It was gratifying that more than 250 people came from outside of Kota Kinabalu, some as far as Sandakan and Keningau. Not a few had to travel from their villages and towns from 4am to reach KK on time. I was particularly pleased that about 30 people came from Taginambur, the district where I first began my full-time ministry in 1994. As for me, it was a time of renewing acquaintances. It was the first time in 10 years that I spoke at an event where State-level participants were involved, though my homechurch meant it as a local event and invited only a few other churches in KK. I also preached on Sunday in the main service and it was the first time in 5 years since I left my home-church as pastor that I preached in a Sunday service, though I did preach twice during the Christmas services in 2009. It was not easy for me, having spoken for 8 hours almost non-stop the day before and also not having preached in Bahasa for quite some time. But thanks be to God. I felt I delivered a solid message by the power of the Holy Spirit and I preached for exactly 40 minutes, the time-limit I set for my elders and deacons when I was pastor. I was hoping for an early end to the service but there was a long announcement (plus a mini sermon beside), but it all went well. We dedicated a baby to the Lord and the chairman of the church asked me to pray once for the nation and also the benediction at the end.
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