The kids that joined the Transformation Camp came from the different villages that was around the particular village that it was held in. A large portion of the kids also came from the host church in Miri town that supported this particular village.
The local village pastors joined us for most of the nights, and the mothers from the villages participated as well, by being the cooks for the children throughout the 4 days.
Everyone had been looking forward to this camp for months. The children as this was probably the most exciting event of the year for them, the organizers as everyone expected God to do incredible things throughout the 4 days, and the mothers too! They were extremely friendly in conversing with me although there were communication problems, since my Malay isn't fantastic, and their vocabulary was sprinkled with local Iban dialect.
I loved how excited the ibu-ibu (mothers) were throughout the camp. They were always excitedly chatting and laughing, their eyes bright and shining as they watched me try the different dishes they prepare. I suspect they usually don't have as much fun as they do on normal days. The camp just wouldn't have been as much fun without the buzz the ibu-ibu brought to the atmosphere. Including the delicious meals.
To honour them, they got the ibu-ibu to join the photoshoot which they excitedly joined in. But while they were busy taking pictures, someone still needed to tend to the cooking food in the kitchen.
Guess who ended up holding the fort...
One of the ibu-ibu's kid drew the short stick. This picture only exists because the ever steadfast and reliable Sis Jue who diligently looks over every aspect of the camp. She wondered what happened in the kitchen without the ibu-ibu and found the poor boy looking very blur in the kitchen. She asked him if he knew how to cook and apparently he shooked his head bewilderedly. Hehe... we all had a good laugh over this.