We woke up early to join the morning prayer group, which starts 5.30 am EVERY morning. Somebody did some knock-knock on a wood as a call to prayer... something like the azan. The church's Pst Nelson shared a short message, then outlined several prayer items to be prayed for. Among them were... missionaries and pastors from Ba Kelalan, the country's political landscape, Islamisation and fanaticism, strengthening of faith among Christian youths, success of the children, and for the nations of Nepal and Arab Saudi. I thought that folks living in such secluded highlands were out of touch with the world. I was so very wrong.
Pst Jubilie was given the honour of guest pastor to close the prayers.
Getting to know the elders and intercessors.
The majestic church of Ba Kelalan basking in the first light of daybreak.
Peace and tranquility is what life in Ba Kelalan is all about.
Even the dogs were at peace. Hahaha... 
My bedroom. First class. Impressed?
Shirley Lees wrote about the transformation that took place among the Lun Bawangs of Ba Kelalan in the 1920s in her book Drunk Before Dawn. She described "the Lun Bawangs were the ‘most despised people of Borneo and they were dying out’. They were often ‘drunk 100 days out of every 365 days... even small children would take part. In fact only the dogs were sober’". The Brooke administration deemed them hopeless and planned to leave them to rot into extinction. Then the early missionaries from Australia taught them about the Christian faith, and transformed the tribe into model citizens. The impact of that revival is still evident till this day.
Having a nice breakfast of toast and coffee before we set off for the day.
Cikgu Sang Sigar, the local assistant headmaster and community leader gave us a briefing about Ba Kelalan and our itinerary for the day.
2 comments:
Saw Bill and Shirley last June when we visited them. Unlikely Shirley will come this way again. But Bill remains strong.
they are still alive? wow.
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