let's GAP- Miri Mission

Here we go! A group of youngsters from Full Gospel Church heading to Miri, Sarawak to start their missionary works for 8 days from 28th of June to 5th of July.

Day 1 ( 28.06.12 )

Taking flight at 4.10pm from Senai Airport. Due to the slight delay, we reached Miri airport at 6.30pm. Pastor William and Pastor Wilson, two Kenyah pastors handed the first duty to us that night- to visit an Iban village at outskirt, Sungai Rait. I supposed this was the first surprise for our mission team as we actually planned to buy necessity at town area that night. God is really the God who will not test beyond our limit. Due to lack of training, we're not so confidence in Bahasa and thanks God the children there are given Chinese education. We can just rojak when speaking with them. We had a short service started from 8pm and followed by fellowship. About 20 people were there with us. Grabbed the chance to learn a few sentence in Iban language. " Dik manaek?" ( How are you?) "saya sayao kat nuan" ( I like you. )

Doing song presentation-- Dalamnya kasihmu Bapa

*You have filled my heart with greater joy than when their grain and new wine abound. ( Psalms 4 : 7 )

Day 2 ( 29.06.12 )

Buying essential things and the food supplies such as rice, cooking oil, snacks and maggi at supermarket early morning after breakfast and TAWG. Heading to Ulu Baram where Pastor Balan, another Kenyah pastor joined us. Having another service at 8pm at Kem Pulatan where more than 100 combination of Kenyah and Iban attended the service. We started to use Bahasa for the service and the days after. Had a sumptuous dinner.

yummy!

Watching all fathers, mothers, youngsters and children taking turn to worship God. Holy Spirit was working at that place and healing from Jesus fell on the people.

young kids worshiping God.

receiving healing

* Be brave & tough for our Father in heaven is always with us.

Day 3 ( 30.06.12 )

Continuing our journey along the bumpy and curvy mountain road ( which can cause you to vomit ) and dropped by at Long San, the place where Pastor Balan had stayed and served for more than 20 years. We listened the story from Pastor Balan and prayed for the place.

Next, we stopped at a picturesque waterfall ( known as Arau?? not so sure.. ) Whoohoo, dipping our feet in icy cold mountain water. Uncle Melvin showed off his stone flipping skill above surface water. After having tea at Sky View Restaurant, we went to Long Makabar to meet the next pastor, Pastor Jerry. A night service is held at Kem C, a logging camp and we performed the newly-directed chair skit.

beauty of nature :)

xinxiang shared testimony at Kem C

* All Christian around the world shall be united in order to extend God's kingdom.

Day 4 ( 01.07.12 )

Finally, we're here, at Long Jekitan, the first Penan village we're visiting. Taking a 30 mins journey by sampan ( of course it's modified with engine ). We had a morning service at 10am not long after we arrived. Shaking hands with congregations and leading them in dance ( Segala Puji Syukur ). Guys shared their testimony. 

whoohoo!!

Expecting a short rest after lunch but thinking of the cute children, we had to buck up each other -- sculpturing 200 balloons! We, the energetic young people conducted the children service at 2pm with a series of activities.

Our 2 big and cute sisters, Xinxiang and Pei Pei had brought the crowd to the fever pitch by singing and dancing to praise the Lord. The service followed by Gospel Balloon, the drama of The Prodigal Son, games session and the teaching of brushing teeth. We're so glad that the kids seem to enjoy the whole session. Before the dinner, we're to bath in river for the first time ( for most of us )! Night service started at 8pm. We presented another skit, " Holey Heart " with a simple but clear wrap up. Everyone were taking turn to be lead in prayer and filled with Holy Spirit. If you're to compare their service with ours, you'll see how they desired and grabbed every single moment to spend time with God. They have no fix time to end the service and it can just continue until midnight.

bathing in the river with bunch of vibrant kids

* Don't fill your empty heart with wealth, fame, BGR & ect.. but with God's love

Day 5 ( 02.07.12 )

We grabbed the chance to follow the fishermen out to catch fish in the river. Is really awesome to catch the fish by our own though I felt pity for the fish. The freshly caught fish became our lunch not long later. 

nice photo captured by pei pei

Bangun pagi, gosok gigi !

Next, taking another boat ride to Long Tikan, deeper into the jungle. Saw a few topless old ladies. The number of kids here was less, around 20 of them. We had a children service that afternoon as well. Playing captain ball with the kids and of course, girls team got the victory whilst boys received their punishment -- pulling ears! Later on, I taught them the way to brush teeth without toothpaste. They're attentive and watchful in learning. Just got a feeling, the younger generation will soon bring prosper to the village if they continue live in God. Thanks God the villagers were so kind to build a new bathroom for the visitors like us. Night service started at around 8.30pm. Holy Spirit was working even stronger compared to last night at Long Jekitan. From their life, I saw how pure the hearts remain in them. We're so touch receiving the fastidious handmade souvenirs from the people.

* And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. ( Matthew 18:3 )

Day 6 ( 03.07.12 )

Went for another picnic today. The fishermen showed their superb skill -- shooting fish. Another small miracle happened while we bathed in the river. We're using Dettol lotion supplied by Kenneth but it flowed away when we're rubbing our bodies. Frankly speaking, I don't expect to get it back but miracle happened! While we're leaving that place by the sampan, Xinxiang spotted it floating somewhere and managed to get it back. What an amazing story! We're lucky enough to eat the BBQ wild boar, yummy! Afterwards, we went to the last Penan village in our visit, Long B.

handmade gun for fish shooting!

Girl with skin disease

Due to the long period of labor and travel, we're exhausted. Though I felt so sorry for the children, we can no longer to be that energetic as yesterday to play ball game with them. We did a simpler children service and took a short rest before night service. Long Jekitan is the only village with basic facilities such as primary school and clinic ( in building progress ). Due to the bad water quality and poor practice on hygiene issue, most of the children were suffered from infection and skin diseases. Xinxiang and I bathed ourselves in yellowish and muddy river while the rest rather used wet tissue for their bodies. Got so ill and tired that night until I can't focus during the service. The air was unventilated, the hall was hot and stuffy but the worst thing was we're attacked by the mosquitoes and sand flies at that moment! Pastor William, in a very charismatic way, preached to the people and asked the parents to jolt awake their children who're still sleeping for receiving blessing is more important than anything. After the service, we had a debrief with 3 dearest pastor to share what we've learnt throughout the short trip, a very touching moment seeing the 3 pastor shared their life testimony with us.  

lift hand & receive healing & blessing.

* "Behold, I come like a thief! Blessed is he who stays awake and keeps his clothes with him, so that he may not go naked and be shamefully exposed." ( Revelation 16:15 )

Day 7 ( 04.07.12 )

We've been spending our whole day traveling from deep deep jungle to the town which was a good thing as I finally fell sick. Life is too boring and we started "Angel & Mortal" game last night. Don't know whether I'm too smart in guessing or it's too obvious. I recognized my angel last night not long after we announced the game. haha. We stopped by at Long Makabar at 9.30am to get our stuffs after we traveled out by sampan. After a blessing prayer, we gotta say goodbye to Pastor Jerry, who has been treating us so well throughout the journey. Next, we had a long travel by four wheel vehicle and stopped by for lunch and tea. We only reached our hotel by 6pm. Night is always young for the youth like us. We finally accomplished our duty and it's leisure time! Playing poker card ( noted : we're not gambling but only playing ) and watching Bollywood drama. We spent the last wonderful and beautiful night in Miri with each other. Surely, we gonna miss these a lots.

* "Mission only starts once you all arrive at Johor Bahru for this trip is just a training for the upcoming mission in life, " says Uncle Melvin.

Day 8 ( 05.07.12 )

Whoohoo! First day in our mission, we can sleep until anytime as we like. We tried the delicious local food for our breakfast. Taking public bus to a mall and had our lunch at Sugarbun. Truly enjoyed the time with everyone. We even planned and promised for the next return.

found this very funny view where a pair of shoes hanging on the electric cable.

 

Fantastic 6 + 1 ( Uncle Mel )

¹⁵ He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. ¹⁶ Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. ( Mark 16 : 15-16 )