THRIVE

Coming into Malaysia the Lord gave me the word THRIVE.

I left Thailand standing in confidence of who I was in Christ.

I felt like I was finally comfortable in my own skin on the Race.

I was empowered to encourage people and loved doing it.

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We didn't find out much about our ministry until just days before traveling, and let's be honest, who wants to sit in the hotel on a computer researching your next country when you could be swimming and laying out on the beaches in Thailand?

 

So I arrived in Malaysia,
knowing nothing of what the month was going to be
except that I was going to THRIVE!
 

What I didn't know is that the Lord was also going to SPOIL me…

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We arrived on Penang Island and carried our packs into a mysterious unmarked building and were told to put our packs on the 4th floor. I triumphantly climbed the stairs with my 50 lb pack and 4 extra bags and was greeted with this prize. 

We were in the CITY! Finally! Bright lights, cars, and sky (sorta) skrapers, As I explored the building to find where my bed (NOT SLEEPING PAD!!) would be for the next month, I was overjoyed to find HOT showers, western toilets, bunk beds, dressers, a fridge, a microwave and (drum roll please…) AIR CONDITIONING. 
 

1. Our contact, Choon Ean, attended the University of Texas at Austin! She loves Austin because, well we all know its awesome, but also that is where she fell in love with the Lord! There is just something so special about being across the globe and when you say Braker Ln, someone else knows exactly what you are talking about and of course sharing a love for the color BURNT ORANGE!
 

 

2. Our ministry was to do the marketing of a social media campaign, theHIPproject, promoting Heritage in Penang. We researched, brainstormed, polled people and put all of our plans in action! So we spent part of the month in front of our computers and the other half roaming the streets of Penang. For those of you that don't know, I attended school studying communications and have a passion for the changing forms of communication, specifically social media. Additionally before the Race I worked on the marketing team at a credit union in Idaho utilizing my marketing and social media skills. I was so excited to go to 'work'!
 

 

3. Our work space was my dream apartment. A downtown second story studio with vaulted ceilings, wood floors and giant windows. The building is over 100 years old and definitely facilitated creativity and a lot of pictures! 
 

 

4. We would get to attend a marketing seminar looking specifically at e-advocacy, complete with complementary buffet lunch, including apple crumble, We got to learn more about how to get the most out of today's social media tools and had yummy food!

 

5. That Malaysian Starbucks serves passion tea lemonade! Although nearly every country we have visited has had Starbucks, Malaysia was the first country to actually serve my usual! Thank you Malaysia for loving tea!! Seriously it is the small ways that the Lord loves on us that mean so much!
 

 

6. We had photoshoots galore! Although I don't have the typical missionary pictures of cute little babies this month, my team got to bond over crazy impromptu after lunch photo session as well as take in all the heritage here as we were given such a knowledge about Penang because of theHIPproject.

 

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Malaysia was VERY different from any other month that I have experienced on the Race, but it was so incredible. In Thailand, I sent out prayer requests to people because I was so tired. I told people that no matter how long I slept, I felt like I wouldn't be rested. I had been moving countries every few weeks, eating weird and changing food, and sleeping in different places for months and my body was just plain tired.

Malaysia was the answer to this prayer; it just looked a little different that I anticipated. As I sit here on my last day of working in Malaysia, I am refreshed! The Lord met me exactly where I was. He spoiled me with the luxuries of the US.

I was able to choose and prepare my own food the entire month. I was able to go shopping at the grocery store and come home and put my food in the fridge. I was able to wash my clothes in a laundry machine and then put them away in my dresser. I was able to shop at a mall and update my 'missionary' wardrobe. I was able to Skype friends back home that I hadn't spoken to the whole Race. I was able to get ready in the morning and walk to work then come home after a long day. I was able to communicate with the locals in English; I could hold meaningful conversations. I was able to be me.

After six months of traveling I missed the normal things from home. I missed the mundane. But the Lord met me exactly where I was and gave me the mundane; Malaysian style. Through the busyness of the city, the long days at work, and the photoshoots, the Lord gave me rest. And now I am re-energized and ready to take on the next 5 months! 

Malaysia is definitely going down as my favorite country (so far).

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If you aren't yet, please subscribe to my blog to follow me as my journey continues (the link is in the menu on the left side). I have so many stories to share of how He is working and I want to share His greatness with you! Also, this month we officially reached the halfway point of the Race and time is flying. The Lord has already done so much in me and my life and He still has so much more. I would love for you to join me on this crazy adventure. 

Love to all,
Brittany