A First Visit to The Bali Orphanage

Earlier this week I was surfing next to the pier in Pismo Beach California. During a lull in the waves I heard someone mention going to “Indo’ in a few days.” I had never met this surfer before, so it felt a bit strange to paddle over to him and ask

Pismo Beach Pier at Sunset - photo by charlie H.

“I know this might seem weird because I just met you, but would you mind taking some clothes and other donations to an orphanage there in Bali?”

“Will you  be stopping in Bali?” Plus my intentions were somewhat selfish. (I have not been able to visit the children and Sisters since December now – so we have boxes and boxes of donations that have piled up here in our office thatwould normally go with us ever few months) “yeah! ,” he said. “I’ll be there for 3 weeks actually.” Jackpot! I thought. “I know this might seem weird because I just met you, but would you mind taking some clothes and other donations to an orphanage there in Bali?”

“Oh yeah, no problem!” he answered without hesitation.

A few minutes later we exchanged names and then a outside set came so right before the wave broke in front of us I hollered “Just remember ‘the-bali-orphange.com” “get ahold of me through the website!” and then wondered if we would ever connect after that.

Well we did! I got an email from him mentioning he was taking the train to the airport the next day at 2pm and that he could pick up the donations before then. I saw this email on my phone as my wife and I and our 4 kids walked out to see the sunset from the end of the pier. I called him right away and half an hour after every sign of the sunset was gone, we were at “Willie’s” house – just a mile or 2 from our own. Up to this point we had only seen each-other so we were still technically “strangers” – but we exchanged hand shakes, well wishes and a few Indo tips. (Willie’s surfed all over South America, but this was his first Indo trip)

To make a long story longer….

I just got an email from both Dewa and Willie. (swell is pumping right now by the way) They will meet each other later today! So cool to see how this whole thing unfolded and I’m encouraged by Willie’s “why not!” attitude. He is a good guy.

Hopefully I will be able to share a bit more of his trip and visit to meet the children – but in case I don’t – here’s a link to the comment thread as it unfolded on facebook this week.  https://www.facebook.com/givejewelry/posts/222050457832344

As exciting as this was for me to experience, I know that there are so many stories of people’s first found out about and made their 1st visit to the children, Sisters and staff in Tuka. Please encourage others and share YOUR story of how you first came to know about this special place. Just use the “Leave a Reply” box below.