Exist To Transform

Posted on Dec 12th, 2011

Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu to Tunas Baru

It has been an honor. Went on a mission trip to Tunas Baru, Sabah with SIBKL.

33 of us in total. 32 went to Sabah, 1 stayed back in Kuala Lumpur to hold the fort.

The number 33, Jesus died on the cross when he was 33. How awesome right?

As we bought separate plane tickets, my group were suppose to be the first to arrive in Kota Kinabalu. But a screw came loose off one of the AirAsia airplane and our flight was delayed from 9:30am till 11:50am. “The first shall become the last” verse came to mind.

Nevertheless, the group that did arrive first, some lost their baggage and it was found to be on one flight later.

From the busy town of Kota Kinabalu, we sat a van whose air-conditioning unit was for decoration, for 4 hours into the heart of Sabah.

Upon arrival at Kampung Tunas Baru, the whole town was lined up from the beginning of where the van was parked, all the way into the church hall. Everyone shook hands with everyone.

Baggage were passed around using human chains.

Each of us were to carry 5kg worth of books from sponsors.

Sleeping conditions was awesome. The floor seems to have some “magnetism” to it. Once you lie down, you just don’t feel like getting up.

Surrounded by mosquitoes and many other type of bugs we soon used Wonda Oil which contain Tea Tree Oil to ward off these insects.

Strangely the kampung people said they have no problems with mosquitoes. Maybe us city people are like fresh blood for these blood suckers.

The church hall was brand new. The benches were hand-made. Solid. Though due to the quantity and time-constraint, they weren’t sand-papered.

Cats and Dogs

There was this black and white cat. They live like kings. Taking their choice picks of leftover foods we can’t finish by crawling into the bins, and occasionally just give us those puss-in-boots eyes longing for some food.

The cats and dogs live peacefully. Together the kampung is free of mouse and thieves.

They are assets. If you run over a dog for example, penalty is RM500. Much worse if it’s a chicken or a cow.

Exist to Transform : Building Leaders

The whole purpose of Exist to Transform was more than just equipping the people. It’s to build leaders to train leaders. Almost like leaving a legacy.

Fish for a man and you fish for him everyday. Teach him how to fish and he’ll fish for you someday.

It takes passion, love and sacrifice to be able to be a leader. The cost is great, but the reward is greater. It is greatest when you serve Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God.

Digital Asylum and the Luxuries of Kampung Life

It was a very good experience to not be disturbed by any social media. To get one bar of reception is luxury. To be able to send out that one sms is already a success. To receive one… unheard of.

5 long days with no reception was good training. Forces you to quiet down, to know you won’t die because no internet.

Tissue paper was much treasured.

Cold murky water from the mountains were your bath water. You use a pail to splash yourself. I took a bath at 5am one morning, my teeth cringed and knees shivered till I managed to put on some clothes. What an experience!

They cook with firewood. Rice cooked in 3 large pots stirred by grandmothers who probably have more stamina than us city people.

On the final night, they have this huge kuali, took 4 men to lift. 50kg of wild boar delicacy filled up half that kuali. Cooked for hours with firewood and a shovel. It tasted soooooooo good!

Everyday was a feast. It’s a custom to be respected that the guest will eat first. Then the men. Then the women. It’s just the way it is.

I miss their food already. Portions of chicken twice the size of KFC, eat till your stomach’s content. Chilli that’s uniquely theirs. Hot spicy and yet tasteful.

The Kids

The kids were a energetic bunch. Nearly 100 of them were running jumping screaming and totally excited with games presents and worship. They grasps the lessons like sponges.

Speaking of presents, a few guys went a few days ahead to Sabah first and bought the goodies for the kids worth over RM500! But it beats exporting it from KL. Ranging from chocolates, sweets and maggi mee, to balloons, straws and materials for crafts.

After jumping and leaping for nearly 3 hours, the kids were just as energetic as they had begun. I’m feeling old now.

Food was different at the kids group because we had to drive 1km to Kampung Solot to teach. There the aunties cooked wild boar, eggplant, eggs, fried fish and cheese cake. All sounds ordinary but the taste is not to be trifled with. Second helpings were common place.

Mandi Sungai

A highlight of the trip : river bath. You seriously do take your bath there. The more upstream you are, the better. Take your shampoo and soap and rinse it all downstream to those that are … downstream. hah!

God’s faithfulness was once again shining bright. We prayed hard for good weather for we have over 500 people to play ‘mine field’ with and we aren’t allowed to river bath if it’s raining for the water will be high and muddy. But God was in control. For the days we really need it not to rain, it didn’t! With that, we manage to even river bath two days in a row. Good to know we have God on our side, and we on God’s side.

Exist To Transform 2?

It’s time to say goodbye. Lined up in a long line, everyone shook hands and hugs with everyone else.

Photographed 3982 pictures. Filtered to 1200 pictures.

Going to develop for them 250 pictures and snail mail it back to them for their keeping.

Friendships were created. Already missing the food and the language.

To hope that there’s a next time is not important. But to know that their faith in God is once again kindled, once again to have revival within reach, once again serve the One True Living God.