2 days of Thai Camp already....

Before i travelled 6 hours to Khon Kean in the Friday night, Benny and Tor (leader for Impact ministry in the E region) brought me to visit ABAC University. This is the university where P'Pae, Jane, Tu studied in. This is an international university, therefore there have students from China, Korea, Japan and all around the world. Their campus is unbelievabily pretty; even have 2 shopping mall in the campus.

In the evening, met up with some of the international students n their leaders to travel to Rompo Mansion (a place where all hope international delegates will 'transit' before travelling to Khon Kean). While walking from Hope Place, it rained heavily! We were forced to take shelter for an hour. While taking shelter, the thai sisters managed to evangelise to an old lady staying around. So inspiring! :D

Arrived at Rompo, saw many many many familiar faces: Ps. Kwong Lie, Kee Loong, Kar Weng, Tung Chai, Shereen, Connie, Sue Mian .... Hope KL, Hope S'pore, Hope Penang, Hope Kch ... etc! On the way to Khon Kean, I decided to stay with Ps. Kwong Lie and gangs! It was so great to catch up with them!

While at the camp, I spent most of my time with E Region brothers and sisters: Pui, Ju, Tu, Tong, Blue, Eiji, Carrie .... and some of those who only manage to join one day: Rocky, Fairy, Man, Fay etc. I met up with Hope London Alumni, P'Pae and P'Wan! The most surprising would be Jean ... she came all the way right after alighting from Hong Kong to join this round of camp. She had joined 1st round already .. n this round she came to meet me! So touched! :D N I mean Kjell-magne, Usha (my good friend from Hope Oslo) and their baby, Mirna! :D SUrprise surprise

Anyway .. had lots of amazing food! I ate DURIAN at the night market (disappointingly, no smell and not much taste!).

Time to sleep .. before i sleep, i'll upload the photos :P

P'Pae and me

Lunch with Thai brothers and sisters
The lovely E Region ppl - Tong, Blue, Eiji, Carrie, Pui and me
N'Jean - she did not like durian - had supper at the night market
P'Wan - in her doctor robe, her duty as medical doctor in the camp
More photos soon .. if got chance :D

Lovely lovely Bangkok ...... i'm back again!

It was 4 years ago, the last time I stepped onto the soil of Siam, also for Thai Camp! It is so nice to be back ... the friendliness, the amazing food, the traffic jam ... the language i still dun really understand except a few phrases! :D

OoOo before Bangkok, in LCC airport, I managed to meet up with Susie :D She purposely came early to airport to meet me, (her flight is 4pm in the afternoon). I'm really touched lor!

Susie (in her new hairstyle) and me at LCCT. She treated me McD breakie!

The new Bangkok airport is gigantic! From where the plane embark, we needed to take a bus for 5 minutes to go to immigration counter. The interior is full of steel and concrete. Nevertheless, the airport was good!

I was met by Benny and Pom. These 2 wonderful brother of E Region (P'Pae's region) really go extra mile in taking care of me! I'm so blessed to be the only representative from Hope London. They drove me to Benny's house where I will be spending a night in. Then they treated me lunch at WorldCentre of Thai+Chinese meal! After meal, we walked around the shopping complex. It was way bigger than One Utama! So big until I so tired to walk :P After this, we went to Pantip Plaza, a IT mall, equivalent to SimLim of Singapore or LowYatt of Kuala Lumpur! In the end, it was Benny and Pom who shopped rather than me!

In the evening, I had dinner with Benny's family (mum, brother, sister and his cousin). I was an wonderful dinner - sharing about our testimony. After dinner, i watched 12 Monkeys on HBO, while chatting to Benny more about ministry! After that, here am I, updating my blog while chatting to Ah Sam n Anita on msn :D

This is Pom ... know what! He is a drummer! AND, he's gonna come to London in September this year to study in Mdx Uni in Hendon! Praise God! Prayer answered! :D This is Benny! Staying in his luxurious house in city centre! So blessed!
The lunch that we had - more to come!! :D

Photos in Kuching .. don't DROOL!! :D

The infamous LAKSA SARAWAK + TEH-C-PENG Special

Another infamous - KOLOMEE + TEH-C-PENG
The 2 leng luis in Kuching
My favourite air tebu campus air kelapa stall - uncle has been there for AGES!
Me in front of my high school - SMK Green Road! I love my school :D

In KL ... (Wed)

On Wed, I woke up at 4am .... tot of watching the live match of Man U vs Milan, while preparing myself to go to airport at 5am to catch the early AirAsia flight to KL. I was lazy ... so allowed myself to sleep till 4.30am. Good thing that Man U won 3-2. Went to Kch airport at 5am ... apparently i'm the 6th person checked-in. As long as you check in 45 min before departure time, you are safe. No need 2 hours before departure time. In airport, met a long-lost scout friend, Siaw Fong (is a he :p). We chatted alot, especially asking where's everybody! Most of them married liao! Will arrange to meet up when i come back from Thai Camp.

In KL, was particularly glad that able to meet up with Leanne, Alicia and Michelle. Leanne has mature alot since she left London, and obviously very pretty now as well. Leanne brought me to SS2 for roti canai, then went over to Salvation bookstore. I grabbed hold of a Strong Concordance, the last one they have! It's big and heavy, but it's cheap! :D Then Leanne and I went over to One Utama ... big big shopping centre! She shopped (i did not) .. while i accompanied her! Met up with Alicia and we went for steamboat :D No photos .. coz there are taken with Alicia's camera.

After parting company with Alicia, we went to Low Yatt to meet up with Michelle! She's slimmer now and prettier! I say this not because she treated me Sushi KinG! ahaha It was a pity only can meet for dinner coz I went on to City Harvest KL to attend a Rob Thomson seminar. The church is seriously YOUNG! I feel really really old in the church. The pastor is only 31 years old .. and i think the average age of the church is 21 years old! Anyway, in the span of 6 years since pioneered, now City Harvest KL is 1000 strong.

After the seminar, went to my aunty's place in USJ to bunk in for a night! So glad to see the whole family.. especially my 2 chubby cousins! Forgot to take photos with them .... the 10 years old cousin weight about 60-70kgs! Heavy ler!

Two leng lui of KL - Leanne and Michelle

Michelle and I

Home in Kuching

For those in London who faithfully checking my blog .. very sorry that I have not updated it since i come back to Kuching 5 days ago. It's not that the internet is slow at home, nor i'm so busy ... I am just lazy! :D I will not have any photos for this entry ... coz all photos are in my laptop (now using the pc at home).

Anyway ... since I was back last Friday, I have eaten kolomee (3 times), laksa (twice), ice kacang, kueh chap, tomato kueh tiaw, rojak, chicken rice .... haha! Discovered that Kuching has lots of new eating places. In span of 5 days as well, met many friends: high school classmates, church mates, friends; also knew many news: friends got married, going to have kid .. all those married n have kid one are same age as me.

Kuching itself has changed a lot as well ... many many many new vacant shoplots (really wonder who's gonna buy them), drivers are more ruthless (including me), more funky eating places, living expanses are much higher ....

Glad to be home for a while ... coz I'm too free :P

Will be flying to KL tomorrow and follow by Thailand the day after. so will be away for 10 days. High possibility will not be updating my blog! But i'll try to take lots of photos! I've got my digital camera .. it's my dad's camera!~ Also Canon Ixus but better model! Thank God!

Hope you all are well! :D

NOw in KLIA .. again! 20 April

Woooo, back in Malaysia after a week in Australia! Watched 2 movies on the plane, ate 2 meals (supper and breakfast) and slept most of the time! It was not too bad! Arrived at KLIA at 5.45am, 30 minutes earlier than scheduled

I am now waiting to board the 8.15am flight back to Kuching. Finally i'm going home :D

I am suppose to take the 11.30am flight ... but because of my carelessness, asked my dad to buy the ticket a day earlier. So the ticket is no more valid. I only realise when I was in Brisbane airport last night .. so quickly called my brothers to call home, while i looked for internet connection. Anyway .. everything was sorted. I even can go home few hours earlier!

KOLOMEE, LAKSA, KUEH CHAP, METAHON, SIAW BEE ....... here i come! hahaha
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Just as i thought i'm able to board the plane, we've been informed that the boarding gate has now changed, which is about 5 minutes walk! Fine ... walked and walked ... reached the new gate, saw many people waiting. Then looked closer at the infor board - "Delay to 10.00am" .... can't believe it!! It reverted to the flight I suppose to take. Finger-cross that it will not delay until 11.30am (the flight i booked n flied off without me yesterday). We've got a complimentary (consolation more like it) breakfast of either nasi lemak or Burger King. Of course you all know what I'll go for! :D

1 more hour .... KOLOMEE, LAKSA, KUEH CHAP, METAHON, SIAW BEE ....... here i come! hahahahahahahahahahah

Sea World + CG + Tennis + Wave Surfing

After the movie world on Tuesday, me and Gemmy went to Sea World on Wednesday. It was not as exciting as Movie World (then later ppl actually say, DreamWorld is much much interesting that all the other theme parks ... grrr). And one of the bad news for me (good news for some people), my digital camera is now officially broken. *sniff* *sniff*. But the good news is, now i can get a new camera! :P

Back to SeaWorld, so 'surprise' to see Tom n Jerry in a world doesn't belong to them :D Saw polar bear, dolphin, seal, sea lion, fish and sharks! The rides were not as exciting as Movie World. But it was a nice trip though! Sorry folks, not many photos from now on :D

After SeaWorld, we went to the beach, thinking of seeing the sun set. But apparently, the sun set at the other direction. So we went home, prepared for the Gold Coast CG. Was really blessed to see so many people of different nationality worship God together! Siang was really so musically-talented! I heard, he's the 2nd best bassist in church. He also is good in keyboard, drum and guitar! I met Ps. Lance and Bel (pastor's wife), who are both really an inspiring figures in Hope Australia! The CG had farewell for 2 sisters, which I think was really sweet and touching! :D Really enjoy the CG - God is good, cause no matter where I go, i'm able to join the church!

At the entrance of SeaWorld

With Tom and Jerry :D
The polar bear
The last photo of my Canon Ixus - Eye of Gold Coast.

The next morning, me and Siang's housemate, Joe went to play tennis! I felt good playing again after 2 years! I'll play more when i go back london! After tennis, we met up with Gemmy to go to beach for wave surfing! The wave in the beach of Gold Coast was so big! We stayed there for 2 hours! I'm really tanned now! hahaha .. will be more tan when i come back from Thai Camp!

I drove down to Brisbane in Siang's car. It took about 50 minutes to get from GC to Brisbane! Then met up with Jocelyn to have dinner at Vietnamese restaurant! I got to know more about my future sister-in-law (more or less confirm liao :D).

Now i'm in Brisbane Airport, preparing to fly back to Malaysia! Only to realise that, for the journey of Kuala Lumpur to Kuching, we bought the wrong date! Nevertheless, thank God for mobile phone, IDD, and internet... i manage to get Siang and Phin to call dad to sort all these out! I suppose to fly at 11.30am ... because of the blunder, now I am flying back earlier at 10.05am! But it is quite a high price to pay - RM334 (£47).

CONCLUSION (of my trip in Australia) - I am truly blessed by the life of my brothers - Siang, Phin and Ching! And I really give thanks to God for He answered my prayer - as for me and my household, we gonna serve the Lord! Really can't wait to hear from them again in near future how the Then's has contributed to the Kingdom of God! :D

Gold Coast - Movie World + Surfer Paradise

Went with Gemmy, paid AUSD 99 for two theme parks - Movie World and Sea World (will visit tomorrow). We spent 7 hours indulging ourselves in the world of movies and cartoon - Batman, Superman, Looney Tune, Justice League, Shrek, Lethal Weapon, Wild Wild West, Happy Feet etc.. God really blessed us soooo much cause we were able to take photos with so many cartoon characters. We also managed to play the rides twice each. We particularly liked the Superman Escape (0-100kph in 2 secs) and Wild Wild West (get really wet). Shrek 4D was really awesome as well - the effects was amazing! Took quite alot of videos of The Grand Parade (similiar to Disneyland's).

At the Warner Bros. Movie World entrance

Bugs Bunny, me and dunno her name Me and the Justice League superheroes!
It's a pity i covered WonderWoman - she's really sexy
Gemmy and me with Happy Feet characters - it's a pity Mumble not there
Me in front of Looney Tunes Village

Click on the photos below for more photos and videos

2007 04 17 - Australia - Gold Coast - Movie World

Gold Coast - Met with Siang

I departed from Adelaide at 5.30pm for a 56 minutes journey to Melbourne for transit to Gold Coast (2 hours flight). Because of 1/2 hour time different between Adelaide n Gold Coast, I arrived at Coolangatta airport at 10pm. I had to wait for 30 minute for Gemmy (one of Hope London student who is on 6 months student exchange at Sydney) to arrive. Nevertheless, Siang arrived at 10.30pm as well to fetch both of us! It was for almost 3 years that I did not see him and certainly I was really glad n happy! :D So, we were settled down at the brother's ministry house and sister's ministry house.

This is VirginBlue plane ... the yellow luggage is mine :D
The house Siang stays in is really big! I am really jealous, coz of the rent he pays, I can only afford a tiny box-sized room in London. He has big living room, big kitchen + dining hall, big backyard, big rooms (5 housemates).

Exterior of Siang's house - sharing with 4 other people. The Toyata Camry on the left is his.

Siang's bedroom - he sleeps on top of the bunk while I sleep on the airbed on the floor. The super big dining hall + kitchen

The next morning, Siang brought me to Australia Fair shopping centre to have breakfast. He had a day off because today was Jocelyn's birthday (my another potential future sister-in-law). He let me used his Toyata Camry for my stay in Gold Coast (so blessed) while he will used Jocelyn's for today.

Siang, Jocelyn and me

Adelaide - Monday

Spent the morning resting at home. Phin came back around 12.30pm from the hospital and then brought me to Cleveland Wildlife Park - to see kangaroos and koala bears! I was very very excited, coz the last time i saw one was 16 years ago! :D

The first batch of kangaroos we saw - we were scared; scare that they will attack us :P
But they are very tamed - felt very ticklish when the kangaroo ate from my palm
Phin was feeding these 3 kangaroos - they were quite greedy
Me and Phin with Hank the Koala! :D

2007 04 16 - Adelaide - Cleveland Wildlife Park

(Click on the photo for the uploaded photos and video of this visit)

Adelaide - Sunday

Full day at church today! I went to church at 10am ... which is the usual I go to church in Hope London. Service started at 10.30am. Had great praise and worship - especially glad to see Phin was playing the acoustic guitar. He's one of the worship leader in church as well. Then I was given 2 minutes to share a short testimony - i think i did not share well coz i was not compose (it was quite sudden I've been asked to share). Nevertheless, I sent my regards on behalf of Hope UK to the church - exclaiming that we are in the same family - all Hope family have the same spirit and same vision! :D

Ps. Simon preached a great sermon about Paul: An Excellent Volunteer based on Acts 20:17-24. Paul led a radical lifestyle (v18) - he was a tent-maker and was willing to sacrifice all he had. He also possessed the right heart attitudes (v19) - great humility, love and compassion, as well as high perseverance. He fed the Word of God faithfully (v20) - he was eager to preach and to teach, publicly and in homes. He served all nationalities / communities (v21). He was guided by the Holy Spirit (v22-23). Lastly, he completed the race (v24). I wish all my people can hear this powerful message - surely inspiring! I responded to God again and agaiN! After the service, we had lunch in the church, which was prepared by CG (take turn).

After lunch, Ps. Simon met with all those committed people (leaders and visitors) to share about the Core Value of Hope Movement. Again, I was being reminded about what Hope movement is all about! After this sharing, Ps. Simon met with the leaders to continue teaching on the 2nd part of Renewing Vision and Fervour. It lasted until 6.30pm ... and i really thank God for such timely arrangement I'm here in Hope Adelaide to be ministered and challenged!

Went to dinner at a chinese restaurant .... Ps. Simon started sharing again and giving pointers and advices to the leaders about church life! I'm one blessed man!! :D I was so overjoyed in my spirit, listening and learning from this man of God! It went on until 9pm when I needed to leave with Phin.

Phin later fetched Meng Hui (a sister from JB, now doing a double degree in law and accounting, n possibly my future sister-in-law ... Oppss) to have supper with me! Fired up by the vision, I started sharing and challenging them! They might be thinking I was challenging them ... at the same time, i was challenging myself again! There are so many things that I feel like I need to do ... but i'll continue to seek God and committ all these into His hands!

God, here am I, use me!!

Ps. Brandan, Ps. Simon and me after the service

Ps. Brandan celebrating his 45th birthday (he's very funny all the time) Phin, me and Ching .... i'm the shortest! :P

Adelaide - Saturday

As mentioned, I'm busier here in Hope Adelaide than I was in Hope London for the weekend. Ps. Simon is here to encouraged and challenged the church - and I am being encouraged too.

We had a time of worship and prophesy. And then Ps. Simon shared from Genesis 18:16-33 about how Abraham pleaded 7 times to God for Sodom and Gomorrah. In order to have a powerful and effective prayer (James 5:16), it's important for us to have the right life quality; pray with right interest, right approach and right temperament! It's so inspiring ... inspire me to committ myself in prayer for the nation! I'm really challenged to pray until I weep for London, coz of the compassion and the love for the nation and city! Gee... i've got so much to share! :P

After lunch, Phin brought me, Ps. Simon and Arthur (a young Uganda brother who is so on fire for God) to Glenelg. I really enjoyed the time spent with Ps. Simon n Phin.

We went for street evangelism. Really encouraged by Ps. Brandon, he actually played the guitar and sang on Rundell Mall (equivalent to Oxford St. in London) and we'll be sharing gospel to the passerbys. Thank God for the 'training' I had with Peter Truong, sharing gospel was not as difficult! I was even more excited because one of the brother who was there, did not dare to share; i simply told him that 'it's all about Jesus, not about us!' .. and praise God, he started to share fervently! His leaders was amazed how this brother really took up the courage to share! Hallelujah! Ps. Simon shared as well :D

In the end, had dinner at Dumpling House again, with Ps. Simon n Ben. No photos this time ... but we ate 30 dumplings and 1 bowl of noodles! I tell you ... i'm soooo full! :D

Ps. Simon teaching at the leader's training. He is still very 'active' and 'comical' :D

Phin, Ps. Simon and Arthur and Glenelg
Me and Ps. Simon
Phin 'basking' at Rundell Mall - street evangelism

Meeting with Ps. Simon n Ps. Brandon

I thought my visit to Adelaide will be a casual one ... touring and having meals with my brothers! God has better plan .... Ps. Simon is here ministering to Hope Adelaide! I was here a day earlier than Ps. Simon and we will be leaving on the same day! A day earlier - so that I can make a brief tour to various attractions!

Me n Phin went to Ps. Brandon's house to meet with the leadership team of Hope Adelaide and Ps. Simon. Really glad that I'm in Hope family because all of us click immediately because we share the same vision and same spirit! Glad to see Paul (who visited Hope London in 2003), Alison (Connie's best friend), Helen (pastor's wife), Dr. Eddy, Joe, Ben, Andy, Alan .... etc. We had wonderful 'chicken-themed' dinner - it was potbless dinner but such was the coincidence that everyone prepare chicken dishes.

We had worship and Nic led. It was really awesome! Then Ps. Simon taught a lesson on "Renewing Vision and Fervour". My prayer for my trip this time is to renew my vision and God is good - immediately I has the opportunity to listen to the man who envisioned me, right from the beginning! He shared on Isaiah 40:28-31 about how we can depend on God and not grow weary, shared about how we can be refreshed in vision through reminding ourselves and live out the vision. I am one blessed guy!

Today, there will be another 3 hours training session, followed by lunch fellowship. After that will be the street evangelism at the high street! Tomorow will be a full day of Sunday program! Hahaha ... no different when I'm in London - weekend is dedicated for God as well! God is good!

By the way - Phin went to work at 5.45am as milkman every Saturday! He slept maximum 6 hours a day everyday - such is a life of a medic student who is fervently serving God in Adelaide! :D

Adelaide Day Tour ....

Before i start .. all the photos are uploaded at http://picasaweb.google.com/EldosThen/MyTripApril07 Just cut and paste into your browser to view all the photos.

Woke up in the middle of the night ... coz of jetlag! Checked my mail .. was really surprise to see so many mails (15++) after clearing 20+ before i slept. Mostly regarding the PECS - Post-Easter-Camp-Syndrome. Nevertheless, the night here is really hot as well .. i slept in sweat. I believe it's not as bad as when I get home next week - hotter n more humid.

Me, Ching n his friend Tommy went out to the city. I bought a day pass which cost AUSD7.2. We visited Rundell Mall, South Australia Musuem, also University of Adelaide as well as Royal Adealaide Hospital, where Phin is currently doing his placement. We later went to Ting Hao restaurant to 'yam-cha' with Rodger Chan. Apparently he's the agent for most of the S'wakian student in Aust n NZ ... and he makes visit to these students to check their well-being all the time. Thanks to him, got a free lunch and some infor regarding post-doc in Aust.

Then we took a tram to Glenelg, a pretty beach! I have not been to beach for such a long time, so i was quite estatic while being there! Went home, took a shower, now waiting for Phin to go and attend a dinner with Ps. Simon n the Hope Adelaide leadership team.

At the monument with Ching - he's so much taller than me.

In front of University of Adelaide
The main entrance of Royal Adelaide Hospital, where Phin is studying.
At the Glenelg jetty ... the water was so clear! And yes, I look FAT! :D
At the town centre of Glenelg, where the kids were playing at the fountains.

Now in Adelaide - Part 2

Waited for Phin to come home so that we can go to Adelaide Airport to fetch Ching. But before we went to the airport, we visited the jubilee hall where there were many books, cds and dvds for sale ... majority very old stocks, that's why can sell cheaply! In the end, bought nothing.

Reached airport at the right time when Ching and his friend Tommy came out from departure lounge waiting for their luggage. Then we went to Chinatown's Dumpling house for dinner. It was quite big, cause I always consider London's Chinatown is quite small, only 2 streets of shops. We had so much food - 30 dumpling, 3 bowls of noodles (炸酱面，担担面，云吞面). Ching can't finish his 担担面 because it's too spicy! The price was really cheap AUSD6.8 for a bowl of noodle! Normal price would be AUSD10. No wonder Phin says he always go there to eat.

After dinner, we went up to a hill, called Windy Point, to see the nice view of Adelaide. The view was prettier than Hamstead Heath in London. The lighting was quite magnificent and you can notice that the streets were quite straight! Stayed there for 15 minutes then we came back because Phin has early shift at 6am in the morning. Me too, was quite tired still, jetlag, so came home and slept.

Phin's Toyata Corolla

Phin and Ching's Flat (one of the unit)
炸酱面
Dumplings - we ordered 2 type, steamed and fried.