This weekend has been long as one of our volunteers has decided to travel back to the states. Our number of six is now down to five for Malaysia YAGMS. It is crazy to think about and that volunteer will be missed. So, the weekend has now consisted of thinking about changes that may be coming and trying to relax. Today was the perfect day for both.
A little background first: For the past month and a half five of us have been attending a church service within the BCCM (Basel Christian Church of Malaysia). The BCCM church has been interesting and very different from any church service I have ever been to. Their service mostly consist of singing four or five songs to start and there are prayers intermixed. Then the Reverend or a guest will get up and give a sermon. After the sermon we sing at least one or two more songs and then are dismissed. Overall, I haven't felt like this church was complete and I have been missing hearing the doctrine each Sunday and having, more or less, of a traditional service. Dang, am I Lutheran?! So, with those feelings I have wanted to go out and explore the other churches in KK and this morning provided that opportunity.
This morning Katherine (my roommate) and I left our house at 6:15 to walk over to meet the other volunteers and then continue on our way with a professor from Sabah Theological Seminary to church. We arrived at our destination at 7:30 just in time for the service at All Saints' Cathedral. It was a nice worship service and just what I really needed to experience. There was scripture, hymns, communion, and a nicely delivered sermon. Afterwards I felt rejuvenated in a sense and it felt like I actually went to church! The congregation was welcoming towards us and I hope to go back at least once every month or so.
After church we had been invited to join the Boy Brigade to go the one of the five Islands. (Of course we said we would love to!) The island was great and the day couldn't have been more beautiful. We, the volunteers and boys brigade members, played icebreakers and then had fun in the water. There wasn't a lot of snorkeling happening in our group but we did enjoy throwing a frisbee around and then gathering for a lunch one of the boys brought. It was a peaceful day full of new experiences and building friendships.
Side note: The title of this post is in honor of one of my dear friends back in the states who really does rock my socks off when I actually wear socks.
Oh my gosh! I totally understand missing the liturgy! We are totally Lutherans :)
ReplyDeleteThe island afternoon sounds fantastic! I hope you have many more days like it in Malaysia :) By the way, the kids' concert videos were fantastic! So cute! (But I can totally see how you'd have a headache after several hours of tiny people running around in costume, singing and going crazy :) ).