Missing Murud

No, I'm not done with my postings on Murud yet.  The last one is a bit tough, lots of thinking effort.

But.

The ever-welcoming warm fire in House No. 10

Darn.

The real summit of Mt. Murud - which I gladly did not conquer

I miss MURUD.

Going deeper into the river - Murud 4

House No. 10, where we spent most of our nights being pest and disturbing other people's beauty sleep!

3 days went by very quickly.  Our afternoons were spent visiting our friend's houses and being blessed.  Our nights were spent at Aunty Sipai's house - house number 10.  Before we know it, it was already time to go.

 We packed our things, and planned to leave at 5am on Monday.  But didn't leave till after breakfast, about 6.40am.  What fun time it was going down!  Knees hurt like mad, but still, with a lot of people infront and behind us, it was such a joy, with so much singing, jokes, teasing, laughing!  Arriving back to Lepo Bunga was a miracle.  We made it in 5 1/2 hours this time.  Some made it faster of course :) And that is with many "traffic jam" along the way.

The fullmoon was with us the whole trip... till we reached Buduk Nur for a wonderful feast of food and hearts

Arriving back in Buduk Nur was such a huge relief.  But it had made me get jumpy again!  The plan was to go to Long Beluyu that day and stay the night over with Uncle Balang.  But Uncle Brownie couldn't come that day to drive us to Long Beluyu.  Stress.... behind schedule!  But as I've learnt from Day 1, all is well at His own time.  We had a wonderful feast prepared for us by Uncle - Ukab's dad and I spent the night talking with those I used to be closed to, and also, seated outside with a dog under the moon while the rest chatted the night away.  All was well.

The feeling of "it's your home" was intense.  Ukab (my 2nd cousin) cooked for us that night.

Finally, we moved out from lovely Ba Kelalan with heavy hearts and hidden tears.  Dropped by Long Beluyu, saddened to see how the folks were getting older by the day, sorry that I didn't spend time with them, and yet, thankful, that we did drop by.  Moved on to Mararap Hot Spring, enjoyed the total complete silence and the wonderful luxurious dip in the beautiful pool.  Met more Uncle / Aunty along the way as well.

Specifically wanted the group (especially the city girls) to try the "hanging bridge".  I was terrified of crossing it when I was still a child.

Back to Lawas on Wednesday, had wonderful laksa at Ba Kelalan Rice Cafe - specially prepared for us only, even if the cafe was closed for the day.  What a beautiful end for a beautiful trip....

Going deeper into the river - Murud 3

Arriving in Murud was serious challenge.  The climb up unknowingly made me crazy tired and having no place to go, having still to run around looking for a house to stay, for lost friends, for bags yang entah where, and having being dump in a strange house, with no specific instruction / explanation, with strangers, made me finally just lie down and cried my eyes out.  Imagine, just the first few hours arriving and being on Holy Ground, here I was, crying and sobbing away.  But that was the antidote.  Felt much better after that.

Arriving at the church site.... I couldn't wait any longer and just went down down down.

I knew I was being bitchy, but according to an honest friend, I was just being stressed out about petty things.  How could I not be?  I had 4 friends with me, with no house, no food for any of them.  And I was supposed to be the one arranging for the trip!  Felt really bad...  But hey, God provided thus far kan?  He will continue to provide. The food came - which later I found out was more at the sacrificial love of the family! (What is it with the Lun Bawang; who so "macho"ly sacrifice for others?) Picked myself up, had a numbing shower with freezing cold water, ate simple food and smelt wonderfully of smoke all over :)

Just before the frantic search for the unknown

We rested that night, some of the gang adapted better, I think I was the worst at adapting.  Gasp!  When it was time to sleep, it was freakin' cold.  We heard that it would be cold, but never can I imagine, the wind blowing into my head even with a scarf wrapped around it!  Got up the next day, albeit late for morning prayers at 5.30am, then got ready for first session at 9am.  

Opening ceremony.  Samal, samal, kuan amung luk muneng iring Tuhan (Blessed, Blessed, are those who are close near the Lord)

I was ready to listen.  And I needed God to speak to me.  I didn't climb up for nothing!  And I heard him.  Loud and clear.  For the whole 3 days; 6 sessions, I heard Him.  What I am going to do with what I hear is another whole matter.  I certainly came expecting the unexpected and I went deeper into the river.  Ankle deep, knee deep, waist deep, till finally, swimming.  Ezekiel 47: 3 - 6.  

Going deeper into the river - Murud 2

News of continuous rain worried most, if not all of us.  No car, not even the most experienced drivers did not dare to drive up to Lepo Bunga; the 2nd base camp because of its dangerous, slippery condition.  And that will mean we need to walk from the base at 0km - and that will be a 3 days / nights hike up to Lepo Bunga.  But miraculously, the rain stopped 3 days before our arrival.  The roads dried up, the bulldozers could go to work leveling the muddy road and on the day we arrived, 2 amazing drivers braved the impossible to try the 2 hours drive up to Lepo Bunga and they made it!! Halleluyah!

Arrived in Lepo Bunga.  See all the cool handsome porters waiting for us to repack

As no prior arrangements were made with the drivers, we could not go up to Lepo Bunga immediately; which I thank the Lord for.  All was well in His time.  We rested, we repacked, we ate, we got acquainted with beautiful little Ba Kelalan and its people.  And we fell in love with the place.  Yes, I love my dad's kampung Long Beluyu, but it didn't stop me from loving Ba Kelalan.  We finally left around 1, with Uncles who didnt know what kind of trouble they were going to be in; just by being with us!

Overnight in a tent (from some), in the Pulung Tau Forest Reserve hut.  Thanking God for Uncles who think ahead to pack the tent for us

Reached camp 2 at about 3pm, and Uncle asked if we want to venture to the forest immediately.  Knowing that it was at least a 6 hours journey, I declined.  Didn't want to get stuck in the forest on a frosty night.  I thank God we decided to stay put for the night.  We made friends with not only from Indonesia and Korea, but we had the privilege to listen to the stories of Murud from the founder of the place itself; Ibu Bulan.  As we talked into the night, I am in awe, at how easily her eyes would be closed and her mouth would be muttering a prayer - at all times.  I wonder when prayer would come that easily to me.

Ibu Bulan with her "guardian angel".  Togs went all the way up with Ibu Bulan.

Night was chilly and frosty.  Slept in a little hut belonging to "Pulung Tau Forest Reserve".  But woke up with some moments of silence, sharing on songs for our seasons under the house in Lepo Bunga.  Then the hike up.  Yes, it was tough - for someone weighing 85kgs, and did not train.  But God sustained us.  We went really slow.  Too slow till it was testing a certain uncle's patience!  But we got through the first part - 2 hours upward climb.  Then rested some at Joy Bridge (Jambatan Sukacita), then hiked in the MUD for another 2 hours (which I found, I dont really mind!), then hiked up again "Bukit Pencobaan" to Batu Linanit (about 1 1/2 hours) (arrrggghhhhh, I hate hiking up) and then down to the church site (about an hour).  Total.... 6 1/2 hours tracking for us slow coaches!  Some made it faster, some slower.  But we all got there.

Happy that we reached Jambatan Sukacita - they said it would be easier after this... NO WAY!

Going deeper into the river - Murud 1

Has it been really that long since I've updated this blog?.... For the lack of place to pour my feelings, here I am, back to "My walk... my talk"

Murud... O Murud....

Me at Batu Linanit - 2211m up

Bought the tickets in January, and come July I was terrified because of the little training effort I've put in... I started to doubt myself - did I hear God correctly? Did He really called me to go up to Murud?  Did I choose the wrong year to go? Should I have waited till next year when the Revival Meeting is down at the valley i.e. Buduk Nur a.k.a. kampung instead?

One thing I was very sure about - I wanted to seek His face clearly in this 35th year of my life.  No, I didn't mere want to.  I needed to. I needed to know where and how to proceed with the balance of my life; if I'm lucky, that will be another 35 years to go.  I didn't want to waste those precious time, chasing and doing something meaningless.

As I prepared for the trip, little things were coming my way, showing that He indeed wanted me to be there, on top of His holy mountain.  But also, one by one "trials" came - the terrible knee ache, the bad road condition, the continuous rain, all threatening the trip.  But no, deep inside my heart, there was a deep peace, knowing that God will open a way, or give me extra portion of His strength to go up - be it 4 days 4 nights hike.  So there I was, in Ba' Kelalan, with 4 other ladies; all but 1 are close friends but none of which I had traveled with before.  Add that to here I am about to meet family members I have not seen for ages, or I have never seen before!

Us - me, Alie, Lydia, Bee Lian, Lui Lin

Meeting them one by one, opened up my heart not only to love felt from long ago - oh childhood infatuation! But more to pure sincere family love and hospitality.  From the touchdown, to all the last minute scramble to arrange the journey, to the easy "it's OK, I'll go with them", to the packing of things (ration) needed on top, to the walking ever SOOoooo.... slowly in the jungle, to the sacrifice of rice, OH!, how can I describe the love?  And this came from a family of whom I have either never met, or last met 25 years ago!  What have I done to receive such love?

Uncle Liaw (nicked Uncle Man), me, Uncle Pudun

Yes, the disbelieve look on a certain Uncle's face made us even more determined to go up.  We can do it - but ONLY if Christ is with us.  I bet some in the group must have thought "what on earth am I doing?  going up Sarawak's highest mountain??"  But in the adrenalin rush, packing was done and off we go.

Uncle Salutan & me

Part 2 coming up.... mau nangis sudah ni... too emosi. Haha...

Off we went up to Camp 2 - Lepo Bunga, here we come!

A place to call my own...

Nah... not my own HOUSE. I tried to bring up the idea once and was reprimanded by my dad. "What for you want to buy your own house? Don't want to take care of us already kah?" says he... so... though i yearn for my own nest, maybe not now...

Picture courtesy Mr. Google

1st Feb will mark a new beginning in my 35th year.  When I asked God for a time of pondering, reflecting and planning for the rest of my life end of last year, little did I know what I am getting myself into.  With the company closing down, I'm being nudged (more like pushed!) into the unknown.  Into the world where I have a choice - to take up another job or....

Picture courtesy Mr. Google

Last week I was in Miri for Bestie's 40th week of pregnancy. We went to this eating place and because the shop had problem with their electric fuse, we were directed to a place next door - laundry + eating place. Whilst it was weird to eat with the strong detergent smell, the place was tastefully and simply decorated - all white, simple dash of colours here and there - but most importantly a long window panel which I thought would display baking produce oh so beautifully! At that moment, I wished I had a good phone with a good camera! But I didn't... so it's just etched in my memory till I go to Miri again.

Picture courtesy Mr. Google

It's been a dream to open something up... no need to be so fancy - just a few tables and chairs.  A coffee-warm oven-smelling place where at 6am, groggy individuals can walk in to be greeted by a warm chubby friendly face (yours truly - chubby?  yeah, right!), grab their first drug of the day, and some sandwiches for the kids (if any) and for themselves in the office, or some cakes for teatime treats.  Or a place where kids can come by after school to the back of the store to the music room to jam (after they complete their school work that is) - and also a place they can work during the holidays.  A place that people can have cozy private intimate gatherings with good barbeques at night - without having to clean up their own home!

Picture courtesy Mr. Google

Well, normally, these thoughts will be balanced up with the logic of - it will be more cost effective to start home business - something people can order online, and it being delivered.  But on days like this, the yearning is so great, that tears can hardly calm the heart.


Picture courtesy Mr. Google

Too much watching Princess and the Frog bah this kan? :)


Inside's Tiana's Palace - Picture courtesy Mr. Google

Kumbayah, my Lord, Comebyhere

Happy New Year!! Never to late I reckon (or is it, better late than never?)

I fell in love with a "she" way back in my sunday school days... and I'm still in love with her - though she might be different now.

I had the grandest time of my 20s for two months on the ship, 10 years ago... albeit she was a different ship altogether...

Yet, my heart still aches with longing to be on her, to be with her, to be someone, just myself, where no one cares about the "land" you - yes, that's right, just to be the "sea-self"...

She's a beauty.  The Lord of the Land and the Sea whom each and everyone on board serves is a Beauty.

I was privileged to be able to be with the ship when she was in Kuching port for 2 weeks.  There I bought a poster of her, and on it inscribed "But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint."

Yes, this is be the year of lots of waiting, lots of sitting at His feet, lots of zipping one's mouth (and hopefull lots of dress zippers too!)  Terribly afraid but giddily excited with what the year will have in store for all of us!

Kumbayah, my Lord, Kumbayah!

note:  macam mana mau kasi cure ini rindumacammaumati sama that beautiful "she" :(