Mission Trip To Kampung Tawanan, Paitan

Aug 29, 2014

SANDAKAN (Herald Malaysia): Twelve members of the Catholic Campus Ministry of Melaka-Johor Diocese (Majodi) embarked on a 10-day mission trip to the Paitan Missionary Area of Sandakan from July 22nd — 31st. The mission field trip, led by Sharon Lee, the Coordinator of the Campus ministry was accompanied by their Spiritual Director, Fr Matthew Bun, the Parish Priest of St Elizabeth’s Church, Kota Tinggi.

The team arrived in Sandakan from Paitan, some four hours drive, on the evening of 31st July. They attended the bi-monthly diocesan staff Mass on August 1st, at the Chapel of the Diocesan Pastoral Centre, presided by Bishop Julius and con- celebrated by Fr Matthew.

In his introductory note, Bishop Julius gave an insight to the life of the Saint of the day, St Alphonsus, the founder of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer. A lawyer turned priest, St Alphonsus went through untold difficulties and trials in his effort to establish the Congregation. The founding was his glory yet it was also his cross.

The prelate, in his homily, said that it is not easy to preach to those who are nearest to us yet it is necessary. Current situations call us to be more proactive in reaching out to the young people who are vulnerable, easily influenced and led astray. We need to work to strengthen the faith of those close to us.

Preaching is not merely by words but more on creating an environment where people can see in us the strong faith that we profess. We need an atmosphere of joyful prayer and a community filled with God’s love. By this, people would be attracted to the way we live, just like the early Christians — people were drawn to the community because of how they loved one another.

He called on the young people to emulate the courage and determination of St Alphonsus and to have the zeal to present the Lord to others in the midst of challenges. Sharon Lee, the mission leader, in a brief interview, shared her 10-day experience in Paitan.

“We thank and praise the Lord for the opportunity granted to the Campus Ministry to do mission work in Paitan. Through His grace, we have wonderful people assisting and accompanying us throughout our mission

I was extremely thrilled to be part of the mission trip to Paitan. We prepared ourselves, spiritually and physically well ahead, several months before the mission. Our team was assigned to assist in constructing a new double-storey wooden Tadika at Kampung Tawanan, a mission post established in the late 80’s.

The ground floor of the 20’ by 30’ structure would serve as an assembly and activity hall while the first floor would be the classroom. Together with a few skilled local carpenters, we worked all out to ensure that the building could be completed within the given time frame.

We failed to accomplish our dream. We could only put up the basic structure within the 10-day period. Much is needed to complete the building for the local children: the roofing, walls and flooring.

However, our thoughts are not the same as His thoughts and our ways are not His ways. We expect things to fall in place according to our plan but God knows better and changes our course.

We cherish the wonderful ways God led us through certain situations. Along the way we learned to lean on one another in tough times. We have grown much closer and our relationship has been strengthened. The experience has also taught us that proper planning, initial preparation and wider participation are the key to any successful project. We learned to rely on God for all things happen only in His time.”