Letter of Support for Buda and the Bali Ministry

In September of 2022, my wife and I visited Bali for the first time. We stayed at the Hanging Gardens Resort, located about an hour and a half from the airport. From the moment we arrived, we were struck by the beauty of the island and its people—but also by the visible struggle many residents face in their daily lives. On narrow roads filled with mopeds, we saw families—for instance, a husband, pregnant wife and two children all riding on the same moped. It was clear that while Bali is a breathtaking destination, many of its people live with very little.

It was during this trip that we met Buda, our guide for five days. From our very first interaction, my wife and I—both strong believers—felt an immediate bond with him. His kindness, patience, humility, and honesty deeply moved us. As we spent more time with him, we learned his story—one of perseverance, faith, and resilience. He shared his journey from years of wood carving to eventually becoming a certified tour guide. His life has not been easy, but his spirit remains unshaken.

After visiting traditional temples and major tourist sites, I asked

Buda to take us to the place where he grew up. It was there, among

humble surroundings, that I saw the depth of his journey—an evolution

marked by hard work, struggle, and unwavering faith.

What impressed me most was his heart. Buda is a remarkable guide and teacher—knowledgeable, gentle, and sincere. During our trip, my wife and I were married in a beautiful Christian ceremony. Buda traveled

over an hour each way to attend and be part of what was one of the most meaningful days of our lives. He showed up not as a hired guide, but as someone who felt like family.

Buda currently lives in Bali, far from his wife and teenage son, who

reside on a neighboring island. He lives very modestly in a small

one-room dwelling with one window, no air conditioning, no television,

and no kitchen or even a private bathroom. When he’s not scheduled for

tours, he travels home to continue working on building a house for his

family with the little income he earns. He consistently puts the needs

of others above his own.

Over time, we learned that Buda had begun sharing food with the

elderly, distributing school supplies to local children, and offering

support to struggling families in nearby villages. This was the birth

of what is now the Bali Ministry. Through faith and compassion, he

began using his earnings and donations to serve the most vulnerable.

We’ve continued to support his efforts as he strives to balance his work in tourism with his ministry. He helps schoolchildren improve their education and English skills while continuing to provide food and necessities to the elderly and underprivileged. We regularly receive photos and videos of his efforts—touching moments of joy, gratitude, and love as he shares food, prayer, and the message of Jesus Christ.

On our second visit to Bali, we were able to visit the schools where Buda serves. We met children in first, second, and third grade, and witnessed firsthand the impact of his work. He is deeply connected with both the young and the elderly, always meeting them with humility and care.

Our prayer is that God continues to bless Buda, the Bali Ministry, and the many people they serve. We also pray that he is able to complete building his home and be reunited with his family more often, maintaining a healthy balance of spiritual life, family, tourism work, and ministry outreach.

To anyone who feels moved in their heart or spirit, we encourage you to support this incredible cause. Buda’s work is not only transformative for those he serves—it is a powerful example of selfless love in action.

We are honored to know Buda and to stand behind him and this ministry.

With gratitude and faith,

Doug and Gloria Millard

CEO, Youth Investments Management Group

Fort Lauderdale, Florida

40 Years in Private School Education