Kluang Challenge

by Sunny

It is always my desire to know the brothers in my district better, and to foster a greater friendship with them. After I took over the district in February 2006, I planned for an outing for the men in the district’s core teams. Wing Seng was asked to be the overall in-charge for the event. Indeed, the trip turned out to be a successful and memorable one to many of us. Let me share with you the experience of a group of brothers conquering Gunung Lambak in Kluang.

On the night of 30 March 06, twenty-six of us boarded a train in Tanjong Pagar and arrived at Kluang at 12am. Along the journey, many of us naturally started mingling around and chatted with one another. Meanwhile, Wing Seng and Jeff had taken an earlier afternoon train and bike to Kluang to book the accommodation and dinner place in Kulai for the journey back.

Guys are creatures of few words, but their action spoke volumes. I learned that when guys vowed to do something, they would try to accomplish it with all their hearts. I really want to thank the organizing committee on the effort they have put in. The whole trip had been hassled-free and relaxing. I also observed that guys don’t like to be instructed. Instead, a simple and precise instruction will make their day! One example is the return of room keys after the first night. Almost everyone went to Wing Seng’s room at 7am to handover the keys even though most slept after 1am. What Wing Send simply did is that to mention that everyone has to handover the keys at 7am and breakfast will be served. Of course, we had ample time for fellowship during breakfast.

The exciting part during the journey was the mountain climbing on the second day. More than half the guys felt that it was not challenging at all after they conquered the first peak. One group reached the first peak within 35 minutes and moved on to the second peak. They returned to the first peak within 70 minutes! I could see a very competitive spirit in them and, more importantly, a spirit of excellence. When we moved in a team, we would be motivated to scale greater heights, beyond what you could imagine and definitely beyond your current physical limitations.

Even though we were tired after the climb, we really felt a sense of joy and fulfillment. My knees wobbled when I reached the foot of the mountain and I had to try walking backwards. We joked and mentioned that those who were serving Holy Communion on the coming Sunday might have problems holding the communion tray. When we took a group photograph, everyone looked so exhausted.

And, yes, we enjoyed eating! We had many great meals along the way- supper near the Kluang’s railway station, buffer breakfast in the hotel, organic food in a restaurant and a sumptuous dinner in Kulai on our way back. Not only was the food great, so were the numerous conversations over meals. I made numerous friends at the dinner tables over the years, and many are true and reliable friends up to today, including all my sheeps.

I have observed many things during the trip. God creates us differently. I know that many have great talents and are gifted in different ways. I learn to appreciate everyone even more during this trip. For example, Chris really makes an effort to make the trip even though he has injured his leg. I look forward to a greater friendship with all of them.

I asked God, if every one of us can fully unleashed our God gifted potential for His kingdom, we will ROCK everyplace we go! “As Iron sharpen iron, so one mans sharpen one another” (Proverbs 27:17). We need one another to make ourselves a better man in the kingdom of God.

Band of Brothers (9 Aug 07) Photos