VIM NEWSLETTER
  MAY 2011

Kuta International Christian Church (KICC)
 June 2911 –   C.D. Weaver
July 2011 – August 2011 Mary Ann Lindburg
August last Sunday 2011 to first Sunday of 2012 Shirley Crothers
January 2012 – April 2012 Lyle Predmore

Bukit Doa International Church (BDIC)
June 2011 – September 2011 Elice Higginbotham
October 2011 – January 2012 Jim White
February 2012 - - - April 2012 Richard Solberg

VIM SCHEDULE
 The number one purpose of this Newsletter is to publish the VIM Calendar.  The current calendar “runs out” after Easter in 2012.  Saying that, please take a look at your calendars, look at the VIM schedule above, and prayfully consider how you might be a part of our common ministry in the next year or so. 

VIM COMMUNITY
In January of this year two VIM pastors passed away. One was Bruce Parkes who served in the early 1990s. The other was Ken Rowe who has served in the VIM roll several times, and later was a frequent visitor to Bali.  We give thanks to God for their service and presence in our Community. 

OF INTEREST
Before leaving home, make copies of your passports and leave them with someone at home, and maybe make a copy to keep with you apart from your passport.  It is recommended that you register your stay in Indonesia with the local Consulate. This can be done on line at the following sites:

 For Australian Citizens:
http://www.bali.indonesia.embassy.gov.au/blli/consular.html

For Canadian Citizens:
http://www.canadainternational.gc.ca/indonesia-indonesie/consular_services_consulaires/index.aspx?lang=eng&menu_id=15

For US Citizens:
https://travelregistration.state.gov

VIM PASTORAL CARE

In the February News we announced the welcome addition to our “pastoral care team” of the GKPB pastor, Rev. Kade Mastra.  These first few months Trent Felstrom (KICC), Rev. Kade and I have been meeting each Wednesday for our “pastoral conference”.  Having Rev. Kade as a part of the team has added a whole new dimension to our ministry that is hard to summarize in a sentence or two.  After only a few initial months, it is hard to imagine our ministry without her presence and team work.  Overall, our VIMs time and talents will be better used as she gives continuity to being the Body of Christ, the Church Universal in this part of God’s wonderful world.  Rev. Kade’s email is: kade_mastra@yahoo.com

UPDATES
This week I will be working on updating the “Profile” of our VIM program.  It was last updated in April 2008, and needs serious updating.  This is the information sheet that I email to every clergy person when they make and initial inquiry about our ministry.  This time, when it is updated, I’ll share it with the entire mailing list.  In this Newsletter I will only comment on the most recent and most immediate changes. 

COMMPUTER AND PHONES
There are no longer computers in either VIM residence.  Good printers are in each, and can quickly be connected to your lap top. Good internet connections are provided each residence with plug in wireless connections.  Phone service is either by cell phone (HP or Hand Phone) or through the hotel switch board.  If you do not have Skype, you might consider connecting with it, it provides free computer to computer phone service, or for 2.4 cents a minute you can call any phone in the world. 

MINISTRY
Ministry is taking place in both congregations.  At KICC the “changing face” of the ex-pat community is most obvious.  In the last couple of years more young couples and families have moved to the Kuta area and are an active part of our church life.  These families are from Ukraine, Russia and Italy.  KICC has also joined with the Philadelphia congregation in sponsor a “Compassionate Children’s” program for neighbor families. 

BDIC’s membership also reflects some Eastern European influence, but not as much as KICC.  BDIC is also looking at ways of joining the Indonesian Congregation in neighborhood ministry.  One immediate project is joining together to sponsor a pre-school in the immediate community.  As all the VIMs who have served BDIC know, pastoral calling and care has always been a challenge because of the distance and living in a different community.  With the help of Rev. Kade, we have been able to be more intentional in visiting and spending time in that community.  An immediate result is a women’s fellowship that has decided that they need to meet weekly for bible study, and with the leadership of some new members have a year’s meeting schedule in place. 

CONSTRUCTION ZONE!   
It feels like building is going on all around us - - and it is!   The new building that will be shared by KICC and the Philadelphia congregations is due for completion in the next few months.  It is a handsome building, and will provide much needed space for all the activity of both congregations. 

BDIC has not built or rebuilt anything – but both the Buddhist next door and the RC Church two doors away have undergone major renovation and expansion.  The parking lot is almost cleaned up.   

Dhyana Pura Hotel is under renovation in preparation for bigger and more construction as the year goes on.  Currently the rooms in the same building as the Spa are being renovated for a new reception and front desk area.  All of the rooms in the area between the Spa and Room 111 (the BDIC VIM residence) are to become temporary office space. 

The disappearance of Room 131 will be part of the demolition to make way for the complete new wings of the hotel.  A new residence area will be prepared for the KICC VIM. 

Around Dhyana Pura it seems like almost the entire length of Jl. Dhyana Pura is under construction beginning at the beach and continuing well inland.   

ENOENOTES
The “Save a Village” project has continued to work on the water system.  It was left in disarray a couple of years ago by a NGO who came to “fix it” – and left it a mess.  I have pieces of the story, and if anyone is interested in doing some “detective work” on line to follow some leads I would be glad to share.  I have not had time to follow up myself. 

But the good news, the project forwarded funds earlier this year to buy pipe and supplies to put things in order.  Rev. Lobo has been working on it; the rains have been heavy so work as been slow.  He expects to have things together and working within the next couple of weeks.  There are some photos of his on his Facebook page; you can find him as Yanwart Lobo. 

Just a reminder, the “project” agreed to fund Rev. Lobo at the rate of $300 a month, or 3 million rupiah. Yesterday my little ATM transfer of 3 million rupiah cost $352.44.  For US tax payers, funds forward to Herb (information below) will be acknowledge with a proper receipt.   BDIC Alan Wilson continues to be our treasurer.  Australian friends please contact Kathy Pereira, information below. 

GKPB SYNOD

Prayers for wisdom and discernment are always in order for these leaders:
Bishop:                                    Rev. Drs. Wayan Sudira Husada, MM
General Secretary:               Rev. Made Priana, M. Th. 
Treasurer:                             Rev. Ketut Philipus Aryawijaya, S.Th.MA   

For gifts to either the car fund or the Enoneontes project, please make your checks to Bali/USA and forward to 
Rev. Herb Schmidt
Bali/USA. United Services Agency
317 Centennial St.
Santa Cruz, CA. 95060

For our Australian friends, please contact
Kathy Pereira
Associate Director
Experience Programs, Uniting World
PO Box A2266
Sydney South
NSW 1235

Web sites:
www.bukitdoa.org
www.kutainternationalchristianchurch.org
www.balidiscovery.com/update/default.asp

 
Peace
Lyle Predmore
VIM Coordinator