After a week of preparations in our 2 branches and lots of work on the Elders part, we pulled off a surprise 65th birthday party for Linda.  During the next two weeks, all Iban and Malaysian people celebrate "Gawai", which is a harvest celebration similar to our Thanksgiving.  The culminating day is June 1st and we already have numerous appointments next Sat. to eat at every perons's home.
Anyway, we told Linda that Sister Norma was holding a Gawai party one week early at her home in Masai.  Linda had no clue.  Many members came from both branches and gave her gifts and sang to her and made her cry.  The children sang, "I Am A Child of God".  It was very special.  My present, which she doesn't get until her birthday on Monday, May 27th (her real birthday), is a new oven for the apartment.  I have to work out the details with the elders tomorrow to keep her busy while I go with one of the Elders to pick it up.  She has this tiny little convection oven that can bake 6 cookies only and she loves to bake but can't.  When we go back home in 2 years, we will just leave the oven for the next couple.  I hope she is surprised.  The pictures are her Gawai Birthday Party at Sister Norma's   Also attached is the grand opening of the first "Burger King" in Johor Bahru.  It was delicious and now we have another place to eat out.