Getting ready to go Kmp Pengaram Iman, expected 1 hours water boat journey

ICM’s Mission to Remote Villages in Borneo

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Deep in the highlands of Borneo, there are villages like Long Lellang and Kampung Pengaran Imman, where spreading the gospel can be difficult because they are so far away from towns. These villages are home to the Kelabit and Penan tribes, who live surrounded by dense forests and rivers. While many of the people are Christians, reaching them to teach the Bible is a challenge due to the rough and remote landscape.

From September 19 to 22, 2024, a team from ICM set out on a mission to visit these villages. Led by Rev. Tram Epoi, our ICM Sarawak BEM Coordinator and Pastor Mathew Dan, along with seven Penan pastors, the team was determined to bring Bible teaching and support to these distant communities.

The journey started with a long 9-hour, 800-kilometer drive from Kuching to Miri. In Miri, the team visited the Malaysia Evangelical Theological Seminary, Faith Life Theological College (METS, FLTC). They met with ICM Trainer Eld. Richard Ngau, Pastor Jennifer Barauk, and some of the Penan students. They conducted a Bible training session, helping local leaders prepare for ministry work. The team also had a short meeting with the seminary’s committee to discuss further plans for training.

ICM Training at METS and FLTC Miri - 20 Sep 2024
ICM Training at METS and FLTC Miri – 20 Sep 2024

After their time in Miri, the team continued their journey to Long Lellang, a village about 143 kilometers away. The road was rough and muddy, with wooden bridges over rivers and fallen trees blocking the path. It took 10 hours to reach the village. Long Lellang, known as the “Village of Abundance,” has a population of about 100 families, all of whom are Christians. The village is blessed with resources from the river and jungle. Pastor Leo Deng, an ICM trainer who has been actively teaching in the area for months, welcomed the team and introduced them to the community. Seven more trainers will start teaching in Long Lellang in October, continuing the work of discipleship and instilling the Word of God into the community hearts.

Getting ready to go Kmp Pengaram Iman, expected 1 hours water boat journey
Getting ready, expected 1 hours water boat journey
River condition was tough, need skilled boatman to control.
River condition was tough, need skilled boatman to control.
Rev Tram with Pastor Mathew, travel far from Kuching to this place, almost 900 plus km on the road
Rev Tram with Pastor Mathew,
Certain part of the river are deep and also shallow riffles, it has hidden hazards.
Certain part of the river are deep, as well has shallow riffles, it has hidden hazards.

Team of Penan Pastor
Team of Penan Pastors
Walking through the jungle, crossing ravine and uphill mountain
Crossing ravine and go uphill mountain
The village people come and help to carry some of the food supplies, without them
The village people came and help to carry food supplies

The next stop was Kampung Pengaran Iman. To get there, the team had to travel by boat and then hike for many hours through the forest. The boat ride took about an hour, navigating rough river waters. After that, the team trekked uphill and through mountains, crossing ravines and valleys in the jungle for about 4 hours to reach the village, which is at an altitude of 464 meters. The journey was tough, and they brought a lot of food supplies for the villagers. Thankfully, some local people came to help carry the supplies. By the time we reached the village, it was already pitch black, and we had to use flashlights to see the path. Praise God, we arrived safe and sound—His protection was with us throughout the journey.

In both villages, the ICM team shared the Word of God, prayed with the people, and taught them important lessons about faith and life. They also met with a group from Kampung Data Vila, who had traveled a long way to attend the ICM conference. Due to the long distance travelling, the villagers built a temporary hut to stay overnight in the jungle, showing their dedication to learning and growing in their faith.

Beautiful Kampung Pengaram Iman
Outdoor Kitchen, cooking wild boar curry, enjoying a good meal
Outdoor Kitchen, cooking wild boar curry, enjoying a good meal
Night time worship God, Praise and Worship at Kmp Pengaram Iman
Night time worship God, Praise and Worship at Kmp Pengaram Iman
Continue to worship God, seeking to listen to his Word @ Kampung Pengaram Iman
Continue to worship God, seeking to listen to his Word @ Kampung Pengaram Iman

The team also discussed ways to improve life in these remote areas, such as teaching the villagers how to plant rice, coffee, and vegetables, and how to raise chickens and pigs. This practical training is essential, as many Penan villages are very poor, and they rely on the jungle and rivers for food. The goal is to help them become more self-sufficient while deepening their understanding of the Bible.

Though the trip was exhausting and the journey difficult, it was worth it. The people in Long Lellang and Kampung Pengaran Iman were eager to learn more about God’s Word. ICM hopes to send more trainers to these areas soon to continue teaching and helping the people grow in their faith.

This mission was a powerful reminder of the importance of bringing hope and faith to those in need, no matter how remote they are. The villagers may live far away and have little in terms of material wealth, but their hearts are full of faith and a desire to grow. ICM’s mission to these remote places shows how faith can unite people and bring light even in the most isolated corners of the world.

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