Ministering in the Malaysian Rain Forest

Updates from Peter Ruck in Malaysia

I wenr deep into the jungle about 200 miles into central Malaysia. We met members of the Orang Asli tribe, natives of Malaysia.

I returned safely from first jungle trip in Kampung Kechau in the Central Peninsular of Malaysia. It was the most wonderful experience, but I must admit I was initially a little concerned about how we would reach these people. I spent a good deal of time seeking God in prayer to lead me and guide me. One of the tribes, called the Baltek tribe, are aborigines who live deep in the jungle. They are nomadic and their settlement has around 100 people men, women and children.

We drove over 200 miles, and thank goodness we had a four wheel drive and a skilful driver. Once we left the main road we drove into the jungle through plantations, until we got onto dirt roads that had been cut into the clearing. We followed arrows painted on trees until we found the natives  from the Orang-Asli tribe living in the Jungle.

Our team interpreted for me. The trip was a real breakthrough, especially as I had them saying the Lord’s Prayer for the first time. It was a real privilege to witness the Holy Spirit working there. They said that have never seen such a response from the children and the mothers.

We arrived and unloaded the rice, sugar, drinks and medical supplies we had brought, and gave them a pre-cooked rice meal. Many of the native people have Lots of them had skin problems and sores, and so Fiona looked after them by administering cream and cutting toe nails, meeting their needs practically.

As I ministered God’s love, the little faces changed and mothers came out of the huts to see what was happening. My team were surprised when I got the children together to say the Lord's Prayer with their hands together and eyes closed. Mothers joined in as well! We had many simple responses to the Gospel that meant so much as our relationship with them built through the day.

A memorable moment was when a brown bear cub appeared from a makeshift hammock in the roof of one of the huts. The Holy Spirit showed me how I could teach the creation story through him, and we ended up feeding it milk.

Before I left, I prayed for them individually and the Orang Asli people responded by holding their hands together which they had seen me do when I prayed the Lord’s Prayer earlier.