Raya Holidays in Tambunan

We went to Tambunan as a family outing during the Raya holidays with a few objectives in mind... Our Uncle and Aunt, cousins and their families haven't had the chance to meet Raphael yet. So, off we went for a 2 night stay at a hotel in Tambunan. For this trip, Glo's parents joined us.

We had pizza at a friend's place - Twenty2 Crust. Nice pizza, nice pasta, dusty as it's on the roadside. Well, can't complain as we are supposed to be in a kampung... Just that they serve pizza here:)

Meeting Raphael for the first time... Aunt Lily with Raphael. Ben, my cousin - Susan's eldest son and my cousin Sandy.

On Raya morning, we visited the grave of our Nenek. She's Muslim. It was great fun walking together to the grave, a few minutes walk from my Uncle's place. Someone joked... well, I don't suppose we should say the rosary here...

Back left: Fred (my bro), Junior (cousin's son), Joshua (cousin's son), Sandy (cousin), mum, Adrian (my bro), Sheila (cousin's daughter), Milla (cousin's wife), Uncle Stanley, Leslie (cousin's wife), Jocelyn (cousin's daughter), Susy (cousin), Aunt Lily, Max (cousin's son)

Front left: Roselle (my niece), Christine (my sis), me, Susan (cousin), Ben and Bradley (cousin's sons).

Walked ahead towards the church. Took a photo with St Theresa of Lisieux. 

We visited 2 homes for the Raya celebration. They are my mum's cousins' place. Nice food... really enjoyed it! An aunt remembered that I was in Germany for some years and mentioned that she supported Germany at the World Cup 2014. How swwweeeet....

Had a chance to visit my cousin's house. Mum enjoying herself having a look around with my uncle.

We all had a dip in the river in the late afternoon. The water was cold! Such wonderful memories of being in the river. I remember my father brought my sister and I into the water when we were little. It was such an experience... 

oooo tired now. Lying on Pak pak's shoulder...

My Uncle Stanley - mum's brother and my brother Adrian. Uncle Stanley is 6' 3". So, koko is not that tall;)

After the nice cool dip, we had dinner at Susan's place. Such a passion for plants. The garden was filled with all sorts of plants especially orchids.

We had dinner at Dewan Ezar - the hall was named after Susan's son - the late Brendan Ezar. Susan was telling stories of the recent SYD which took place in the hall. It was 1 of the 3 venues of the SYD 2012 in Tambunan.

Baby Raphael being carried in a sarong given by my Nenek...

Before heading home, visited TVRC and had some time feeding fish, peddling boat and had the adventure of going through the suspension bridges... Awesome time. Awesome family!

LiFEtime 14th July 2014

Celebrating the gift of life in Yvonne! Rounds of encou from us present and recorded audio from those who couldn't make it either because of distance or commitment in ministry.
 

Among our highlights: Jumpstart Kuching, SHYAPG LSS, SHC recollection, Maktab National students, clients,  student,  conversation with friends...

Jumpstart Kuching

LiFE time 1st July 2014

LiFE time with stewed chicken - Derek's recipe.  Among our highlights - Accompaniment Workshop, outreach to Kampung, ministering at YWAM's DTS.

Retreat for de LaSalle brothers

Based on the topics of the book “30 days to a Better Self-Awareness”, I led a retreat for a group
for LaSallian brothers from Singapore from the 15th till the 17th of June. It was the first time that
I led a group of religious in retreat. It was a positive experience. I also had a chance to speak
to some teachers who came for a celebration at the end of the retreat. It was great to connect
with them and share about Self-Awareness.

Women's gathering 16th June 2014

We read together the article of Ron Rolheiser. For me, this brought me into a deep reflection...

But a renunciation does not cease being painful just because it’s has been made for a noble reason. Throughout her life, Sarah often feels an acute regret for her choice, for having her principles trump her heart. However she eventually makes peace with her regrets. Feeling the bitterness of her loss more acutely on the day her sister’s wedding, she shares with her sister how: “I longed for it [marriage] in that excruciating way one has of romanticizing the life that she didn’t choose. But sitting here now, I knew if I’d accepted Israel’s proposal, I would have regretted that too. I’d chosen the regret that I could live with the best, that’s all. I’d chosen the life I belonged to.” 

There will always be regrets in our lives, deep regrets. Thomas Aquinas wrote: Every choice is a renunciation. For this reason, we find it so difficult to make hard choices, particularly as these pertain to any type of permanent commitment. We want the right things, but we do not want to forego other things. We want it all! 

This struck me to realise that in the choices that I made, I would not be able to have a chance to see how it would have been if I had made another choice.... So many of those questions come as I made choices for or against something. Yes, surely some choices had left me with regrets but the fact is, it is surely a regret that I could live with; at least for now...

 As I discern to take the next step in life, many questions have surfaced. Surely the fact that I am now married brings my choices to be a little more limited than if I were not. Nevertheless, if asked about the choice of being married - I still say today that I have no regrets...

Youth from Basel Church

I spoke about being passionate to a group of young people from the Basel Church in Telupid
from the 30th of May till the 1st of June. I had 45 minutes to share my conviction and story. The
rest of the time, I spent with them to connect and encourage them. - Derek -