DAY 1
After a 2 year long planning for this, the missions trip to Kapit finally materialised in conjunction with the 2nd EXCO meeting of the GCMW. This trip had already been budgeted for during the 2022 Wk of Prayer and Self-Denial offertory and we were all blessed that it was possible this time.
Sis Angelyn, the Vice -President and coincidentally the Sibu District representative of SIAC made very painstaking pains to ensure that every aspect of the trip was planned well. From TAC, we had 3 of us namely; Sis Shanty Shekar, the AC president, Sis Kany Jayapal, the GCMW Spiritual Life coordinator and Mrs. Mary Devadason, the EAA president.
When the W. Malaysia delegation landed in Sibu airport, and after checking into the hotel, we were immediately whisked by our Sibu SCAC ladies in their cars off for a scrumptious Western dinner. We were stuffed ! After that, were given a tour of Sibu town after dark in the car.
DAY 2
Early next morning, we were introduced during breakfast to the famous Ding Bian Hu (鼎边糊) a famous delicacy of Sibu. It contains small pieces of rice flour dough that can fit onto your spoon in one scoop. We also bought fresh, out of the oven-hot Kompia (福州光饼), small and flat pastries which are chewy with a crispy crust and with or without fillings of minced meats. We had the good fortune to run into Rev. Bonnie, the SIAC Bishop and his wife, plus two other TRAC sisters who were coincidentally on their way to the Kapit Methodist kindergarten on that very day.
After breakfast, the SCAC ladies picked us up again to show us some of their ministries. First stop was at their Methodist Pre-school where we saw some cute babies being taken care of by their carers. At the same place was also a Centre for women which gives cookery classes and tailoring classes for the ladies here. The place was well equipped.
After that, we went to the SCAC El-En centre where single ladies can live in individual rooms. The place was well maintained and taken care of by a caretaker. There were also adjoining units for more elderly couples with more amenities provided for them. There was also a community hall for the activities of the elderly which has been ear-marked for renovation. It was truly amazing to see the amount of work that the ladies were involved in. God bless all their activities.
After that we had lunch at a nearby Chinese restaurant, before going to the SCAC HQ centre for our GCMW meeting where our Bishop Jeyakumar joined us through Zoom.
After a 2 year long planning for this, the missions trip to Kapit finally materialised in conjunction with the 2nd EXCO meeting of the GCMW. This trip had already been budgeted for during the 2022 Wk of Prayer and Self-Denial offertory and we were all blessed that it was possible this time.
Sis Angelyn, the Vice -President and coincidentally the Sibu District representative of SIAC made very painstaking pains to ensure that every aspect of the trip was planned well. From TAC, we had 3 of us namely; Sis Shanty Shekar, the AC president, Sis Kany Jayapal, the GCMW Spiritual Life coordinator and Mrs. Mary Devadason, the EAA president.
When the W. Malaysia delegation landed in Sibu airport, and after checking into the hotel, we were immediately whisked by our Sibu SCAC ladies in their cars off for a scrumptious Western dinner. We were stuffed ! After that, were given a tour of Sibu town after dark in the car.
After the meeting we were taken to Kingwood Hotel, for a delicious Chinese spread by the SCAC sisters who were out in full force to welcome us. The SCAC Bishop, Rev. Dr Lau Hui Ming and his wife joined us in this dinner too.
DAY 3
On Saturday morning, all of us got up early for the trip to Kapit. For many of us, it was the 1st time to Kapit. Previously, accessibility to Kapit was only by boat but now there is a road. By 7.00 am, 2 vans were on their way with of a total of 20 ladies comprising of GCMW EXCO, SIAC and SCAC ladies.
It was a long ride to Kapit, more than 3 hours with a few necessary pit stops to ease our aching bones and legs. But when we reached Kapit, all this was forgotten as we gazed in wonder at the town. Personally, from the stories we had heard, we had imagined a small village town with no electricity, running water and quite backward. It was a pleasant surprise to see that it was a sizable town with many schools, and buildings. It was the size of a medium-sized town with all amenities.
First stop was at the Tadika Methodist close to around 10.30 am. We met the teachers, and the Iban children. They put up a beautiful performance of Memory verses and songs. It was really beautiful to see their innocent faces, and the fantastic work that was being done here. Ang-pows were handed over to each of the beautiful kids sponsored by Sis Diong Siew Ling.
Next stop was at the Lighthouse of Hope Sarawak, walking distance from the kindergarten. We were welcomed by Mr. William Samat, the administrator, who briefly explained the ministries behind the organisation. This is a centre focusing on young people with a vision towards building Kapit as the Home for Missions for the upper Rajang Basin with an effective, friendly and thriving Youth Centre.
This project looks into equipping and nurturing young people into the next generation of strong leaders. Their goal is to impact not just ones or twos but to see many families, whole villages/longhouses, the whole community even the whole region impacted, transformed, rooted, built up and established in their faith and always full of thanksgiving.
On 1 May 2019, Lighthouse Kapit was officially dedicated by Reverend Dr. Ong Hwai Teik, Bishop of the Methodist Church in Malaysia. In reaching for their vision, Lighthouse Kapit partners with various organisations, churches and NGOs to carry out specific initiatives, programs and events especially with primary, secondary schools through STEM programmes, engaging with the community e.g. serving as a vaccination centre, running youth programmes from it etc.
During a a traditional Iban lunch at the nearby Iban Pasar church, both the Kindergarten and the Lighthouse Kapit were each given a love gift from the GCMW to bless them in their activities.
Next stop was at a Longhouse in Kapit. The women, children and some men were excitedly waiting our arrival. They gave us a rousing welcoming Ngajak dance by some lovely teens in their traditional costumes. The Tuan Rumah of the Longhouse, En. Rasin, welcomed us to their long house which he said they had been eagerly looking forward to. The GCMW president, Mrs. Evelyn Sim, then gave her thanks to the community on our behalf and urged them all to remain strong in the Lord. After that, Sis Kany Jayapal of TAC, gave a rousing speech in Bahasa Malaysia, ‘Peranan Wanita di dalam Persatuan Wanita Methodist’. It was an inspiring speech which was well received by the people. After a bout of photo taking, the people showcased their produce – vegetables, hand woven baskets, and local kuih. They even had a demo of how to make their local delicacies.
All too soon, we had to leave and we bid the Iban people of the long house a fond farewell. But now laden with many, many baskets and fruits and kuih which the ladies had bought. It was a long trip back, but the day was not over as yet. Sis Angelyn took us to her Sibu Iban church, a beautiful church. Ladies being ladies, it was photo time again.
We were then treated to a scrumptious meal prepared by the SIAC – rice, chicken curry, chicken rendang, pucuk pakis, fruits, sambal etc. It was a satisfying meal after a tiring day.
When we reached back to the hotel, all we could do was hit the showers and crawl or fall into bed. Everyone was dead beat after the tiring but exciting experiences !
DAY 4
We got up early again for service at 7.00 am at the nearby Masland Methodist church. It is a beautiful, big church and it had a full attendance at the early hour. We were privileged to see the choir of the day made up of all senior people. It was indeed a blessing to see our seniors actively participating in the choir. Although we in TAC could not understand the language, but we knew the peace and love in the church and that shown by the pastors and congregation.
After service, we were taken to a top floor to the newly opened canteen and served a full breakfast. We took the opportunity to take photographs with the Masland pastors.
After that, it was a free and easy time and many of the ladies took the opportunity to take a walk around town to do some shopping.
After checking out of the hotel, Sis Hie Ching, our Advisor, took us for a Chinese lunch. Fried rice, fish, mixed vege, soup etc., plus fresh fruits which she had brought along – papaya, guava, strawberries, apples. We were indeed spoilt with good food and hospitality the whole trip by our East Malaysian sisters.
Finally, at 4 pm, they arranged for us to be dropped at the airport. We had had a lovely time with our East Malaysian ladies and carried with us back wonderful memories of the various people we had met, and the various ministries.
God bless all the ministries being carried out in Sarawak.
God bless the people of Sarawak.
Methodist Women
Tamil Annual Conference (TAC)
MEMORIES OF KAPIT MISSIONS TRIP BY GCMW
“The fact that I am a woman does not make me a different kind of Christian, But the fact that I am a Christian does make me a different kind of woman.”
Elisabeth Elliot
