As you all know I just returned from the Jungles of Borneo very close to Indonesia, here is the details and account of my travels, please enjoy and if you have any deeper questions please email me and I can go more into detail for you! On September 1st 2009 Jeff Kelly and his team of 5 volunteers from 5 different countries had the privilege of uniting together through Christ despite strong differences they faced in age, culture, and native language. We were picked up from the large malaysian city of Kota Kinabalu and driven 600 kilometers (375 miles) deep into the jungles of Borneo to live and learn from the Murut tribe. Guided by KK local pastor William Lo with strict instruction on not to be picked up again until the 10th of September. From that point forward the team was guided through the jungle and many villages by several malay pastors and native Murut Tribesmen. On the 6 hour journey into the jungle we were briefed by Pastor William Lo on what to expect, how to conduct ourselves, and the history of the Murut People. Much to our relief we found out that all of the tribe members were practicing born again christians, and that we could share openly with them unlike their Muslim cousins living in the city, were the ship was battling Government politics. The team was eager and willing to listen as pastor William Lo helped to alleviate many of our fears, anxieties, and questions regarding what life will truly be like during the next 12 days.
Quiet time on the river
Palm Oil plantation clearing English class
We spent the first 2 and a half days in the village of Sapulut with our guide Pastor Steven Mogulintang. This guy was always smiling and encouraging us to have some tea and coffee no matter what time of the day or night, such a blessing to us as he welcomed 6 stangers into his home, fed us, guided us, and encouraged us to share our stories with his congregation.
Expecting to have an abundance of practical work and things to do the team was caught off guard by the ease of life among the Murut people. In our first 3 days we were only able to clear a small palm oil plantation, and repair/tune a church piano. While this seemed to be minimal work for us in the team, the pastor was especially excited about our work and eagerness and thanked us repeatedly. A sense of Island life was starting to become apparent amongst these people, perhaps the 95 degree weather with no electricity has a say in that matter. As leader I wanted our team to use this time and focus on what God was telling us. Many times on the ship we are so busy with life and work that we miss out on many blessings because we are so distracted (great trick by the enemy) I didn’t want this to happen here.
From Sapulut we traveled by car 30 minutes to nearby Balaron village were Pastor James Oling opened up his home for us to stay in and translated for our evening program as well. Pastor James had encouraged us earlier at dinner that these people are very basic and still treat their women as just child bearers and cooks. Luckily for us in our group was a married couple who God used to share their story of marriage and how they follow the Bible as a guide in their lives. The village seemed to be encouraged by this and as we ate the traditional dinner after church (at 11pm) I sat with pastor James and shared stories of how God was working in our lives. He told me a story of a few months back when his church was raided by Muslim government officials confiscating all their Bibles, throwing them all in a pile then setting them all on fire in the middle of the church while the service was going on. I ask him what the congregation did as this was happening and he told me they openly prayed for them and rejoiced, giving God praise!!!
fellowship with local youth believers Drama during one of our nightly programs
The next morning was Sunday service dressed in our 1 pair of good clean clothes, we sat in the bed of a 4×4 pickup bags on our laps ,riding on to our next village location. 3 hours later and with dusty faces we hoped out of the truck and walked right into the Sunday service. I was asked to preach and so I prepared a short message, finding out minutes before they expected me to share for 2 hours! Well I talked slowly and with translation it was well over an hour, a compromise I guess.
riding in the back of a 4x4 with pastor steven on the way to preach
Sunday service
After our program the 3 men were able to do practical work in the afternoon by digging out a 6ft hole in the earth to be used later for a toilet while the women taught english and entertained the villages 45 children. Pastor Steven accompanied us during our time in Labang and was able to show us some caves nearby as well as an adventurous ride up and down the river via canoe all at night. The next morning we traveled from villages Labang to Pagalungan via Truck which took 5 hours, stopping only briefly to pick up a dead wild boar off the road. We didn’t realize till after we ate our lunch that we had just eaten that rotting carcass, funny it tasted just like the wild boar we had the night before.
Just picked up off the road
Sharing, encouraging local christians
From this point on we were guided by two local Marut guides named Geny and Goy both under the age of 30 and students at a local church’s Bible school. We would visit 4 more villages in the next 3 days, all by boat!
Girls doing a program for kids
digging a ditch for a new Latrene, yes they still use out houses here
There was so many chances to explore and go on adventures with each other or on our own. Usually at some point in the middle of the afternoon we would all go swimming, fishing, hiking, or just float down a cold water spring coming from the mountains. I really got to enjoy God’s nature, praying openly and out loud to him throughout the time, and really enjoying his presence.
Fun in the river
RANDOM BRIDGE WALKIN
I Faced so many low points during this trip. The group was so different and as team leader I was constantly drained of energy trying to keep us focused and encouraging one another. Many times I felt at the end of my rope but God provided physical, emotional, and mental strength and love for others that I would just never be able to find on my own. My Bible is now written throughout from promises and pleas for help to praises and direct answers to prayer, I’ve never been more dependent and close to God in my life.
Contrary to knowledge received during our briefing in which we were told that our main objective would be to do practical work our hosts valued our ability to perform drama’s, mimes, testimonies, children’s stories, and rope tricks. These programs quickly became the staple of our ministry and together as a team we put more energy and focus into how we could make each program better and better for our intended audience. Each night our guides would gather the entire village together and we would share all this with them for 2-3 hours or until they began to fall asleep in their chairs.
DRAWING STRENGTH
DAILY BATH IN THE RIVER
Traveling to a new village each day drained energy from us and we really relied on prayer, being honest with each other, and most of all spending time with God in order to renew our strength. The heat and lack of water or cold drinks also had a negative effect on the way we lived in these remote locations. Im still not 100 percent sure why we were offered boiling hot coffee when its boiling hot out??
Hot Drinks for Hot weather, we are thankful though!
children of Supulut village
While traveling took its toll on us in some ways, it also kept things new and fresh. In 12 days we lived in 10 different villages and visited some 14 in total. Seeing the differences and similarities of each village as well as taking time to ask questions about each tribe was refreshing and renewing in its own right. In some instances when we were sleeping on the floor of a house that was full of snakes, spiders, rotten wood, and awful smells, it helped us psychologically knowing that the next day we would be somewhere totally different and perhaps more comfortable and this gave us hope to press on during these “challenging times”.
Guest house
Different day, same architecture
Traditional Malay longhouse
Beat
Thank you I am blessed beyond belief!!!!
Story time with the kids
Sunday Service in Labang
Our river guides Geny and Goy
Local river kings
Group devotions
Great students
Not hard to see God's beauty here
Pushing our Canoe back up stream at 11pm
Finally a rest on the last day
What a journey you are on, Jeff, and as I heard our Pastor’s sermon today on Psalm 102 your comments are so rich in how we lament, yet God’s nature and purposes do not change…and how blessed and encouraged I am to see your faith grow and your life change toward serving Him (Psalm 102:28).
By: Dad on September 20, 2009
at 5:09 pm
Jeff, Beautiful pictures, beautiful people, wonderful faith. Thank you for sharing your heart and God’s faithfulness. Anyone reading this blog who takes their walk with God seriously has experienced the angst and the joy of walking with Him. We know what you are talking about. I am so happy that you are walking this journey with Him and in His grace. You rock!!! Love you much, Mom
By: Mom on September 20, 2009
at 11:40 pm
Excellent update and great pics. I continue to pray for blessing, life changing fellowship and wisdom on you.
By: Randy on September 21, 2009
at 1:49 pm
WOW, Jeff! This reminds me of stories from our pastor, growing up a missionary kid in the jungles of Irian Jaya, Indonesia (now West Papua). Amazing photos & stories of God’s faithfulness!! I especially liked the photo in the back of the pick-up truck…made me smile. Keep strong. We’re praying for you. Keep the updates coming!
Jodi
By: Jodi Rykse on September 22, 2009
at 7:51 pm