I am sorry. Those are the only 3 words I can start
this blog with. The truth is that
I have been in Malaysia for over 2 weeks and have left you, my readers, supporters,
and friends in the dark. I will do
my best to try and fill you in and want to say THANK YOU for having grace for
me!
am currently in Georgetown in Penang, Malaysia. It is an amazing city with so many different cultures and
beliefs packed into a small area.
We wake up each morning to the muslim call to prayer echoing through the
streets coming from the mosque.
Each day when I walk outside, my nose is hit with the Buddhist temple
burning incense as an offering to their ancestors. As I walk to my favorite restaurant to eat roti pisang or
tandori chicken, I glance into the Hindu temple as people place offerings
before the idols that reside there.
Needless to say we are not in the western world anymore where most
people have heard the name of Jesus.
Ourministry this month working with a few different organizations that reach out
to the homeless and street population.
At Kawan (means friend in bahasa) and Lighthouse, we cook meals and
provide care those who are in need of a meal, a place, to rest, good
conversation and prayer. The
street people here are so precious and at this point we know many of them by
name. In the morning kawan
provides a hot drink, a piece of bread, a place to rest, and a shower. They serve a full (and delicious) meal
at 12:30. On an average day around
100 people receive lunch. The
doors close at around 3 at which time we go over to light house to help prepare
dinner for around 60 people that show up to eat dinner each night. In addition, Lighthouse has a bakery
that provides jobs and skills training for people who are willing to go through
the program. They make amazing
breads and pastries! They people
that work there are such hard workers and determined to make a life for
themselves. They are required to
stay off drugs to be a part of the program and are given a small wage. At the end of their training,
Lighthouse will match any money they have saved and will help them to start
their own business or find a job at a reputable bakery. The people who work there have become
great teachers to us and have even let us make some treats!
Our
time is also filled with street outreach talking to the homeless, prostitutes,
or just someone we feel led to share with. Most of the time this looks like a friendly conversation,
but sometimes it looks like prayer or sharing the gospel. We listen for God’s prompting and trust
his voice.
TO
TOP IT ALL OFF, we have been able to volunteer at a handicap children’s
home! They have an autistic boy
there and I have a blog coming your way about my experience there! IT IS AMAZING AND A HUGE ANSWER TO
PRAYER. Look for it in the next
few days!!!!
Hope this catches you up for now. Once again my apologies! Sending my love and prayers to all of you.
