Ladies and gentlemen, friends and family, in-laws and outlaws...
We're back!!! Well, just in case you didn't notice the sudden drop in noise level throughout the whole of last week and also the sudden increase of the noise dB early this week. For those of you faithful readers out there, thank you for tuning in week in and week out even though its been a while since I last created an entry. Nevertheless, the stories are pilling up and its got to be told sooner or later...
Well, just to update you on what's been happening...on the 2nd - 10th of Dec 2006, a total of 28 youths and rangers from GT Klang took part in our annual Sarawak mission trip this year. And this was the largest number of participants ever for a mission trip so far! They are Cmdr Gideon, Sheila, Daniel Seliong, Kyleen, Melissa, Win Li, Samson aka Buddy, Laura, Shaun, Grace, Jason Ong, Jason Ponniah, Reuben, Alison, JN, JC, Simon, Vivian, Lisa Lee, Lih Woon, Amy Tan, Kenny, Kevin Chin, Seaw Chin, Donna, Andy, Asher, and finally Jon Lee. Well, what can I say? Where do I start??? So many things to say...so many stories to tell...I'll do my best, k?
Our trip started early...and I mean EARLY! All the eager and excited missionaries gathered in church at around 3.45am for a final checkthrough and to say our goodbyes to our parents and pets. Nothing really eventful...apart from the fact that Amy had to go home 2-3 times to collect her belongings i.e. toothbrush, children's church materials, pillow...after a final briefing and loading up our tonnes of bags into 3 vans, we made our way to the LCCT at about 4.30am. The ride was...silent...zzz....as expected.
Got to the airport, checked in our luggages at a specially dedicated counter for our enormous group and bags...then we chilled and laid around till about 7.35am. Finally it was time to say goodbye to home, and to finally start our journey! Most of us were still 'shocked' that we're actually leaving! Its like..we've been preparing for this trip for months, and its finally here. Many first-timers among the veterans in this group..and its promises to be an exciting journey! Friends, with God..it always is!
After an eventless flight, mostly 'silent night', we touched down in Kuching Airport at about 9am. We were happily greeted by our spunky 'tour guide' and translator, Sis. Ruth! Man..i'm telling you, this lady is one can of coke waiting to pop! Will tell you more about her along the way...we really thank God for her and for sending ppl like her along the way to encourage us and to make this trip all the more meaningful.
We then took a 4 - 5 hours van ride to the district of Betong, stopping for lunch at the midway point and also to buy some much needed food supplies and goodies needed for the trip. We reached Betong at about 3pm, and we spent the night at Betong Sion Baptist Church. We were glad to meet familiar faces in Pas. Leslie and his wife, sis. Ensinggan who hosted us for the night. Pas. Leslie also accompanied us throughout the entire trip. After settling in, we started to prepare for dinner, help cut and clean the food, and also cook our meals, led by our master Seaw Chin and friends! Pas. Leslie also prepared for us his favourite Bamboo Chicken dish, which was awesome! The night then continued with a time of prayer and just worshipping God in an open field. Friends, its just so awesome to worship our God, gazing at His majestic creations up in the skies...it was truly an experience for all of us! God just began to work in our hearts...
Next morning was Sunday! Many were deceived by the early sunrise over here in East Malaysia. Some even woke up at 6.30am to shower, thinking it was already 8am. Hehe! After hurrying to the bathrooms and toilets which kinda reminded us of the traffic jams back home, we had a quick breakfast even as the people started to fill the church hall. Church service started at 9.30am. We had a wonderful praising God in Iban. We were slowly getting a hang of the Iban language. Its not too complicated to understand. All you gotta do is to listen carefully and you'll learn. We acted out a short Iban skit for the church congregation, speaking about Jesus being our defense attourney and how He paid the price for all our sins on the cross. It was an interesting experience for all of us...speaking and acting in Iban. Lisa and Sheila shared their testimonies that morning, and Cmdr. Gideon preached the Word to the people.
It was awesome seeing how God worked among and how He's continuing to work among them. Laura and friend conducted a mini Children's Church that morning. We had a powerful time praying for them and blessing His people. After service, we had a small gathering for the youths in the church. Spent some time to get to know them better before Reuben shared to them about the importance of having faith in God and living by faith.
At night, we had a night service in one of the nearby longhouse (Aur, I think)at about 8pm. Many people from the church and different longhouses nearby attended the meeting and were blessed by God's word shared by Seaw Chin, who spoke on the reason Christ died for us all and what's next after this life. Its amazing to see how God uses them at times to bless us...Lisa had one of those defining moments too that night. Wanna know more? You gotta ask her... :) Also, Alison and my buddy Samson shared their life testimony that night. Once service was over, it was time to finally rest after a long day for all of us.
Enjoy the photos for Part 1 of our Sarawak adventure...hopefully the pictures will be able to give you a feel of what's it like to be there. God bless!
The group frantically doing some last minute packing at 3.45am!
"Does this go here or there?" Notice the boys in the background...btw, that's Jon and Sheila in the foreground.
Time is tickin' away...cmdr keeping a close watch on the arrival of Amy!
The scene at the airport...by 5am, its already jam packed! JC giving us a good mornin' smile!
Ahh...its gonna be a good day! Shaun and Asher posing for us...
This was how long our luggage check-in line was...good trick to make everyone else queue up elsewhere!
Seaw Chin and the girls...and Samson doin some marketing for our food supplies! Where's the boys? Well, we were chillin' out at a local shopping complex nearby...enjoying the aircon and scenery!
After nearly 5 hours on the road, we finally reached Sion Baptist Church in Betong!
Kingsmen gathering...gotta' start 'em young, my friends!
Tea time...our favourite time of the day! Sugared-cream crackers with tea/milo! Yummyy...
Laura and her 'booty' Alison cleaning out the spare parts inside a chicken...
Aww...what a lovely sight! The ladies cleaning and cutting up the longbeans for dinner...
While everyone was busy doin something, here's Andy doing what he does best!
Prayer meeting under the moonlight and stars...breathtaking!
The people gathered in the church for Sunday morning service...
Sheila presenting her testimony to the Sunday congregation...
Lisa's turn to share her story of God's love and faitfulness in her life!
When Cmdr Gid has that look on his face, man...you gotta listen! Full of intensity...
Laura teaching the Children's Church during Sunday service...lovely kids!
Noticed Asher's distorted smile? Wasn't too sure if Daniel was paying attention during the sermon...:)
Principle of smiling: You smile at me, I'll smile at you! :)
The people rushed out for prayer...there was an awesome hunger for God among them.
The church members standing alongside and praying for Pas. Leslie and sis. Ensinggan...
Laura posing with some cute kid...:)
Amy's turn to pose with that same cute kid...
The youths seated during the short youth gathering after morning service...
A scene from the skit we acted out at Aur longhouse..here we see Jason pleading his innocence to the judge aka Dandy...his crime? Stealing chickens!
Alison...looking all 'red riding hood', sharing her testimony of God's healing!
Ahhh..presenting you...MY BUDDY! A big applause for my frenchman Samson! :)
Here's Seaw Chin sharing the Word of God. Standing alongside her is our translator, Sis. Ruth...
All in all, its was a good day's work. Time to call it a night and rest well for the coming days... God bless!
Stay tuned for the coming episodes of our Sarawak Mission trip, even as we relive the moments to share with you the experience. More awesome and juicy stuff to come in the coming days...
God bless, my friends....Selamat lemai!
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