On a Journey

There are all kinds of videos on YouTube or TikTok. But one type that I like and watch occasionally or on a binge are videos of travel or driving long distances like truckers in the States. Although there is nothing much to see, it is the journey that counts. There is calming effect just to see the road ahead of us. USA is such a vast place of 50 states, like 50 countries joining together to form one Federation, though it is not called as such in the USA as their Constitution is quite unique how the federal authorities have huge powers whose head is the executive branch of government vested in the President himself (or herself, maybe one day) and states having their own governors and legislatures respectively.

Looking to God Alone

My life and ministry is a life of faith. In my recent book, "Anak Panah" ("Chosen Arrow"), my last chapter of the book tells of nine different life changing decisions I had had to make in the past 34 years, a few would have led to financial ruin if it were not the Lord's leading and His blessing that followed. Except for one year in a local interdenominational Seminary, I have served my denomination in Sabah, all these 24 years in all and counting.

In Search of Fruitfulness

In search of fruitfulness seems to be my key interest in the past few months. I have been asking myself this question as of late, am I bearing fruits and much fruits in my current place of ministry. It is not a matter of impatience and my close friends sometimes are amazed that I am still serving with my Church since in the past decade alone, I had waited more than 3.5 years out of ministry for different appointments. While waiting, I am out of pockets, with no pay. With the little savings I had had (working in Singapore more than 15 years ago), there is as much as I can bear with, bear I do with patience and endurance. But there are times I ask myself, "am I bearing much fruits?"

Rain, Rain, Rain

It has been a long time since I experienced non-stop rain for 30 hours and it is still raining as I write. In fact, there was heavy rain on Saturday night almost causing a few of our worship team members from missing rehearsal but at the end they all turned up. But Sunday morning brought clear skies and we had a wonderful Sunday service celebrating Malaysia Day when Sabah gained independence through the formation of Malaysia on 16th September 1963. In fact I posted on instagram at noon that I was glad that we celebrated Malaysia early on Sunday morning because since Sunday evening about 4pm, it has not stopped raining until now. Many towns and villages are flooded with many reporting landslides throughout the State with the worst hit in Beaufort, Penampang, East Coast of Sabah and some parts of Kota Kinabalu.

Following the Leader

 Last night we had an hour long prayer meeting. The devotion went for 20 minutes, singing 15 minutes and sharing of prayer needs 10 minutes which means actual praying was only 15 minutes. I learned much from the devotion on Joshua 6 on how God destroyed the walls of Jericho. But the lesson I got was following the leader. Every instruction of Joshua was obeyed without question. The Israelites believed that God spoke to Joshua and what he commanded was God’s command. The Israelites obeyed Joshua.

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.

Alutok Adventure 2025

The photo of Alutok village graced the front covers of both my biographies, one in English (Departure Points) and one in Malay (Anak Panah). It's been on my bucket list in the past few years to revisit Alutok village since my first visit there in 1996. I had planned to do so next year in July, the 30th anniversary of my time there, but God had other plans. I was invited to speak in two sessions of the Central Ulu Tomani cluster of churches. I probably preached 4 or 5 times during my first visit there starting Friday night until Sunday morning.

I came I saw I conquered

My latest conquest was my latest visit to Alutok which took me about five hours of driving one way. I went there 29 years ago and all the leaders and two Masters of ceremony on Saturday and Sunday made much of the fact that I had returned for a second time. It was the ends of the earth as far as the land below the wind is concerned. But God watched over me and blessed my ministry.