Old Friends from Vancouver Revisit KK

On 16.06.2025, Daniel WhatsApped me to say that he and his wife, Carol, had recently returned to Sabah for a holiday. At that time, however, we have just returned from a tour to Xinjiang. When we were at the church on 15.06.2025, Daniel and Carol were already in Sandakan visiting Carol’s relatives - Sandakan being her hometown.

So, when I spotted them leaving the church hall right after the Sunday worship service on 29.06.2025, I quickly seized the opportunity to invite them for breakfast. I also extended the invitation to Philip and May, who had given the couple a ride to church that morning. Since seafood is often the most-missed taste for home-comers, I brought them to Wey Wey Xiang Fish Noodle at Bandar Baru Penampang - an air-conditioned eatery known for its reasonable prices and comfortable setting, perfect for long conversations over a meal.

Over breakfast, Daniel recounted how his friendship with Philip first began. When he arrived in Australia as a student at Newcastle University, he was looking for a place to stay, preferably with someone to share the cost. By what he described as divine coincidence, he was introduced to Philip, who welcomed him as a housemate. From that providential beginning, a friendship blossomed that has endured faithfully to this very day.

Daniel and Carol migrated to Canada in the 1980s, yet our paths crossed again during our tour of Canada in August 2017 (Read here). That reconnection rekindled our ties, and since then Daniel has made it a point to inform me whenever he returns home for holidays and family visits. We met again in August 2018 (Read here) and later in September 2019 (Read here), with each gathering deepening a bond that has stood the test of both time and distance.

They also mentioned that their son, Samuel - who, coincidentally, shares the same name as our own son - will soon be visiting KK with his family for a short holiday. Samuel holds a PhD in Theology and is currently serving as a pastor at a church in Vancouver.

After the meal, as we said our goodbyes, they warmly invited us to visit Vancouver again. While a return trip may be unlikely, I cannot completely rule out the possibility.

At our age, we deeply treasure these rare moments - the chance to meet, share a meal, and catch up on the unique journeys that life has taken each of us through.

From left: Philip, Daniel, me, my wife, Carol and May.