Welcomed to KK

The Jesselton Wharf in Kota Knabalu - April 2010

I arrived at Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA) at 11pm this past Sunday night jet-lagged and travel weary. One thing about traveling to the exact opposite side of the planet is that, regardless of which way you go, it is always a long journey.

I was warmly greeted at the airport by Bishop Thomas Tsen of the Basel Christian Church of Malaysia (BCCM) and his wife, Rev. Laura Hindrianto with welcoming handshakes and many signs of thoughtfulness and care: a pre-paid cell phone to use throughout my visit, a bag of biscuits and granola bars to keep hunger at bay through the night, and keys to a comfortable room in the student hostel at Sabah Theological Seminary (STS).

With that I was graciously left to drift off to sleep and then to wake at my leisure, with no real commitments to speak of until a handful of meetings late Monday afternoon.



Nearly halfway through this introductory trip, I can say that already I am starting to feel 'at home' here in the "Land Beneath the Wind" as this East Malaysian state is unofficially known.

Visits to the sites where volunteers will be placed have been inspiring - there is a lot of good work being done. In multiple conversations, site supervisors and BCCM leaders have recalled fondly the first group of volunteers who served here in 2009-2010 and expressed an eagerness to meet those who will be arriving in September.

In short, from where I currently stand, all is well - exceedingly well.

Looking ahead, I consider myself quite lucky to have landed in the position that I have: assisting in the further extension of the hospitality I have already received and helping to bridge the relationship between American Young Adult Guests and our generous Sabahan Hosts.