Crossing cultures, sharing hope

Crossing cultures, sharing hope

Bruce and Daphne Cleaves, from Peace Kumbia Taabinga congregation in Queensland, were working full‑time in their small Speech Pathology practice when Bruce noticed (around 2019) a position available for a Speech Pathologist in Peninsular Malaysia, listed on the LCA International Mission web page. They share this recent overseas mission experience below.

Having been to Malaysia previously, we were enticed and agreed to ‘file this possibility away in our brains’ for when we were free of our business responsibilities.

In early 2025, after fully retiring, we contacted LCA International Mission and had our first contact with their Program Officer, Erin Kerber, whom we have since grown to know and value. About 12 months later, with Erin working behind the scenes and unbeknown to us, she found a need in Kota Kinabalu (KK}, the capital of Sabah, a state of Malaysia, with the Basel Christian Church Malaysia Kota Kinabalu English (BCCM KK English). We were asked to consider an exploratory visit of three weeks in KK, Malaysia, for Daphne to support people with special needs and for Bruce to visit the church’s Basel Garden complex to ascertain if he was able to help out from his plant pathology background.

This opportunity finally became a reality in January 2026 when we flew to KK and met our placement contact, Priscilla Chiu. Later we met Dean Renny Khoo and Pastor Lo Yi Ping, as well as many other congregational members.

We enjoyed our three weeks, meeting the clients and their families, as well as the many volunteers from the Handprints programs which cover a toy library, the ‘I’m Able’ baking program, and a cafe. We were stunned by the beauty of the scenery around the Basel Garden, it resembled a more tropical version of our own South Burnett landscape.

Throughout our stay we were very conscious of the presence of our Lord and how he continually cares for us. Being part of the proverbial ‘baby boomer’ and ‘war effort’ generation, we were aware of potential health hazards or dangers, but we both returned home in one piece. Not even a single band-aid was required. Thank you, Lord.

We found the people we met from the three main language groups (Malay, Chinese, and Kadazandusun) were extremely friendly, helpful, generous and polite. This included the congregational members, the families we supported, the church and agricultural staff at Basel Gardens, the retail shop assistants, the security officer at Likas Square where we stayed, and the many “Grab” drivers.

Thank you to Erin for taking the time and for making the effort to travel from Adelaide to Kumbia to be part of our commissioning service. Erin supported us continually through online contact, despite the time differences and varying internet connections. Our online conversations then turned into prayers for our time in KK as well as for our travel home.

Where to from here? We are not sure and will leave that decision to our triune God and to any feedback that Erin receives from BCCM KK English.

If you would like to consider the opportunity to serve as a volunteer in mission, serving in practical ways, teaching English, teaching in the seminaries and institutions of our partner churches, or in local churches, you are invited to phone LCA International Mission on (08) 8267 7317 or email lcaim@lca.org.au. For more information, go to https://www.lcamission.org.au/join-gods-mission/volunteer/

Image: Daphne Cleaves with special needs clients in Malaysia.