I am an adventure and nature lover. My initial motivation to join the Pa’ Adang mission trip was just to experience nature and explore the land of Sarawak. When I realized my inappropriate intention, I hesitated registering.
Since I didn’t have the burden to join the mission, I occupied myself with activities and works until the new semester started. Surprisingly, after few weeks of planning my schedule, there would still be a week free for me. God is amazing. The word “Pa’ Adang” kept popping up in my mind at that instant. Therefore, I checked for the date again and it was exactly the free week in my schedule but the due date for registration was over. I went to the pastor-in-charge for more inquiries and the possibility to join. To my surprise, I was accepted to join the team! Apparently, God has His plan in store.
I grew spiritually and began to understand God better through the daily devotion during the mission trip. Honestly I didn’t have constant devotion habit in my daily life. I did it only when I was free or when I remembered.
During the trip, we woke up early and did our devotion together before breakfast, a routine unfamiliar to me. I learned that we must feed ourselves with God’s word before feeding our stomach. We must pray for His daily guidance as well. Through this practice, I noticed that the day went much smoother and better than expected. God spoke to me through the devotional notes that He is the only and one true God. He taught me to depend on His plans and guidance and to wait for His timing.
Furthermore, I also got to know the team members who were from their different backgrounds and churches. Although the team was so diverse, God has given us one spirit to understand and work peacefully together. This has been the best team spirit that I have experienced so far. We completed our work faster than expected without any pushy reminders and quarrels. Thank God for the strength and spirit that was laid on us.
Also, the weather was so nice for us to complete the assigned work, especially during the process of painting the buildings. The weather was so fine that we were not too exhausted while painting under the sun and the heat was just sufficient to dry the paint. All of these couldn’t be done through our human strength only.
This trip reminded me how grateful and lucky I am. These wonderful memories will not fade away. I will always remember the Almighty God and continue to be His faithful disciple.