Carissa Lim - Thank You God

I’m very thankful that I have made it through this mission trip. This trip was very different form the one I went to Thailand but I had fun equally. God has really helped me go through this trip and I have learned a lot.



In the first service we had to pray for the people there which it was really hard for me. I was not comfortable to pray for the people there even though we could use our own language. I asked God to put words in my mouth and give me boldness to pray for them. God answered my prayer. The people there are really hungry for God, and for His word and they are very glad that I prayed for them. I was happy and blessed to see that.



I was also so amazed that God has put us through the 7 hours hike. At first I was doing fine, then it came to a point that I felt like giving up because the road was slippery and it was raining. Further more I saw ahead of me mountain upon mountain that I need to climb. After finishing the hike, I thanked God that I didn’t fall sick or have any muscles cramp. After we had eaten and taken our bath, we had our very first service in that very first longhouse, though it was very late. I thanked God for the strength He has given to all of us to do His work and to bless the people there.



I really had a great time in every longhouse. Although the environment was different and difficult, I enjoyed the food, the people and the fellowship there. I had built new friendship and I really had fun with them. Within our team, our relationship has grown stronger and we knew one another better.



I really thanked God that He has placed me in this trip and for the help He has given me and for everything He done to me. I never regret joining this trip because I have experience all the good things He has done to me and I hope that I can go back again.

A word from her.

I've received a msg this morning from evelyn.

Just for an update, David is being discharged now(10:20am)

He will be resting at home :)

Thanks for all your prayers and concern.

Take care and God bless.

Quick Update!

Evelyn said her brother is ok and is resting now. Everything went well. She said David had stomach ache since two days ago. But he is ok already.

So for those that had received the sms and prayed for David, thanks!

Do message him or call just to let him know that we've and we're there for him.

If you see him, ask him hows it yea?

You guys and girls know what to do..

:)

God bless!

URGENT prayer

I received this msg from Evelyn Yap at 10:29am.
I'm sorry that I did not post this up straight. My apologies.

The msg goes like this:

Hey guys, this is Evelyn. David has been admitted in the Sunway Medical Centre due to appendicitis. He had to have an immediate operation and is now in the operating room. Please pray for him that everything will be okay. Thank you. God bless.

I haven receive any latest news on how everything went. Please friends pray for our brother David Yap. Pray that everything had went well and he will have a speedy recovery. Not to forget to pray for his family as well. They must be very worried. They're a very close-knitted family.

Thanks readers.

I'll update as soon as i find out hows he.

God bless ya all.

Sara Lee-Reason to go for Missions

For the past few years that Youth Alive! has sent mission teams to Sarawak, I would be back here, patiently anticipating their return. Each time they come back, they never fail to bring with them a truckload of pictures, stories, experiences and testimonies. I would merely be fascinated or amused by their stories and experiences. Though I knew they changed lives and did very well there, I didn’t really believe I had to go with them. Probably because I was so satisfied and comfortable with everything I have here.



This year, everything fell in place for me to go. And go, I did. I didn’t really put much thought into it because to me, this was something I needed to just add to my belt of achievements. The most I did was worry of how would I be put into good use there. I could never have been more wrong as I was soon to discover. I need not have worried about how He was going to use me.



The hiking was an adventure to me. The outdoors really wasn’t foreign territory to me. So the hiking was quite fun. Though at times we really did feel like just sitting down and letting go. Rolling ourselves after our bags down the hill would have been much easier. But here’s where I learnt Lesson #1. It always pays to give your best to God. When I felt I couldn’t go on or when I was overcome with my physical deficiencies, all I needed to do was look around. Because when I do, I see others pushing on. I see them going strong, fighting the battle. Fighting for the same cause as I was. Seeing them push on, gives me that extra push to continue. For that is when I remember that we’re doing all these with one sole purpose that deserves all we have. We never know when our actions serve as encouragement to our fellow patriots.



Even when it came to service time, we would be exhausted from that day’s hike, putting us in no position to give our best. But that’s where I learnt to really draw the needed strength from God because there is really nothing and no one else to depend on. When we did and pushed on, we were well rewarded by how He touched the people. Because when we gave our all to bless them in all our actions, we were blessed even more to see the fruits of our labor or the seeds planted. Each time we reach a long house, nothing melts us and rewards us more than to see the people readily welcoming us, giving all that they have and the kids running about excitedly with a smile etched on each of their faces, letting us know it was all worth it.



There’s no better place to get to know this person you call God than when it’s only you and Him. Being in the mission field, we get thrown off our perfect little island. We’re capable of feeling so comfortable back home because we have everything built revolving around ourselves. Our friendships, amenities, possessions, leaders which we are able to work around. But there, we’re stripped of all these things that we hide behind. We’re forced to face our fears and doubts, which finally will show how much we have actually depended on God. Without things for us to hide behind, we rise up, finding our place and faith. All these caused me to realize that most of the time, the biggest distraction and obstruction is actually myself. I learnt to reach out to Him and no one else.



There are so many more things I have got out of this trip. All the firsts too; like preaching, hiking in the rain, bathing in the river and loads more of all those. Many more things I have learnt to deal with and learn. Things that we see on top of the hills, in the long houses, the heart of giving and simplicity in the people there proved to be such a humbling experience as we are reminded of how the same God that created all of it created us and there are just no limitations to Him. Not forgetting the friendships and laughter. Something that will bind us uniquely and strongly having shared this Sarawak experience together.

Out of all this, He deserves to be glorified. I went; He Conquered and He brought me back. Now together we’re going to continue in the mission fields of our everyday lives. This year, I finally have my side of the story to tell. I have experiences to talk about. Pictures and testimonies to share. But I will say the same as all have said, “Go for mission trip.” For all that I have learnt, no less will you see and learn because He is the same God every year and everywhere. I would not have traded this to conclude 2008 for anything else, for this will be engraved and etched in my heart indefinitely.

Phaik Joo- Building and Strengthening

Before I go for this mission trip, I heard many things about the route my team is going to hike. Things like the route is very narrow and steep, it will be worst if it rains, it’s very tiring and etc. All negative comments. Knowing myself, I am not an outdoor person. I was very worried that I will not be able to make it and afraid I will be a burden to my team. It did rain when we hike, making the ground slippery. Many fell down. Which scare me even more. However I thank God that no one injured and giving me friends who encourage and help me during the hike. Without them, I don’t think I will be able to make it. I also want to take this time to thank God for His strength and protection throughout this trip.




Besides, this mission trip has taught me to be contented to what I have. Apart from being contented, I’ve also learnt how to tolerate and be patience. God taught me these through many ways. One of the many ways is when my team leader asked us to serve food to the people there, and also do the dishes after meal. Imagine after the long hike, you’re all tired yet you still have to wash plates. Not one or two plates, but a lot, until I am not bothered to count them. I’ve got no choice but to do it. Mission trip is always a place for you to build and strengthen friendship too. In this trip, I manage to make friends with people whom I’ve never smiled or talk to in church.



In spiritual wise, I wouldn’t say this trip has make lots of difference in this area. However, I am truly blessed through the preaching, skit and testimonies. It reminded me once again of God’s faithfulness.

Casovia Khoo-Ordinary for the Extraordinary

This is my first mission trip and it has been a great experience: Different environment, different culture, and different people. All of these were way out of my comfort zone.



The 7 hours hike to Muman was really faith-stretching and tiring. Never ending mountains, hills over hills, slippery paths, the pouring rain and blisters made me want to give up, but i thank God that He gave me the strength to persevere on plus encouragements and helps from all my team members.



It was just amazing to see how God worked in the lives of the Iban people. We never actually get to see things like that back at home. Therefore I feel that all the hard work was really worth it.

Young as I am, I was amazed at how I could pray for the people as I had never even done it before. I pray that God will use me, the ordinary to do more extraordinary works for Him.




Mission trip this year was just awesome. The people, the food, the hike, the boat ride, the rivers......yeah, practically everything. Jesus really rocks! If there are missions again next year I would surely go back for it.

KeLLy YaP - Reflection

This mission trip was really a different trip from what I’ve expected, it helped me see things in so many different perspectives. This year, I’ve learned how to really focus on what I’m suppose to do and also to know what’s my purpose on this trip. When i start to look back and reflect on what God had done in this mission trip, i was just so amazed and grateful for what He did. The fact that after the 7hours hike, the dangerous journey to the longhouse, each and every one of us is still alive, God had been protecting and providing us strength all the time, even the times when we don't think we'll still have the strength to do it, spiritually and physically.



It was also a faith-stretching moment when we knew that other team had to go through the 7 hours hike to reach Muman because of the heavy rain and there was nothing that we can do at that moment but to pray and have faith that they will reach Muman safely. But through this I’ve learned to have faith and rely completely on God despite feeling so helpless, despite all the circumstances, He is always always in control. And that night when i saw everyone reached the longhouse, looking all so tired and muddy, i couldn't help thanking God again and again, knowing that He had heard all of our prayers and cries for help.



That night, when everyone had finally settled down, i was surprised that Cmdr still wanted to have a service, he said "Our tiredness and our sickness, that is all secondary, the primary thing is the ministry." I was really encouraged by what he said that night.



I've learned so so much through this mission tirp, I’ve learned to pray for people more confidently, I’ve learned to be thankful in little little things in my life, and I’ve learned to give all the glory to God because He truly deserves it.

=)

Trisha Ching

Can I start with a joke? Ok… I shall…
Q ~ What do you call a sleeping cow?
A ~ A bulldozer…
Haha! Cmdr… are you awake now?? Anyways…


Mission trip has really made an impact in my life… I never once like to pray for people, I never once have the guts to pray for people… but all that changed after missions. During that Youth Rally, I finally felt that God was with me, and I can do anything through He who strengthens me and I can even speak in tongues which I actually can’t at first. And, this has really taken me a step deeper in my relationship with God.

The 7 hours hike… I actually kinda enjoy it but well, without lunch and dinner, it’s tougher and I wasn’t feeling really well that day, plus, I bought the wrong kinda shoes… Thinking back, it’s really amazing how God pulled me through. It’s like every time you hike up a slope you’ll be praying very very hard that the long house will appear, reveal itself and no one likes that feeling, it’s very torturing. And, one of my friend cried, she really can’t continue anymore, and of course I encouraged her and all, and we hold hands and prayed and we even did that twice.

Actually, I really wanted to just give up, sit down under the rain and wait for some truck to come by and pick me up, but I told myself that I need to hang on, because there’s still someone I needa care for and my mission is to reach the longhouse and reach out to the people there. I fell, a lot a lot of times, I slipped, a lot a lot of times and my tears just can’t hold back anymore and it just came bursting out. I felt so alone even tho I knew God was with me, I felt so unsaved, I felt so unloved. I felt so useless that I was crying. To others, I’m like some strong girl, can climb every mountain, can cross every sea, but, no one knows. I cry at just some tiny whiny stuff, I cry when there’s nothing to cry about, I cry when people’s sharing their testimony and I’m always the only one crying!

But true enough, our awesome God kept all of us safe and we reached the long house not half-dead, not complaining, but with a joyful and happy heart even tho all of us were tired. During all the hikes to the longhouses, I needed Samson and Ah Sher to help me all the way, I dragged them behind, I slowed them down, I really felt very useless, there were many times when I felt like crying for being such a burden to them and I can’t help but just feel bad. But I thank God that He was there to comfort me, to keep me away from thinking negative stuff. He gave me the strength to carry on and I managed to finish the hike to Kerapah without Ah Sher nor Samson. Awesome huh!!




Through out all the longhouses, I get to see how Iban people live, what they do, what they eat, and best of all, I get to see how they praise and worship God. It’s really amazing to see Christians from all over the world, speaking different kinds of language but it all goes back to one God. There were times when people in the team don’t get along with each other but I think that every word, every thought, even every quarrel, every fight, God has a purpose for it to happen and I believe He meant it for good.

This mission, I’ve talked to people I never talk to in church, and I even manage to get so close to them. I really thank God for placing them around me, letting me realize how wonderful they are and having the chance to get so close to them. I thank God also for Ps Gideon, I’ve learnt a lot through him and he’s really some guy. Ah Sher’s great too, I love her as my team leader and I’ve learnt a lot from her also, she’s a wonderful blessing and I thank God for allllll of them. God has shown me and taught me a lot through this mission trip and I just can’t stop thanking and praising Him for all that He’s done, for me, through me and in me.

Send me and I will go

Mission Trip 2008 was spectacular! Youths went with a hunger for God to use them. They chose to get off their comfortable zone and to serve God in a place totally unimaginable. Lives were touched. At the end of the day, God was glorified and we as his children obeying His commands had been blessed. Each and everyone had different encounter with God. They are ready and here to speak of God's glory. Nope, they are not ashamed. No regrets. This is what a few of them wants to share. Such a great joy to do God's work!

1st off, we will hear from James Lee. Its his first time to missions. He is the one in yellow.

God has really blessed me a lot in this mission trip in many different ways. During this mission trip, my faith has been put to the test to the absolute maximum. Because of the condition in that area where there is no phone reception and also very little of modern technologies , I have to rely to God 101% everyday that He can protect every member of this mission trip. God has challenge each and everyone one of us to trust in Him more and more each day. When I got to the first longhouse, I was amazed by their simple lifestyle and great unity among the people. Although they are from different families, they treat one another as their own. God has really touched me when I saw their homes. Their homes are empowered by a small generator and their home is brightened by only a light bulb during night. It reminds me when I was back home where I was complaining about what I don’t possess to my parents. After this mission trip, I realized that God has really blessed me with good parents and also shelter.

I can see how God move in their midst. I was truly amazed by their faith towards God although there were some language barrier between us with the people there but God just came into their lives. In the place where they are far from any civilization and in the place where there are filled with many types of rituals , witch doctors , charms , black magic and etc , the Iban people would still choose to believe in Him and that really has made an impact to my life.

I also experienced many miracles happening during this mission trip. A person who was diagnosed with cancer in the third stage was healed although it was not an immediate healing.

I also had seen how God used ordinary people to do extraordinary works. Many young ones rise up to the occasion to do what God wants them to do and He just spoke to them in their heart. During the Youth rally we had in Christ Baptist Church, many young lives were touched by the Holy Spirit and just God made a very strong presence during the prayer tunnel. There was one boy who came up to me during the prayer tunnel and said

“God has spoke to me and told me that I should minister to the people and become a preacher like Pastor Gideon,’’

I was being touched by how God really speak to them. Lastly, I will always pray to God to continue to minister to the people over in the east of Malaysia and I will be back in Sarawak next year because I know that God can use me to speak to His people in the land of the hornbills.

-James Lee