Alutok Awe

Alutok is in many ways the last frontier for me. It is the farthest village from Kota Kinabalu close to Sarawak and Kalimantan borders. Long Pasia and Long Mio which I preached in 2016 is also very far about six hours by road and I have done the Alutok trip twice now. I had to rest for almost two full days in Tambunan before driving back to KK on Wednesday. I rested yesterday still in awe of my Alutok trip. Two things stood up for me, one I was asked to participate in the Murut dance and I managed to last only two rounds before returning to my seat. Second I was asked to present an item and I sang “Fall afresh on me Holy Spirit” for exactly two minutes. I received a good round of applause.

With positive outward signs lie deep spiritual problems. Although we had more than 400 present on Sunday but with all four villages involved it should be at least 700 if most of the adults turned up. One church I was told was split into three and our church suddenly became the smallest. 

But I praise God because for the two sessions I preached two messages that are clear and sound and I am in awe of the Lord’s presence that no one moved during the sermons except a few kids playing around. There was still hunger for God’s Word and I gave them plenty. The LCD screen was not working and it might as well as I shared many familiar Bible stories from Daniel, Joseph and David and I believe my two sermons were easy to follow. 

Nevertheless, in terms of spiritual fervour 1996 was much more vibrant and lively and the wooden church hall was smaller and it was packed and brimming with worshippers. I should have prayed more in preparation as I did not feel the unction to make an altar call, as first night my head was still spinning after a long day’s journey though when I was preaching I felt no ill effects.

On Sunday my shirt was wet in sweat as I went up to the pulpit, as there was no fan in the Community Hall except two small ones in front. Even while preaching I had to wipe away sweat from my forehand and brows a few times. I was in awe of Alutok. I even slept well without being beaten by mosquitos though my wife complained that she was. I slept 3 hours plus and got up at 5am to pray in the living room, and then at 6am I went down to the dining hall where the lights are bright to go through my Sunday sermon.