Missions trip report submitted a few weeks back written by yours truly.
Excuse the English and all... I wrote it really late at night and blabbered whatever came through the mind... ;)
Also edited off some parts and names too.
I personally like the last few paragraphs the best. ha-ha.
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"Remaja Sabah" experience
Few things that impacted me during this Camp experience were the closeness and tightness of the team. Though we had our differences, I believe through much prayer together, we all went with one focus and purpose, to bless and empower as much as God enable us to.
Throughout the Camp, we faced some obstacles. We had a few blackouts and also, 2 (??) of the vans ferrying the (Pemuda-pemudi) PMMs broke down on their way to Ranau. I believe obstacles happened to affect the plans of God. Thank God, through prayer, the electricity always came back on time when we start our sessions. I remembered that on the first night, the PMMs were quite tired from their journey travelling to Ranau. However, I believe our God is greater than the enemy, all these obstacles did not stop the PMMs from their zealousness and excitement for what’s in store in this Camp.
These PMMs are very musically and they all loved to sing and dance. Whenever the SIBKL team was off the instruments before we start the day or during break time, they would eagerly take over the instruments and start to play Praise and Worship song. By 7am every morning, their P&W music in the hall was almost like our “morning call” to get out of bed. Every song that they sing, there would be hand actions accompanying it. A 17-year-old girl, B told me that one of the activities they do for Pelayanan Remaja is to create new dance steps or hand actions for new P&W songs!
I sensed that the PMMs were very hungry for God and are looking forward to receive and learn in this Camp. I felt that some were far away from God and needed to feel God’s Father’s love once again. It was truly evident especially during the worship session on the first night when we sang the song, “Dalamnya KasihMu Bapa”. As it was the first night, I believe that was the first touch that God wanted the PMMs to receive… the Father’s love, the first love that they may have not experienced for a long time. Many of them desired for it, and God’s presence and love just fell on that night. So many of them just fell to the ground, got slain by the spirit, many went on their knees, many wept uncontrollably. One girl was slain in the spirit during worship session and did not get up until the preaching session ended. Her name is M and she is part of my mentor group.
During our Saat Teduh time (Devotion time with six 17-year-old girls), M shared about her experience on that night, she shared that she was previously involved in a relationship and she almost fell into temptation. She felt dirty and unclean. On that night, when she was slain on the ground, she saw a man dressed in white holding on to her hand and asked her to just grab his hand and follow him. She told the man that she was very nervous and she doesn’t want to follow him. But the man said something like this, “Jangan takut, ikut saya, saya ingin bagi kamu sesuatu.” Then she said that she felt water started to gush down from the top of her head to her whole body. She felt so much at peace and the experience was indescribable. I believe God is doing a great work of restoration in her life!
I also asked them whether they do spend Saat Teduh with God. All of them say that they don’t. They usually only pray in corporate prayer meetings. I encouraged them to spend Saat Teduh with God every morning before they start their day. I shared with them personal testimonies on how Saat Teduh has blessed me greatly. I could see that they were so hungry to learn that they actually tried to copy down most of the testimonies I shared and bible verses that I quoted. They would literally lean forward towards me when I talk! I have never seen such hunger and earnestness to learn in my life!
When we parted, one of my girls teared. C dropped me an SMS the next day and said this: “Saya rasa sangat sedih terus dalam kereta saya nyanyi tiga lagu sedih… lepas tu saya nampak bintang di langit yg berbentuk salib, terus rasa sedih pun hilang, saya rasa begitu senang…”.
I believe the spirit of God and His love for the youths of Sabah is just so evident. His presence is always so near them and He really desires to touch their lives.
Post Kem PMM, I try my best to keep in touch with the girls in my mentor group. I am still in touch with some of them through SMSes, for those who own a mobile phone. I text them a memory verse every start of the week and some words of encouragement. S still SMSes me with prayer requests. Just a few days ago, Eri called me using a public phone after school to “tanya khabar”. I was so elated to hear from her! She was almost weeping on the phone when she talked to me.
On a more personal note, just a few weeks ago, I have been praying about a crossroad on whether to leave for Australia to maintain my PR status. I was surrounded with many opinions and almost all of them - my parents, my relatives, my friends and colleagues suggested that I should not let go of the PR as it will be a waste. I was challenged - I was all set to come up with an exit plan to go ahead for Australia. However, whenever I prayed for God to give me the peace to leave for Australia, I had all sorts of mixed feelings. I kept wondering why is it that everyone says go, but something is holding me back. I was struggling a lot in hoping, surrendering and trusting God in my future.
During my quiet time, I reflected upon my experience in Kem PMM, I felt that I was challenged and I wasn’t living out what I shared to the girls I felt that I took my life upon myself and did not place my hope and trust in God. . I realised that I was waiting for a peace that would not come. I was living in self-gratification. I felt as if I was living a double-life. I didn’t feel that I was being a true shepherd to His sheeps. In Kem PMM, I have seen and felt in my own heart how much God desires to restore and bless the people of Sabah, especially the youths. I believe God created a deeper burden in my heart for my own nation. I sensed that indeed there is great hope for the youths of Sabah… and our nation. Whatever that was shared and experienced in Kem PMM spoke to me personally. God wants me to be SERIOUS with Him too…
So yes, the conclusion of my decision, my place in this season of my life, is MALAYSIA, TANAH AIR-ku.
I am not going anywhere. I couldn’t describe the peace and sense of liberation I felt when I finally came to terms to say that, PR – I let go of you, MALAYSIA, I am here for you.
AMEN… God is good. Malaysia for JESUS! ;)
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The Missions Team from KL... wouldn't ask for a better team. ;)
The whole group!!
