00:00The lure of Malaysian food and meeting friends has prompted a Brazilian couple to bring their
00:07toddler son and young daughter on a two-hour-long ferry ride from Batam to attend a New Year
00:13celebration in Johor Bahru.
00:15Despite the long trip, 40-year-old Santiago Silva, his wife, 38-year-old Katia Silva,
00:21daughter 7-year-old Ohana Silva and 3-year-old son Kaleo Silva were thrilled to be part of
00:27the six-hour gathering.
00:50Despite missing their loved ones back home, he said they were glad they made many new
00:55families and friends in Malaysia.
00:57Santiago and his family were among the estimated 2,000-odd people who attended the special
01:03New Year event organized by the Calvary Community Church at the Eju City Indoor Stadium on December
01:0928.
01:10Besides a cultural show from the various tribes from Sabah and Sarawak, there were also games
01:15and prayers at the gathering.
01:18For 28-year-old Nepalese Abraham Soren, it was a good time to catch up with their friends.
01:24So is this the first time you're coming for this type of New Year in the stadium?
01:28The stadium is the first time.
01:30How was the feeling of celebrating New Year in the stadium?
01:32The feeling was very good and very blessed.
01:36I feel very blessed.
01:38Myanmar national 43-year-old Saw Thaku said he was happy to catch up with his friends
01:43at the event.
01:44What is your hope for 2025?
01:46Bless this year for my family, bless this year for my people.
01:54CCC Senior Overseer, Reverend Benedict Rajan, said the annual event was attended by Christians
02:01from about 60 Calvary Community Churches statewide.
02:04We want our nation to progress, we want our nation to be safe, we want people to live
02:12happily, harmoniously.
02:14Their social arm, Pusat Kebajikan Calvary, is now helping more than 400 needy people
02:20such as the senior citizens, drug addicts and the disabled.
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