Mission trip to Pensiangan

Jul 22, 2016

KAMPUNG TINANDUK, Sabah: The Campus Ministry of Melaka-Johor Diocese recently organised a pioneer mission trip to Kampung Tinanduk. With a population of about 250 people, the village is located in the sub-district of Pagalungan in Nabawan-Pensiangan which is under the Interior Division of Sabah.

Three students from UiTM Pasir Gudang and Politeknik Ibrahim Sultan (PIS) and one alumni of PIS joined Campus Minister, Calvin Ohsey, on this mission. The team gathered at Rumah RETRET Keuskupan Keningau Tatal (RRKKT) for formation and briefing with Jeanny Lim, Deacon Adrian Ng and Cikgu Bung Kie Yas, from that village.

Bishop Datuk Cornelius Piong celebrated Holy Mass in the morning before the team departed for Pengkalan Salong. This mission was focused on building a public toilet and the supplies had been purchased. But when we arrived, we were informed that there had been a death in the village. The death of Mr Simon bin Ampungit’s wife halted our plans and thus, we came as missionaries of mercy and compassion to the villagers. We observed the customary mourning period and rituals; the women were not allowed to do any outdoor work since it was a woman who had died.

While observing the “taboo,” we managed to have our one week communal prayer night with Mr Simon’s family for support. Each day, our communal prayer started with an opening song followed by the Bible reading and sharing, with intercessory prayers and closed with a few songs. On the third day of the mourning period, we joined the family in the corporal work of mercy to bury the dead.

We started everyday with one hour morning devotion, followed by spending time with the kindergarten students. We taught them and played with them and spent time with the villagers to learn more about their culture and their struggles. There was also time spent with nature: fishing, travelling and swimming in the nearby river and walking up the hill. In the evenings, we played badminton with the youth of Kampung Tinanduk. On Sunday, we joined the villagers in their Basel worship service.

We were so blessed to be part of this ecumenical mission. The social issues faced by the village were school dropouts, early marriages and youth not being able to go into institutions of higher learning. Poverty was not a problem but the lack of exposure on the importance of higher education will bring more harm to the communitie because of unsustainable development of the environment.

It is our hope that this mission will continue and new missionaries will come forward to work in the land that has been prepared by God. The next mission will be in July 2016 by another group of UTM students. -- By Calvin Ohsey

This mission experience was a journey to be an “ambassador of Christ” through sharing the Word of God to the villagers. -- Ashley a final year diploma student of Politeknik Ibrahim Sultan (PIS), Masai.

This mission has changed me because “through service and prayer, I was able to understand the needs of others and to be in solidarity with their suffering, difficulties and pains.” -- Danny, final year diploma student of PIS.

This mission taught me the meaning of gratitude. “Living in a simple way does not mean living with deficiency or shortcoming. I admire the strong rooted culture of communities there. -- Shirlyria Artiuz, a final year diploma student of UiTM Pasir Gudang.