On higher ground

I was humming away wth this hymn yesterday -

I’m pressing on the upward way,
New heights I’m gaining every day;
Still praying as I’m onward bound,
“Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.”

Lord, lift me up and let me stand,
By faith, on Heaven’s tableland,
A higher plane than I have found;
Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.

My heart has no desire to stay
Where doubts arise and fears dismay;
Though some may dwell where those abound,
My prayer, my aim, is higher ground.

I want to live above the world,
Though Satan’s darts at me are hurled;
For faith has caught the joyful sound,
The song of saints on higher ground.

I want to scale the utmost height
And catch a gleam of glory bright;
But still I’ll pray till heav’n I’ve found,
“Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.”

And a follow-up story of the floating church -


KUCHING: The people of Long Jawe in Belaga district will soon have a new church built on higher ground -- thanks to Belaga state assemblyman Liwan Lagang and Hulu Rejang member of parliament Datuk Billy Abit Joo for extending a helping hand.

The Borneo Post yesterday published pictures showing innovative Long Jawe residents using logs and empty oil drums to float their present church, virtually turning their settlement located in the Bakun Reservior into a “water village”.

Abit was quick to respond with a pledge to build a new church in Long Jawe from his minor project allocation.

Lagang, meanwhile, told The Borneo Post when the settlement area was flooded, the people were supposed to move out but they chose to stay on with the government’s consent.

“Once the water level has stablised, I will find a suitable site for the new church,” he assured.

The Belaga YB also plans to improve the villagers’ living standards through ecotourism and aquaculture.

“It’s my wish to help bring them into the mainstream of development,” he stressed.

It is learnt Sarawak Hidro Sdn Bhd, owner of the Bakun Dam, has raised RM30,000 to help the people in the area on water supply and sanitary facilities.

The company hoped to make arrangements with the locals in extending the assistance to them.

PROMISING ECOTOURISM: The peace and serenity of Bakun Reservoir is a promised gate to enlightenment of mind.. (pic courtesy of Ten Wuan Ping, my old classmate)