The island of Borneo is lost from sight far behind and below us now. This is the first leg of our trip, to Kuala Lumpur.

Last night the bus took us all into Kuching and dropped us off downtown. Apparently we arrived just in time for a huge festival; I think it was a Buddhist god’s birthday or something. I finished buying gifts for friends and family back home and also bought myself a necklace and a sarong. I also bought some powdered Milo and other goodies in a grocery store.

When our group reunited after shopping, a problem arose. A vast parade had begun and the bus could not reach us through the choked streets. So began a long, grueling and exciting journey through the heart of Kuching City as we tried to find enough taxis to take us all back to the mission headquarters. The memory of that walk is burned into my memory. The air was alive with the music of drums and gongs, offset by the shouting of people and honking horns. My eyes were dazzled with colors: flaming scarlet and brilliant yellow and fiery orange. The lights danced on the murky water of the river and smoking incense mingled in the hot night air.

We were our own parade: a bunch of confused foreigners strung out through the streets trying desperately to stick together. Several times we nearly disturbed the real parade! At last the bus reached us through the mayhem and whisked us away to the mission where we ate a late dinner.

Pastor Sim gave me a gift from Pastor Andrew Ganya: a t-shirt with a map of Sarawak on it, and a little fridge magnet. No gift is as precious as one given by a good friend, especially if you may never see that friend again.

After less than four hours of sleep it was time to get up. There was a light but delicious breakfast of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, sweet rolls, fruit, and steaming hot Milo.

Before we went through security I shook hands one last time with my friends. Pastor Sim gripped my hand firmly and told me to come back next year with David. I told him that, God willing, I would.