First Day of Work
March 18, 2009
The work is really hard here because it seems like it is much hotter than last year. I am a part of the brick hauling crew at my church. To get to the church we are building, we have to take a big white truck along the highway. The ride is short but it feels so amazing to have the humid Malaysian air briefly fought off by the sweet cool breeze that floods over who ever piles into the back of the truck.
Finally in Borneo! Kota Kinabalu Adventure
March 17, 2009
How to start, how to start? Well, we got into Kota last night around midnight and decided to get a Hotel room. It started out very exciting with Hanna, Kylie, BJ and me in a cab. But when the guy kept on driving and driving I must confess, I got a little worried. However, we did get to the Tune Hotel but unfortunately, they ran out of rooms after we had been waiting for 45 minutes. We were all so tired, it seemed like everywhere the eye looked there was either a sleeping body or one that wanted to be. After hearing we couldn’t stay at the hotel, we all shuffled outside to wait for taxis. But they were miles away and asleep. So the majority of the 16 of us plopped down right where we stood and snoozed till Mr. Blankenship found us with good news. He said the hotel close by would take us for four to a room for $15 a person. That was the best night I have ever slept in Borneo! The beds were so nice, the blankets cozy, the air conditioning roared to life when we got there. The shower was different from any other shower I’ve seen. The shower head came out of the ceiling! We stuffed four girls on two twin beds but we slept soundly. Going back to the airport we got to see the city in the light of the morning. It was spectacular! There are so many trees and cars and even houses supported by stilts in the shallow part of the sea.
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In the hotel last night we had to wait a while for our rooms, so I went outside to talk to Dean Kristen and Hess. She was talking to one of the guards while he squatted on the ground next to something. It was a big black Rhinoceros Beetle. It was so big and spiky, and the guy taught me how to pick it up too.
Bintulu Airport
March 17, 2009
When we were in the airport, our last stop, our bags didn’t end up making the trip with us. So we waited for about five hours until we finally were able to leave. When we left the airport we traveled in three buses all the way to the long house we were going to stay in. The long house here is not as nice as last years but they are really hospitable and we have lots of good times. I am scared to use the squat pot though.
SeaTac Airport
March 15, 2009
Well, after enduring an almost eternal bus ride and a splitting migraine, I finally made it to the Seattle airport. I am so excited to go back to Borneo. We are taking Korean Air instead of China Air and I desperately hope it is better than the latter. Right now I am in the boarding area and we still have about an hour and a half yet to board. Just going back through security and using the trams brings back so many exciting memories of last year. I hope this year is as good as last, if not better. I am a little worried about flying though, I got really sick last time and I really don’t want to repeat that. At this very moment Soojin is diligently harassing Dominic to straighten his hair. I think she might succeed. 
If she does, I will definitely take pictures!
Pre-Borneo
March 11, 2009
Words cannot describe the feeling I have way deep down inside me. Last spring I was in the heart of the jungle thanking God for being so great. I asked Him if it would be ok to go back again next year but the answer was long to come. So, here I am now, preparing my entire soul for the reopening of one of the greatest gifts I’ve ever received….Borneo. That one word breaks the dam that holds back overwhelming emotions. I know God wants me there, He has preformed miracles already to make it possible. I cannot wait to return. I have lost my heart, but I know where it lies. It lies in the midst of the jungles of Borneo.