Sarawak Mission Trip : Sibu (Day 8 & 9)

Our visit to the long houses has come to an end. We had finished visiting all the four long houses that we had set out to do. Its funny how time pass so very quickly. Five days just gone by like that. Time and days are insignificant when in the jungle. Though I hope these insignificance would remain as I would be missing all of this. My last boat ride would be from Langok to Entabai. There we would unload our belongings after spending 5 days in the wilderness and seeing again roads instead of waterways. While we were there, we managed to meet some fellow long houses whom we had met. There were people from Engsiring, Masit, Rantau Rimau and Masit. It was good to have met them again and say our last farewell. Some were begining to shed tears as we left and the sight was an emotional one.

We travelled to Julau to meet pastor Paul's wife and then headed to Sibu where we would be staying at the SIB church there.









We reached Sibu town in a span of one hour and a half and soon made our way to the church where we took our bath and rested.







John left us there to be reunited with his wife, Charlene. I finally got to meet the woman who has been sending him letters throughout the entire trip. She strike me as someone tall and quite pretty. The group were treated dinner at night by the Von Tunder.





When we went for dinner, John had to go on two trips from the church to the restaurant. However, we decided to be adventurous and had all of us go in the Pajero in one sitting. We were on our way to visit the Von Tunder residence. Here is how we sat in the Pajero.





I was in awe as we reached John's place. It was quite a big double storey terrace house. I was shocked when he told me the rental of the place was only RM400 for such a big property. He mention that this was all God's blessings and that God provided for him all, from the Pajero to the house to the furniture within the house. We sat at his place listening attentively to his love story of how he and Charlene met. It was all God's plan that both of them would to meet and how both of them actually dreamt of marrying one another one day. It soon came to pass after 8 months of courtship and they were married in Penang. Parents from South Africa and Canada met in this tiny island where both of them spend most of their time together. It was very encouraging to hear the love story of missionaries and how God brings two total strangers from two different nation in holy matrimony.







We made our way back later on though I had wanted to stay on longer for more stories. There were some preparation that were needed to be made for tomorrow service. The team would be divided into two teams where one will take the Iban service and another the BM service at two different venues. I was choosen together with Kevin, Jane'nette and Szu Li to attend the BM service together with John and Charlene. There, I decided to share my testimony hich I had shared in Langok. I did not feel after it that I had conveyed what I had intended to say. It could be due to overconfidence that sometimes we rely on our own strength and find that there is no results. I just hope that whatever that comes from my mouth would be understood by the congregration. The church comprise of many different ethnic groups such as Iban, Lun Bawang, Kelabit and even Chinese. I managed to get to know some of the people there though was hoping there was more time to know all of them.





During lunch, we had a priviledge to meet Pastor Jeffrey. I found out that he is the son of the prophet that was responsible for the revival in Gunung Murut. Initially, he seem quiet but after he became to speak, it was an endless conversation. We had lunch at one of the big malls in Sibu and he began to tell about his love life as well which I didn't have the oppurtunity to listen as I was sitting on the next table. It was interesting to hear from the others about it.





We tend headed back to church for some rest before we headed to the airport for home. Before that, we stop by some shop to get some mini buns which I heard is famous in Sibu expecially among the Teochew people.



Time to relax and unwind before we depart...



Our last dinner in Sibu and Sarawak...





Awards or some love gifts presented to...


Pastor Paul


Pastor Kanyan


John...I mean Pastor John

So Long Farewell, Are We to Say...See You Again! Baier Donkie!



Home Sweet Home....







All in all, it was a great trip. God was with us throughout the entire trip. I was truly blessed by my visit to the long houses, sharing with them and spending time with them. Not forgetting my wonderful mission group mates whom I had gotten to know them a lil better. I will truly missed this trip and will have fond memories. Hope we are able to return back again next year, now it would be time to take leave to go. Thank God!