In the United States, looking back on my experience
May 27, 2009
I was in fact sick in Korea. When the group went on tours, I was always the one lagging behind, shuffling my feet just to keep up. I think that thoughts of a quick and painless death to ease my pain were running through my head : ) just kidding. But I was miserable. I wish that I could have enjoyed Korea more, it really was an amazing place. Maybe if I go back next time, I will have a better time.
Even months after going, I still have the desire to return to Borneo. I pray to God about the chance of me going and the answer is still, “Be still and wait, I know the plans I have for you.” And that is what I will do. But no matter if I go back physically or just visit Borneo in a sweet memory, I will always remember the God filled blessings that were rained down upon me in that land of perpetual beauty and unending mystery.
Sabbath in Kota Kinabalu
March 28, 2009
Yesterday, a group and myself went shopping in downtown Kota. I bought another dolphin necklace since I lost my first one at the waterfall. When we went to some venders however, I couldn’t bring myself to buy anything. The reason for this was because everything said “Sabah” on it, not Sarawak. I feel like I am betraying my favorite state in Borneo if I buy souvenirs from Sabah.
Our whole group went to an English speaking Malaysian SDA church for Sabbath. The church family is so kind, they do things very similar to the states. I miss Sarawak, it doesn’t feel the same being in Borneo but not in the part I wish to be in.
~~~~~
Well, we are back in the Kota Kinabalu airport. I am pretty sick. I am congested, with a sore throat, runny nose and a headache. I hope it goes away soon, I don’t want to have it when we reach Korea.
Back in Bintulu Airport
March 27, 2009
Well, we left the National Park and I am absolutely despondent. I don’t want to leave this beautiful place, no matter how hot it may be. I am going to miss the brilliant birds, and even the bugs. The raging waterfalls, the mysterious mist over the magnificent emerald trees, the gentle waves lapping up the golden sand, and the cool breezes that bring relief from the mischievous sun; will all be missed. I am still sitting in the airport but I already feel millions of miles away from my dear friends sitting outside. Pastor Ham and Pastor Del have become so embedded into my groups of friends, they have truly shown me friendship on this trip. I am greatly saddened to be leaving behind all the people I have had the privilege of knowing. But I will be back, God willing. I truly believe this will not be my last trip to Borneo. God has planted a seed in my heart. Danielle and I both would love to come back next year and then again as student Missionaries. Pastor Del said he needs missionaries desperately. I think Danielle and I are being led in that direction. I sure do pray we are.
Second Day at Similajau
March 26, 2009
While sitting here at a picnic table, gazing at the aquamarine South China Sea, I wonder about my future. With all that is within me, I want to serve the Lord. But I also want to be a marine biologist or a veterinarian. People have said that you can serve the Lord in any profession you go into. I just pray that God will lead my every step and every thought about the future.
~~~~~
I am so excited! We are taking a group into Bintulu to go shopping! I will hopefully get lots of pictures of Bintulu while I’m there. At first I pondered whether or not to go into town today, but if I don’t I won’t be able to get souvenirs from here at all. So I’m going, I think we’ll be back around 5:30.
~~~~~
Wow! That was amazing! Pastor Ham ended up taking Danielle, Soojin and me in his car instead of making us ride the hot bus. When we got into Bintulu, our first stop was a gift shop. It was pretty expensive so I only bought a little key chain. Our second stop was to Pizza Hut!!! Yes, they have those in Borneo 
There were some other people there from our group and we ate and had a great time. Later, we went to a little mall where I bought some gifts for my family. It was super nice in there, especially since they had air conditioning!
When Pastor Ham dropped us off to catch the bus back to Similajau (because he had to go to a funeral and was not going to go back to the park), Danielle, Soojin and I were pleasantly surprised to find Pastor Del waiting for us to pile into his car to take us back to the park! So we played musical pastors and hopped from one car to the other, thus not having to ride the bus at all!
It was such a fun drive back. Pastor Del told us that we can’t leave Borneo and that we have to stay. We told him that we would be much obliged and that we should just turn around now and head back to the long house. So he jokingly started pretending to turn around : ) I will really miss our friends when we actually do have to leave. I just know I am going to cry.
~~~~~
I saw a Horn bill!!! I was walking to dinner when I noticed some of the military men looking at a tree with binoculars. I looked up and there, happily eating cicadas, sat a beautiful black and white Horn bill! This is quite an experience because the Horn bill is Sarawak’s state bird thus their title: “The Land of the Horn Bill”. It was an unforgettable moment. I took as many pictures as I wanted and even got to the foot of his tree without him caring. I guess those cicadas are to die for! : ) When I got to the veranda where we eat our meals, I let everyone know of my second hand discovery and most of them went rushing out to see for themselves. I will never forget that moment.
Similajau National Park
March 25, 2009
Today is our first day at the National Park. It is so beautiful here, I think even more so than Bako. Although I miss the intricate outcropping rocks of Bako, Similajau’s beaches stretch on for miles and miles. It yields excellent specimens for beach combers and the many small streams spilling into the ocean are sweetly cool and refreshing.
The hostels here are incredible. At least they are an upgrade from Bako. The bunk beds are a lot nicer and more comfortable, the windows are much better and the air circulation is quite decent. I love being near the ocean, it stirs something so deep inside of me. Just looking at it feels me with a desire to know more about it. I love it here so much, I am so glad we get to spend two and a half days here.
Dedication Day
March 24, 2009
I forgot to journal yesterday because I was so pooped but I’ll tell you briefly what happened.
That day was really tough for me so I stuck with some of the more simple jobs that were less taxing like handing bricks up to people in the scaffolding. It was really hot until the second part of the day. We were almost finished with the church and the sidewalks when the clouds released a torrential downpour upon us all. It happened so rapidly. It was dry then all of the sudden, it was drenching us to the bone. My dirty brick-stained shirt clung greedily to my body and my shorts flowed with water at my every step. I looked over at the newly poured sidewalks and was disappointed. The rain was slowly eating up our cement. But at the end of the day, the only drawback was that we could not finish one side of church with sidewalk but overall, that section was unneeded.
That night, we had the goodbye ceremony and an exchange of gifts. It took a long time because each of us had to get up and do some sort of dance. I was thoroughly embarrassed but Soojin went with me so it was ok.
When we dedicated the churches, I had such a feeling of accomplishment inside me. Now the people can come to a place of worship where God’s presence can always dwell.
Leaving, we all packed up on the bus to go. I had mixed feeling about leaving. On one hand, I was excited to go to the beach, relax and see my family soon. On the other hand, I was sad to leave the people that I had just began to know and share my heart with. I will probably not see these people again until we meet in heaven, even that thought is bittersweet. I wish we could have more time, one more week at least, to further our relationships with the people. Instead of working, we could simply delve into their culture and their lives. I will miss everyone, especially the pastors, who were so friendly and nice to me.
Fifth Day in the Long House
March 22, 2009
I am sick today. Last night my stomach was giving me trouble. The pain would shoot through me and it would hurt badly. It carried on into today so Dean Kristin and Dr. Carter said to stay here instead of going to work. I cannot describe how I feel except that my body is so weak, I can barely sit up without needing to lay back down to rest, so much so that writing now is very difficult. I feel like I should be out there helping my team finish the church but Lindsay said that we would probably pick up two bricks and need a 30 minute break. Now I understand, I guess. Lindsay is sick too. I don’t know if I have the flu or not but Lindsay does. It has been going around and a bunch of kids got it.
Everything sounds so loud to me. The clicks of the gecko above me on the ceiling fan feels like a bass guitar and the children on the other end of the long house seem to be standing right next to me screaming. Well, I am super tired now so I think I will go back to sleep and get some rest.
Sabbath and the Waterfall
March 21, 2009
I woke up this morning greeted by the early rising sun. As I sat outside, thanking God for His sabbath, the jungle mist shrouded the dark trees like satin. It looked like a scene from a movie but I kept telling myself it wasn’t and that I am really here.
Sabbath school today was super good. Nate talked about the Jewish history of Rabbis and their pupils. Jesus called lowly fishermen to follow him, practically saying that they were the “best of the best”. Now, He calls us all to follow Him, wanting us to live and show others that we can be the “best of the best”.
After lunch we packed up to go to a waterfall. I was unsure whether to go or not because of my sunburns but I decided to attempt it. And I’m so thankful I did.
The truck ride there was incredible, I saw so much more of the jungle than I ever have. The different trees were spectacular! I felt like I was on an expedition. As we passed other long houses, delicately tucked away from the road, we waved at the native people. We must have been a strange sight; a truck load of white people with cameras and sunburns. When we finally stopped the truck, a man with a child in tow lead the way down a rocky trail to the creek we would follow up stream. At the creek we split off into groups. One going ahead faster and the others trailing behind. Dominic decided the trail guide was going too slow so he forged ahead of him. The going was rocky and in some places we had to cross the creek. It was totally unreal being miles and miles deep into the jungle.
They told us it would be an hour walk and that the waterfall would only be 10 feet, but it only took my group about thirty minutes. For a moment we thought that me might have passed it so Jenna, Alanna, Derek and I all swam in a shallow pool for a moment while Dominic and Logan Villereal went ahead to search for it some more. It didn’t take long for Dr. Carter to catch up and tell us that we should keep going.
It took only a few minutes for me and Jenna to race ahead and find it. The waterfall was not 10 feet tall after all, it was a good 50 to 60 feet tall! It was so beautiful and the water crashed down upon the rocks showering us with droplets of cool water. Swimming was amazing. The water was so cool and refreshing, just what we needed after a hard three days of work. There was a little space behind the waterfall so Jenna and I tried to get back there. We plunged through the great force of the cataract’s tumult, and when we got there it was awesome! Just the thought of being inside a waterfall was super exhilarating.
~~~~~
Tonight we had a mighty rainstorm. The intensity of the pounding rain resembled the clash of a freight train on railroad tracks. A person could barely hear someone next to them talking over the crashing on the tin roof. I love the pure fear that storms instill in me for my Creator God. He is so mighty and powerful, so much more so than the storms He has breathed into existence. He is so much bigger.
I feeling super sick to my stomach. The flu has been going around and I hope I don’t have it.
Third Day at the Long House
March 20, 2009
The roosters crow strenuous chords as the rain pelts down on the tin roof of the long house. The sound is comforting but does little to assuage my aching and tired body. Last night I hardly slept a wink due to my sunburns. Everywhere I turned I was met with searing pain. So sleep escaped me.
Heading out to the job site, the rain lightly drizzled. With no sun in sight and a kingdom of gray clouds blanketing the sky, the day promised easy working conditions. At the work site, we double-timed to get the concrete laid in the church floor while the wet concrete slipped out of the big green and white mixing truck. Jenna, Devon and I worked hard getting the wheel barrels full of cement into the church to finish the task.
The day kept it’s vow and gave to us a pleasant gift of rain to quench the thirst of the parched earth and regenerate our energy. At the long house for lunch, the native people served an incredibly delectable meal of mouth watering greens, rice, eggs, fruit and iced drink. B-dog “found” a sugar cane plant, although it was probably one of the native men, and we cut it up and shared it among the group. To eat it you have to peel off chunks with your teeth because it is really fibrous. After you have it peeled, you simply chew it around until you only have left the fibrous strings which you spit out. Sugar cane sends an amazing burst of flavor jetting through your mouth. It tastes somewhat like sweet milk or coconut milk.
When we got back to work we lost Vince and Russ. They went to the third church to lay bricks because their church needed the extra help. When we started working again, the sun decided to get vengeance on the rain. It bore through the clouds, unseen, creating the largest and most extreme sauna. As the minutes slowly ticked by our group slowly lost energy. Sweat poured down my face and back as I prayed for the sun to relent. It did go away little by little but it was always present. So we decided to work with it. We told stories while working slowly, conserving energy and having fun but still getting the job done. The day passed quickly and finally we cleaned up for Sabbath. As we drove back to our long house, I repeatedly thanked the wonderful Lord for His blessed Sabbath!
The sunset was strikingly beautiful. As the sun descended below the horizon, I remember thinking how lucky I am. Not many teenagers my age get to travel across the world. But I am so thankful that I have. Looking out the opening in the shower room ceiling, I could see the rich green of the jungle in the distance. I just remember being so enthused about being in this culture, doing what they do each day along with them.
Second Day of Work
March 19, 2009
Our church looks like it’s building itself, it is getting done so fast! Pastor Gilbert Tan says that we are farther in completion than the other two. I love our location. The trees are so breathtaking and dense, the diversity of them intrigues me. On of my favorite things is the butterflies. All their vibrant colors keeps me yearning to see more. I love them, they seem almost fiber optic. My team is by far the most entertaining yet cooperative team, I’m sure. We are always cracking funnies or helping each other out. I feel like I could be working far harder than I have been but it is quite difficult under the scorching heat of the sun. We haven’t had many mishaps, just a minor cut here and there or someone needing to take a break for a few minutes.
What we have done is the stage, more than a quarter of the floor, all the brick walls up to the windows and the native men are working on the roof. The roof was supposed to be on before we even arrived but the area was flooded so much, thus postponing the importation of the lumber. Without the sheltering roof, we are forced to labor directly under the blistering sun. The shade is like drinking ice water in the scorching heat. I feel complete respect for the brick layers and the people mixing the mortar, they have to be under the sun the most.
Today at lunch the villagers had ice cold water and some sort of weak strawberry milk that was absolutely and amazingly cold as well. There is a river right behind the long house near our building site so a bunch of my group jumped in. The water is incredibly brown, murky and impenetrable by the eye. Even though it looks scary, I might go swimming in it tomorrow. During the part of the day when it was almost unbearable to be under the sun, B-dog bought us all sodas and later ice cream. I love that guy! Him and Pastor Fred buy us ice cream. : ) It is so much fun working with all the adults. Last year I wasn’t able to be in Mr. B and P. Freddy’s group so it is super amazing having them as my leaders this year. I can’t believe how much Vince, Russ, Dr. Carter, Pastor Ostin, B-dog and P. Freddy have done for our church! They work so hard, for so long in the extreme heat without quitting. I feel bad for taking breaks because I know that they rarely do. I really appreciate all they have done for our church and for this whole mission trip.
This evening, sitting out on the concrete benches of the veranda, the cool Borneo breeze sweeps over me. The scent of the colorful flora surrounds me, creating memories I will never forget. I thank the Lord for sending me back to this land of harsh but splendid beauty. No matter how painful the work becomes nor how blistering the sun gets I will always praise the Lord for creating this place, making it possible for me to come here. I believe God has me here for a reason, I don’t know if I will return or not but I do know that Borneo has left a mark on my heart.
After returning from our church, Brianna and I went down to the creek that is just down the road. It was great to submerge my tired and sweaty body in the cool clear water of the jungle. The creek was snuggled between two leafy arms, diverse with thousands of different trees. Chilling out with the McCann bros, Trevor, Alex, Alanna, Jenna, Brianna and Mr. B was a lot of fun. We chatted and laughed until we split up to go back to the long house.
At first I was uneasy about staying here for a week. The conditions of the long house, the bathrooms, and the culture were a little intimidating even though I’ve been to Borneo before. But, just like last year, I have become accustomed to it and I am enjoying myself immensely.
The people here are so nice and the children are the most adorable beings on the face of this earth. However, during worships, they enjoy trapping cicadas in their hands and rattling them around so they make the most irritable noise. The majority of the boys use the cicadas as their regular play toys. To ensure their “toys” do not fly off, they tear off the crisp wings of the insect two at a time. This process is pretty grotesque and makes us girls cringe. I hate to see it happen, even if they are just bugs.
Well, I am here in my mosquito net tent that I share with Caitlin. The cicadas compose songs of chirps and whistles outside the breezy long house. It is a simple song that relaxes me as I slip into sleep at the end of the day.