What Direction: Labour in Tras, Adventures up to Sinai

Came back from a mission trip to the orang asli work in Tras, Raub. It's a ministry under my local church where the indigenous kids are housed (from their villages), and sent to a nearby school. After a couple of times of being chased out of their rented properties, the pastors resolved to own their land. When the place is finished, it should have a hostel, clinic and library. Nearby are estates for fruits like durian, mango etc. Agriculture is also part of their work.

I first scouted Tras and Sinai and met with Pastor Rajan and Pastor Timothy last August. I listened to their vision for this ministry and some of their inspiring stories. They're purchasing the 6-acre land with little money but plenty of faith. One of their ultimate goals is to raise up an indigenous leader to enter the parliament, to serve and be a voice for their own people. I like men with big visions!

I thought this was the ideal place to bring my young adults group to do mission work and maybe grow with their ministry, see the kids grow. Pastor Timothy was right, we don't have to do missions work and experience its adventures in overseas or somewhere far and costly. Everything can be done here locally. It didn't happen last year due to delay in construction timings and materials, but the Royal Rangers from my church managed to send a team during the school holidays to start of something. Since then, many structures were built and completed. And finally, we were there last weekend, just a week before the official opening and dedication ceremony this Saturday. It will be attended by YB Tan Sri Bernard Giluk Dompok who is the Minister of Plantation Industries and Commodities, and our senior pastor of course.

During our 3 days/2 nights trip, we helped clean the warden's house, rode up to a mountain (Sinai) village to conduct a Bahasa service and partake dinner with the locals up there. But our main work was to cement a stretch of wired fences. This physical works weren't easy for us city boys! In addition we managed to present a short story skit, played and teach the kids. Our very own magician Zlwin also managed to squeeze in a couple of performances, mixed with some closed up delights. I cannot ask for more from my excellent team, who did everything required of them without complain, all the while taking care of the buddies assigned to them.

Recently I got myself a compact camera (1/2 birthday present from wife) after many months of research and contemplation. It's a Canon Powershot S90 gem. You see, I'm tired of stealing others' pictures or waiting for them. Jim Rohn is right, one of the few most important things in life we'll leave behind is pictures. I may write on the other things he talked about on another day. A picture is worth a thousand words. I've gotta make my own memories.

If I've the time, I may write a review on the S90, But for now, I'll let some of my pictures do the talking. These are only a few, many others were uploaded to Facebook.

Intro & briefing by Pastor Timothy

Hermann cleaning the brick walls

The guys getting ready to ride the 4x4 up to Mt Sinai. This has gotta be the highlight of the trip. I witnessed the transformation of strongmen into little boys having fun during the journey up