Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Journal Entry for Nias Mission Trip : Day 6 - The Break and Prayer Night Meeting

After a long event of children's camp, there is nothing better than to find some peace after the whole thing. And since it was a public holiday in Nias, there wasnt any lessons for the kindergarten school children, giving Esther, Jessica and I free time to do whatever we want. Naturally, Zhihong joined in the equation, and when Uncle Famachoi suggested to visit Sorake Beach, we couldnt say no either. If there was anything on this island I wanted to do, it was to visit the beach.

It was a 20 mins drive down to Uncle Famachoi's village. The area which the Wau stayed stretched for about 300-500m with the front view of the beach at their porch. Overgrowth could be seen climbing over the remains of chairs and tables after the tsunami. The tsunami was not kind to the beach either, as the water resided some 100m away from the sand-line, leaving behind jagged corals with pools of water littered everywhere. But with it comes a whole new diversity of sea life. Small fishes of different shapes and colours scattered the rocky pools. Shells of hermit crabs and clams shine against the sunlight, and a lazy starfish float idly at the bottom. We spyed upon many unique things in the water, including a clump of sea-cucumber, anemone that opened and closed erratically, a fish called Frankie who played hide and seek in the corals, and I had the priviledge to spy upon a sea snake for a brief second.

The sea was perfect blue. It cannot get as good as this. As the waves rolled itself over the horizon, surfers try to ride it in vain, only to slip off at the critical point. The sad truth about this beautiful place is that most of the surfers and people are the locals. After the tsunami hit, whatever tourists that visited Nias was greatly reduced. As I walked down Sorake Beach, I could count the total number of angmos with my fingers. It was sad to see the income of the Nias people disappearing over the years.

After the beach and a great tan (not to mention slipper tan T.T) we went for a walk around the village and to visit a nearby resort. It was interesting to see what kampung life is all about. There were people cutting avocados from their trees; we bought 2kg worth of them. Two boys dragging their pig on its hind, bringing it to its final resting place. A heap of rubbish burning in a corner. We finally approached the what looked like a resort. The condition looked really bad and it doesnt look like it was maintained ever since the tsunami. There wasnt any need to since there werent much tourist. The swimming pool was clogging with algae and gunk, while the metal roof pieces are corroding. It was in a pretty sorry state. It reminded me of the trials the Nias people had to face after the tsunami incident.

We met Uncle Famachoi at 3pm who drove us back. We had lunch at Henri's place. His mum owns a restaurant on the 2nd floor of her house. It was cooling and the Nasi Goreng was tasty.

We later had a Tuesday Night Prayer Meeting where we gave our testimonies, worshiped together and prayed together. Uncle William shared the parable of the sower with the group, talking about how there were 4 kinds of people who will receive the Word of God. As he talks about the good sower who planted his seeds on good grounds, I couldnt help but think of the youths in our church, whether if they are growing passionately in the name of the Lord. Nevertheless, I continue praying, for it is not on my strength alone, but God's strength.

God worked in the lives of the people that night as many reaffirmed their faith in serving our Almighty Father. I guess we all need to relook at our lives and think about how God has been so real in every aspect.