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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.

My trip was arranged by friends in Macau with the main purpose to facilitate institute study cycles for Book 6 and Book 7. On arrival at Guangzhou, I tried to call Ai Takaki a Japanese lady from the airport. But she was not back from picking her children from school. So I took the bus 6 (actually I should take bus 2) to Ai’s house. Luckily I met two local girls they accompany me to Ai’s place by taxi.

From airport on the way to Ai’s house, I entered a city of many sky tall building, hotel with very big garden, big shopping mall with very big compound, alot of people sitting there for taking rest. There were people and vehicle everywhere. City life is very busy. The building are tall, places are big, road also wide with 4-8 lane. Only most of the local people are short. So I didn’t feel so short there!

Walter Nusslein, a Baha’i from the town of Hassfurt, Germany, was in Kuching last September to meet up with friends. He came with his wife, Veronica, a native Kayan from the upper Baram River, and their 4 children, three of whom were born in Sarawak.

Walter came to Sarawak more than 20 years ago as a surveyor attached to the Public Works Department under a German technical exchange programme. While serving in the Niah area in the interior region of Sarawak, he met up with a young Baha’i teacher. This young Baha’i teacher was none other than Tipik Ladi, the present Secretary of NSA Sarawak.

On October 30, Mr. Terrence Tinggi Sait and I drove to Sarikei and met Roland Katang in Taman Jasmin. Together with his two brothers-in-law, Kudang and Solomon, we visited the family of the late Philip Suning, the first Iban follower of Bahá’u’lláh. It was a pleasant meeting and we reminisced about old times in Brunei and Limbang and the early years in Sarawak. I remembered how he invited Grete to visit Sungai Stalun and how that place in central Sarawak was opened to the Faith.

We then took some pictures of the family and friends who also visited them. We later went together to the gravesite of the late Philip. The grave is in a remote field with some other graves. It is easy to find and there was a small jungle path to the site. We said prayers at the site and also took pictures.

A home of warmth and calm
Where a spirit of hope and joy
A light of venture and energy
Is leading me to newer heights…

The journey started with eight youths from Bau, Lundu and Kuching, traveling together from Kuching to Serian on 23 November. In Serian we were joined by another group of nine youths and we stayed at Ellen Joseph’s residence before proceeding to our first destination, Kampung Bugu Mawang the next morning.

Book 1 course started with 11 Bahá’í youths with myself and Poly Jampang as tutors. The course was held during day time only. At the same time children’s class and junior youth class were conducted by Calstino and Hartini. They were assisted by Erwina and Dovin. In the evening, workshop on arts was held whereby the youth were taught how to chant prayers, songs, games and dances. Besides that we also visited and prayed for a friend who was ill. He passed away a week later.

From 17 till 27 November, Auxiliary Board Member Mr. Bunsie Tunton made a ten-day trip to the northern region by driving the family van all the way to Rh. Ansok, Sg. Kelabit in the Bakong area. He was accompanied by wife Bari and their three children. For Bari it was more like a happy reunion after a long separation. In her report about the trip, Bari wrote that their visit coincided with the Reflection Meetings organised by the Area Teaching Committees. At Rh. Ansok, representatives from ten communities in the Bakong-Tinjar Cluster attended the reflection meeting held on 19 Nov. The friends studied the 26 Nov 2001 document from the International Teaching Centre and the 2002 Ridvan Message.

On 6 December 2002 we ( Banta Jalin, Nicholas Engkilan and Feather) left for our destination, Long Tanyit in the interior of Belaga District. That night we had to seek accommodation at Danum (logging) Camp due to lack of transport to continue our journey. The next day we got a lift to Long Tanyit. Our arrival was warmly welcomed by the believers and we stayed for two days. We organized devotional gatherings and discussed on ways how to initiate activities for the youth.

I was in New Delhi between 29/10 to 5/11/2003. It was to attend a seminar on junior youth empowerment program which was held in India at the Bahá’í House between 30/10 to 2/11. The purpose of this seminar was to explore ways to develop human resources and its delivery system effectively. It was attended by representatives from 14 countries, i.e. Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia, Sabah, Sarawak, United Arab Emirates, Mauritius, Papua New Guinea, Taiwan, Mongolia, Bangladesh, Qatar, Philippine and India.