Teaching Trip to Mendamit, Limbang
16 July 2008
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A group of 14 youth from Sabah accompanied by ABM Kang Eng Soo made a teaching trip to Mendamit, Limbang, Sarawak. The purpose of the trip was to encourage the believers in Limbang to arise to teach, to share with them the new method of teaching using “Anna’s Presentation” flipchart, and to gain valuable experiences for the Sabah youth.
Day One – 20th December 2007
We left Kota Kinabalu for Labuan at 8 in the morning. Everyone was excited and full of spirit to teach. Some were revising their flipchart. We were greeted by Mr. Goh Kok Kyiu in Labuan ferry terminal and was treated lunch too. Thanks to Mr. Goh for being so hospitable. Also thanks to Mr. Naysan Lee for assisting in printing of the Iban flipcharts. Upon arrival to Limbang by ferry, we were greeted by Mr. Kong Siew Moi, Dr. Johun Teh, Mrs. Jubang and a few youth. They brought us straight to Mendamit Bahá’í Centre which is 45 minutes from Limbang Town using two cars and a school bus. There at Mendamit Bahá’í Centre, we met Mr. Sumbang and Mdm. Rata, Mr. Changgau and Mdm. Sema, Mr. Suili and his brothers – Richie and Junaidi, and other youth. After dinner, we introduced ourselves, get to know the Tanah Merah & Mendamit Friends and sang a few songs to break the ice. After prayers, made plans for teaching.
Day Two – 21st December 2007
As an early morning exercise and to save cost for food, we took a boat to a riverside 10 minutes from the Centre to collect ‘paku-pakis’ for lunch and dinner. Suili, Richie and Junaidi led the team. For most of us, that was the first time we pluck ‘pakis’. After that, we met about 20 Bahá’ís from Kg. Tanah Merah & Mendamit, mostly youth. They came for the flipchart training. After prayers and singing a few songs together, ABM Kang explained the importance of direct teaching and sharing success stories of how the tool “Anna’s presentation” flipchart has brought victories across the globe. Next, Ridvan demonstrated the first part of the flipchart and how to invite friends to become Bahá’ís, followed by group role-plays as a practice for the Iban Friends. The plan was to go out in teams and teach, but the weather did not allow us to go as it was raining heavily, so we stayed back at the Centre to cut, paste and compile the Iban flipchart. Thus, the Limbang Friends was fortunate to be the first Bahá’ís to use the Iban flipchart in Sarawak.
Day Three – 22nd December 2007
We woke up early and prepared to leave for Kg. Tanah Merah. We arrived Rumah Jubang (longhouse) in Tanah Merah after a 5-minute boat ride and 20 minutes muddy walk. We were surprised to see that Rumah Jubang is a modern longhouse. It is cement-built and decorated with tiles at the “ruai” (veranda). The longhouse has 41 rooms (homes) of which 31 rooms are resided by Bahá’ís. We met Mr. Alfred Kandau and his son, Faribuz. After that we separated into two teams: one to visit and say prayers in Bahá’í rooms, another to go teaching. The teaching group led by Anyssa were so enthusiastic that within the first hour of arrival, they have taught the Faith to an adult and he became a Bahá’í. I love the spirit of the Bahá’í youth! In the afternoon, the youth gathered the children for a children’s class where they said prayers and played games. In the evening, more than 50 Bahá’ís gathered at the ‘ruai’ to say prayers. Then, ABM Kang spoke about ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s travels to the West, that even at an old age, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá still arise to spread Bahá’u'lláh’s Cause. Then, Ridvan and Anyssa led the youth and presented the musical fireside based on Anna’s presentation. Many Friends bought the Greatest Name symbol rings to wear.
Day Four – 23rd December 2007
Before leaving Tanah Merah, we managed to visit a few more Bahá’í rooms to say prayers. After lunch, we headed back to Mendamit Bahá’í Centre. After washing up, teams were formed naturally and went out teaching while the Area Growth Committee of Limbang had a meeting with ABM Kang Eng Soo. One team taught the Faith to a Chinese cook, another team went to invite 6 Indonesians for fireside, and another team went to the ferry terminal to teach. The 6 youth who went to the ferry terminal to teach were so enthusiastic in teaching that they unknowingly went into a logging area. They were threatened by some people that Sabahans were killed there not long ago. With the assistance and aid from Bahá’u'lláh, the youth were not harmed. Around 6 p.m., we were expecting the 6 Indonesians to come. Instead, 21 Indonesian workers came and they all heard about the Faith and asked many questions. A few showed keen interested and even borrowed the flipchart home to study and promised to return it the next day.
Day Five – 24th December 2007
11 of us left for Kg. Entakong, which was situated very far from Mendamit. 4 from our team stayed back because of medical reason and no parental consent. The boat ride was not as dangerous as we expected because no rainfall. Thank God we arrived Entakong safely after an hour and a half by 3 boats. There were more than 10 local youth and adults from Tanah Merah who came along with us and made our trips more exciting. The longhouse (Rumah Bala) in Entakong was the traditional type and after a tour, we were served with dozens of durian. A children’s class was held and by the evening, more than 50 Bahá’ís gathered at the ‘ruai’ for prayers. According to the Bahá’í Friends, 12 years ago the inhabitants of the whole longhouse were Bahá’ís. And we were shocked that this longhouse has not been visited by Bahá’ís since 1995, yet there were houses where ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s picture is still pasted on the front doors. And the people there still recites “Allah’u’Abhá” as their prayers. After introduction and prayers, we presented ‘Anna’s presentation’ in Bahasa Malaysia and Iban to the Bahá’ís gathered. After that, our team went to sit among the Entakong Friends and deepened them about the Faith, such as about prayers, Bahá’u'lláh, greatness of this Day, and so on. Mr. Ramlee from Tanah Merah managed to re-register 101 inhabitants who still identify themselves as Bahá’ís.
The Entakong Friends requested for Iban prayer books, new photos of ‘Abdu’l-Baha, posters of Holy Land and Baha’i calendar. They requested that they be given a Baha’i identity card each so that they can show to the Christians who always come to challenge their faith and steadfastness. They also requested that their own Local Spiritual Assembly be elected this coming Ridvan with the assistance of the Tanah Merah Friends. Mdm. Rata promised to revisit them in February and April. The Local Spiritual Assembly of Tanah Merah has agreed to take care and assist Entakong.
A touching story was told of an old man who passed away recently. Before his last breath, he said “Allah’u’Abha” three times. Such great firmness and faith after 12 years of our failure to visit and consolidate them!
Day Six – 25th December 2007
After arriving Mendamit Bahá’í Centre from Entakong, we packed and took a bus to Limbang Town where we were brought to Bahá’í homes to rest. We gathered for dinner in Mr. Kong Siew Moi’s place and did some sharing of the experiences in Mendamit. Then, Huey Chyn and Yen Nie shared how to use the flipchart as the teaching tool in Mandarin. And the next day on 26th, we left Limbang back to Kota Kinabalu. During our stay in Limbang, we really enjoyed the hospitality of the Bahá’ís there. We hope that this trip won’t be the last trip for us as we are very optimistic to visit Limbang again in the near future.
Some insights during our trip:
Below are some inspired words by the inspired youth in our team:
During my trip to Limbang, I have learned lots of new things. One of it is fellowship which makes us felt at home. The locals are really friendly people as if they have known us for a very long time. I have also learned hardship. We have to travel from one longhouse to another by boat which is the only suitable transportation for travel. Lastly, I learned that although we are from different religious backgrounds, we could still stay under the same roof. This is what we call unity!
Danish Krishnan, 20 years old
The trip to Limbang would be one of the most unforgettable experiences in my life. It was truly challenging both physically and spiritually. To me, the whole journey was worth the time and energy spent. I’ve learnt more about the culture, the value therein and the spiritual energy gained thereof from a mere one week visit. I love the people, the greenery and the enthusiasm I witnessed.
Kang Fairuz, 20 years old
I have learned a lot about the use of flipchart. I was only taught how to use it but never taught anyone to use it. This is my first time gathering with Sarawakians and going to longhouses. Now I am not afraid to go on boat rides. I have learnt about their culture, which is different from Aslis and Sabahans. I hope to come back, especially to Entakong, because I realized they need human resources to deepen them in the Faith. They believe in Bahá’u'lláh but still don’t know what are the true meaning and practices of Bahá’ís.
Lua Preethy Mari, 21 years old
I realized that teaching the Faith is not an easy job, you will face all kinds of obstacles but everything pays off in the end. It was a great trip, full with joy and laughter and I am looking forward to come back. The joy of teaching cannot be explained in words.
Shanti Thangavelu, 18 years old
During this trip, I learnt and realized the beauty of service and sharing the Teachings of the Bahá’u'lláh. The Friends in Mendamit, Tanah Merah and Entakong were very friendly and like to give us all the assistance to make us feel comfortable and happy. I have met a few aunties and uncles in Entakong who wants to know the ways of praying. The thing that touches my heart is that they really love Bahá’u'lláh’s teachings and steadfast in the covenant even though some youth were diverted because they have limited knowledge about the Faith. I want to go back there to serve them as soon as possible.
Anyssa Rani Thangavelu, 17 years old
During the whole period, I felt fortunate because I had a chance to learn better the use of flipchart and my confidence in sharing the Teachings with others also became stronger. Regarding the friends in Mendamit, Entakong and Tanah Merah, I think they were all kind, friendly, and generous. Only Bahá’u'lláh knows how steadfast they are.
Wody Basri, 24 years old
Limbang is the first place I went teaching in Sarawak. This was also the first time I teach in longhouses. My heart was so glad when I met Bahá’í Friends who readily receive our visit. The longhouses which were not empty made me more enthusiastic to share the Teachings of Bahá’u'lláh. When I was in Mendamit Bahá’í Centre, I felt that the place was very suitable to organize Bahá’í activities because it has active Bahá’í families. The Friends in Tanah Merah is the main resource for consolidation and expansion in other longhouses such as Entakong because it has large number of Bahá’í youth. Entakong Friends which was not visited for 12 years, touched my heart because they still claim that they are still Bahá’ís. That which made me glad was when I saw ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s picture pasted in their front doors and never taken down. I felt sad when I had to leave the longhouse because I didn’t spend much time with them. For sure I will come back to visit and teach when there is an opportunity.
Boonny Masumboh, 27 years old
The trip to Limbang had made me learnt many things. I learnt to be more courageous in facing obstacles in life such as teaching to others, adapting to new environment and having to travel to villages such as Entakong which can only be reached by boat ride of one and a half hour. I have also learnt to use the flipchart better and work together with other youth. Throughout this trip, I realized that taking up responsibility in teaching is a must for everybody because it is important to teach other people clearly about the Bahá’í Faith. Indeed, teaching is the dominating passion of our lives.
Jayanti Mages, 18 years old
This trip to Limbang really helped me understand the meaning of perseverance. I learnt that how lonely you feel or sometimes no one visits us, gives us motivation, we must never lose our faith to Bahá’u'lláh. Just like how this longhouse in Entakong. For 12 years no connecton woth other Bahá’ís from other place and with lack of reading materials, their faith in Bahá’u'lláh still burning in them till today.
Huey Chyn, 23
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