So I guess not many Ho Ho Ho's anymore eh? By now all the presents should have been opened...all the mysteries in the gift box unwrapped...no more Santas climbing down our chimneys...and getting stuck there...This year, I got some pretty interesting gifts. Some were quite unexpected, some just made me laugh...and some made me go 'Awww...' Many thanks for your thoughtfulness, friends!
And so, our adventure carries on. After leaving Lubok Nibong longhouse, the team then travelled to a nearby jetty, about 30 mins drive away. Due to our lack of transportation, the group had to be split up into 3, which means...bad news. :) Basically, the 1st group that left for the jetty had to wait for almost 3 hours before the all the members could arrive at the jetty! And so, being on the first group...we were praying that there would be shelter or probably even some minimarkets around the jetty...and to our surprise...there WAS NONE!!! No shelter...no minimarket...only the river, and our good ol' friend, the sun! It seemed pretty happy to see us, judging from how bright it shined on us! :)
Anyway, remembered how animals go crazy when you tie them under the sun for hours? Well...not much different from us humans too! Carry on to find out our story...
The 1st team that travelled to the jetty...here seen posing at the jetty with our Tiger Biscuit...the only source of food at that moment. Everyone was dreaming of getting our hands on Alison's packet of Chipsmore!!
And so...when there's nothing much to do for the next 2 hours...and you're all alone at the jetty, what do you do? We tried story-telling, staying in touch with the latest Hollywood gossips from Klang, even tried to earn some money playing the guitar...but hey, nothing beats posing for the camera! Here's Dan doin the one-arm guitar, armpit-exposed, pose!
Hey hey...check this out...It's the SPB! Sarung Party Boys...and err..Shaun, what are you doing with my towel, young man???
To be honest...I have no idea who this fella is. Judging from the possibility of hair on the leg, I'm thinking its one of us guys...*fingers crossed*
Guess what...from the moment these 2 arrived, they immediately got into the act. This is one of those Canon 'emo shots' moment. How often do we get to play on the roads, pose for pics all day long, without getting smacked by some passing vehicle???
Natasha, Cheryl, Letchumy and Tryphena getting their girl band CD cover shot done...
Thank God for the car that was parked at the jetty. Gave us just enough shade for our head. Rest of our body...its sun-tan time!! Woo hoooo...more chindian friends in the making!
And so...when there's nothing much to do for the next 2 hours...and you're all alone at the jetty, what do you do? We tried story-telling, staying in touch with the latest Hollywood gossips from Klang, even tried to earn some money playing the guitar...but hey, nothing beats posing for the camera! Here's Dan doin the one-arm guitar, armpit-exposed, pose!
Hey hey...check this out...It's the SPB! Sarung Party Boys...and err..Shaun, what are you doing with my towel, young man???
To be honest...I have no idea who this fella is. Judging from the possibility of hair on the leg, I'm thinking its one of us guys...*fingers crossed*
Guess what...from the moment these 2 arrived, they immediately got into the act. This is one of those Canon 'emo shots' moment. How often do we get to play on the roads, pose for pics all day long, without getting smacked by some passing vehicle???
The Bering sea...a vast ocean of the some of the world's most dangerous waters...and home to the deadliest catch......
Missionaries!! Here's the team heading towards the ferry that will take us across the river.
Missionaries!! Here's the team heading towards the ferry that will take us across the river.
More shots of the group on board the ferry. Surprisingly, Cheryl did not do her trademark pose for ONCE! :)
Once we got across the river, it was an hours hike to the next longhouse. Started off on tar road, but then detoured into the jungle for a mosquito-invested hike. Here's Connie and CJ taking the word umbrella to a whole new level! Must be the heat....:)
And so, after a long and muddy hike, we finally reached the next longhouse, Sg. Kali! And for some...its been a really dirty hike. Due to some unavoidable circumstances, some even decided to take a dip and dive into small pools of water along the hike. Why? I dont know. Maybe the stinking water seemed tempting. If you wanna know the story...go ask the victims themselves. Namely Agnes, Chiew Hoe, Sheila...Reuben....:)
And so, after arriving, the team had lunch, washed up and had a time of rest. It was good to be with the people. We were so blessed by their warm hospitality and their generosity. After non-stop eating, it was time to begin the night service. Let's get this party started!! Here's Reuben introducing the team to the longhouse people.
The kids were having a good time too! Had lots of fun and exercise during the praise and worship session.
Here's our Mr. 'Anak Aku Raja' Chiew Hoe, sharing his testimony on how God made it possible for him to be here in Sarawak. Point to note: Notice his hands??? Dude...top half is Chinese, bottom half is BBQ chicken...
Wei San's turn to share her testimony on how God transformed her life and her family...such a blessing to hear her testimony!
Our man of the night, Jon Lee sharing the sermon during the service together with our one and only translator, Sis. Ruth.
More pics of the kids at the longhouse. Not a very big one though. Sg. Kali longhouse has only about 7 families. This is one of the smaller longhouses we've visited.
Jon praying for the people during the alter call time.
After the night service, we then went from house to house to pray for the families at the longhouse. At this particular house, the mother in the pic shared to us about how she wants us to pray for her son. When she saw us perform the skit about the Prodigal Son, she said that her son was exactly like that character portrayed. After some time of sharing with them, we finally led the son in saying the Sinner's prayer. Praise the Lord!
We want to thank God for the many lives that turned back to God and also for the family that came to know the Lord that night. We believe that God brought us all the way to that longhouse for a very purpose, and that is to share of His love for His people. Truly, we thank God for the opportunity we had to share God's word with them. And to see an entire family receive Jesus as their personal saviour was itself an amazing experience for all of us.
This concludes our adventures for Day 6. For some, its been a physically-draining day. Its been tough emotionally for some too. But nevertheless, everyone was looking forward to another day...another day to bless His people. As for now, its time to pay my sleeping bag a visit...zzzz.
~* Day 7 *~
Day 7...wow! The days are fast...and the best part is, we have no idea what's happening out there back home! What's the latest in world news? We can only wonder...as they say, no news is good news! :) Eveyone was up and running by 6.30am. Washed up, changed, got together for a time of group devotion and then it was time for some morning exercise...for the tummy, that is! BREAKFAST!! Yummmmy...
Here's how the toilet area looks like...nothing compared to a 5-star hotel eh?
I've come to a conclusion...I believe every longhouse has sort of a 'penjaga' or watchdog near the toilet area...and in this case, its a rooster! One over-sized, mean-looking rooster! Whenever you wanna go to the loo, you gotta keep a close eye on this fella. You'll never know when he's gonna start flapping at you or even take a peck at you! For the previous longhouse, it was the pig. Now that fella's a different class of its own.
Here's Alison having some girl talkwith some of the kids. They seem pretty happy to be around her. She's like the big sister they never had...:)
Presenting you...Sg. Kali Baptist Chapel. And oh...the design for the Baptist Church is exactly the same as the one we saw in Lubok Nibong longhouse. Interestingly, both the Baptist church in Roban and Betong also have the exact same design also! Must be the same architect eh?
After breakfast, the people then gathered at the chapel for our morning service. The air was fresh, the weather was perfect..and everyone was ready to hear God's word!
Here's CJ leading the people in a time of praise and worship. I'm telling you...he's probably the cutest songleader I have ever seen! Esp when he did the song 'Manjong Meh Halelujah!'
This morning, it is our pleasure to have our dear Sheila-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-laaaa to share God's word. Take it away, sister!!
A time of ministry and praying for the needs of the people. It was good to see every team member, from the young to the not-so-old laying hands and praying for the people. This is what I call...On-the-job training!
Shaun praying for the son who accepted the Lord the night before.
And so, after morning service, it was time for us to pack up and leave. But before that, its time for more photos!! Cheryl and Natasha with the kids...
Sg. Kali family photo! It was great to be with them...and to encourage them in their faith and strengthen their walk with the Lord. Even as we left, our hearts and prayers are with them.
So long, farewell...I wish to say goodbye...given a choice, I think they'll want to keep us! Haha...
Alison, Tzi Li and Cheryl doing the starfish pose. They've got potential to become good goalkeepers...
Alison, Tzi Li and Cheryl doing the starfish pose. They've got potential to become good goalkeepers...
Not too sure what Letch (Letchumy, for short) is up to this time. But whatever it is, she makes mud-hiking look real fun. :)
More of Cheryl and her fan club members. This pic was taken just before we left the jetty and headed back to Roban Church.
Hey hey...guess what? That's all for today, folks! Its lunchtime!!! Anyone wanna BKT? Fancy some power soup?? Or perhaps something more sacred...like banana leaf rice? Anyway, have a great weekend, friends! So many things happening, so many celebrations going on....
A happy belated birthday to our dear Cmdr. Sheila Yong, who celebrated her birthday yesterday (28th Dec). God bless yea!
Also...a very happy birthday to Cmdr. Alison who turns 21 tomorrow (30th Dec)!! Wow...this truly is a season for celebrations!
God bless...
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