BLESS BALI WEEKEND November 29-December 2, 2002 November 29 1. 3.00 pm - 5.30 pm - Statements by Church Leaders on attitudes to terrorism from Dr. Jeff Hammond, Director of International Friends of Compassion and Bless Indonesia Today Foundation, Australia; Prof. Dr. James Haire, Moderator of Uniting Church of Australia; Rev. Dr. Natan Setiabudi, Chairman of the Indonesian Council of Churches, Jakarta, Indonesia; Bishop I Ketut Suyaga Ayub, Moderator of GKPB Synod, Denpassar, Bali (Uniting Church); Mgr. Benyamin Y. Bria. Pr, Bishop of Denpassar (Roman Catholic Church) followed by Statements and Press Conference with Mr. Bruce Baird Member of Australian National Parliament and Chairman of the Australian Parliamentary Christian Fellowship and Maj. Gen. Budi Setyawan, Bali Police Chief. This session went extremely well and was extensively covered by the Indonesian Media both on national and local television as well as in national and local newspapers. The session sent a clear message that Christians in Australia and Indonesia are united in their stand against terrorism and that the love of Christ motivates them to take their stand in the face of the fear of terrorism and to conquer fear through Christ's love. The church declared that its place in history is to fulfil the Abrahamic Covenant and to be a blessing to the nations, and in this time of need to bless Bali. This was the first time that contingents from overseas and from throughout Indonesia had specifically come to bless Bali. This was a major breakthrough! 2. 6.00 pm - 9.00 pm - Bless Bali Worship Service attended by 5000+ in Denpassar Arts Center. A time of enthusiastic worship followed official speeches by the Deputy Governor of Bali, Prof. Dr. James Haire Uniting Church of Australia and Mr. Bruce Baird from the Australian Parliament who gave a wonderful testimony based on his faith in Christ that positive steps to bless Bali were being taken by Love conquering Fear. After financial aid was distributed to the families of victims of the Bali bombing, heavy rain fell which unfortunately brought the evening to an early end. However the people did not want to go home and called for more songs extending the worship service, singing in the rain, for another half an hour. The presence of the Lord was strongly felt. It was the first time ever that every denomination in Bali had combined together for a worship service. This was a major breakthrough! 3. At the same time as the Bless Bali Worship service in Bali there were simultaneous services and prayer meetings going on in other countries. In Jakarta 10,000 young people gathered in the Istora Sports Center to pray and they prayed for Bali. In Cocoa Beach Florida, USA, a simultaneous service was held and was reported in the Florida Media. Dennis McIntyre from Florida reported, "I am certain the service was a blessing to many. Ours went very well. The local media was in attendance and we were even able to witness to a reporter and cameraman after the service. We will definitely be following up with them. It was such a blessing to meet them. The Lord ordained it and we now have an ear in the local media. I am waiting to hear from friends in Montana, Arkansas and Alabama who were also holding prayer services for the victims families." This was the first time ever that such a thing has ever happened here. Others from 80 nations around the world were praying for Bali. This was a major breakthrough! November 30 1. 8.30 am - 11.30 am - March for Bali. Beginning from Kuta Beach and after a time of prayer nearly 1000 people marched to Legian Street praying for all the families and shops along the way to the site of the Bali Bombing. We then held a worship service at the site of the bombing for nearly 2 hours. Jesus was publicly praised. The Gospel was preached. The afflicted were prayed for and God was glorified. It was a wonderful follow-up to the events of the previous afternoon and evening. It was the first time ever that there had been an evangelistic street service in Kuta in the history of Bali. As the crowd dispersed and blessed Bali in a practical way - by shopping - we also asked the shopkeepers if we could pray for them and bless them, and many did exactly that and so by prayer evangelism we sowed seed and blessed Bali believing for a great harvest of souls in the days and years to come. This was a major breakthrough! 2. 12.30 pm - 4.30 pm - The first ever meeting of Christian Members of Parliament from the Indonesian National Parliament (MPR) and the Australian Parliament. The essence of the meeting was how Christians in politics can be an instrument in the hand of God to build grass root relationships and to be a blessing to the two nations. Arrangements were made to have ongoing dialogue and meetings between Christians in both Parliaments. This was a major breakthrough! 3. 6.00 pm - 10.00 pm - Festival of Praise. Due to the rain of the previous evening, the Festival was moved indoors to Lembah Pujian (Valley of Praise) Bethel Church which restricted those who could attend to just under 3000. For four hours we sang, worshipped, prayed, rejoiced and experienced the love of Christ together. Breakthroughs were being made in the heavenlies and serious damage was done to Satan's hold over this island and the people are starting to be set free. December 1 1. All day - overseas and interstate visitors joined in with local churches to bless them and strengthen their hands. Many of the local churches are dependent on the tourism industry and with hotel occupancy rates collapsing from 70% to 5%, the churches of Bali need to be blessed. This is the first time ever there has been such a focus nationally and internationally by the Body of Christ to bless Bali. December 2 1. 8.00 am - 10.00 am - Pastors Prayer Breakfast. Bringing the whole Bless Bali weekend some 75 pastors and key businessmen gathered together to hear a message on KAIROS TIME HAS ARRIVED IN BALI. The pastors were challenged with the message of Col. 4:5 to make the most of every kairos the Lord gives us. Historical examples like the meeting of Marco Polo with Kublai Khan who shared Christ with Kublai Khan. Kublai Khan wept when he heard the story of Jesus but challenged Marco Polo to send 100 evangelists to share Christ in his empire. Only two came and they fled after several weeks. Kublai Khan in disappointment turned to Buddhism and called in the monks of Tibet. The Church failed to appreciate the kairos that had come to them. The same was true at the end of World War 2 when Gen. McArthur challenged the church to send him 1000 missionaries and Japan would become a Christian nation but they failed to respond. Japan's faith in its old religious order was shattered. There was a vacuum. But the church failed to respond and now Japan is one of the hardest nations to reach with the Gospel. The pastors were challenged to grasp this kairos time that had come to Bali and to not let the opportunity pass them by and to remember that "Love conquers Fear!" 1Jn 4:18. The story of Bali is not finished. It has just begun! FEAR NOT! LOVE CONQUERS FEAR Statement by Rev. Dr. Jeff Hammond, Director International Friends of Compassion and the Bless Indonesia Today Foundation, November 29, 2002 Christians from many Church denominations and a number of different nations, Australia, USA, England, New Zealand, Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Korea, Singapore, Malaysia etc and throughout Indonesia are gathering today to Bless Bali. We are living in the Age of Terrorism and Christians around the world are uniting to say, "No!" to terrorism. Terrorism is a global phenomenon and we all must stand up and reject terrorism and the tendency to double punish countries. Bali was punished in a cruel way by the terrorists and now Bali is being punished again by nations imposing travel bans. Christians from all nations must act collectively. We must not be wimps in the face of terror for terror will not go away until we can show the terrorists that they do not profit nor can they win through their acts of terror. We must not allow countries to be given a double punishment. We declare that we love Indonesia and we will bless Bali. In fact we are calling 2003 "Bless Bali Year". Terrorism and violence has been part of humanity since Cain slew Abel. Human history has been littered with the tragedies of human failure but it is time for us to say, "No more!" We will not let the world be dominated by violence or the violent, but we will declare that the greatest power in heaven and earth is the love of our Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus faced political terrorism and violence. As a child his village of Bethlehem was raided by fanatical militants sent by King Herod who massacred every child under the age of two. Joseph, Mary and Jesus having been warned of the attack fled to Egypt as refugees. In the face of violence and the terrorism of religious extremists, Jesus was falsely accused, nailed to the cross of Calvary and crucified. What was Jesus response? He said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing!" Jesus believed in the power of forgiveness and he understood that terrorists are the victims of satanic manipulation. Jesus hates the sin but He loves the sinner. He wants to set the terrorists free from their satanic captivity. He wants them to know the power of His love, forgiveness and salvation. One such terrorist known as Saul massacred many Christians in the early Church. What was Jesus response? Jesus met with him face to face, set him free and changed him into Paul the Apostle, a man who would bless many nations. The Lord revealed to Paul that the Gospel preached to Abraham, "In you all the nations of the earth shall be blessed", is now fulfilled in those who believe in Christ. It is the destiny of the Church to be a blessing to the nations, Gal 3:7-8, 29. We believe the same power is here today. We believe in the power of the Gospel. We believe in the power of the Cross of Christ. We believe in the saving power of the love of our Lord Jesus Christ to transform lives, bring salvation, restoration of peace and the blessing of God on the nations. It is our prayer that Bali will be so blessed, restored in peace, prosperity and freedom from the fear of terror. Bali, we love you! Indonesia, we love you! And we stand with you in this time of great trial. Statement by the Leaders of the Protestant and Catholic Churches of Bali concerning the Bomb Tragedy in Jl. Legian, Kuta, Bali, Indonesia 29 November 2002 1. We reject all forms of violence and terrorism which result in loss of human life 2. We reject all attitudes, opinions, views and deeds of terror that are done in the name of certain religions, because no true religion teaches violence and terror. To the contrary all true religions teach love, tolerance, friendship, peace and truth. 3. We declare our concern for and our solidarity with the victims by conducting humanitarian assistance in the form of prayer, social and medical care and gathering of funds for the victims. 4. We are to actively participate in the restoration of a safe, peaceful and favorable community environment in the spirit of family life and harmony. 5. We call upon the Governments of neighboring countries and other nations not to impose "Travel Bans" on their people who desire to visit Indonesia, and especially Bali, as tourists because the security situation in Bali is increasingly peaceful and favorable. 6. We call upon and invite all elements and levels of the community to work together, shoulder to shoulder and hand in hand, to create a safe and favorable situation for the development of the economy of the people in Bali specifically and for Indonesia in general. Denpasar, 29 November 2002 1. Bishop I Ketut Suyaga Ayub Moderator of GKPB Synod (Uniting Church) 2. Mgr. Benyamin Y. Bria. Pr Bishop of Denpassar (Roman Catholic Church)       PERFECT LOVE CASTS OUT FEAR (1 John 4:18)   1. Fear as a reality Fear is a reality that has been experienced by mankind, before Jesus came into the world, during the time Jesus lived and also after He rose again. Before Jesus came, what did the angel Gabriel say when he visited Mary? "Fear not, Mary..." (Luke 1:30). When Jesus lived with and related to His disciples, what did He say to them? The disciples should have been glad because they got what they had been searching for all night, that is, fish. But when Jesus had performed the miracle, the disciples said, "Lord, depart from us...(Luke 5:8). And what did Jesus say? "Fear not..." (Luke 5:10). And after Jesus rose again? They were still afraid, so that Jesus said, "Fear not..." (Matthew 28:10). Fear is human, meaning that it is a part of the human identity. Fear has its uses in our life. Fear can make us careful. Because of fear, we learn from our experiences, so that we do not repeat our mistakes. Also, it says in the Holy Book, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge but the fool despises wisdom and instruction." (Proverbs 1:7). 2. Fear can destroy our identity. What does fear produce? Fear can destroy man's identity as a human being. Fear can make a person forget that he is of value in the eyes of God. Fear makes man no longer remember that he is created "in the image and likeness of God" (Genesis 1:26. Fear can make a person feel guilty, feel unworthy, feel useless, feel ashamed and cause him to have a negative self-image. Therefore God makes us aware that we have value in the eyes of God. God loves people so much that He Himself became a man, so that people could be lifted up again and be able to have a relationship with Him in the same intimate way that a father has a relationship with his child. 3. Fear can cause people withdraw into themselves Fear can also cause people to withdraw into themselves. Fear can kill the ability of people to communicate with one another. Fear can kill the nature of man as a social being, a being who lives because he has socius (Lat). To be fully human, people have friends, companions, become liberated human beings, free, working, managing their world and being joyfully productive. 4. Fear can make a person forget his job Fear can cause people for forget their task of ruling the earth, managing the world so that it can be developed as a place that is increasingly worthy of being lived in by God's creation. Because of fear, people are not bold enough to come out of themselves and instead hide themselves in such a way that they do not work and they spend all their time and energy in looking within, becoming intro and (in) vert, introvert. 5. The Love of God does not remain silent Fortunately the love of God does not remain silent. God comes to people who feel they have lost their self-worth, because fear makes people feel they are controlled by evil. Sins of which they are aware cause them to feel themselves to be sinners. They become too busy with the negative aspects that cause pain or sorrow in their lives. Yet even when at His first coming, people rejected Him, and even invited Him to leave them, "Lord depart from me, for I am a sinful man..." (Luke 5:8), the Lord did not withdraw. He continues to draw closer, because the power of the Lord is greater than the power of sin, the power of evil, the power of wickedness. He comes to restore those who are afraid of becoming His children again.   6. Perfect love His love is perfect love. Perfect love is not shown when the giver hopes for a return or even hopes to receive something more than he has given. Perfect love is higher than the pattern of a trading relationship, which gives only in order to receive: do ut des - I give so you give. Perfect love is not only love that is directed to certain people. This love is a love that is given to all. This is a universal love, not only for associates, friends, those of the same tribe, group, interests, alumni, but a love that is for whosoever. Perfect love is not just a love based on the demands of tradition, law or certain customs where the performance results from purely physical demands due to external pressures. Perfect love has its source in the deepest part of peoples' being. Love is based on faith and full trust in God. In perfect love can be found perfect submission, but this submission does not make us passive. It is a submission that gives people full freedom as beings of dignity, people who have been exalted to be children of God, to become co-workers with God in continuing the work of creation in the earth. Because of this perfect love, fear vanishes and is replaced by faith. People are set free from the choking feeling which causes them to withdraw into themselves. Because of this love, people are able to be open, outgoing, communicating with one another, together, managing this world. Perfect love is the love that strengthens people to move towards leading a fulfilling life. Because of this love, people will be bold enough to accept the work that God gives them. Mary was bold enough to say, "Fiat mihi secundum verbum tuum."- "Be it unto me according to Your word." Because of this perfect love, Peter was bold enough to become a fisher of men, meaning, a person who drew his fellow men into the network of His love. Also because of love, the disciples were sent out into all the world to take the joyful news, the news of love and justice. May the fear which until now has produced terrorist actions, cause us to become wiser; on one hand, causing people to increasingly unite to oppose the terror, to work together in helping those who have become the victims, giving thanks to those who have worked hard to stretch out their hands to the sufferers and shoulder to shoulder oppose violence. On the other hand, the atmosphere of fear can become an opportunity to pray and ask for this perfect love, so that we can all be set free from the fear which hinders us from living joyful lives and because of that to be able to together with all those around us manage the earth, develop the earth so that it is more and more worthy to be occupied by people, beings with dignity and at the same time, beings of worth in the eyes of God. Amen. Ismartono, SJ Executive Secretary Commission for Relations between Religions and Faiths Conference of Catholic Bishops of Indonesia (HAK-KWI) Jl. Cut Mutiah 10 Jakarta 10340 Tilpon: +62-21-9221545 Fax: +62-21-3918529 Email: ismartono@parokinet.org       Information provided by Bali Police Chief, Maj. Gen. Budi Setyawan, in the Press Conference Sari Club Usually 700 attended every night. Rp.90 million profit every night. Indonesians forbidden because they disturbed foreign guests. 11.15pm people would arrive dance, eat and drink till morning. 250 est. present at time of blast. "If you come to Bali and haven't been to Sari you haven't been to Bali," people say. Paddy's Foreigners and locals both attended. Each night about 100 guests. Music, dancing and fun together too. Location of bomb blasts 1st explosion at Paddy's. Caused electrical power box to explode. 2nd explosion the large one. Many motorbikes, vehicles, buildings set on fire Bomb location in Renon Elite area for offices and consulates. Japan, Australia and USA consulates in the area. Explosion took place under a mahogany tree near USA Consulate, not far from the Australian Consulate. Chronology of events Sat Oct. 12 at 11.15pm bomb caused panic. Within seconds the electric power station exploded. Then the large explosion that released a fire ball. A few seconds later a small explosion in Renon - no causalties. At Sari's and Paddy's 185 killed; 325 wounded; 53 buildings; 84 4-wheel vehicles; 13 2-wheeled vehicles. Identified - 161; 24 not yet identified Working together with assistance of Australian Police 87% of the victims have been identified in 1 and a half months. WTC took 10 months 185 slain (110 male 75 female) 78 Australia; 19 England; 17 Indonesia; 7 USA; 6 Germany; 6 Sweden; 4 France; 4 New Zealand; 2 Netherlands; 2 Japan; 2 Denmark; 2 South Korea; 2 Switzerland; and 1 each from Italy, Equador, Taiwan, Canada, South Africa, Brazil, Greece, Portugal. Most died of burns. Many had their bodies badly mutilated. 325 injured 121 evacuated to Australia; 201 taken by families; 3 are still in hospital Of the injured 108 were Australians. Many received severe burn injuries and severe wounds from shrapnel. Most who received light wounds were injured by flying grass. Immediate assistance was given by local people, police, military and ambulance. They were taken to Sanglah and 12 other hospitals, thousands of volunteers came to assist. Actions by volunteers and security forces Assist and transport victims; Put our fires; Gather evidence; Intensify security at airport and other ports; Seal off area; Evacuate victims; Assist forensic experts from Australia. National Police Chief (KAPOLRI) Gen. Dai Bachtiar came to Bali formed investigative team and appointed me to: Prevent any further bombings; Prevent horizontal conflict (Hindu vs Muslim); Gather evidence Police Operations 5095 officers Targets of Police Operations: Ngurah Rai Airport - Uniformed and civilian forces were employed. Sea Ports - Including the ports of Lombok, the Benoa Harbor - harbor for economic transport and Celukan Bawang the harbor to Kalimantan. Investigated everyone leaving the ports. We added security to guard all fuel, telephone and electricity installations. Increased security at schools and consulates and the tourist locations and shopping centers and the 107 hotels with star ratings. Security Operations and Information Distribution to: 1399 Balinese villages - instruction and information to help them live in peace; 250 major temples - also encouraged to live in peace and security; 672 officers engaged in these tasks. 666 traditional village in Bali were visited and given information using cultural resources. Conveying to them the importance of maintaining the unity of the nation and tolerance of other religions and awareness of security. Local village-level security teams activated. People have been praying that the perpetrators be captured and Bali return to normal. All the leaders gathered to pray together for peace. They have been praying in all the temples on an ongoing basis. From time to time prayer at the bomb site location. 15 November a Hindu Cleansing Ceremony was performed at the bomb site. Governor of Bali has taken a number of steps: 7 press conferences; 10 meetings with travel agents; 4 with Consulates; 5 meetings with tourist organisations. Efforts undertaken to provide security for Bali. We request to foreign governments that travel bans be lifted. The condition of Bali has returned to normal. The trauma is gradually being healed. Tolerance has been guarded and preserved. Awareness of threats has increased. The coordination between the authorities and military have been undertaken in a family atmosphere. Results of the Investigative team Amrozi captured in Solo - from eye witness accounts. 6th November taken to Bali and arrested and detained. Mobil L-300 - Found in front of the Sari Club thru re-etching the vehicle was identified. Chassi number was discovered. Owner was found, and we were able to trace the vehicle to Amrozi. Took 2 days. Imam Samudera, captured because of an arrest after robbery in gold shop in Cilegon, West Java. Bomb exploded and Rolf and Budi arrested and a lap top taken. While the police were investigating the computer, Imam Samudera sent an email saying he was going by bus to Sumatra so the police immediately went down to the ferry and arrested him. We are pleased with current progress and expect to arrest more shortly.