Latest News #225 - Indonesia
December 12, 2002

The following news concerns Indonesia.

Indonesian Bible Society holds seminar and worship session in Bali

Photo: Some of the 7,000 worshippers who attended the “Heal the Wounded Heart” international worship and seminar held from November 29 to December 1, 2002 in Bali organised by the Indonesian Bible Society. The Indonesian Bible Society believes that efforts should be made to revive the image of Bali as a safe, peaceful tourist destination following the bomb attack on a nightclub in Kuta, Bali on October 12 and that “God will guide us to rebuild our nation into a better future”. Bali, Indonesia. Photo: Indonesian Bible Society (INO02-DJ-5)
Some of the 7,000 worshippers who attended the “Heal the Wounded Heart” international worship and seminar held from November 29 to December 1, 2002 in Bali organised by the Indonesian Bible Society. The Indonesian Bible Society believes that efforts should be made to revive the image of Bali as a safe, peaceful tourist destination following the bomb attack on a nightclub in Kuta, Bali on October 12 and that “God will guide us to rebuild our nation into a better future”. Bali, Indonesia. Photo: Indonesian Bible Society (INO02-DJ-5)

BALI, Indonesia — Heavy rain did not deter more than 7,000 people from attending the international worship and seminar session organised by the Indonesian Bible Society (LAI) as part of its ongoing response to the bomb attack on a nightclub in Kuta, Bali, on October 12.

Shortly after the attack, LAI staff visited the site to lay flowers and an interdenominational prayer and worship event was held. Arrangements were also made to supply Scriptures to the survivors and to grieving relatives via the churches in Bali (see Latest News #219).

LAI also recognised at an early stage that longer-term strategies would be required to revive Bali’s image as an international tourist destination and to promote emotional healing and reconciliation among its people. This was the driving force behind the international worship and seminar session held in a beautiful location near Gunung Agung, a mountain in northeast Bali, between November 29 and December 1. This event, entitled Heal the Wounded Heart, was designed to “gather children of God from any denomination of domestic and foreign churches,” according to Didin Oktavia Prihadini, a member of LAI’s information department. The participants included representatives of Christian organisations such as the Indonesian Catholic Bishops’ Conference, the Australian Reformed Church and the Indonesian Church Council, as well as people from secular organisations.

Through the worship, the participants were able to express their sympathy and solidarity towards the unforgettable tragedy and their hope that the tragedy will never happen again.” The session also presented an opportunity for the Rev Mr Priyana, who headed the organising committee, to report on the distribution of Scriptures by LAI to those affected by the bomb attack. Mr Priyana stated that some of the victims who had received a Bible were “very happy to get the Word of God to strengthen their faith and hope in the Lord.” (315 words - INDONESIA.12.12.02)
A photograph is available to accompany this story. For more information or to order, please contact the UBS Photo Editor. All photographs are charged at US$5.00 each.
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Andrew Mathewson
UBS Editor,
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