Embracing the Penan

God's love stretches beyond what our eyes can see. That was what I experienced in my inaugural visit to the Penan community.

Since my first mission trip about 4 years ago into the Iban community, I felt challenged to make a yearly trip back into the interior of Sarawak. Being part of GCC, we've been given a specific vision for the Penan community and since early last year, prayers have been uttered and plans have been made for a trip to visit this particular people group. So, from the 19th--27th Jan 2011, four "explorers" from Gateway City Church embarked on their first ever mission trip into the interiors of Long Seridan, Miri, Sarawak.

While I'm very much familiar with the Iban culture, people and language, I was totally foreign to the Penan. I had no idea what to expect. A note of caution was given to us about the strenuous hike into the interior, the leeches, etc. How bad was it going to be? No idea. What were the conditions like in the interior? No idea. How were the people like? No idea. We entered with so many questions. The only sure answer we had was to the question "Why the Penan?".

Why?

Simply because God has given us a specific vision for this people group. With that embedded in our hearts, we trudge through the jungle with excitement and anxiety.

The journey to the Penan village was indeed a strenuous one. We had to fly from Penang-KL-Miri-Long Seridan before we went on foot into the jungle to arrive at our first Penan Village. The people there were really friendly and hospitable. Shy and quiet in nature, it was a challenge to connect with them at first but eventually, they opened up to us. It became clear that they were hungry not just in building relationship with us but also with God. Secluded in the thick jungle of Sarawak, God's love proved to be relentless as this group of people were touched by His amazing grace.

 

Arriving at the airstrip at Long Seridan via small propeller plane.

Trudging through mud and tracks.

 

Baa Leng, the village where we lived

We spent most of our days at this particular village. We held services and shared the word to them. It was evident that these people needed empowerment for they lack the confidence that they should have in Christ. "Jangan takut" (Don't be afraid) was the essence of most of our messages there, challenging the people to rely on God and step out to serve Him in whatever ways that they can. It was encouraging to see the openness and the hunger that they had for God. As for the younger group of people, it took a while to be able to connect with them but once we did that, it was clear that they too need to be empowered. I particularly enjoyed playing "sepak raga" with the guys and boy, they're good!

Sharing the word with the beautiful people. 

Singing praises!

Sepak raga! 

Man, they're good!

 

Poh Sim unleashing her badminton prowess!

One of our daily activities there was to rub cream all over our
legs and hands due to the massive attack of the sandflies!

One of the main highlights of the trip was a gruelling 16hours hike through the night! We went through this arduous journey simply to meet a man from another village that had fallen ill. It was another sign that God's blessing was upon us as well when rain started to pour heavily the very moment we arrived at that village! We had our dinner there with the family. After which, we spent some time encouraging and praying for them and particularly for the man who was ill. By then, it was about 8pm and we had to hike back to the village where we stayed. With the pitch black jungle ahead of us, equipped only with a torch light, only by God's grace did we manage to survive crossing rivers, bridges, trudging up and down hilly mountains with the company of leeches and bugs. Believe it or not, we arrived back at our village 6.30 in the morning! Praise the Lord!  

Everybody looking lively before the 16hours hike.
You wouldn't want to see our faces after the hike :P

In retrospect, twas' really quite an experience. That experience gave us something to boast about God's covering upon us and the people. In some sense, that trip also helped us forge a stronger relationship with the people.However, if you were to ask me to do it again... Hmmm....

Anyone who lives with this people group would be able to tell you that there are many needs. From daily, physical needs to spiritual ones. Being a tribe who lives in such secluded parts of Sarawak, consequently, they are detached from the outside world, hence, the lack in daily necessities such as slippers, sarongs, utensils, etc. Education is another primary concern; either they don't see the importance of education or financially unable to pursue education, hence, many dropped out after primary level. Spiritually, this people group lack the resources, encouragement that they so desire. One of their cries right now is to have a Penan evangelist to be among them, to live with them and to minister to them. 

The granny with great wisdom and strength 

whom we affectionately address as "mama".

They are gifted musically.

On the last two days of our trip, we hiked back out to Long Seridan (the airstrip). There's a church there and we were asked to conduct a service for the people around that area. We met Pastor Welly and his wife, great servants of the Lord. Their life of simple faith, passionate drive and undeterred spirit really encouraged us. We took the opportunity there to get connected with him and to hear his heart and vision for the Penan.

 

The church at Long Seridan.

 

Pastor Well (far right) and his wife (3rd from right).

 

At face value, the Penan and us are diversely different in culture, language and lifestyle. We went in not knowing how to connect with this people. But spending a week with them, God's love proved to be the connector of all relationships. We're all made beautifully in the image of God no matter how vast a difference we may be. Saying goodbye to the people there was hard. I do hope that I'll be able to meet them again and I do hope that the word that we've shared with them would not be left unturned.

No matter how far this tribe may be, I was reminded of Hosea 6: 3. As surely as the sun rises at every corner of the world, He will appear. His love will pour upon this land like the spring rain.

God's love stretches beyond what our eyes can see.

"As surely as the sun rises, he will appear; 

he will come to us like the winter rains, 

like the spring rains that water the earth."

Hosea 6: 3