Sabah (27th April - 2nd May '07)

Since returning from Sabah, I hadn’t the chance to upload the pictures and much less update my blog. A great deal has taken place and technology had to take a back seat. Hence this late entry on Sabah.

This being my 3rd time to Sabah consecutively from 2005 onwards – I went with HUGE expectation believing the Lord to once again blow our minds with what He wants to do. Expectation not as in HOW things will work out or even a dictation of how the Spirit of God will move, but living and breathing in an expectancy that at the mentioned of the name of Jesus signs and miracles will follow. Building up to the mission trip, the Lord had already planted this seed of expectancy (hence it’s not only for the mission trip) but since we are stepping out, thus we bring along a greater hope and anticipation for MORE (Ephesians 3:20).

We arrived with no fixed agenda, as patterned since my first visit there. So the Lord took over in planning our schedule. On the 2nd day of our visit, we hit the streets giving out tracks to utter strangers. Since we had to speak in BM, there was need for much refining in language. But Holy Spirit overcame all barriers and gave us word by word as we spoke. Several people gave their lives to Jesus, while others we planted seeds of salvation. Even as I scanned the streets that looked similar to the allies of KL, I thought to myself, how easy it is to evangelize and how often we bypass opportunities that are right in front of us. What Paul said to Timothy in 2 Tim 4:2-5, meant that evangelism ought to flow so naturally, that it likens to breathing in and breathing out to stay alive. Praise God for the salvation and seeds that has been planted, yet the harvest is plentiful – so we continue back in our homes, workplace, colleges etc.

The next 3 days was spent in Kota Marudu, a kampong 2 ½ hours away from KK town. So much took place there that I personally felt that I had been there for a week or more. Once again the services were accompanied by a good dose of the HS. There was one night our team went over to another house to have service. While we being aware of kampong conditions, this house was beyond recognition (living conditions I mean). The house we slept in had a state of decency that was bearable. This one had wooden floor gapping with holes, the hall was gloomy with a single fluorescent lamp flickering, the guitar they had was out of tune, the dogs sat at the verandah all dirt laden and there were mosquitoes all around. Yet… despite the conditions (startling to city folks) I once again found the simplicity and sincerity of these people shining through. It was their desire to come together and worship that the Lord showed Himself real. In the Word was spoken being sharper than any two edged sword and later giving word, vision, pictures and scripture for them individually as we prayed.

This is but a nutshell of our 6 days in Sabah. If you want the full story, pop me an email or buzz me – I’d share with you in detail. Meantime, enjoy the photos I’ve just uploaded. Click on the photo to see the rest. Greater things ahead!