It was a just a week after 3rd KL's memorable 60th Anniversary Dinner celebrations. My fiance and I were on our way to Ipoh for some much needed rest (and to run some personal wedding errands). On the way, I stopped by Kampar to visit the 2nd and 4th Kampar Companies.
I've passed by ACS Kampar many times before, but never really saw the BB in action there before. They've done well of late, winning in their drill competitions even. I've met some of them recently in Camp Concordia, so it was good to give them a surprise. I managed to see 2nd Kampar and their sister company 1st Kampar GB in a joint band practice. It was nice to see them in action!
We left before closing and went to a nearby coffee shop for some local flavours (it was our second breakfast, but we're in Perak, so it's ok since the food is good) before heading over to SM Pei Yua (SUWA), where one of 4th Kampar's platoons meet (no idea what SUWA stands for, but I suspect swasta?). I managed to join them for opening parade and band practice (which was coached by a former member of 4th JB studying in UTAR). Looked like everyone (except percussion) was learning to play the bugle that day.
The situation in Kampar as a whole is quite different to what I'm normally accustomed to. Both companies were extremely lacking of officers. In fact, their captains were the only officers present on size. 4th Kampar's poor captain even had another parade to man later in the afternoon (Pei Yua's parade was in the morning) - and he had to fetch some members from afar. Some time ago, the lack of manpower also caused 3rd Kampar (which operated in ACS primary) to close down to be absorbed into 2nd Kampar.
But I'm reminded that God has a time and season for everything. Some times things are good, sometimes not so much. It's important to keep out trust in Him.
My thanks to captain's Keat Meng and Lew from 2nd Kampar and 4th Kampar for being fantastic host. May the Lord continue to shine his light in the Brigade ministries in Kampar!
