August 31,

We got around, had our Javas with breakfast of oatmeal and yogurt, then readied. Jeff had found a nondenominational church that we were going to go to, HOPE Church, Kuching. We left about 1020 to get to the 1100 service. The church meets in a strip mall-type building. They have a three story layout: the ground is a meet and greet area with a kitchen area; first floor we did not go to; and second floor is the congregation worship area. Anyway, we were greeted and met many people. One person, Dominic, took us under his wing and guided us to get snacks and drinks. But it was just closing up so he apologized and took us up to the worship area. There we met more people, and were given a visitor info card to fill out. Then we received a small gift of a zippered pen holder with “HOPE” written on it.

Services then began. We sang two songs to a lively worship band. Those two songs lasted about 20 minutes. Today is their “Generations” week, so the children were involved in the band, announcements and the scripture reading of Daniel 6. There was also a Special Music – Ukulele for Jesus. A group of eight all playing ukuleles and singing a contemporary song. Then the sermon of on Daniel 6- Steadfastness and Victory in God. Dominic invited Jeff and I to a sunset and dinner gathering they would be doing later. He sent the particulars via WhatsApp to Jeff.

After church we went to a mall for lunch. We split a Nasi Biryani with Chicken, and a lemon tea. As we were eating Jeff texted Dominic back, accepting dinner. We finished and saw a sign for Rojak and decided to get it a go. Rojak is a Malaysian dessert of an assortment of cut fruits and vegetables, mixed with a palm sugar type dressing. It was… different. We can say we’ve had it and don’t need to have it again. Whole meal and dessert cost around 30 RM, or just over 7 bucks. We went back to our place for couple of hours.

Around 1640, we left to go meet the brethren. We met at the Hornbill Statue, across from the Sarawak cultural village and right at the ocean. Someone had a drone and did a group shot of us all. Many Malaysians were here enjoying the ocean and National Malaysian Day, the independence of Malaysia in 1957. Anyway, Sunset happened, but not much of a show. We all loaded up in our cars to go to supper at Teo Seafood Buntal. We all sat in three tables of at least nine. They ordered table sets. This included: Oyster omelet, Fiddlehead Fern dish, Fried Prawns, Sweet Battered Fried Squid, a Whole Seabass with ginger, garlic and peppers, Sea Cucumber Soup, Lemon Chicken, a Curry Stir Fry of Snails (slang called “monkey penis” dish), and a bowl of rice each. There were definitely things neither Jeff of I would have ordered. But overall it was good and great to fellowship. I was able to WhatsApp briefly with my mother. When we finished, were told we could not pay. So Jeff made an another donation (he gave some during the service). We thanked them all and everyone left.

We returned to our place and later connected with our brethren back home. Great day!

     September 1,

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY SISTER!!!

I did not get up until 0900!! Of course we did not get to bed until nearly midnight, but WOWZA!!!
We had our Javas with breakfast of apples and nutella, and yogurt. Then we did a load of laundry. Tomorrow we leave Malaysia, but not the island of Borneo.

We talked with Jeff’s sister and her husband. They are doing well. When we finished, we had lunch in our place of a cucumber, onion, and red pepper salad; and last of a snack mix we had. I blogged some Jeff read and tidied up some bits and bobs of our upcoming trips. Afternoon turned to evening and then we had supper of pasta with last of onion, red pepper, and balsamic vinegar we had. We also had last of our crackers and a red wine. Just another day, someplace else.