City in a Valley

Mountains of limestone jut to the sky, adorned in palm trees and other lush green life. A city boasting of many cultures and people groups, namely Malay, Chinese and Tamil. Beautiful people, breathtaking landscape and bold traditions.

Unfortunately, Ipoh is a city in a Muslim country, operated my a Muslim government with Muslim rules. But Islam isn’t the only religion practiced here. Hinduism is a longstanding practice among the Indian community and many of the Chinese practice ahnism. Walking through the streets of this city, you see temple after temple decorated with brightly colored Hindu gods and goddesses. In the caves of the mountains around the city are shrines of spirits and idol worship is still practiced there. And, of course, there are the mosques, the veils, and the calls to prayer showing strong evidence of Muslim influence over the city.

But, just when the many gods, rules and traditions become too overwhelming to bear, just when you think you see a city overcome by religious bondage, just when you think these people have gone too far to be saved, just when you think all hope is lost- that is when you see the Lord raising up a generation of servants for such a time as this. That is when churches join together and go out, that is when brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus call on the name of the Lord and this city is shaken (Acts 4:31)!

Don’t believe me? Simply take a look at the ministry that occurred just in the several days my team spent in Ipoh. The days start early and the nights go long, but these people don’t stop. They truly live life on mission for Christ. We went to at least one if not more church services everyday and each service lasted around 3 hours, sometimes more. Along with worship, testimonies, and a message, came prayer and anointing of the Holy Spirit. And, of course, some food and fellowship afterwards. Getting home by midnight was considered an early night. We drove in, around, and through the state of Perak covering it in prayer. Lots of prayer. There were house visits and children’s ministry- which always includes a little song and dance- we even climbed a mountain to pray over the city. Talk about relying on the Lord’s strength. But never once did I hear a complaint leave their mouths.
These people understand the true celebration of Easter better than anyone I know. Easter, to the Christians in Ipoh, is a bigger celebration than NYE in the States. As soon as midnight came people began wishing one another a happy Easter and shouted the joys of “He is risen! He is risen indeed!” When we returned to the home where we were staying in the early hours of Easter morning, we were greeted by a celebration including sparkling juice and cake- at 2 o’ clock in the morning these people were up and celebrating the resurrection of Christ, knowing in just three short hours they’d be back at church for the sunrise service. That evening, the youth group of one of the churches had its annual Easter bonfire celebration which included skits, songs, Tamil dancing, and worship. All day there was laughter, celebration and delight because these people were genuinely rejoicing at what happened on the cross and in the tomb. No temple, no government, no statue, no call to prayer blaring over a loud speaker could keep these people from celebrating their Savior.

As I watched the bonfire blazing with flames on that beautiful Easter night, I realized something: while this city may be in a valley geographically speaking, Ipoh is a city on a hill.

“Greater things are yet to come, greater things are still to be done in this city.” – God of This City, Chris Tomlin