Refreshing Week Behind - Bittersweet Week Ahead

This past week myself and the 4 other Malaysia YAGM spent the week in Brunei. It was our first retreat of the year and we will have two more through out the year (every 3 months). Going into the week, although I was excited for the opportunity to travel and visit another country, I was honestly a bit sad about the time away from KK and specifically the Kindergarten. Upon arriving in Brunei I realized it was nice to have some time to relax and reflect on the past three months. The week was much needed. It was a very good opportunity for us YAGM to get to know each other better and it was especially good for all of us to get to know Laura (our country coordinator) better and vice-versa. We had bible studies every day and spent time discussing our time here thus far; what was going well and what could be improved. Then we spent the rest of our days touring the capital city, Bandar Seri Begawan where we were staying. Click here to see a picture of the Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque we visited. This picture doesn't do it justice... it was stunning.

Thursday was the highlight of the retreat for me. Myself, Erika, Ellen and Kelsey took a day trip to Ulu Temburong National Park. The park covers about 10 % of Brunei. It was just so nice to get away from any type of city and spend some time in nature... the jungle! To get to the national park itself we had to take an hour long boat ride, a 20 minute car ride, and then another 20 minute boat ride, through the jungle. It was absolutely beautiful and quite impossible for me to describe. When we arrived at the national park we climbed up over 1000 steps and then climbed up even further into the canopy walk way. This walk way was on three different levels. When you got to the first level you were near the top of the trees. You walked a bit on the walk way and then went up again, this time you were at the top of the trees. Again walked on the walk way and then up to the top level which was above the trees. On the top level as I turned around I was completely surrounded by the jungle. For miles and miles it was all I could see. Again, the image is indescribable. We were on no time constraint so I took a little bit of time just to take it all in; breathe in the smell, listen to all the different sounds, and look into the jungle.

After descending from the canopy walkway and then the 1000 steps we took another short boat ride into the jungle and then walked a short distance to a small waterfall. Right before coming to the waterfall we came to across many, many butterflies. They were not like any butterflies I had every seen and were bright purple in color. They were flying all around us as we walked through. Quite magical, really. We were prepared with our swimsuits and were able to swim in the waterfall. After leaving we then spent at least an hour tubing down the main river back to our home base where we had lunch. The tubing was lots of fun and relaxing. We had good conversation and enjoy the beauty of the jungle that surrounded us. There was a good current that carried us down stream and we even came upon some baby rapids, which was fun.

The week left me refreshed and happy to return home to KK. It was a week of many stories, many laughs and smiles and even a few tears. It was a week of many prayers and great sharing as we all journey through this year together, depending on God but at many points still unsure of our direction. It was a wonderful week.

Now, this week will be different... both happy and sad. I can't wait to go back to work tomorrow and to see the children. However, the sad part is, this is our last week of school. Our graduation program is on Wednesday and the last day of the school year is Friday. The graduation program will be lots of fun. Each class has prepared two dances (one of which I have prepared with the 6 year old boys) and will preform them for the school and the parents that are able to attend. Thursday and Friday are fun celebration days but Teacher Hiew has said that not all of the kids come to school. So potentially Wednesday could be my last day seeing some of the 6 year olds. I still have yet to come to terms with this and am staying very much in the present, trying not to dwell on that too much. At the same time, these past couple weeks I have spent every free minute in the 6 year old classes playing games with them and doing activities. Last week (Monday, before I left for Brunei) I taught my ARed (6 year old class) how to play Heads Up - 7 Up, one of my favorite games from when I was that age. It was a bit difficult to explain at first but once they got the hang of it they really enjoyed it.

I will be sure to post a blog at the end of the week to tell you all about how the week went, especially the graduation program.

Here is a bible passage we discussed this week that I found quite meaningful.

"As God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony."

-Colossians 3:12-14

I hope you all have a wonderful week!