Sarawak Adventure 2007 - Day 1 & 2... By: The Boss No comments

HONEY, I'M HOMEEEEEEE!!!

Ahhh...what an AMAZING trip we've had! Rangers, Youths, Friends and fellowmen...Good evening! Boy oh boy, I'm excited as ever! Just like a little kid waiting to pop open his Christmas gifts! Alison sums it up best with her quote of the week..."I'm so excited I feel like tap-dancing!" Amen, sister! We've got so many stories to tell, I'm sure I'm gonna have a fun time tellin' you all about it...

This post and the following ones will be about Sarawak Team 2 and the adventure that we've just had. My apologies for not being able to write much about Sarawak Team 1 and the Thailand group's adventure, unless if there'a a kind soul out there willing to tell me their story. I'll be more than happy to write all about it...! Do let me know yea? If possible, I would love to write and share about each team's experience in Sarawak and also those who went to Thailand. I'm sure we'll all be blessed...

The mission trip for Sarawak Team 2 started off on the 8th of Dec and concluded on the 16 of Dec. I'm telling you friends...I just had one of DE most EXCITING week of my life! Our team comprised of a total of 15 members from GT Klang, 3 members from Betong Baptist Church, 2 members from Roban Baptist Church, and our ever faithful Sis. Ruth! This team had it all...I'm telling you...good looks, style, whacko-jacko dudes, mysterious characters, sock-rockers, downright crazee, stress-relievers, button-pushers, whoop-de-doops, 7-eleven, 2-and-a-half Indians...:) You'll find out more along the way...these peope, I TELL you...they drive me up and down the wall, and gave me such a good time that it hurts laughing!

And so...after a hectic and busy week, the team finally gathered in church at 4am on 16-Dec. Looking at them, I'm pretty sure most of them had a tough time sleeping that night...but nevertheless, spirits were high and everyone was raring and ready to go! Uncle Stewart prayed for protection over the team throughout our journey and time over there in S'wak and blessed before we left for KL LCCT. Many thanks to our faithful van drivers, Uncle Geok Ling and Uncle Cephas. Not easy staying awake during the hantu hours of the morning...

A time for togetherness and unity in prayer and in spirit.

Checking our bags in in KL LCCT. Air Asia...now everyone can fly. Heh!

And so, after a smooth check in and settling all our luggages, it was time for some sugar-rush! Time to head over to everyone's favourite... McDee! Actually, not much choices over there...anyway, the Breakfast Set looked pretty appealing at 5am! Eat on, boys!

Kevin was feelin emo all morning...with tears in his eyes, he kissed his momma, bed and pillows goodbye...

Alright boys...the party just got started! Here's the guys having a mini Men's Conference over a cuppa' Coffee...always good to have your fellow boys around to support you during times like these. I'm just so blessed for the guys that came along in this trip. Really had such a wonderful time together with 'em...

Now that's what I call a smile!! Once you've had all the sugar in the world, there's no reason to NOT smile...here's Alison - the bubble of the team! Never fails to make us smile with her cute lines and almost dance-like moves...:)

After some morning drama at the flight gate, we finally made it to Kuching at about 8.55am. The cool part was that we almost missed our flight (due to McDee). When we arrived at the gate, the sign said 'Closed'. Someone said "Of course its closed la. Not opened wat!". Haha...next thing we know, an Air Asia staff comes running to us hurrying us onto the plane! Apparently, the wanted to fly out 10 mins earlier! Can you believe that??? Delayed flights are a norm...but taking off earlier than planned???? What's up with these dudes?

We were greeted by Sis. Olivia from Kuching Baptist Church, who picked us up from the Airport. Headed straight to a nearby restaurant for MORE breakfast. Meal of the morn: red-coloured Kolo Mee. From what I heard, the noodles got its colour from the Char siew meat...Hmmm, not bad, actually...and oh, you gotta try their Teh See Peng Special! 3-layered...authentic Sarawak stuff! Obviously, its nothing compared to our very own Lapan Macam! Steadyyy la...

Reached thr church around 10am, rested and just lazed around. A youth Rally was scheduled that night an the event was anchored by our church. Team 1 arrived at the church at around 2pm and boy, were we glad to see them! They've been gone for a week, ministering at longhouses and blessing the people over there, and it was great to have them back in civilization. They were just so excited to share their stories and how God has been good to them. After a time of music and skit practice, it was time for dinner.

Here's Alwyn, Reubs, Connie and Jon sharing a moment together during dinner...we had our favourite dish that night: Bamboo Chicken! Gotta try it someday soon, people...

Cmdr. Gid wasn't feeling too well and so the boys gathered to pray for Him that evening. He was scheduled to preach that evening for the Rally...and certainly, both God and Cmdr. Gid did not disappoint!


Chan Chiew HOEEE and his emo pose...these guys are getting pretty good at it too...

Looks like one of our usual YA meetings eh? Haha...well, our youths gathered together for a time of prayer before the Rally. We had a powerful time praying together, ushering in God's presence into that meeting hall.

Here's Mel doing what he does best on the keyboard...

And just in case you forgot...Christmas is NEXT TUESDAY!!! Somebody please ask me what I want this Christmas, yea?

Lee Yee and Kelly, during the time of prayer...


Olivia, Andy and Seaw Chin leading the pre-service prayer worship...

Here's Pas. Greman, the Chairman of the Baptist Church. I'm telling you friends...when this man speaks, ppl listen and get inspired! This man was BORN to preach! :)


With our hands lifted up Lord, we surrender all that we are to You...

"Do I look fat? I think I have fatty cheeks", Daniel asks Lisa, who can't help but agree...:)

Here's Tzi Li, Cheryl (with one of the MANY signature pose) and Daniel...

Ahh...our favourite Sis. Ruth! Going strong as ever...

We had an amazing time during the Rally. A wonderful time praisin' & worshipping the King, blessed through the testimonies by Sherlyn and Anna Joy. Certainly God has been good and faithful to them. Team 2 then presented a skit aptly entitled 'Everything', by Lifehouse. This skit is basically about God and man...and how much we need Him. Created by God, and then distracted by the pleasures of this world...it depicts a man's struggle to run back to God. Ultimately, it was God who reached out to us. Powerful. Unfortunately we do not have a recording of the skit, but to have an idea of how it went, have a look at the video below...believe me when I say it was just as good! I could see people with tears in their eyes as they watched us present this skit...Here's a couple of pics from the skit! Really loved the intensity and passion put in by our members...

Here we see man fighting his way back to God...not an easy task as he's gotta fight his way through past Eric and the rest....

In this scene, we see man being rescued by God...if you look behind him, you can see someone in white with his arms outstretched, protecting man from the evil of this world i.e. Eric, Wei San, Cheryl, Tzi Li and of course, Daniel...total evil...:)

Next up was da man himself, Cmdr. Gideon! Cmdr. Gid preached from the life of Daniel and how Daniel never compromised his stand and beliefs in God. We spent the night praying and ministering to the youths that came and God never failed to show up! Powerful stuff, I'm telling you. See, I did listen to the sermon! :)

Enjoy the vid!

We will be presenting this skit again at our YA! Christmas Party on the 22nd Dec in HCIT, Klang Parade. Don't miss it, people...

A time for refreshments after the rally...lots of drinks and Tiger biscuits!

What in the world has gotten into Mel???


With food in their mouths, everyone's happy! Cheryl and TL...

Ian, Anna, Lee Yee and Cheryl (again.....). She seems to be popping up in every shot, eh?

Family photo time! Everyone was really excited and looking forward to an amazing week ahead! For some, it was time to go home..and for the rest, it was time to march on!


Jason Ong showing you how thirsty he is...while Dan can't seem to get rid of his bad habits...haha...dont our props for the skit look really authentic??? Or are those things real? :)

Three's a party! Ker Shin, PJ, and Su Vien doin their monkey thing...what's with SV's face?

A ranger is ALERT! Always keep your sleeping bag closeby...never know when you're gonna need it, especially with friends like Daniel around... better safe than sorry!

And so, after a long and fruitful day, it was finally time to call it a day and get some long-overdue rest...

~* End of Day 1* ~

Day 2 (9th Dec) started off bright and early...as you know, in Sarawak, the sun rises at about close to 6am...and therefore, everyone had an early start to the day...washing up and getting ready for breakfast and then Sunday Service in Kuching Baptist Church. Oh boy...best time to sleep is usually the time when you gotta' wake up! Haha...

Always good to see a smile early in the morning... A smile a day keeps the baddies away...

Check out our guest preacher looking all fired up and prosperous! :)


The 4 Non-Blondes...Shawn, Reuben, Kingsley & Shaun...

Here's Eric together with one really cool character we found in the Baptist Church...Danny! I'm telling you friends...this dude has got loads and bags of energy...hardly ever sleeps, always up to something, and definitely a fun-loving kid! Loves dancing and being entertained by the ladies...



Jon doin his 50-cent trick on Danny...50 CENTS in Da House, Yoooo!


Ahhh...what a waste! Almost caught TL doin the kapal korek...toegther with Alison, who takes the colour Red to a whole 'nother level! If you could only see her shoes...Little Red Riding Hood would probably cry...



Here's Adrian sharing his testimony during the morning worship service. Alongside him is Pas. Greman, who translated his testimony.

Team 1 presenting their skit during the morning service...I particularly liked their face paintings and the magic bag that Ernest is holding...you can practically hide anything in there and make it vanish! How cool is that??

Here's our indestructable Andy presenting a song in Bahasa to bless the people. It sounds pretty good and its got a lovely tune to it. Let's hope to sing it one day in church yea?

And so, after a good morning service and a powerful sermon by our very own Pastor Gid, it was finally time to say goodbye to Sarawak Mission Team 1, who had to catch their flight back to KL at 3pm. It was a sad feelin seeing them go, after having so much fun together just for 2 days. Imagine a whole week together!!! But nevertheless, they deserved their rest after almost 11 days in Sarawak...and now it was time for Team 2 to begin their own journey to the longhouses...

And so...agenda for the entire day: REST & RECUPERATE!

Now that's what I call chillin out...Cmdr. Eric feeling one with the matress and pillows!

Ahhh...the good life! Much rest was needed for the long journey ahead...haven't really slept well since we arrived at Sarawak...

And so, we spent the rest of the evening preparing our skits, songs, sermons, testimonies, and also spent lots of time praying together as a group. Everyone was really looking forward to a fantastic and exciting week ahead. On Monday morning, we'll be travelling to Roban, which is about 6 hours drive away. Its going to be one loooooooong van ride. And so, this is where my story for the first 2 days stop. For the following day's adventure, do keep a lookout for my next post. I promise to update you guys daily, ok? Better get the stories out while its still fresh in my mind! Still got loads of stuff to tell you about...juicy stuff, definitely! :) I see some worried faces out there...haha...

Till then, continue to live the adventure and keep the fire burning for Him. Live this life for Him, cause everything else ain't worth it...

*pics courtesy of Dan Seliong*