Wish to have bigger church answered

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Dennis Ngau (seated centre) posing with residents of Long Wat in their new SIB church.

MARUDI: The dream of having a new church building to replace their old church is set to be a reality for the people of Long Watt, Apoh now that the government has approved some funds for the project.

The project initiated by the villagers to build a magnificent new church building that can accommodate a bigger congregation was started 10 years ago. Due to the size and lack of funds, the project’s progress moved at a snail’s pace despite the great voluntary efforts of the villagers, be they members of Sidang Injil Borneo (SIB) or the Catholic Church.

During his numerous visits to the longhouse, Telang Usan assemblyman Dennis Ngau was briefed by the Church Building Committee on their difficulty in completing the project and sought government assistance. Knowing that the church is an important aspect of Christian community, Dennis assured the SIB congregation that he would bring up the matter to the relevant authority.

His persistence in looking for ways to help the people and his request for help with the church building received a positive response from the government.

Upon knowing his request for help was approved, Dennis personally took the journey to Long Wat in a 4WD vehicle to bring the good news and discuss with the Church Building Committee on the building components that needed to be purchased.

Members of the SIB Church there were clearly delighted and said their prayers for divine intervention were answered.

At the brief gathering, Dennis said true to what Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem had announced, there was no hindrance for the people in Sarawak to practise their faith.

Later, Dennis inspected the recently completed river embankment project at the longhouse.