This is Bethel Assembly the church we were with all month. It’s also where our team lived. We had a room to sleep and a room to hangout in and eat and bathrooms with showers and even a washing machine! This is where potlucks and fellowship took place, times of worship and the dance parties! We were very blessed by this beautiful body of believers.
This is Uncle Paul. Uncle Paul is such a strong man of faith. We met him right away after we arrived in Malaysia, because he would be cooking lunch for our team every day. When we went to his house, he would greet us with a smile and handshake and a “Praise the Lord”! That first week he told us about his daughter, 30 years old who had been suffering from kidney failure. This had been going on for a while and she was in terrible condition. He asked if we would pray with her one Monday and so we did. She was in so much pain and her body was so weak we knew it was serious, her frame was so frail. Our hearts broke for this poor girl. Two days later she passed. Being able to be a part of this family’s life at this time was special. We attended the funeral, and often went to prayer nights at their home during their 40 days of prayer tradition (after a death). We got to see this family choose to thank Jesus for their daughter’s life and Praise Him for taking her pain away. Their strong example of faith and Trust in the Lord taught us a lot.
Navin got my attention right away. Every week we visited a home for mentally and physically disabled. Everyone there is an adult, except for 3. Navin was one of them. He turned 15 on July 2nd. I loved seeing his face light up and his beautiful smile every time we came to visit. I can’t count how many card games we played…he LOVED cards! He has several health problems, which I honestly don’t know what they all are exactly. One he has an infection in his foot and he also has a catheter which his father told me he will have one more major surgery and that will be corrected. Please pray for this boy that certainly doesn’t have a “normal” childhood, but still can have the joy of Jesus in his life.
Yamuna and Jessica. Best friends. These girls are so special. First of all, they made us feel SO loved! We were always greeted and left with so many hugs and kisses. They were so smart and ate up every verse and story and game that we taught them. They helped lead the prayer meetings in worship and prayer and are growing into strong, mature leaders in the church.
Pastor’s mom-This woman took such good care of us. She welcomed us into her home and often cooked American comfort food for us. I had the opportunity to cut and color her hair and talk with her for a while about her family and the church they have been a part of that her late husband began. Seeing her face made us feel so at home. This woman represents love and strength.
Isaac and Henna, perhaps the cutest couple in Malaysia. Isaac is uncle Paul’s son and definitely takes after him with his smile and hospitality. He took such good care of us and provided so much transportation. He really represented a true servant by doing this for us all while still working his own job and attending to his very pregnant wife. Henna, the pregnant wife J always had a beaming smile. Unfortunately, she was very uncomfortable most days as she’s late in her pregnancy and her baby is so active! We enjoyed learning more about her life and how she converted from Hinduism to Christianity. Excited to find out when they welcome their first little baby into the world!
These boys were something else! Although they sometimes caused disruption during English/Bible class…they brought such joy! Always laughing and showing us a new handshake .it was a great time seeing them learn so much in class.
This is Pastor Thomas. He was in charge of us while we were in Malaysia. Although the picture doesn’t show it, I think he really enjoyed having our team! He also served us in transportation and showed us how things work. I loved playing soccer with him and enjoying time with his lovely wife and little daughter and his brothers, mom and grandparents. They are so committed to prayer for those who don’t know the Lord in their country.They are doing great things for the Lord in Sengai Petani, Malaysia!
Kasturi- This woman is one wise leader. She lead our prayer nights in teaching and often lead worship. She has the gift of teaching for sure. She guided us in what to do when we didn’t know what we were doing and helped make us feel at home.
James and Peter- brothers at the home we visited. A woman we met who helps run the center had taken these two boys on. She doesn’t know much about their past, but it is clear they have mental problems and have been abused. She is working hard to get the government to help them financially so they can have a better future. They are the sweetest boys and were always at the gate when we arrived. They have huge smiles and love to laugh and loved sitting on our laps and coloring. Praying God finds them a good home and future.
This is Adam. Adam is pastor Thomas’s little brother. He was so patient with his 7 “American sisters” he took on and learned to handle our joking and sarcasm. Because he’s in the process of looking for a job, he spent so much time running us around everywhere we needed to go and for that we are Soo thankful! We really enjoyed spending time with him and his family and hearing him sing American songs, like Bon Jovi. Very animated.
