OA Mission Trip

Since I brought my girl to visit the Orang Asli kampung with my DG members in March 2015, I have been wanting to bring my boy to such a trip.  (If you wish to read the blog on that mission trip, please click here)  After putting my patience to the test for more than a year, I finally decided to wait no longer.  When I found out the last mission trip in 2017 coincided with my birthday, immediately I told hubby "We are going".  How else to celebrate one's birthday than to bring cheers to the less fortunate?

We left Melaka around 7am with only 2 vehicles this time, the Four Wheeler driven by the mission chairman and an Exora by hubby.  Altogether there were 12 of us.  Stopped by at Gemencheh for breakfast before we headed to our meeting point with the OA pastor.

In this trip, we were going to visit the corn plantation and later the village.  The plantation is the latest project we launched and I have not been there before.  What used to be a scrub land have been cleared and now turned into organized plots with its potential future awaits.  The main aim of this project is to see that the OA involved would eventually become self supporting as they continue to channel their labor in the field.  

The supervisor brought the mission team for a tour around the plantation and its crops.  We were impressed with the solar panels and the electrical fencing.

After singing a song and a short prayer, we enjoyed the small feast prepared by the OA.  Next, Dr Charles and Josephine distributed the pill (de-worm) to the kids whilst my kids and Amanda rewarded them with candies after they have swallowed the pills.  We bid them farewell shortly after that, and headed to our next destination.

When I came here in March 2015, the worship place was only a shed.  But now the OA are worshiping in a concrete building with ceiling fans.  Although it is very bare, it is the best building you could find here.  All of us took out our shoes and sat on the floor as the OA Pastor shared the Word with us. As for the kids, they went to the kindergarten which is next to the church to have their routine Sunday School program.

Our 'kutu' (lice) treatment started after the service ended.  However, it was disrupted with a heavy downpour.  The incentive for the hard work was another presumptuous meal with special delicacies such as snake and 'musang' meat.  Nothing new to hubby but I braved myself to try the 'musang' dish.  My take?  It wasn't yucky except there are too many tiny bones.

My boy helped out in the kutu treatment

Would you like to try the musang dish?

Finally we headed home in the late afternoon when our mission is completed.  Our hearts were consumed with hope and excitement for our next trip here to witness the bountiful harvest.

Kindergarten Concert

Nov 11^th, that’s the day parents and children alike were waiting for – The Kindergarten Concert.  After weeks and months of practicing, this was the day that the children showcased their talents, skills and achievements.

A few of us arrived at the church sanctuary as early as 1pm.  I was one of the make-up artists this time.  It was definitely the first time for me.  Never thought I would ever be one as I doubt I am an expert in this field.  I was assigned to the Prayer Room upstairs, helping the 5 and 6 years old kids. 

The kids were all very excited.  Even after their cute, tiny faces were painted with multiple colours; they kept coming back to us for touch-up.  Kids nowadays are not so naïve anymore, aren’t they?

Posing with his buddy in kindy

Finally when all of them were ready, we marched to the designated seats for the kindy kids.  Flash lights were everywhere as the proud parents took delight in capturing this very moment down.

It was a bit more emotional for me than previous years.  Partly because officially this year would be the last year for me to attend the kindy concert as my son was in the graduating class.  Another reason was I have been teaching Mandarin language in the kindy for the past few months on a part-time basis.  So, these kids were not just random faces but children whom I have had happy, angry, funny and frustrating moments with.  Seeing them performing on stage, it was a mixture of satisfaction and sadness.

The 4 years old kids

The 5 years old kids

Satisfaction, as I have tried my best to impart my knowledge to these kids.  I am confident that I have gone the extra mile to make the lesson as fun and knowledgeable as possible.  Sadness, as I am never good at saying ‘goodbye’.  The emotional adjustment is a heavy load for me to handle, especially to those whom I find affection with.  

Since this was the last year for my boy, he was eagerly anticipating this event.  In fact, months before the concert, he told me he wished to invite his favourite people to the concert.  I agreed to help him with the invitation cards to send to his invitees, but I also knew that chances are they won’t be able to make it.  He, of course, was a bit disappointed with the outcome.  But that is part and parcel of life, isn’t it?

Below are some of the photos taken during the concert:

The Graduating Class

After 4 years of kindy, finally it is over!!!

It's A Beautiful Day - the handsome tuxedo prince with his beautiful princess

The youngest and cutest (3 years old) butterflies: Fly Fly Butterfly

Rain Rain Go Away presented by the 5 years old

If All The Raindrop presented by the 4 years old

Twinkle Twinkle Little Star by the 3 years old.  They were incredible!!!

The Invasion by the 6 years old.  My boy was the second on the left.  He thoroughly enjoyed playing the 'bad guy'.

The heroes came to the rescue: Hand In Hand presented by the 5 years old

Living In The Rainbow by the 6 years old

5 years old: I Like To Move It.  Their animal costume is sooooo adorable!!

Choral Speaking by the 6 years old - Our Earth

Grand Finale - We're In It Together

p/s:  Feb 2018: I met one of the kindy boys the other day on the road, he could still recognize me.  He smiled sweetly at me and that totally melt my heart.