As far as we understand there are three Baha’i communities, with Local Spiritual Assembly (LSA), in Bali (Ubud, Bedung and Denpasar.)  We were lucky to be able to meet some of the friends in two of these communities.  We wrote about the small but vibrant community in Ubud earlier (chapter 21). 

Thanks to our newly found friends in Ubud, while in Sanur, Richard received a text from a dear Baha’i in Bedung, inviting us to their home for Naw-Ruz (New Year) celebration and Feast.  We delightfully accepted the invitation and arranged to have a driver and a car to take us there.  Our host and his delightful family greeted us with open arms and we entered their home through a spacious area set aside for hosting various community activities.  The room was festively decorated and a long table was set up for the many friends, including the ABm, that arrived in time to break the Fast, at sunset. 

The meal was a sampling of Balinese food, nicely arranged in a bento box.  A wonderful drink of coconut juice and fruit accompanied dinner and for desert there was a host of sweets and my favorite, a basket of Longan fruit also known as “dragon eye” or “cat eye”. 

After dinner and marvelous  conversation with the friends, including three visitors from the neighboring country of Malaysia, the Feast, chaired by a capable 15-year daughter of our host family, Silky, begun with prayer.  The uplifting readings, selected by Silky, were in 4 languages.  The consultation centered around the public celebration of Naw-Ruz which is usually attended  by 100plus  members of the community, including dignitaries.  It  was great to hear about  the awesome and unique community development activities in Bali and Malaysia.

We left the Feast with our hearts  filled with immense joy and much gratitude for the blessing of being able to meet and become instant friends with such an amazing members of the Indonesian Bahai’i community.  

 https://photos.app.goo.gl/dN4QjihEi3Wko8Zw1