Orang Asli Village trip! Whoa~

In case any of you guys din know, a whole lot of us joined a Orang Asli trip, organized by Rotaract Club of UTP, to Cameron Highlands 2 days ago. Among us that joined are Jenny, Hun Pin, Javier, Mei Le, Kuo Chun and I. Honestly, I really do not know what to expect from this trip because I dint attend the briefing before the trip and there was no activity schedule or anything at all, so i actually just went on the trip ‘blindly’. ;D

We departed from UTP at around 6.30am on friday morning, headed straight to Gua Musang in Kelantan, through the road leading to Cameron Highlands. So, we were actually crossing the Peninsular Malaysia from west to east already you see…>< The entire trip was freezing because it’s early in the morning and we are speeding through the Banjaran Titiwangsa, I totally enjoyed myself. But of course i cant help thinking that when i reach Gua Musang, i’m actually only 3 hours away from home!!! ( Oh man… T.T )

When we finally got there, we as Rotaract Club members all helped out with the Public Health Screening ( in collaboration with Pfizer Pharmaceuticals) and decoration of the Living Water Centre, (which is actually an Anglican Church) that is going to be officiated that morning itself. We got the chance to really mix around with a whole lot of Orang Asli, trying to communicate with them. It was only in the evening, we depart from Gua Musang and headed back to Kg. Pawong, which is situated near Pos Raya of Cameron Highlands area, which is also where we spent the night and the coming one day.

We reached the village at around 6pm and it was already getting dark. So a group of us handled the dinner and a whole lot of us actually just hanged around la. At that time, coincidentally the villagers at the village are having their prayer meeting there in the hut that we are staying, so i just joined them.

The way that they conduct was quite similar to how things were done in Hope Ipoh church actually, except that they communicate in Malay language. They sang praises and worshipped God, then Pastor shared the Word of God that night as well. It was about keeping ourselves pure and getting rid of sinful acts and attitudes, knowing how to draw strength from God at the same time. He used an example: Our relationship with God is actually like a relationship of a husband and wife. If the husband is one that is not loyal and has a mistress, committing sins and betrayal, the wife would definitely not be pleased. The same goes with God. If we are not loyal and goes against His Words and commit sinful acts, He will not be pleased as well. Then everyone spent the rest of the time in prayers, committing themselves to God, praying for strength and wisdom from God. At that moment of prayer, I just felt these people of God are so simple. Yes, simple. Simple prayers, simple faith yet strong and unbeatable. Holy Spirit filled the church…I was thinking, how is it that these people can be so full of zeal and power and filled with such strong spirit and faith in God? We were like in the middle of nowhere, some freezing dark jungle, yet God’s presence is so strong in that little hut where everyone is praying. Although we are perhaps much more educated than any of the Orang Asli in the hut there, I felt so inferior compared to their faith. We are so full of worldly things, wanting to achieve so many that we forget our ultimate goal, that is to unite with God. These Orang Asli made everything looked so simple. No worries, no doubts, only faith in following God’s Word. It was also at that moment I can see God good work upon His people, despite the Orang Asli’s background and their poverty, God had worked His miracle on them, giving them salvation and love, giving the protection and providence for their living. In my heart I just shouted, ” God You are so Great!!! Look at how You protected and loved these people! How can this be??” I was so touched by their faith…amazing indeed…God’s good work on them…

And then during that late night as well, the whole lot of us just decided to go for a night walk to the river near the place where we were staying. Well of course when we are in a jungle, there are lots of pantang larangs right? So Mr Bernard ( a sporty Pfizer volunteer) warned everyone to be careful with words and no pranks especially in the jungle at night, it was at that moment everyone started to become much more serious and careful, and perhaps it was because of fear also la…(well you know…) While walking, I can’t help but be careful with every step that i make, every action that i do and every word that i might say, praying for God’s protection and all… And then, it just struck me that we are all children of God! Why should we actually be too afraid of the dark? Is it because we have such little faith that God will protect and take good care of us? At that thought, I felt a bit ashamed that I was afraid…and later I just find myself slightly relaxed and kinda enjoyed the walk anyway.. And I really thank God for that… =)

The night passed by alright ( although disturbed by some stray dogs that messed with our food on the floor in the kitchen a few times), everything was fine and i really had a good sleep. I guess all that went could agree, although kinda cold.. We proceeded again that morning with more health screening and a fun time of games and competition with each other and the Asli children. Before departing back to Ipoh, we also went down to the icy cold river and had a fun time there… Really a great experience and memorable experience..

Hmmm, I thank God that God actually touched me and made me realize some important things that we often overlooked in our lives as a Christian- the need and how simple it is to have such strong faith in God, that God is with us, that God provides protection, regardless of where, when or on who. Our occupation, our work , family background or identity is nothing in God’s eyes, God doesn’t differentiate His children into categories…In fact, He loves and cares for each and everyone of us-equally and faithfully at all times!

Let us also ponder upon how often God is able to touch us and speak to us through little things in our lives, or through people around us, you might just wake up saying ‘Whoa~…‘ ;D

God Bless!!!!

Psalm 23:4 “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”

Ephesians 3:19 “and to know this love that surpasses knowledge- that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.”