While everyone else either played water or rested during the Songkran break, eight Mission College representatives comprised of one faculty, one staff, and six students spent the whole break in East Malaysia with one goal – to promote Mission College.
Since 2006, the Marketing Department has sent singing groups and the string ensemble to perform at various churches and Adventist schools in Malaysia, Singapore, and Cambodia as part of the effort to promote the College. Although this is not the first time Mission College visited Sabah and Sarawak, about 66% of the places visited marked the first time Mission College made their presence. At Sarawak, two main areas were focused; Serian (Pasir, Bunga and Tarat Mawang) and Miri. In Sabah, the east coast part was the highlight, such as Sandakan, Ulu Dusun, Telupid (Kampung Taviu), Ranau (Lasing church), and Tamparuli.
The program was initially simple – the group performed classical and contemporary Christian music, followed by a video presentation of the College and a mingling-with-people session. However, schedules made beforehand were sometimes changed unexpectedly (leading out in Sabbath School and sundown worships and sharing a ‘sermon’) and things like the absence of piano or LCD projectors required the group to modify their programs on-the-spot. Nonetheless, these ‘incidents’ gave opportunities for each member to exert leadership skills and to be creative problem-solvers. “Each member was resourceful, helpful, and cooperative. I’m really thankful to them,” shares Deanna Majilang, who represented the Marketing Department.
The responses from the congregations were tremendous. Pastors, elders, parents, and youth expressed that they enjoyed the program and that the information about the College was very helpful. Contact information of interested parties was taken and brochures as well as application forms were distributed in each church. “I’m very proud of our group because each of them took the initiative to approach the young people; whether it is talking about our College or simply being friendly to them.”
At the end of the 10 days, the group had performed over 10 programs at nine different churches. Many lessons, memories, and unexpected blessings came along the way, and each member has a different story to tell of their experiences at East Malaysia.
Memories like enjoying fellowship at different churches and within the group is stuck with alto member Raenelle Llaguno. “... UNO games, sleeping on mattresses, sleeping all in the living room, taking cold showers, traveling and sleeping on the long trips, taking pictures, teasing, and joking around, acting like a great big family.”
Some memories became more personal, like tenor member Gabby Galgao.“I was very touched when we started singing the Thai songs that we usually sing during worships at MC. Songs like ‘Prung Nee’ and ‘Rao Na Mud Sa Karn’. There was more than one time that I saw several people in the congregation singing along with us and I was so touched that even in Malaysia, there are people who know Thai songs. When I think about that now, I see how much influence people have around each other. In this case, it was those who studied at MC taught the people in the churches how to sing Thai songs. I was very touched.”
