser. The smell was atrocious but we braced through it. It wasn't personally the best experience of the trip but we did learn a valuable lesson from it. We learned that we have to go through hardships and sometimes even suffering to obtain or achieve what we ultimately want which in this case is fertiliser

Saleh: We have done recycling before doing it in green camp. We were instructed to make paper out of leaves that were falling off from trees at Green camp, these leaves were blent with water. Afterwards, we separated the water from the blended leaves and we dried them up in a rectangular shape just like how a paper would look like. We believe recycling is a way of serving God as we are taking care of an environment that we live in which God created for us. The idea of recycling has inspired me to a thought in life, God created you and placed you in this world for a reason and purpose, if we are given an opportunity, don’t put it to waste or throw it away, however take that opportunity and do or make something out of it. Such as, glorifying God, being a blessing to others, serving and helping the ones who aren’t as lucky as we are.

Theo: We were given the opportunity to have the team in green camp to teach us about recycling and the effects of plastic in the environment. We were explained that different types of plastics and styrofoam have different age. A simple styrofoam box that we use to eat food in our canteen could last for decades to decompose while a more complicated fruits could wither down itself in weeks. The fun part was the practical one where we need to pick up trash in the front court of green camp, just before the entrance to it. The court itself was in shamble. There was a cow laying and resting on the ground and there were dogs running along the court. Our task was to use a spear like tool to pick up trashes such as plastics, paper cups and any other substance that is similar to that and put it in a rice sack. The place was loaded with waste materials especially in the gutter or as we use to say it in bahasa indonesia ‘got’ or ‘selokan’. Since we were not experience yet in doing this things, poking the trash was difficult as it always slip right at the end. But at the end, we have a grip on doing the activities. Oh, we also to where gloves to protect our hands from injuries. Based on our experience on this activities, we learn that we are still under appreciating God’s creation for us, humans because we are still throwing trash to rivers and still having negative attitude towards our environment. We also learn that eventually we have to be responsible for our actions. Just like our sins, Jesus took responsibility for our sins. So we should take care of the Earth God created for us.

Matthew: Other than all of the day activities, one of our night activity in Green Camp was the bonfire night. During that time, we played 2 games, one was called Black Magic and the other one was guessing names. Afterwards, we burned marshmallow while enjoying our night with nature surrounding us. We believe that the purpose of this activity was to bond with each other and also to bond with nature. In the beginning God created Eve so that Adam wouldn't be alone, so we as human beings need companion to fill us up with joy. God also has created the beauty of nature for us to take care and to enjoy most of it. This activity has also taught us to not be afraid in darkness because in every darkness, there's always light and it could turn into sweetness. Do not forget that we are never alone in every darkness and struggles that we are facing. The fire in the middle of us represents the light of Jesus Christ that shines brightly among the darkness which guides us to see the right path of the Lord Jesus Christ. This is not just a fun activity, but it is also a very valuable lesson for us to cherish together.

Ben: Another activity that is still stuck in our head was going through the padi fields. We started going through the Balinese village and went to the tour leader's house. The house was made up of 4 small buildings. One is the garage, a small living space, a kitchen and an outdoor space for chilling and their temple to worship their gods. Then we venture to the padi fields, walking in the small space created making walking something to focus on. The day was boiling hot, but it was mostly fun watching our friend falling of to the padi. We walked for around 10 minutes and arrived in the other end where we get picked up with our mini van and went to indomaret to get a refreshing drink and went back to our green camp. It was a refreshing adventure a little exercise to spice up the day. We learn that even through the boiling hot suffering, there is good at the end. In our case, even though we suffered from walking through the narrow path as the sun shines to us, we get to drink and rest at the end. Just like our lives, in the end, after facing all the negativity of this world towards God and us, we get to meet our Creator and worship Him in heaven.

Kenjiro: The hotel we stayed in was called the Sense Sunset hotel in Seminyak. Most of the places near the hotel were out of boundaries because it was not appropriate for our age. As soon as we arrived in the hotel, most of us took a bath, some didn't and we had dinner. After dinner, we were accompanied by several teachers and divided into groups. We went to a place called KuDeTa. It is a beach club which offers great food, drinks and a beautiful beach scenery. The activity allowed us to bond and be closer to each other. God wants us to be closer to each other and to love our neighbours.  

Regina: At around 10 in the next morning, we gather together in the hotel's ballroom to listen to some preachers from the Youth With A Mission. They are a group of people from all around the world, such as Indonesia, America, Portugal, and Jamaica, they go to spread the gospel of God. First, we did the praise and worship. Afterwards, we breakdown into groups of eight to ten people then we did some small activities. These activities taught us about teamwork and to solve the problem we need to work as a team. We compete between groups to see which group have the most point. Even though some of us may not win but we did have fun and learn to work as a team. After we're done with the activities, we listened to one of the speakers. He told us about how great God's love is, even through our dark times he is always there with us. People may try to bring us down and their words may affect us, but God is always there, we just have to ask for his help. To help us renew our hearts and let go of the past, they prayed for those who asked to be prayed for. They walk around and pray to help us let go of old sins, to freed us from the power of people's unpleasant words, and to remind us that in the midst of our darkest times God is always there to pick us up. The prayer session led most of the group to cry their hearts out. The activity touched our hearts deeply, it was a memorable experience.

That concludes some of our many experiences from Bali which we can relate to God. We hope by sharing the experiences, we can teach some people about the importance of God in our lives and how to have a good Christian life.