Smiles of true joy
The mist hangs heavy in the valley as the mountains rise above, covered in thick, lush vegetation that dominates the picturesque view. Water droplets patter lightly upon the dried leaves and tin that provide roofs to the bamboo houses all around. Cats and dogs roam village paths and two long coops keep chickens safe from snakes and foxes.
This village – 24 Mile – is part of the Cameron Highlands of Malaysia and home to the Orang Asli ‘Sengoi’ clan. Our team from SHWALLY (Spring Head, Woodside and Lobethal Lutheran Youth in South Australia) is in partnership with the Lutheran Church in Malaysia youth and LCA International Mission for a cultural experience with the local indigenous people.
The village has 27 homes, which house 132 people. There are two to three families per home, and two to six children per family. But village deacon Brother Bahman is unconcerned by local conditions as he speaks to us, grinning brightly. To him it is normal.
We are quite outside our idea of ‘normal’, sleeping on the concrete floor of a make-shift church, with only a bucket of cold water to ‘shower’ with. As we pile library books we have brought into the small church, and interact with the villagers for Christmas festivities, we are met inceasingly by amazing, joyous smiles. People some of us consider to have very little suddenly seem to have so much. What would you give up for that kind of joy? For Bahman, it was alcohol. He had suffered depression. At one point he was consuming up to 13 litres of alcohol a day.
… we are met increasingly by amazing joyous smiles. People some of us consider to have little suddenly seem to have so much.
Earlier, when he was 10, a missionary reached the village and taught the Christian faith. The seed was planted and Bahman considered himself a Christian. But his problems did not go away. When he was 25 he prayed to God for healing. He had a dream in which a bottle of alcohol was thrown at his head. He knew what needed to happen. He gave his life to God and never looked back. He is now full of joy and serves as a spiritual leader for his people.
As we leave the village, we ponder how much joy our rich lifestyles really bring and how our faith affords us more.
It’s reassuring and humbling to know that – despite the absence of luxuries – Orang Asli people in a small village in Malaysia know joy and happiness because the good news of Jesus Christ was shared with them.
Brother Bahman finds Isaiah 43 helpful in his faith journey: ‘Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you … when you walk through fire you shall not be burned … For I am the Lord your God … your Saviour.’
Lutheran Church of Australia International Mission
e: lcaim@lca.org.au p: 08 8267 7334
a: 197 Archer Street, North Adelaide SA 5006 www.lcamission.org.au
