Kinabalu Retreat (9th – 13th July 2013)

Unfailing Faithfulness of God Builds Faithfulness in the Elect
- Frank Hamer -

     

Psalm 8

For the director of music.

According to gittith. A psalm of David.

O LORD, our Lord,

how majestic is your name in all the earth!

 You have set your glory above the heavens.

From the lips of children and infants

you have ordained praise because of your enemies,

to silence the foe and the avenger.

When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers,

the moon and the stars, which you have set in place,

what is man that you are mindful of him,

the son of man that you care for him?

You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings

 and crowned him with glory and honor.

You made him ruler over the works of your hands;

you put everything under his feet:

all flocks and herds,

and the beasts of the field,

the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea,

all that swim the paths of the seas.

O LORD, our Lord,

how majestic is your name in all the earth!
  

Notes:

1.   All Scriptures are taken from New International Version 1984 (NIV 1984), unless stated otherwise.

2.   Many people, eg. my brother, who also wish to hike Mt. Kinabalu, asked me about my trip, therefore I have  included many details like the price.

3.   1 USD = 3.5 ringgit Malaysia (RM).

Day 1: Kota Kinabalu (KK) (9^th July)

Weather: Raining in the afternoon

Today early morning dad fetched me to Low Cost Carrier Terminal (LCCT). I reached there quite early, so I used this waiting time for my daily Bible reading.

    

While waiting for boarding at LCCT.

Suria Sabah Shopping Complex.

 

By the grace of God I arrived at KKIA safely around 1.20pm. I met with Kok Tong at the airport, and we took a cab to a backpacker hostel, Travellers Light. Kok Tong need to go get some clothing and other equipment, so we went to Suria Sabah shopping complex, but the price is more expensive and the choices are less, compared to Peninsular Malaysia. Early preparation is crucial. We should wait for the Lord, but we should “wait in motion” (Frank Hamer) and anticipate all possible troubles and difficulties.

Moving around the city became difficult as it started to rain in the afternoon. But Jehovah Jireh, My Provider. We managed to buy umbrellas at Watson in Suria Sabah, so we didn’t get soaked in water. Kok Tong went to the bus stop to ask for the time the van will leave for our tomorrow trip to Kinabalu Park.

 

 

 

    

Some scenery along the sea side.

The hostel is fine. Although not very classy, but it is clean and comfortable. Basic needs such as toilets, bathrooms are available. Even computer and WiFi are provided, for those who need to go online. It cost us about RM 37 per person per night.

 A 6-person room at Travellers Light.

We managed to meet up with Wei Khiong to have a dinner together at Chub’s Grill. Too bad Jeremy is having his shift until 10pm. Anticipate to meet up with Jeremy, but I am not sure whether we got the chance or not.

I haven’t met with Joyce yet, since she stayed in her auntie’s place. I felt like it is a 2-person trip rather than a 3-person trip. I am anticipating for a better time of sharing and fellowship with brother and sister.  

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another — and all the more as you see the Day approaching. (Hebrews 10:24-25)

Day 2: Kinabalu Park (10^th July)

Weather: Raining in the afternoon

Today morning after we took our breakfast, we met up with Joyce at the bus stop and took a van that cost us RM 20 per head to Kinabalu Park. The van took the passenger from KK to Ranau, but it passes by Kinabalu Park.

It was impressive to see Mount Kinabalu hiding in the mist of the clouds. During the trip, I was reading Jeremiah 10.

But God made the earth by his power, he founded the world by his wisdom

                        and stretched out the heavens by his understanding.

When he thunders, the waters in the heavens roar,

he makes clouds rise from the ends of the earth.

He sends lightning with the rain

                        and brings out the wind from his storehouses.
(Jeremiah 10:12-13)

Indeed He makes the clouds rise and sends lightning with the rain. It took 2 hours to go from KK to Kinabalu Park.

We dropped our luggage at Sutera Harbour Resort and visited Kinabalu Botanical Garden to ‘hunt’ for some orchids and other plants. How wonderful is his creation and the manifold of His wisdom. 

Pink Maiden.

Prayer Plants.
 

Morning Glory.  

Rhododendron (Mawar Liar).

Laughing Orchid.

Pitcher Plants. 

Sexy Lady Orchid.

Then God said, "Let the land produce vegetation:

seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it,

 according to their various kinds." And it was so.

The land produced vegetation:

plants bearing seed according to their kinds

and trees bearing fruit with seed in it according to their kinds.

And God saw that it was good. (Genesis 1:11-12)

Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!

How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!

"Who has known the mind of the Lord?

Or who has been his counselor?"

"Who has ever given to God,

that God should repay him?"

For from him and through him and to him are all things.

To him be the glory forever! Amen. (Romans 11:33-36)

At 2.00pm we checked in into the resort. While waiting for Kok Tong to settle the registration at the reception, we saw some people finished climbing Mt. Kinabalu, and one of them is a 10-year-old foreign girl. Impressive isn’t it?

The presidental suite which is located opposite our lodging place.

RM 8,500 per night.

When we entered into our lodging place, which was Nepenthes 4, we were amazed. Out of our expectation, our living place is very nice, comfortable, with beautiful woody interior design. The most important was the fact that the place allowed us to have fellowship and time of sharing together without disturbance from other people.

The door to the balcony.

   

Kok Tong’s and my room.

Joyce’s room.

 

The bath room.

The living room.

The external view of our neighbor’s lodging.

In afternoon, about 4.00pm we have fellowship to discuss about David, the man after God’s heart.

For Lesson 1 we discussed 1 Samuel 12. These are the key points that Kok Tong made in the small booklet:

1. David lied to Ahimelech the priest. (v. 1-4)
2. David took the consecrated bread which was only constrained to the priest. (Lev. 24:8-9) (v. 5-9)
3. David pretended to be insane before Achish King of Gath and his people had to stay in the cave. (v. 10-15)

The surprising part is the fireplace, I mean real fireplace. Kok Tong called the worker. He put some blue colour thermal jelly, put some firewood, and light them up with matches. Immediately the fire lights up and slowly it warms up the place. This reminded me of Isaiah 44:14-20.

   

He cut down cedars,

or perhaps took a cypress or oak.

He let it grow among the trees of the forest,

or planted a pine, and the rain made it grow.

It is man's fuel for burning;

some of it he takes and warms himself,

he kindles a fire and bakes bread.

But he also fashions a god and worships it;

he makes an idol and bows down to it.

Half of the wood he burns in the fire;

over it he prepares his meal,

he roasts his meat and eats his fill.

He also warms himself and says,

"Ah! I am warm; I see the fire."

From the rest he makes a god, his idol;

he bows down to it and worships.

He prays to it and says,

"Save me; you are my god."

They know nothing, they understand nothing;

their eyes are plastered over so they cannot see,

and their minds closed so they cannot understand.

No one stops to think, no one has the knowledge or understanding to say,

"Half of it I used for fuel;

I even baked bread over its coals,

I roasted meat and I ate.

Shall I make a detestable thing from what is left?

Shall I bow down to a block of wood?"

He feeds on ashes, a deluded heart misleads him;

he cannot save himself, or say,

"Is not this thing in my right hand a lie?"

(Isaiah 44:14-20)

While observing the fireplace, Kok Tong recalled a burning charcoal analogy told by Frank. When a burning charcoal is isolated from other charcoals, it loses its ember. But when it was put together back with other burning charcoals, the ember sparks again. The same is for every christian. We are never called to walk this pilgrimage alone. As Joshua Harris put it, “a lone ranger is a dead ranger”. We are not to have a vertical relationship with God, but also have a horizontal relationship with other brothers and sisters.

After our time of fellowship we have our dinner at the restaurant of the resort, while enjoying the evening breeze at the balcony of the restaurant.

 

While returning from the restaurant we managed to see the starry stars on the sky. It has been a while for me not to be able to see this kind of view, due to the light pollution in the city.

Lift your eyes and look to the heavens:

Who created all these?

He who brings out the starry host one by one,

 and calls them each by name.

Because of his great power and mighty strength,

not one of them is missing.

(Isaiah 40:26)

Later we continue to study the life of David. In Lesson 2 we discussed 2 Samuel 24. The key points that Kok Tong made in the booklet:

1. God permitted Satan to seduce David in counting the census of his nation. (1 Chronicles 21:1).
2. Out of arrogance, David ignored Joab’s advice. After he did the census, he regretted.
3. Ha was given 3 options to choose as a mode of punishment,
4. 70,000 people died because of the plague. David humbly prayed to God.

We need to sleep early tonight, as tomorrow will be our long anticipated hiking trip.

Day 3: Mesilau Summit Trail (11^th July)

Weather: Raining in the afternoon

It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.

They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.

(Lamentations 3:22-23 KJV)

In the morning Kok Tong suggested to wake up early in the morning and have a personal devotion time. He asked us to mediate on Psalm 104. After that we have a time to share our thoughts with one another.

The main points that I made in my sharing:

1.   When I woke up in the morning, these 2 verses came to my mind:

I laid me down and slept, I awaked, for the LORD sustained me. (Psalm 3:5)

It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. (Lamentations 3:22-23 KJV)

2.   Psalm 19:1. God revealed himself in two books: the Book of Nature, and the Book of Word (paraphrased from John Piper).

“We believe that God is revealed in nature, in history, and in the heart of man…”

(A Manual of Faith and Life, Article II: Revelation, p. 15)

3.   The purpose of creation: For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities  —  his eternal power and divine nature — have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. (Romans 1:20)

4.   The fireplace reminded me of Isaiah 44. Man worships idols made of wood. “Man is a fabricum idolarum (factory of idols)”. So wrote John Calvin in an attempt to capture the essence of human fallenness. They fashion idols from anything. A block of wood can be our idol, money can be our idol, studies can be our idol, work can be our idol. Anything that we put in place of the true living God will be our idol.

5.   But the Book of Nature alone is not sufficient for our salvation. We still need His Word, and the most amazing thing is that “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14)

In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe. (Hebrews 1:1-2)

“Apart from Christ the revelation of God stop short of the divine fatherhood and his redeeming love.” (A Manual of Faith and Life, Article II: Revelation, p. 19).  

6.   Though the His Word is important, yet we shouldn’t forsake His creation. When people asked me why I didn’t travel during my studies in Russia, I remember one of the excuse I gave is “I choose to seek God’s glory in His Word instead of His creation”. But now I realized this is wrong, and in fact this statement is prideful and arrogance. We must remember the purpose of God’s creation, and after God created everything, He said “it was very good” (Genesis 1:31).

After our breakfast, we prepared ourselves for the hiking trip.

Mount Kinabalu.

There are two routes to Laban Rata: Timpohon Route (6km) and Mesilau Route (8km). Initial plan we plan to take the Timpohon Route, since it was easier and shorter. But after listened to some advices, we decided to take the Mesilau Route instead. We left our luggage at the storage room at Sutera Harbour Resort (which cost RM 10 per person). We get our hiking permits, a tour guide, and hiking sticks. We met with our tour guide, Bungin. A short, but strong, yet kind person. Like a father he warned us the difficulties of Mesilau Route, since it has many ups and downs. This reminded me the narrow gate that leads to life.

“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” (Matthew 7:13-14)

Initially the Mesilau Route is really tough. As the Chinese proverb says, 万事起头难 (Everything is hard in the beginning). Joyce was not quite prepared for it. Although initially she wanted to give up, but Kok Tong encouraged her to persevere when facing difficulties and trials on our trip. However we cannot take our sweet time to climb, we need to race against time, because the buffet restaurant at Laban Rata Resort open until 7.30pm only.

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. (James 1:2-4)

Although the Mesilau Route is difficult to walk, it is worthy because the route seems more natural than Timpohon Route (even though both routes are artificial) and along the Mesilau Route there are more waterfalls and more beautiful sceneries.

In his heart a man plans his course,

but the LORD determines his steps.

(Proverbs 16:9)

 

Come, Thou Fount of every blessing,

Tune my heart to sing Thy grace;

Streams of mercy, never ceasing,

Call for songs of loudest praise.

Teach me some melodious sonnet,

Sung by flaming tongues above.

Praise the mount! I’m fixed upon it,

Mount of Thy redeeming love.

- Robert Robinson -

The journey was tough, very tough. It requires much stamina and strength, physically and mentally. Thanks for Janice’s repeating warnings that made me determined to go for jogging and swimming after my final examination. This built up my stamina, but not the muscles of my legs.

However the mental strength is even more important. Throughout the journey I have to keep reciting different Bible verses (Exo. 33:14, Deut. 31:8-9, Neh. 8:10, Rom. 1:17, 2 Cor. 5:7, Phil. 4:13, Heb. 6:19, Heb. 13:5) and hymns (Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing, We Have an Anchor that Keep the Soul, On Christ the Solid Rock I Stand, Rock of Ages Cleft for Me, As the Deer, Amazing Grace, My Life is in You Lord).

As I walk along the route and climb the steps, I feel like the protagonist Christian in the story Pilgrim’s Progress written by John Bunyan. In this story, the path from City of Destruction to Celestial City is a straight path. Though the route to the summit is not a straight path, it is made for us clearly, and when going near to the summit is it marked out by a white rope. In our walk with Christ, we should keep our steps along the path of truth, marked out by the Word of God, and we should “fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2).

Every step must be taken carefully, because the route can be quite dangerous especially when the rain started to pour down and the steps became slippery. This reminded me of the verse from which Jonathan Edwards preached his sermon “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God”:

It is mine to avenge; I will repay. In due time their foot will slip; 

their day of disaster is near and their doom rushes upon them." 

(Deuteronomy 32:35)

The day before Kok Tong also reminds us these few verses: 

So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall! (1 Corinthians 10:12)

To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy — to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen. (Jude 24-25)

In our hiking trip our pride, arrogance, carelessness put us in the danger of slipping our feet and fall, how much more we must be humble and careful in our spiritual journey? Yet the one who keep us from falling is our God. We believe in the perseverance of saints, but we are called to “continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.” (Philippians 2:12-13)

Before we started our hiking trip, Kok Tong advised us to bring a few small packet of honey (from the buffet restaurant) for ourselves to eat in the middle of the trip. Joyce even suggested us to add the honey into our water bottle to drink. Honey taste sweeter when we are exhausted. The psalmist said, “The ordinances of the LORD… are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb…” (Psalm 19:9-11) Honey is sweet and replenishes us when we are exhausted, how much more the Word of God replenishes our soul when we are spiritually exhausted?

After 7h 35m of hiking (and reciting of Bible verses and hymns), finally I saw a yellow building. I have reached Laban Rata Resort at 5.25pm. Kok Tong reached at 5.30pm, while Joyce reached at about 6.15pm. All of us managed to reach Laban Rata Resort before 7.30pm, which is the time the buffet resort close. We enjoyed our dinner. When you are hungry and tired, everything tastes so good. When we are in troubles and difficulties, when our weakness is more apparent, we learn to dependent more on God. In such a way, God is glorified in us.

 

Kok Tong registered at the reception and we got our lodging at Panar Laban Dorm 1. It is a small hut, with 3 double-decker beds, and a small kitchen beside it. The toilet and the bathroom is a few meter away from the lodging. Three of us share the lodging place with another two guys (and one of them looks like Calvin).
  

Laban Rata is located about 3,300m (11,000 ft) above the sea level, so the electrical supply is limited to light in the hut only. Neither heater nor hot water is available, we can only boil some hot water to bath. Once again I experienced sleeping in cold weather without heater and bathing with icy cold water. However, the life in Russia helped me to be prepared mentally for the worse. All these things that happened in my life indeed were in the plan of God.

We slept very early, around 8.00pm, because we need to wake up early at 2.00am to continue our summit trail. But the paradox of sleeping occurred. The more we tried to sleep, the more we cannot sleep. After 12.00am I can’t sleep well. The same happened for Kok Tong and Joyce. Actually Kok Tong already had two sleepless nights already.

Day 3: To the Low’s Peak (12^th July)

Weather: Raining in the afternoon

We woke up at 1.45pm. After having an early breakfast, we continue our hiking trip at 2.30am. Kok Tong and Joyce left their name tags at our lodging hut, so they have to go back to take them, because we need our tags at the check point at Sayay-Sayat Hut. So I went off first before them.

The hiking trip beyond Laban Rata is much more difficult. We continue our journey at 2.30am, so it is difficult to hike in the dark. The trail was rocky, and became slippery after the rain yesterday afternoon. There are also some via ferratas along the way.

Since we are hiking in the dark, we need to have a head torch with us to light up out our path. But the torch only light up only a small path before our feet. Now I can understand more what it meant by the psalmist in Psalm 119:105.

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. 
(Psalm 119:105)

We are sinners, walking in the darkness of this world, but His Word is like a lamp before our feet, light up our path.

In the beginning of the hiking from Laban Rata, something happened. I saw someone accidentally dropped her head torch and everyone saw that head torch falling down the cliff. It is very prominent, as you see that glowing head torch falling down in the dark. This event gave all of us a warning, if we are not careful, we will also fall down the cliff like that head torch.

These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come. (1 Corinthians 10:11)

How important it is for us to read the accounts in the Old Testament, as warning for us, lest we repeat their sins and mistakes.

Once again we need to race against time so that we will not miss the sunrise. After 3km of hiking, finally I reached the Low’s Peak at 5.35am. Kok Tong reached about 5-10min later. Low’s Peak, named after Hugh Low, is the highest peak of Mt. Kinabalu. At the point of 4,095m (13,435 ft) above the sea level, we witness the wonderful scene described by the psalmist in Psalm 19:1.

Then Samuel took a stone and set it up
between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer, saying,
"Thus far has the LORD helped us." (1 Samuel 7:12)

 

 

The heavens declare the glory of God, the skies proclaim the work of his hands. 
(Psalm 19:1)

    

But God made the earth by his power, he founded the world by his wisdom

 and stretched out the heavens by his understanding. (Jeremiah 10:12)

Rock of Ages, cleft for me, let me hide myself in thee.

 - Augustus Montague Toplady -

After we stopped and sitting on Low’s Peak to wait for the sunrise, we started to feel the chill wind blowing. While waiting for the sunrise, I munched in some Snickers and Kit-Kats in my backpack to replenish my energy.

    

Then the LORD said, "There is a place near me where you may stand on a rock.

When my glory passes by, I will put you in a cleft in the rock and cover you with my hand

until I have passed by. (Exodus 33:21-22)

We stayed at the Low’s peak for some minutes to take some photo, since the view was precious (especially after 11.5km of hiking). We didn’t meet Joyce at the summit, we only managed to meet her when we were getting down from the peak. Though she didn’t manage to make it to the Low’s Peak, yet she was able to see it.

  

On Christ the solid Rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand.

  

 

He wraps himself in light as with a garment, He stretches out the heavens like a tent

and lays the beams of his upper chambers on their waters. (Psalm 104:2-3)

 

However this was not the end, it was just the middle of the journey, as we need to get down from the mountain. Again we need to race against time, because we need to check out from Laban Rata Resort by 10.30am (additional hour after 10.30am will cost us RM 100), and the buffet lunch at Sutera Harbour Resort at Kinabalu Park is only available until 4.30pm.

There is a difference between going uphill and going downhill. Going uphill requires stamina. Although going downhill requires less stamina and relatively easier, it requires more strength from the leg muscles, which is something that I am lacking. Every time I take a step down, I feel the ache in my leg muscles and joints. I wonder how Paul was tormented by the thorn in his flesh (2 Corinthians 12:7).  

Going downhill is not easy, and during this time I have to keep reciting these lines from some hymns:

Thro' many dangers, toils, and snares,

I have already come;

'Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far,

And grace will lead me home.

(John Newton, Amazing Grace)

 
Here I raise my Ebenezer;

Here by Thy great help I’ve come;

And I hope, by Thy good pleasure,

Safely to arrive at home.

(Robert Robinson, Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing)

We made it to Laban Rata Resort by 9.15am. We checked out, have our breakfast, and continued our journey. Instead of Mesilau Route, this time we were taking Timpohon Route. Kok Tong was mentally exhausted, while Joyce was physically exhausted. Therefore Kok Tong passed the buffet voucher to me and asked me to go ahead first to secure our lunch in case they didn’t manage to make it in time.

I reached the Timpohon Gate at 2.55pm. While waiting for the cab to leave, Kok Tong and Joyce also reached the Timpohon Gate, so we took the cab together and went back to Kinabalu Park. We took our  lunch, get our luggage back. We have finished the summit trail, and we received the certificates from tour guide Bungin.

I wonder how we will feel when we finish the race (2 Tim. 4:7) and receive the crown of life (James 1:12, Rev. 2:10), which will last forever (1 Cor. 9:25) from our Lord, the righteous Judge (2 Tim. 4:8). Since we have such a promise, let us “be faithful, even to the point of death.” (Revelation 2:10)

It was raining, but thank God that there was van waiting outside Kinabalu Park. If not we will have to wait for the bus, which comes every 2 hours. All of us exhausted in the van. After all, we have climbed about 20km of mountain road.

We came back to KK town by 6.30pm. Joyce’s auntie came and picked her up, while Kok Tong get a backpacker hostel called Masada, which is located just nearby the bus stop. This hostel cost RM 40 per person per night, and it is better than Travellers Light, because it is cleaner, more comfortable, more facilities, more privacy, and the breakfast is available at anytime of the day (can we called it as breakfast it is for anytime of the day?) with more variety of food and beverage.

WiFi is available, so I checked my email and my Facebook inbox, and I regretted about it. Many people asked me about the registration with Malaysia Medical Council (MMC) and interview arrangement. Since I was in a retreat, I should have just put aside all these matter for during the time of retreat. This is the attitude that we should have during Sabbath. We should put aside all our works and studies and concentrate in worshipping our God in a corporate manner on Sabbath, which is specially ordained by God.

Day 5: Going Back Home (13^th July)

Weather: Finally not raining

I have a dream, about an annoying guy lurking around in my house. But it is not a very vivid dream like the “preach” dream that I have in May 2013. I shared the “preach” dream with Kok Tong. Kok Tong can’t tell much from this dream, maybe he dare not give any false interpretation of this dream, since to interpret dream is also a gift of Holy Spirit. He asked me to keep this dream in mind and wait for more revelation from God when the time comes.

Kok Tong shared with me his joy and experience of exchanging written mails with other believer. He told me the courage to express his feeling in mail, which he usually will not express in words. This reminded me of a conversation with Lora and Yon Quan about writing mail. A long mail has more depth and meaning, compare to frequent short message in SMS or chatbox nowadays. Written mails have even more meaning, as you enjoy what the person wrote along with his handwriting.

This reminded me the amazing fact that God revealed Himself through words, and His words is written down as Scripture for us. Through His words He created heaven and earth and all the living creatures. And also, “in the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (John 1:1) The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. (John 1:14)

In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe. (Hebrews 1:1-2)

The Christian religion is not a discovery; it is a revelation.

 It is not a result of man’s seeking but of God’s revealing.

It has not been thought out of man: man did not find God. God has found man…

God reveals himself. He makes himself known. He manifests himself.

Indeed, this is the only way we can know one another.

Only as we express ourselves is it possible for others to know us…

Revelation is the voluntary disclosure of character.

The Christian believes that God has made himself known.

He has revealed himself. He has spoken and we have heard.

He has manifested himself and we have seen.

This is what Pascal meant when he said,

“We would not now be seeking Thee, if we had not already been found of Thee.”

(A Manual of Faith and Life, Article II: Revelation, p. 15-16)

We checked out from the hostel and Wei Khiong drove us to have a breakfast. We tried the local kolo noodles with fish and wanton with fish filling. We managed to get some local tenom coffee and Sabah tea from the grocery store. But Kok Tong didn’t manage to a book that he wants. We also didn’t manage to manage to meet up with Jeremy, every time when we are in KK, he has shift at the hospital. This is the greatest regret that I have in this Kinabalu Retreat.

After that Wei Khiong drove us to the airport. My flight is earlier than Kok Tong’s, so I left first. The whole trip finally came to an end. It is tough and compact, but it is worthy, meaningful, and memorable.

My flight was delayed, and I saw the Royal Malaysian Air Force at the airport.

 The slogan of the airline,AirAsia, that we took:

Now Everyone Can Fly.