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[Adrian]

Dear brethren,

As you all know from another post in this forum http://www.ipohchurchofchrist.org/forum/index.php?topic=163.0, brother Chee Yong together with the church in Kuching, have spread the Gospel to two other areas in Sarawak. These two areas are the villages of Kampung Sabal Tapang and Kampung Sabal Kruin, about 150km from Kuching. In the short time span of one year, there had been almost 50 people responding to the Gospel call at our outreach areas and the numbers are growing every month. Praise God for His blessings.

We have also managed to erect a church building as well as a hostel in Kampung Sabal Tapang thanks to contributions from various individuals and churches. However, Kampung Sabal Kruin, which has close to 40 members is still without a worship place. The new converts have to worship in the house of brother Gani every week. Even though brother Gani lives in a wooden bungalow, 40 people crammed inside the living room can be quite uncomfortable but our new brethren still persist week after week despite this, God bless them.

I am writing this in order to inform all the brethren reading this of our work as well as to secure the funding that we desperately need to further the work. In the near future, we plan to erect a church building in Kampung Sabal Kruin, purchase Iban Bibles as well as to provide for the remuneration of a new full-time worker who will be preaching there. With funding, we will also venture out into other villages in Sarawak. Our new brethren are mainly farmers, retired or students. It would take them years to raise even that amount needed for the foundation of the building. As Christians, we have an example of Christians collecting for the missionaries in 1 Cor 16:1-3. It is our hopes that Christians reading this will be touched and respond to our plea to contribute towards our common cause to spread the Gospel. Therefore brethren, "Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver." (2 Cor 9:7).

I will be constantly updating our progress in this forum so that everybody will know what we have been doing, be encouraged and glorify God. Should anybody wish to contribute either personally or anonimously, kindly leave your personal details here or email me at aunkoay @ hotmail and I will provide further instructions on how to contribute. Please state the amount you wish to give and whether you would like to pledge a monthly sum or a lump sum. If you have any queries, you can post them here and we will do our best to answer. If you need further information, you can also leave your e-mail address here or your postal mail address here and I will respond accordingly.

Thank you all for your attention.

Brotherly,
Adrian Koay

[Adrian]

Brethren,

I have an announcement to make regarding the activities planned for the churches in Kampung Sabal Tapang and Kampung Sabal Kruin. There will be an intensive Bible camp at the Kampung Sabal Tapang Bible school on 25 - 26 April 2008. There will be an in depth study on Galations 4 to 6. The teachers will be brothers Ong Chee Yong and Thomas Koh. Accomodation and meals will be arranged. Transport will be provided from Kuching to Sabal Tapang. Anybody who is interested to participate or help out please let us know. Your presence is most welcome.

As usual, all monetary contributions are also most welcome. Anybody who has purposeth in his or her heart to give, you may do so cheerfully for God loves you. If money is a problem, don't despair. We are also very happy if you are willing to donate some Iban or Indonesian Bibles.

Brotherly,
Adrian Koay

p.s. I have just corrected the date of the Bible camp. It is actually on 25 - 26 April 2008 and not on 28 - 31 March 2008 as previously posted. I am sorry for the wrong information. For those interested to join, it is from 2.30 - 5.o0 pm on 25th and 8.30 am - 5.00 pm on 26th. See you all there.

[alankoay81]

Adrian,

Thanks for updating everyone about the great work in Sarawak. Perhaps you might want to include some photos of the churches there in this forum so that those who are reading will also be able to see the progress of the work being done there with their own eyes.

I'm sure with some visual backup, many more people will be encouraged to contribute to this noble and good cause for our Lord Jesus Christ. Do consider my suggestion.

God bless.

[Adrian]

Alan,

Thanks for the suggestion. I have uploaded 4 photos of the Christians in Kampung Sabal Kruin worshipping in the house of brother Swithern Gani. Brother Gani was formerly the caretaker of the Anglican church there but has now accepted Christianity. Because of the lack of a church building, he has most generously offered his home, which is still under construction, to be used as a worship place.



Bro. Thomas conducting worship service in brother Gani's living room. Notice the mounds of sand and stones at the back.



View of the Christians in the uncompleted living room. Notice the incomplete ceiling and the lack of a door.



The other side of the uncompleted living room. There are still no window panes.



Some of the Christians of Kampung Sabal Kruin posing outside brother Gani's house. Brother Gani is at the extreme right.

Our brethren in Kampung Sabal Kruin are simple and contented people. Despite all the promises of luxury in the Anglican system of worship, they were willing to forgo all that and worship in a simple environment because they have found the truth in the Gospel. We pray that with the support of the brethren reading this, the church in Kampung Sabal Kruin will one day be able to have their own worship venue instead of squatting(literally) in brother Gani's home.

Brotherly,
Adrian