GCC’s vision reads, “Empowering the generations, impacting the nations”, and that was what we wanted to do when we came into contact with the Iban community during the mission trip. At each longhouse that we visited, we held a service there - with a flow of programme of praise and worship, skit presentation, song presentation, sharing of the Word, challenging the people and ministry time - in hope that as instruments of God, He will use us to empower this community and impact it in His glorious ways. But what were the people’s response to God? What were their reaction when we challenged them to renew their faith in Christ? At each longhouse, we experienced different response and reaction, but ultimately, we believe that God’s hand has and is working in the lives of these people.

At Sebujok longhouse, we could sense a great need for an encounter there. We were told by Pastor Apin that there was a split between the Baptists and the Anglicans and all we could really do was to pray that God will manifest himself through the service and the sharing of His word. It was evident that skit was one of the best tools to catch the attention of the people in the longhouses. They love entertainment and a good laugh. Yes, we made them laugh but underneath the humorous acting and dialogues, we made sure a clear message of God’s sovereignty, grace and love was to be conveyed to the people. Penny and Chris had the privileged of sharing the word at Sebujok longhouse. Penny spoke on knowing and believing the one true God while Chris shared about worshipping this one true God. To some Ibans, Christianity may just be another collection of religion to their other already existing beliefs. Therefore, it was important for us to point out that there is only one true God - Christ himself.

The service at Sebujok longhouse.

At the end of the service, we challenged the people. The challenge was for them to make a decision; a decision to have an encounter with Christ and a decision to change for Christ. We could sense that the people at Sebujok longhouse needed to renew their faith, be it Baptists or Anglicans. And we gave them that opportunity. Praise the Lord, every single one of them stood out! One by one they came up front and wanted deeply to be prayed for. Even as we went around laying our hands and praying for each one of them, some even prayed aloud together with us! It was such an encouragement to see such desire and hunger. After which, we spent some time in ministry, praying for people who needed healing. Once again, all of them came up front. It’s powerful to see how God can move in places as secluded as this and in spite of a certain division, His purposes and plans stand firm!

As mentioned in the previous post, we had quite an experience at Semulong longhouse during the home dedication service. It was both a lesson and blessing for us as much as it was for them. We learnt to be dependent on God and be bold to speak forth His word. As for them, it was great to see their willingness and their desire to want to dedicate their home to the Lord. Coming from a line of rooted culture and traditional beliefs, it was another revelation to see how God can break down such walls of Jericho! Amen!

Semulong longhouse.

It was clear that the people at Semulong were relatively more open. Even during the service, the people showed great interest to learn and to hear the word of the Lord. As we challenged the people to step up and to renew their faith in the Lord, many were hungry to do so. Some lifted their hands up as an act of worship, some just lowered their heads down as if seeking for forgiveness. Though most of the people at Semulong were Christians, they need a reminder every once in a while to continuously trust in the Lord and to constantly worship Him. And we trust that they came to that point when we challenged them to step up.

People stepping forth to renew their faith!

The people at Kerepok longhouse was probably the easiest to get along with. That longhouse had a joyous atmosphere to it. The people there were always smiling and were ready to hear the Word. Poh Sim preached at this longhouse and she presented a very illustrative and interactive sermon that really caught the attention of the people there. She spoke about how God is an all-knowing and all-powerful God, and how we as His children should revere and fear Him.

The people worshipping God and Poh Sim preaching an interactive sermon.

Clearly, the people had a connection with God. Their hearts were softened by the message of Christ’s goodness and they were willing to renew their faith in Him. As we challenged them to come forward, many came with a contrite heart, a heart seeking to see the face of the Lord. Many responded towards the ministry time as well. They came forward and sat down, ready to be prayed for and ready to see God’s hand move in their lives.

These people were ready to receive God’s blessings!

Towards the end of our mission trip, we made a short detour at an extra longhouse - Pendam Batu longhouse. Unlike other longhouses that we’ve been to, this longhouse had a strong weight of sadness weighing in the air. Many families in this longhouse had already left to bigger towns and cities due to family conflicts. Those who were still living in this longhouse clearly had been discouraged by this issue. Although it was only about an hour stop at this longhouse, it proved to be one of the most important stops as the people here were desperate for God’s guidance, encouragement and strength. We held a short service there with Pastor Edward preaching the Word. After which, we prayed for the people there. In spite of their current predicament, it was a spring of refreshing water to see that they have not lost faith in Christ.

The short stop at Pendam Batu longhouse surely was a divine appointment!

When we first began our journey into the interior, God reminded us that He was going to be with us throughout the trip by sending us physical rain as a symbol of His promise. And as we entered our fifth and final longhouse, God reminded us of that once more by giving us rain again! It was as if He was saying, “I promised you that I’m going to be with you no matter what, and I have!”. And as He poured down physical rain, we believe He has also poured down spiritual rain on Bakong longhouse.

The crowd at Bakong longhouse was small in number. Nonetheless, God’s word spoke to them. Penny spoke about the encounter in which Zacchaeus had with Christ and in the process, was changed by Christ. Penny challenged the people there to have that same encounter, to see God, to meet Him and be changed by Him. Many understood that message as we presented a skit in relation to Zacchaeus. As we challenged them, some came forth, accepting that challenge to meet God face to face.

Every once in a while, Christians visit the Iban longhouses in Sarawak. Often, they need that sort of encouragement in the Word, in prayer and even in simple fellowship to spur them on in their walk with Christ. The service and ministry that we held in those longhouses served those needs. We truly believe that they have an earnest desire to know more about our living God, and more than that, we believe that God is doing something great amongst this community of people.