Church camp in Kundasang

We attended the annual SIB Likas church camp in Kundasang last weekend.

It was a great getaway from the city. Away from the hustle bustle, away from the sweltering heat (it's been reaaallllyyy hot in KK for the past couple of weeks. Our neighbour just installed air-con yesterday), away from work (OK i confess I did bring some work...). 3 days 2 nights of cool mountain air, lots of friendly people around, just worriless 3 days of sitting and taking in the message from the preacher. Felt like being in heaven.

The invited speaker was Pastor Philip Sung from Bethel Church, Malacca. He's a very focused guy, who had in mind what he wanted in life right from the beginning. He quit Form 6 to enrol into Bible School (crazy ah?!)... but today, he stood before us and told us, he is living a life of no regrets. Given the chance to choose all over again, he would still choose the same choice.

Well, that opening line set the church camp into motion. How many of us can, at this day, say we are living a life with no regrets? I couldn't.

It was great listening to Pastor Philip share his life experiences and how through all these years, he have came to know his God so well. He shared about real life encounters of his God's faithfullness, not heavy theology and mystic theories. Simple, clear words, full of substance.

He gave useful reminders on things that Christians have been hearing all this while, but somehow fail to put into character...

• Avoid the money/materialism trap. How much money does it take to make a man happy? Just a little more.
• If we pray as much as we worry, there will be a lot less to worry about. Worry is the greatest robber of joy.
• The main hindrance to contentment is comparison.
• Do not put hope in wealth, which can be here today and gone tomorrow.
• Decide to overcome bitterness, envy and selfish ambition. Decide to forgive.
• Overcoming temptation and lust. Confess to somebody, have an accountability partner.
• 5 major ingredients to finishing well: Relationship with God. A learning posture. A Christlike character. Strong biblical convictions. Accomplish God's purpose.

Questions to the older people out there... if you could live life all over again, how would you live it differently?

What is a trip to Kundasang without some high country photos...

The schedule of the church camp was quite relaxed. The whole afternoon of second day was free. We followed the Youths to visit a Children's Home at Bundu Tuhan nearby. But the photos are in Bobby's dSLR la.

Irene's brother Ian and wife were in KK for a week. On the way back to Lahad Datu, they dropped by Kundasang to meet up with us.

We took the opportunity to visit the Kundasang War Memorial. The memorial commemorates Australian soldiers who died during the long march from Sandakan to Kundasang (which is really a looonnnnggg trip on foot) under the hands of Japanese army torturers. It was a really wonderful place to visit. Nicely landscaped gardens... and a great view of Mount Kinabalu. Highly recommended! Just avoid going there at noon, with the sun in full blaze.

Uncle John's passing

Irene's uncle John Liau has been getting weaker day by day since diagnosed of advanced gastric cancer early this year.

This wonderful man passed on two weeks ago.

Irene drove us back to Tenom for a day trip to attend the funeral in Kampung Baru Jumpa (I was too worn out from oncall the previous day).

The funeral service was held in SIB Kampung Baru Jumpa, by the pastors and team from the Basel Church of Tenom, where uncle John served as an elder.

Uncle John was a man with little material wealth. But he overflows with spiritual wealth. Many have been blessed by his hospitality and cheerful attitutude, his helping hand, and his words of wisdom. I myself, though knowing uncle John for just a couple of years, am amazed by the legacy he left behind. Uncle John's life taught me that one does not have to be rich, or even middle class, to be able to bless others with love, hospitality, and friendship. It all depends on whether we want to take the initiative to befriend others and make others feel welcomed. Uncle John was just a simple farmer who lives in a simple kampung house, shoulderig the burden of supporting the family; yet fervently serving the community through church and socio-political organisations. He was a youth leader in church during his younger days, and a community leader till his death. He gave himself, asking for little in return (unlike many politicians here in Sabah). His life touched many hearts; as you can see in the crowd that came for the funeral.

The usual way of the Lundayehs in Kampung Baru Jumpa, the village folks will help the grieving family to clear the area around the house, put up canopies and tents, cook the meals (rice wrapped in leaves, and lots of pork cooked with soy sauce). Visitors from near and afar would sit around to chat and console the greiving family.

Ryan made some new kampung friends.

The family had a prayer service at the home at night. But we were already headed back to KK by then.

Ian's wedding

Some belated photos of the trip to Kinabatangan & Lahad Datu for Ian's wedding.

Stopover at Sabah Tea Plantation. Small scale tea plantation only la (compare to Cameron Highlands).

The wedding in Kg Paris Baptist Church.

Lunch reception outside the church.

"Can I have your handphone number ah?"

Dinner reception.

The last day hanging out in Lahad Datu.

Visitors

Ryan's grandparents and auntie&uncle&cousin came over for a weekend visit. Also to celebrate Ryan's 2nd birthday.


"Yeh yeh got new toys!"

Ryan was really excited. He was screaming and jumping around, showing his grandparents around the house... and talking away dunno-what. Kesian little boy, rarely get so much visitors to shower him with all the attention. Also, he has a little cousin baby girl to chat with... baby language la, they seem to understand each other. One does the talking and the other does the laughing.

"Let me teach you how to karaoke."

Hang around in KK only. Didn't go outstation coz the time was really tight.

Went to the market to buy seafood (cccchhhheeeaaaapppp seafood by West Malaysian standards), shopping, eating, sleeping... ya. We had a great time.

Of course a visit to the latest pride of KK, the OneBorneo (well, it doesn't really impress West Malaysians though, who have so many megamalls to chose from).

"My funny birthday cake!"

And a Sabah seafood dinner to mark the end of the trip.


If you don't believe that time flies, here's Ryan at the four-teeth-boy (or was it six) stage at his last birthday. Now he's full of teeth.

Next time hor, when his parents are old hor, I'll be showing you photos of us visiting Ryan, and his little boy/girl.

Medical work

I was in this Hospital for a brief couple of days during my Medical Elective time. The above logo on the hospital's front greeted me when I first arrived. And it has left a deep impression in me till today (besides the long line of villagers with big containiers queueing up for water at the public tap beside the hospital every morning and evening).

Today I visited the UMN website, and found it again.

Working in a pretty well-equipped medical facility now, I thought back at the little Mission hospital in the foothill of Nepal (the villagers call the hospital "Mission").

I still always wonder how the little hospital cope to provide adequate heathcare with their limited facilites (getting a CT scan means packing off the patient to go across the border into India, get the scan done in India, then come back with the films... if the patients is still alive by then), when here in Sabah we still find many limitations accessing healthcare facilities.

Probably, with limited facilities, we would develop better our clinical skills and acumen, and hope for miracles sometimes.