i just returned from my first mission trip 3 days ago, praise God He looks into all details. From the onset, me who is normally the person who creates drama, was the drama solver, if there is such a word. Our leader gave us instructions to meet at the train station in time to reach airport at half past 11 to catch a 12.50flight. Lo and behold, i glance at my printed ticket and saw that flight was 12.05!!! Red Alert went,but before i jumped the gun I checked the information, and quickly sent a message and all systems went. Because God is in control, we reached the airport timely and really timely.......as we were queueing, there was a call for our destination, and we were ushered to the check in counter.
All well that ends well, we got on board safely and before we could warm the seat, our 50 minutes was up and we reached our destination in Medan. WE collected our luggage to be then held back at customs. There was a debate on the contributed items of vitamins and treat items, and after more than an hour of deliberation and the presence of the local host pastor, the goods were detained. Again, we realised how good God is as if we had brought in the cartons, we would have to sit one top of each other in the van! Praise God indeed.
Fast forward, one of the first things we did was satisfy our palates. We went into a fairly decent restaurant called Famili and had an array of more than 30 dishes on the plate for us to choose from. As i went to the wash room, i was surprised that there was only one female toilet but 3 for men! Indignantly i queried why this was the case, only to be told that women folk rarely visited the restaurant! We were then given 45 minutes to do some shopping in a christian book store before we went for our 2.5 hour journey to Brastagi, a cool area.
We arrived about 6pm and was greeted with Gerri, pastor's youngest son. The lady of the house, Junita had prepared a spread of dinner for us. Boy, it was really special. We were then ushered into our respective chambers. I guess because i was the newest kid on the block i e a first mission trip, i got the "honey moon suite". Judy and i were tickled when we saw our double bed with 3-4 mattresses on top of each other. The other 4 friends had double deck beds. After dinner, we had a cold, very cold bath.....grrrr. We went into action as it was the youth meeting on a saturday evening. Kids were singing their hearts out until Betty our first speaker took to the floor. Her presentation was well received as she reminded the kids to be confident of themselves and not to conform to world standards or pursuits. The youth meeting was attended by more than 70 youths and ended with time for ministry as the team came forward to offer prayers for some.
The following morning, we were greeted by music and strumming of guitar and melodic voices as the SOM students started their day this way. It was truly annointing time for me,the thought that ran in my mind was how i have taken God for granted . It was truly a wonderful time with God to start our day that way. WE learnt that the SOM School of Mission students would do this every morning 365 days in a year. Judy shared the message and importance of LOVE in everything we do, and the pastor reiterated this to the students as a reminder. After a hearty breakfast of friend rice, we went to the already rocking and rolling music from the sunday school. Judy blended easily and jumped about like a 6 year old in a new environment, she indeed was in her element. Moments later, we were actors as we demonstrated a skit to the children about 200 of them ranging from 2 years till 14 years the danger of being near sin. We depicted how difficult it was to get out of sin, and how man cannot help us, but only through prayer and grace from our Lord Jesus Christ could we be saved. The children then were ushered into different class rooms as we went together. More songs and singing until i was concerned the wooden floor we were standing on could collapse any time.When sunday school finished, we continued for service in the main sanctuary. When i came in, i was pleasantly surprised to find many of the congregations at the front of the altar bowing before our Lord in prayer and worshipping....true worship, so intense and beautiful.
Before long, i was invited to the pulpit to share my testimony. This was testimony when God showed me how He knows everything even before it happened just as He says, He knows us even before we were knitted in our mother's womb. Praise God as He thought me a lesson about having more grace and letting MERCY TRIUMPH OVER JUDGEMENT as in James 2:13. Bapak Anthony then took to the floor and shared his message. Service ended about 1pm and it was really inspiring to see the praise team get together to pray and thank God for the service. We were again offered a big lunch with a yummy dessert of blended avocado!
We tarry on after lunch to the next destination where a boat ride would ensue. It was a long drive, about 3 hours over, and as we approached Harranggaol, we could see how deep a drop it was to get to the lake. There to greet us, was Dame, our private yatch, with broken benches but beautifully awaiting to take us to an island called Silhalpe. I was mesmerised with the calming waters and it was a real delight to see sea gulls or some white birds, i could not pay real attention to Shaun who was talking to me about properties. My mind was transported elsewhere, i have a thing with calm waters, it just takes my breath away. Strangely Anthony then ask us if we could swim, and i remarked it was a bit too late was it not to ask us this now. Before long, we arrived at Silhalpe.
There were smiling faces as our ration was offered to the host of the house. Anthony suggested i go look at the kitchen where dinner was cooking, and behold back to basics as firewood was on the cooking stove outside the house, the aroma of the food was inviting. We all sat on the mat and 2 ladies came out and started to distribute bbq fish, with sambal and a dish of green vegetables. It was such a feast, as each person had a portion. If this was not enough, they served each of us about 6 mangoes, which was succulent and sweet. Much to the delight of our dear brother Tea Gan who enjoyed it so much you could not see his eyes as his teeth sinked into the fruit. As soon as one of the pastors gave thanks for the food, i decided to use my hand to savour the food, and what a joy it was. Truly back to basics, there was much fellowship. After dinner, we noticed the bedouin tent was starting to get in place as they also got the equipment and screen ready. There was one bathroom in this house and there were at least 14 people who were staying in the house. Meeting started with songs of praise by a new and young pastor and before long, the crowd of about 100 started worshipping God on top of their voices and tears of joy. It was a sight to behold as ever so often the lighs would go out when there was a problem with the generator. After time of intercession and ministry, the meeting ended at about 11pm. It was my turn to lead devotion the next day, and my sharing was about Spiritual markers and how important it was to remember these things, just as God instructed Joshua to leave the 12 stones in the Jordan river as a momentum of His glorious power. My aim was also to remind them that these reminders can come in timely when we are down and out, and then get reminded that our God is a good God who is faithful.
That morning as i awoke, it was the best of the lot. Anthony still near his mosquito net sleeping area called upon Grace to share with her some scripture, before long i went over to listen and it was wonderful to listen to the word of God early in the morning. I then took a stroll and sat by the bank to watch the calmness of the Lake and watch a man casting his net to make his catch for the day. Oh, what a memorable time this was. I would not trade the sweetness of this experience for anything. It was just awesome and tranquil, how sweet God is to let me experience Him so much, i was about to tear. Then brother Tea Gan came along side, and joined me and we chatted a while, and i cherished that moment alone, just me and the awesomeness of God. I praise you Lord and I thank you......... After lunch, we went up to look at the uncompleted church, and it was understood that it would take RM8,000 to complete it or 20 million rupiah. Anthony told them to proceed and the bargain was anything above the figure mentioned, the congregation had to make up for it, and anything in excess was for their kitty. As i walked up the steps in my sandals in the rough terrain and broken steps i really thought of Jesus and how He would be walking everywhere, oh how sweet that moment was. And then to see the simplicity of life, how the people there lived with firewood and no electricity, i was at awe and really appreciated what they had, they experienced what Jesus did.
We had to bade farewell to our friends, Bapak Anthony did a wonderful thing to comfort this widow assuring her that there will be a monthly RM100 for food for her and the children. She was also asked to check the price of land for her to grow whatever she wanted to be self sufficient. As it was daylight, i had a better and closer look at the bathroom and was amazed with what i saw that would make macgyver give the villagers some respect. They cleverly created a filter from the hill water by placing a sponge, cloth in a basket tied to the outlet. How in genius I thought.
Our next stop was Permatang Siantar, the boat ride was a little heart wrenching, as i truly enjoyed myself at Silhalpe. The old lady with her beetle nut chewing and how happy and simple everyone was. I waved my friends good bye, and we proceeded to the yatch and onward to drive to Permatang Siantar. As we arrived, we saw yet another tent being fixed up and as we entered the house, it began to rain. Then, as the praise team was singing, it poured. I looked at the clock, i said under my breath, Lord you know when to stop it. Indeed He did, half an hour before the revival meeting attended by about 130 people. There was praise and worship, and then time for ministry. A elderly lady with her scarf stood in front of me asking for me to lay hands and prayed for her. She looked like she really had a very enlarge goiter. I prayed and asked Jehovah Rapha to heal her, and then i told her to go see a doctor to resolve this. The night ended about 11pm, and this time i really zonked out.
Next morning after devotion and breakfast, we were back to Medan. Oh yes, how could i forget to mention delfina's special hospitality. When we returned from the revival meeting, we were greeted with mattresses for the men and us ladies had the room all clear of our bags and organised, what a delight. She was a true hostess. After lunch, we said our farewell to Pastor Gordon and his entourage as we parted ways and went onward to Medan. 2 hours into our drive, we detoured to Tebing Tinggi to meet with a retired pastor and his ailing wife who used to be church planters. It was a sight to behold, and i then did the hospis thing. I sang a praise song for her, and prayed for her joined in by the rest of the group. God prompted me to give her the pampering i do so much in Hospis. There i parted with my cushion for her back and Judy for her neck support pillow. I then took her legs and gave her a massage and propped up her legs just to make her feel comfortable. The thoughts that ran through my mind then was i should come and live here for a while, just to nurse her. However, i knew it was my emotions playing on me. In any case, i dont know if i may just do it. I prayed for God to pour down his mercy on her, that He extend her life like He did with King Hezekiah. It was sad but i got a smile from her when i teased her and the age she was with a grown up daughter. How i wanted to see or make her smile more. How i wished i could comb her hair and make her feel pretty and dignified again. Lord, please help me remember to pray for her.
We proceeded after 30 minutes stop, and onward to Medan. Again we were greeted to lunch at Pastor Pakpahan's church and home, the home also for Grace, our sweet interpreter. I also learnt that years ago, when Pakpahan decided to go into ministry, he sold his house to build this church, and he relinquished his rights to the building. It was truly beautiful to see such young people being exposed to God's goodness. After lunch, we were given 45 minutes to do any last minute shopping and Anthony continued to give a class to the bible students with Shaun in attendance.
Whilst shopping, we lost each other for a while, and praise God all were found in time. We left for the airport and God is so good as He placed a sweet sweet girl named Stevanie next to me. Evangelist irene wasted no time, and showing her the camera and what we came to Medan for, i prayed for our safe flight and stevanie's safe holiday trip to hong kong. I also prayed for her brother Kevin's results and the Holy Spirit moved as she teared. I took her email wanting to keep in touch. We arrived home tired but full of the spirit and we lift our hands to praise God for such an awesome time with Him. I told myself, this is what life is about........It was a wonderful first for my 49 years as a human.........Praise God indeed.
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