This might change my plans..

For the last month or so I have been planning a trip for the end of March to Tawau, located in the Eastern Coast of Sabah, to visit a fellow YAGM friend and see some of the most beautiful diving areas and islands in the world.  

Until this happened.

U.S. Embassy Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Security Message for U.S. Citizens

Violence in Coastal Eastern Sabah (Borneo)

March 8, 2013

March 8, 2013

The U.S. Embassy in Kuala Lumpur advises U.S. Citizens against travel to the coastal area of eastern Sabah (Borneo). This region extends from the town of Kudat, on the north coast, south to the border with Indonesia. Included are the towns of Sandakan, Lahad Datu, Kunak, Semporna, and Tawau.   On March 7, the Government of Malaysia designated this area as a “Special Security Area.” Several of these towns are the embarkation points for nearby islands frequented by tourists, including the dive sites of Sipadan and Mabul. 

During the period March 1-8, there have been continuing clashes between Malaysian security personnel and an armed group that entered Sabah by sea from the southern Philippines. Military and police operations are ongoing against armed groups. There is the potential for more violent incidents.  

U.S. Citizens currently in the area covered by the “Special Security Area” are encouraged to depart when local authorities indicate that it is safe to do so. You should obey any evacuation or curfew orders announced by Malaysian officials. U.S. Citizens traveling to or residing in other areas of Sabah should exercise caution and remain alert to your surroundings. 

U.S. Citizens are reminded that they should carry their U.S. passport with them at all times when in Malaysia.  

The U.S. Embassy is not aware of specific threats to U.S. citizens in Malaysia at this time. 

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It's always strange to know that conflict like this is happening around you.  The first few days of March  I obsevered people moving about more cautiously.

My language skills are doing quite well, but there are definatly conversations that are not completely comprehended.  With that being said, I just do what I am told and know that people here are looking out for each other.  There are adaptations for every change and currently the state of Sabah is excersing extra caution for it's people.

We have our twice a week fellowship and we continue to pray for our community like normal, but we also add prayers for  Sabah as a whole to the list.  The local night market is a lot less crowded these days but other than that things are seemingly normal.

Now to begin a new journey of planning for other excursions inland!  White water rafting, a train ride  and kayaking may be on the new agenda for the end of March!

Birthday!

5 March 2013

Today is my  birthday!

I went to school and Rev. Peter came to do a sight visit.  I was a little disappointed because Tuesdays are my least favorite days at school, only because I have two classes two times each in the morning.  

But

The classes went really well!  I think all the constant review is really helping!

After the first 4 periods Peter and I sat and talked about life, school and such.  Eventually a rumbling tummy told me it was time to relocate and find food! I asked Kurius if we could eat and he told me to enter class 6.  This should have been my first hint, but I was totally clueless!

I walked into class 6 where all students from class 5 and 6 were waiting to sing "Happy Birthday".  Snacks and  pop was everywhere and Leny even dished up my food for me and lead me to a designated seat.  Hillisia came and gave me a gift from school, which led all the other teachers to come forward and give me a gift, naturally followed by the awkward "shake the hand, receive your 'diploma' and wait for the camera" pose.  One student brought me a present and shook my hand, which some how lead to almost 10 more students coming forward with beautifully wrapped gifts.  

Now, it's not the gifts that were exciting, but the pure joy I saw in the faces of my students as they shared my special day with me.  They truly wanted to make me feel special and to know that they care about me. 

I don't know how many times I am asked if I miss my family.  Here family is the most important thing, so the fact that I am so far away from mine, means that they like to substitute for my family.  Every day my students tell me I am beautiful and funny.  We laugh and joke together and I break up fights when I need to.  We sing and we dance.  We wash dishes and we eat together.   We take care of each other because that is what a family does.  So- the fact that they got to be my family on my birthday made them over the top excited.  

I was blow away by the thought and planning the students and teachers put into making my birthday one I will never forget! I felt truly special and loved.  

Blissful

It's currently Monday night and I am reflecting on a wonderful start to my week. I love my students!  I am not sure if this is my new found health speaking--but I am just so grateful for life today.  All of my students inquired about my health and they all applauded when I told them that I was finally better--  I don't know what could bring a smile to your face faster than that!  In between classes I poked my head into classrooms to chat with students and joke with them.  In some classes we played games and sang songs to transition between topics and my older students completely rocked at introducing a friend!

After school I played card games with my housemates and my dear friend and then I finished planning my lessons for the week.

Sometimes I think that this situation is unbelievable.   I am completely and utterly speechless at how much of a blessing this whole expereience is, and I don't want to take one minute of it for granted.  With that- I am living my life with my heart overflowing with joy.

Ask yourself these questions:  How does what you are doing right now fill you with joy?  What can you do to bring joy to other people?

Wedding Fever

It seems that everytime I check my emails or Facebook someone new is engaged or married!  This brought about my curiosity to what a marriage is like here in Malaysia!  So, I sat down with one of my housemates, Hailley, who is the same age as me, and we talked about weddings for the indeginous Murut people, her people.  After many translation attempts via cell phones and google translate, I think I have a glimpse at how it goes-- hopefully I will be able to witness a tradtional Murut wedding during my time here!  I hope you enjoy this little cultural exploration!

Orang Murut:

---Weddings---

Arranged and self-chosen

Traditionally age 12 can marry--But Malaysian Law says no one below age 18 can marry.

Engagement--the boy's family goes to the girl's house to discuss the potential proposal--if both parties are in agreement and want to be married, the girl's family discusses what they want from the boy's family for the wedding.  

If a son marries--the family must give thing/gift/money to the bride/her family.

Parents-- for daughter's wedding--give list of requests to the groom's family: Maybe money, television or traditional clothes/jewelry.  (These is seen as a replacement of sorts for the girl's absence from the house/family responsibilities)

If you are the younger sister in the family and marry before your older sister--you must give something to her (maybe jewlery-necklace or money RM 500)

If a brother is getting married--the sister must help by giving a wedding gift from the entire family.

The girl's family is responsible for reception food and drink (tapai--rice or tapioca wine)

Murut Wedding attire: traditional clothes with traditional beading.  Clothes are made by family members.  After the wedding, all of the wedding clothes must be given to the girl's family.  When asked why, I was told it's a tradition.  

When married--the couple usually lives with the boy's family.  

After married--the girl's family must help her new parents-in-law with 'everything' (maybe wedding reception and afterwards daily living--paddy farming/harvesting)

On a more personal note-- I live with mostly Murut people.  I have heard a lot of frustration from people hear about the tradition of Murut weddings.  Hailley, a teacher, recently had two brothers get married--both are younger than her.  One was engaged and married within two weeks--the reception has not happened yet.  Because Hailley is a sister and she is working--her older sister is still studying so she is excluded from this responsibility-- she is responsible for helping to prepare the wedding gift from her family of RM 1000, times this by two--one for each brother.  Luckily, she is able to slowly give money here and there until she has met the specified amount.  

One complaint that I have heard is that people are not worried about having a job/work before getting married because they can rely on their family for support--people keep record of who they helped so that in the future if they need help, they know where to look for it--.

In modern weddings it is common for the couple getting married to change outfits multiple times.  I went to one wedding and saw four different beautiful outfits--including traditional attire.  Before the wedding processional there were other people in traditional outfits dancing to traditional music--it was so cool! I wish I would have remembered my camera.

January

A year ago at this time I was beginning my application process with the hopes to be a Young Adult in Global Mission soon after graduating from Concordia.  Fast forward one year, and I am half way done with my year of service.  I can't believe how fast time has gone, and I am truly sad to continue on the journey knowing that it will soon end.  With that-- I am in this weird transition of what comes next, all the while  cherishing every second that I have left in this beautiful place!

When school came  to a close last year, I was bound and determined to find resources to help this year have structure and support.  When I asked what to teach, they said, "just teach what you know", but it's so hard to start when you don't know what they know. Before school started I wrote out my first week of lesson plans and was pretty excited about them.  I set aside two days for introductions.  The students would fill out a sheet that included information about them, their favorite color and food, where they are from, how old they are, and two pictures: a self-portrait and a family portrait.  The first day they all finished the form, and the second day was set aside for them to introduce a friend.  We discussed "boy words" and "girl words"--because many times they may point to a boy, and say "her name is..".  This was very telling for me, because not only did they struggle with gender nouns, but they couldn't say how old their friend was, they always resorted to Bahasa Melayu.  After investigating further, I discovered they filled out most of their form in Bahasa Melayu, but that was very helpful to me, because then I knew which vocabulary they hadn't acquired yet.  Later at a meeting I asked who was in charge of teaching the students to read, because I was finding that reading skills were fairly low.  I am not sure why I was so surprised when I found all fingers pointing at me.

The first week was rough, as my lesson plans seems all the more unrealistic, I realized I would need to purchase new books, and really evaluate what is essential for my students to know.  Then--I started all over again, and brought in more creative ways of learning--movement, singing, and games to help them learn, enjoy and focus.  With one class of 35 students, if I'm not on top of things, I just want to sit and cry--It reminds me of a quote I have seen somewhere-- "What really messes us up, if the image we have of how things are supposed to be"--here I write my own story, there is no outline.

Among all my planning and frequent trips to book stores, I also spent the beginning of January applying to seminary, and searching for ministry related openings at churches.  

Towards the middle of the month I somehow once again found myself in a fabric store and attending a camp at a last minute notice. But-- I must share with you, out of mere humor and astonishment on what I got myself involved in.  A picture, from my Girl's Brigade training camp.  Enjoy--because I never know what will happen, and sometimes it leads to things like this.  (Somehow I got out of the marching--but I have a feeling that won't be for long)

The rest has been a blur, mostly because I spent two weeks sick, and one of them almost completely in a state of sleeping.  My heart overflowed as I was barely functional because of the wonderful friends I have here.  In a strange state of half-awake and half-asleep, I found housemates and teachers in my room checking on me, and bringing me meals. My dearest friend drove here every evening until I was well again.  Finally, last night I was able to stay awake for more than 4 hours, and we played some mean rounds of Uno!

New Years

Somehow I forgot my camera memory card at home when I went to my friends kampung for New Year's Eve.  They celebrate here much like they do at home.  Boys are shooting off fireworks-- but most the kind with loud bangs and no pretty lights.  People gather and have a BBQ-- ok so that's not the same as a Minnesota New Year's but with no snow, it's rather enjoyable.  The streets are packed with people walking from house to house visiting their neighbors, family, and friends, wishing them well for the year ahead.

But--

The one tradition that really stuck out to me was this: most of the people go to the river and bath themselves there on New Year's Eve.  I was told that this is to bring good luck and wash away the bad from the current year.  To start anew, a fresh beginning.   I don't know about you, but this reminded me a lot of baptism.  Needless to say, I stayed nice and try, and brought in the new year by watching Twilight.  Who would have thought?

Blessings to you and your loved ones on this new year.

Christmas in Kudat

The Highlight of my Christmas in Kudat.

George, my host dad, asked his mother to dress me in traditional clothes.  They were so excited to share part of their customs and traditions with me.  I learned that the outfit I was wearing is typically worn at weddings or at the Harvest Festival.  To purchase these items on your own is expensive, so most of the items here have been passed down through generations.  It took almost two hours just to put the bracelet on my arm, shown below.  This is one heavy outfit--but if it was all traditional it would be much heavier.  The skirt would be just like the bracelet-- and they would add one bead at a time as the fit it to your body. Me-- I wore a skirt with a zipper.

I was happy to spend my last day like this, but the whole trip was really just wonderful!

Traditional Rungus Attire

The Process:

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