18: Sat 2 October - Tabuan Jaya

Billed as ‘Free and Easy’ by John on my programme. He and his wife Jane very kindly come to take me shopping to look for gifts. What a great place Kuching is for that – wooden spoons, batik material, tee shirts, jewelry, white and black pepper corns and spices. We go into the most inspiring art gallery where the light shines down through the atrium where plants and flowing water below give a sense of peace and tranquillity. I wish I could buy some of the artist’s works. Perhaps I could contact him if we develop the idea of a celebration of the arts in future years. The batik material need hemming up so we pop into a tailors. Jane is a bit shocked that the tailor is asking 5 dollars / ringgets (approx £1) for the work and will not be bargained down.

In the evening I visit Tabuan Jaya Anglican Church, led by Revd Kenny Tan. It is a newly built church complex with wonderful facilities. He is one of perhaps only three clergy in the Diocese. The Chinese congregation meets on the top storey in a space which would be more than big enough for the majority of churches in the Church of England. The Alpha course is being used effectively and has been translated into Chinese. The main worshipping space down below caters for 3 times as many people. Kenny introduces me and speaks of the 35 pioneers from St Faiths who some 13 years ago came and formed the basis of this church in a rapidly growing residential area of Kuching city.