Good day' folks!
Well, now that Christmas has come and gone, all the hustle and bustle of the season over, life's slowly but surely returning to its normal routine pace... what there to look forward to? Well, let me tell you. For those of us who know about it, 2007 is going to be 'de' year to declare God's favour in ourl lives and in our community! So many things in store for us this year, and I just can't wait to see what God's gonna' do through us! Many times we're afraid of the unknown...but friends, as long as we cling on to our God, its going to be an amazing year of adventure and journey with Him. Keep the faith, people! And always build your faith on the One who brought us thus far...
As promised, I'm supposed to finish up the final part of the mission trip. Yes yes...I know. I was supposed to get it done last year...but too many things happened along the way. Activities, work, camp, pets, earthquake...you know the story. And also, thank you to those out there who have constantly reminded me to update the blog. Anyway, I'll stick to my word and finish up the final episode. To all our faithful blog readers, hope this post puts a smile on your faces!
After our 5-day longhouse ministry trip, we finally headed back to Betong, for a time of much needed rest and re-tuning our surroundings to the city life. Once you've left the longhouse, funnily, you start to miss it. Everything about it, hate it or love it, its been a very memorable trip so far. The faces we've seen, the people we've touched, the meals we've had...
After a good nap for all of us in the afternoon, everyone was up and ready to go and as we prepared for the church prayer meeting that night. And now, as always, its back to the photos to tell the tales. Have fun!
Here's the ladies having a scumptious home-cooked meal at the church. Its good to be back home...
Kenny, together with Ali and Laura...noticed their red/darkened faces?
Everyone is good spirits before the prayer meeting began. Have you ever seen cmdr. Gid looking this bright and radiant? With technology, anyone can. Including myself...:)
Cmdr. Gideon making sure nothing falls off...and out of place!
Not too sure what Daniel was up to during this shot...
Daniel and the boys leading the church in a time of good ol' Iban praise and worship!
Praising and worshipping God never felt so good...
Our amazing Grace sharing her testimony. Good stuff!
He thought he could escape...Kevin's turn to share his side of the story!
Reuben sharing the Word during the prayer meeting.
Asher doin her '20 cents' face thingie for the camera...kinda kesian looking eh?
The congregation responding to the Word and worshipping God...
Lighter moments after the prayer meeting. Laura and Asher doing thier thing. If you zoom in close enough, you'll be able to see the hair in her nose! Haha...btw, that's Shaun smiling in the background.
"Young man, why...why do you always do this to me?" Cmdr Gid asks in agony...
The group packing up the goodies and stationaries for the Children's church...I have to say that along the way, lots of Choki-Choki went missing!
Vincci's latest Christmas 2006 shoe collection...as designed by Grace and Kyleen! Good stuff, wei...
Amy, as always...going all crazy and nuts over stuff like these...
Now, I'm sure we all remembered the legendary Capt. Jack Sparrow from Pirates of the Carribean eh? Remember the scene where he paints a pair of eyes over his eyes? Well, here's Amy with her very own version of that scene...
Early the next morning, the group gathered together for a final time of prayer in the Betong Church. This place has been our home and base throughout the trip, and we thoroughly enjoyed our stay over there. And before we left, we prayed a special prayer for Pas. Leslie and his wife, that God will continue to use His servants in a mighty way to do His will, to call His people out of darkness into His marvellous light. Many of us were deeply saddened to depart from this place, and when we finally said our goodbyes, we left in tears. Lord, bring us back one day!
The incredible trio that will always be in our hearts and minds. Here's Pas. Leslie saying a few words that deeply touched and encouraged all of us, just before we left.
From our group to Betong, its goodbye for now.
By God's grace, we'll be back in 2007!
This pic was taken just before we began our 4 hour van ride to Kuching. This was just at the start, no wonder still can smile...:) 4 hours down the road, its a different story!
Stopping halfway for a quick lunch and toilet break at the famous 'Lachao Restaurant'...
I must say that the food in Sarawak ain't too bad after all. Here's cmdr with his konchos...
More pics of the group during lunch...
Here's my favourite part...we went to this nearby native craft and souveneir shop and...boy, we were amazed at the stuff they had there! As usual, the guys were charmed by the cool blades and weapons that were on display. Some of these knives...can qualify as mini-swords! Are these stuff even legal to carry??? Anyway, we all had a good time posing and reliving our childhood dreams...
At least the ladies (and Daniel) were better behaved...resorting to items that adds that extra touch of beauty and elegance. Again, Daniel included...:)
Some of Genghis Khan's weaponry on display, as seen here. Man, this was one cool blade to own! Daniel, as always...drama King!
After our never-ending journey, we finally reached Kuching town. Here's the ladies just before they set off for their shopping escapade! Suddenly all so happy eh?
Sis. Ruth giving out orders on the sleeping rooms for all of us at the Kuching Baptist church!
Sis. Ruth looking all happy and worn out...its been a really good and tiring trip for her. She's been our translator for all our mission trips throughout the years, and we pray that God will continue to bless her and use her to minister to her people. Many times people can be deceived by her small size and looks. But let me tell you, she's a real pocket dynamite!
Here's Cmdr. Gideon preaching to the congregation during the Sunday service in the Baptist Church. I'm telling you, friends....powerful!!
Pics during the ministry time...
The group having a final briefing session and a time of testimony. Many of us had the opportunity to share with the group what's in our hearts and what we've learnt over the past week. Through this sharing, we saw how God's hand of protection and guidance was upon us all the way, right from the very start.
The ladies looking oh-so-good in pastel colour. This was taken during our trip to the airport. Its time to say goodbye soon...
Its airport photo taking session time! Reubs, Win Li, Dan and Asher...I noticed that Asher always seem to have a Choki-Choki with her throughout the trip. Hmm, could it be that...hmmm...
Thank God his bag was small...and thank God that the airport doesn't allow passengers to bring in live fishes and animals! If not, haih...
The boys..and men...Mr. Kong, Jason, Shaun and Reubs!
Reuben and his buddy, Samson! Dont you think they make a great combination??? This is love in action...
More from the ladies, together with a couple of friends who popped by at the airport.
Laura and the guys...
Reubs, Dan and Shaun with the sleeping bag and fan! All the while the pics were about the ladies...now its time for us men! Hahaha...
Laura and Asher...this time without the Choki Choki! Surprisingly...
Asher with Sis. Ruth...
The time has finally come to say goodbye to Sis. Ruth. She's been with us throughout our entire journey, and she's always been one of us...sama kaki. We'll definitely miss her and her midnight 'parties'...
Still got time for one more group pic...
Its either he's really sad...or he's having a bad case of tummy ache!
I've come to realize something...girls and cameras...or basically anything with a lense, cant be separated for too long! They're like...meant for each other!
Ahhh...our final picture! Yes friends, with AirAsia, everyone can fly! And its good to be going home. I guess all of us did miss home dearly. Strangely, all the songs that spoke of 'going home' started to play in my mind...Michael Buble's 'Home', the everfamous 'I'll be home for Christmas', Engelbert Humperdinck's 'Green Green Grass of Home', the classic 'Take me home, country roads to the place where I belong'....
I missed home...dearly.
With that, we've concluded our virtual journey of the adventure we've had in Sarawak. Its been my pleasure to able to take you back in time and share with you the experiences we've had over there. And truly, when we ask ourselves...what's the one thing that we've learned through this trip? Well, what I can say is, our God is forever faithful and true. In the stillness and quietness, He was there. Through our ups and downs, He was there. And through the storm, He carried us through it. Friends, He will never leave us nor forsake us. He's our God for all eternity!
God bless!
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