(wrote this after my first short term trip with Uni mates upon graduation to Cambodia & Vietnam for weeks, meant to share it with my cucu cicit later ..)
In the beginning ...
Little did I know that in 1997 when I accepted the offer to do a BEng (Hons) majoring in Electronics Engineering in Multimedia University; it was a decision will affect me wholistically - physically (the weight I've lost), mentally ( a much wiser, matured and sophisticated lady), emotionally (but am still much a crybaby, though) and most important of all SPIRITUALLY!!
Having been born into a 3rd generation Christian family, I took many things for granted especially those with regards to spiritual matters. All I know is, Sunday mornings are reserved for church and that's all. Yet, the Lord has been good (AMEN!) for having blessed me with straight A's throught my academic years from UPSR 1990 right up to SPM 1996. With the 9A's for SPM, entry into the country's first private university was a breeze for me. The painful and sad part was having to trade Klang, my home for 17 years for Melaka (I'm a very homely girl .. muahaha)
In Melaka ...
All alone in this new University, myself and a partner-in-crime (hint : sounds like punk), we decided to start the first Christian Fellowship in Telekom University (the then MMU, as it is known now) after confirming with the seniors that there was no such thing as a CF in the campus. With no experience at all in Christian leadership, we went around hunting for "cross bearers" to join our first ever CF meeting! The workload to start off a new underground (wops!) club was no easy task, but our good Lord provided!
CF grew and bloomed from our meeting place at a member's rented house in Taman Dahlia to Calvary Church Assembly, Bukit Baru to the now Youth Alive Center at Taman Bukit Melaka. Ever since being involved in this "ministry" - from organizing camps, trips, meetings & etc and having held numerous committee members' post PR, CG Leader, CG Coordinator and also as the unofficial CF's Mama (fondly known as Mama May), I was touched to see God's hand at work in my life.
While in Melaka, I attended the Wesley Methodist Church and also got myself confirmed as a member of my homechurch, the Klang Chinese Methodist Church (KCMC). Two years went by in a *woof* and soon it was time to leave. This time for another new land - CYBERJAYA!!
In Cyberjaya ...
The CF had to start all over again and I was glad we went through "industrial training" back in Melaka. My spiritual growth here was rather slow but I always remembered those special times in Melaka where I learnt so much about Him in camps and how He has a purpose for each of us. Deep down in me, I knew I would want to serve Him one day (though I know I will never be able to repay Him for what He has done by laying down His life for someone "insignificant" like me) in the mission field. Had the chance to join a Mission Trip training by Pastor Magg, it was an eye opener but I was even more determind to go (but where???).
Here again, the two years went by in a *woof* . Soon, it was time to graduate, with all the excitement about entering into the corporate world among our peers, a group of us (the CF pioneers) decided to dedicate 2 weeks of mission work before starting working formally. Had to persuade Mum and Dad to "release" me. PJ did all the organizing and arrangement and got all of us together. The initial plan was to go to India but with the earthquake in Gujarat and summer in May, PJ looked for alternative routes. The next choice was either to Cambodia, Myanmar or Vietnam.
After much hoo-haa, the final decision was Cambodia and Vietnam! We partnered together with a mission agency, Harvest 10/40. Thus, turning a dream into reality for some of us. I was put in-charge of the Children's Ministry and anything that has got to do with my pangkat "Mama May" - mostly foodie matters.
The Mission ...
Before leaving for Melaka, I spent almost two whole weeks (right after finishing my final paper) shopping. Bought my luggage, clothing, etc for personal use. Also, shopped like a Mama with 12 mouths to feed at Fajar and for teaching material in Mydin.
A week before the Mission Trip, our team met in Melaka for preparation. We prayed, played, tolerated ate and slept little. For one whole week, bedtime was no earlier than 230am.
Praise led with Pung at PJ's church, CCC. My first time leading in a charismatic church! Our team also handled a Youth Meeting at Muar Assembly Church and the 1st CF meeting in Melaka for academic year 2001/2. Such nostalgic experience! Even ushered in my 22nd birthday while colouring Joseph's coat for the story telling. Even made a very difficult decision while here - to forego the chance to secure a study scholarship because I will still be in Vietnam on the interview date. But what the heck!
Among the items we prepared were :
- teaching the street kids English (syllabus ranged from alphabets, numbers, fruits, colours, songs and nursery rhymes)
- story telling followed by handicraft (1. colour coded book - each child will make their own book, 2. Joseph's story - childen will design Joseph's coat, 3. Creation - make animal origami)
- skits (1. Strongman, 2. Prodigal Son - am one of the piggy)
- dance (Above All - one of the dancer .. hahah)
- games
- midgets
- lots of sing alongs
- personal testimony (prepared on the topic of "Friendship")
Again, He never left us nor forsake us. Blessed us with so much love offerings from churches, individuals and lecturers alike. Personally, I was sponsored fully for this trip! AMEN ..
Felt so encouraged because so many people from all over were praying and interceding for us - families, church members, friends.
9 May 2001, Wed
Woke up at 330am as we had to leave Melaka by 530am to reach KLIA by 7am. Flight MH754 was scheduled to take off at 935am. Left Melaka in two cars and a van. Before reaching the Ayer Keroh toll plaza, one of the car was stopped by a police block. They had to show their ID's as the policeman was suspicious because he thought there were mixed nationalities in the car; American (Melissa), Indian (Robert), Taiwanese (PJ) and Chinese (Dawn and Gerald). Myself, Pung, Alvin and Kenny were in the van.
Reached the airport. Elated to see my family with my luggages and boxes of materials waiting for me. Even cut my birthday cake there! Hahaha ... Pastor Chin from Asian Outreach was there to meet us as well. He gave us a short briefing.
Sent some postcards home on flight to "comfort" my worrying parents.
Reached Pochenong Airport, Phnom Penh around 1135am. It was a two hours flight and the local time there is an hour later than Malaysia. The airport was packed and noisy. We were met by Bill and Udi from Asian Outreach Cambodia (AOC). Cramped us all into a van with the luggages and boxes. The traffic was chaotic and the heat was unbearable. We checked into the Golden Gate Hotel. Hotel owners are Chinese and they can speak Cantonese.
Met for dinner at a Khmer Restaurant. Dinner was sumptuous - the air-conditioned room and good meals changed our perception of mission trip. After dinner, Sherry and Debbie from White Lotus met us to brief us about their organization as we will be helping them.
10 May 2001, Thursday
Up at 6am and the sky is already bright. Breakfast was provided by the hotel. Had friedlice with fruits (pineapple, papaya, mango and banana), tea and coffee. All these for USD3.
Thereafter, we left for White Lotus. Started work at the pond. We dug mud out was the pond is to be transformed into a fish pond to generate income for the home. We had Maggi Mee for lunch.
In the afternoon, we left for the Shelter School of Peace in AOC's truck. Udi joined us as our interpreter and Urichi-san from Japan drove us there. It was an hour's bumpy ride. Thank God I'm a gal, so I get to sit in the enclosed area in the truck. The guys has to endure the humps and bumps plus the dusts. Yerr ..
Saw horses, cows, chickens and even pigs being kept as pets in the Khmers homes. Upon reaching our destination, there were no children around as they weren't notified of our coming. Two messengers were then sent out to gather the villagers' children. In less than 15 mins, more than 20 children gathered in the compound. We put up a midget show with children's action songs and they joined in. Gave out balloons and candies and taught them the balloons' colours. I tried to carry one of the boys but he cried :(
Caught us by surprise when we were about to leave, the children sang some Khmer Christian songs and quoted some scriptures. Wonderful~ We were so blessed.
Had group devotion after dinner on the gospel of Mark.
11 May 2001, Friday
As usual, we worked on the White Lotus's pond in the morning.
Left for the UNACAS orphanage situated in the outskirts of Phnom Penh. The children chased after our van upon our arrival and escorted each of us - boys with guys and gals with the ladies. Started off the day's programme by teaching them rabbit origami followed by the midget show. Then, they played the Sakai game. Robert shared on the Creation story.
Before leaving, the ladies were showered with flowers :) They even served us iced water. Left the orphanage with a heavy heart. Wished we had spent more time there!
12 May 2001, Saturday
Went to Pastor Vibol's church Outreach Center at the slums area. Sang some songs and presented the Strongman's Drama. Goodies and shaped balloons were distributed. The children had fun playing the handkerchief game.
Afternoon went shopping at the Russian market.
Youth meeting at Pastor Vibol's church; built on stilts yet they have a set of drums, synthesizer and OHP! Canggih ..
13 May 2001, Sunday
Attended the service at Pastor Vibol's church. I stayed on with the Sunday School children assisting Dorothy from AOC. They were a handful ...
In the afternoon, we visited the Killing Fields and War Museum. Poor Li Hsien, he was stung by a hornet.
14 May 2001, Monday
Spent the whole day at White Lotus's office. Had a nice Chinese lunch at a posh restaurant. Taught Debbie tie-n-dye and also batik printing. The others helped with looking through the newspapers for relevant articles, repaired the PC, typing and also making a curtain for the gal's home.
Then, we prayed for journey mercy and God's protection as we will be supplying "bread" to Vietnam. We were each presented with a handmade card and the gals with a bag each and boys a t-shirt. Sweetness~
Packing time. We had to stuff the "bread" into our luggage, each 16 loaves.
15 May 2001, Tuesday
Left in 4 taxis for a four hour bumpy ride. It was so bumpy that I had a bump on my head at the end of the ride. The taxi even took a ferry across a river. Passed through the customs, none of us had to open our luggage for check. AMEN! At one stage, the officer made me worried when he took a long time to return my passport. Perhaps he was admiring my pretty face ;)
Selamat tiba di MaiPhai Hotel. What a vast difference! Vietnam is much more colourful and livelier as compared to Cambodia.
At night, we were met by some contacts to pass them the "bread" supplies. Tasted Vietnamese food - Pho Bo (beef noddles), Bun Xe (pancake) and Soda Water with Lime. Recommended by Tho and Uwen. Yummy!
16 May 2001, Wednesday
Free time in the morning.
In the evening, three of us left for a local home to teach English to the street kids.
17 May 2001, Thursday
In the morning, we left for a Catholic orphanage. Eighty six children altogether; the youngest being three months. Not allowed for adoption, only allowed to leave the home when they get married.
Evening, it was my turn to meet the street kids. Went on a motorcycle. It was terrifying as I wasn't wearing any helmet and two of us went missing along the way. There were spies around thus making our task difficult.
18 May 2001, Friday
Free day! Went for a Mekong Delta boat ride. Saw some snakes, drank some honey. People here say "No money, no honey!"
Had fever. Felt lousy, slept through the night without dinner only ciku ice blended.
19 May 2001, Thursday
Ho Chin Minh's day. We brought the street kids out to the park. Oh boy .. it was real headache. They were all over us, fighting among themselves, etc. The only time we had some peace was when we put them on the Cho-cho Train Ride.
Went to Benh Tanh market. Celebrated Gerald's birthday. He had Vietnam cake~
20 May 2001, Friday
Went swimming with another group of streetkids. More disciplined group.
Attended evening service at an Evangelical Church. It was in Vietnamese.
21 May 2001, Saturday
Shopping day. I shopped till I dropped. Walked to three local markets (i.e Benh Tanh & Russian, can't remember the other one) and spent almost RM400.
At night, we went on a cyclo ride to Restaurant 13 for dinner. The cyclos brought us for a city tour.
22 May 2001, Sunday
Home sweet home.
In the future ...
It's back to reality. Waiting for job offers and my heart still cries "Here I am Lord, send me!"
