Goodbye Malaysia: Keep Singing

 
Today is our last day of ministry here in Malaysia.
This country really touched my heart.
I’m gonna miss it.
But I believe, just like how fall leaves sway softly off its branches down to the earth and the hope of the spring season coming soon echoes in the eyes of all who witness this poetic reality of change, that there is hope that I will come back to this country once again, like the hope of spring season during the fall.
 
Change occurs often on the Race. Teams change, ministry changes, weather changes, countries change, you change. Goodbyes are as often as hellos and this mysterious tug on your heart and tears welting in your eyes comes and goes. You have dinner with a man, and what starts off as common conversation intricately builds up into deep talks about life, faith, and purpose. You sit down and begin connecting with a stranger, and you get up and leave the table with a new friend.
 
Human connection; the ability to intertwine life with another human, another soul. This is an extraordinary gift God has given us; to be able to look into someone’s eyes and not simply see a cornea and an iris. When you hug someone, you’re simply not feeling a body against yours. When you shake someone’s hand, it’s not simply the sense of touch. This is a soul we have encountered! No other soul is alike, and we have discovered an original creation designed and fabricated in a way that there is no one like this person, and there will never be another like them. You and I are originals, not copies. The person in the car next to you as you drive to and from whatever is your destination, the woman at the cash register, the elderly couple at the restaurant, the man sitting on the public bench waiting for the bus, the homeless man sleeping on the steps of the old church, trying to stay warm, the woman who works 15hrs a day at the local bar who calls everyone “baby”, “sugar”, “sweetie”, as she shines her small  and yellow smile, keeping everyone locked outside of her broken heart; they are all an original. Like music notes hanging on a sheet of paper, as the Musician plays His elegant song, every single person has been created with a key purpose in life to play their part as the note of a splendid song in the orchestration of humanity, singing a rhythmic, beautiful melody of praise to their Creator.
 
I’ve started listening to it.
Do you hear it?
Do you see people as they are; this purposed individual, created to play a part in this orchestration? Designed, created, and loved by the Musician that created them? Or do we simply pass on by them, deaf to the song?
 
I’m starting to listen. I sat with the Chinese man and listened to his stories. Retired air traffic control personal, once married to his wife who is now deceased, one child, a daughter whom he is so pleased with; she’s about to get married in March, “expecting many grandchildren” he says chuckling at himself, acknowledging the reality that he is often lonely… He’s so thankful and excited to have been invited to dinner with anybody, let alone an American as myself.
 
He plays a part of this song. I want to, have to, need to tell him he has purpose. He’s given a life with a purpose to play his part. To play this song. Nothing in life matters more then this purpose God’s given him.
 
I’ve cried often this month.
I just want people to get it.
My heart breaks.
I want them to know.
That's all that matters.
 
I wonder why anything else matters in my life. Why do I make things matter? Does it really matter if I have to eat something that I see as gross, like squid or weird Asian soup? Does it really matter if I can’t eat American? Does it really matter if I have to step outside my comfort zone? Does it really matter if I get wifi or air conditioning? Does it matter if I can’t take a hot shower instead of a cold one? Why does it matter? There are so many little things I get caught up with in life that seem to matter to me, but in all reality, when looking at the big picture of life’s purpose, or hearing this song that echoes throughout the world, nothing really matters anymore. All that matters is what matters to Christ: love God, love people. Why do I often look like I treasure things on earth when I was created to treasure things in heaven?
 
I still have a couple pieces of Filipino coins. They don’t matter anywhere else in the world, besides the Philippines. In the Philippines I could buy a lot of things with this money. But anywhere else, they're worthless. I often treasure things on earth like those coins, not realizing that these things are worthless. It’s not like I can bring them with me to heaven! We are all owners of possessions that will ultimately occupy the local dump. We are the proud owners of future garage sale items, future trash in the land fill, and future valueless paper bills and coins.
 
That doesn’t give us an excuse to simply burn our money and destroy all we have. But when we do give value to where value is due and take away value where value isn’t due, it invites us to recognize and reexamine our stewardship of our time and possessions. Money is valueless in the reality of things, and yet I can use money to buy dinner for the Malay Muslim, who has never known the love of a follower of Christ because of past hurts and cruel remarks of so called “Christian missionaries.”
 
If we are called to love God and love people, if we are purposed to sing along with the rest of the music notes written into existence by the Musician and sing to our Creator, and if we are given possessions, money, and another ultimately insignificant things not to make waste with them, but to steward them in hopes that we may bring people to the realization of their purpose and part, then what do we have to lose? If we decide not to sing along in this climactic, extraordinary, infinitely orchestrated musical piece that God is displaying throughout the world about the redemptive story of love and hope, then we will miss out on our purpose in life and won't live our lives to the fullest. We will exchange our priceless purpose for valueless happiness on trivial things, instead of knowing what it is to have an abundant life on earth as it is in heaven.

I want so badly for people to know about Jesus.
I want them to know that they play a part.
That Jesus said “Follow Me.”
That Jesus has a better life for them; that He is that better life.
I want to do whatever I can, with whatever I have, wherever I'm at, to let people hear this song; this beautiful, sweet melody of love, freedom, redemption, and hope.
Will you join me?
 
 
One way you can play your part in this sweet song is by financially supporting me in my trip. You play a role through financial contribution, and I play a role by continuing to go out into the world and sharing in the song of the Son. I have only $2,919 left to fundraise for my trip, a total of $15,500. Please help me.
 
To donate, simply click here.
 
 
Now some will think “he’s only saying all of this to try and get money.” If  this is the case for you, then please don’t give me your money. I would only ask that you would steward whatever money and resources you have. I’ve conjured up some ideas to ensure that, when I come home, I am still using my time and resources wisely for what matters, so I can continue to sing. They may be helpful for you to step out and start singing as well:
 

• Tithe to your local church.
• Put money aside for “dinners” and take a stranger out and listen to their stories.
• Buy a Bible and find someone to give it to.
• Purposefully ride the bus and sit with someone and talk to them.
• Write a thoughtful, encouraging note anonymously and as you order at a drive-thru, pay for the person behind you and ask the cashier to give the note to them.
• Get a small, part time job wherever, and whatever money you earn, give it away.
• Invite the homeless into your place to stay and have a family dinner with them.
• Visit a prison, a hospital, a hospice.
• Go to a church of another religion (synagogue, mosque, hall, etc.) Love on those people, not simply rebuke them and attempt to persuade them.
• Be a blessing to others because God has blessed you.

 
 
I’m leaving not only Malaysia, but new friends; people I cherish and care for dearly. People I’ve learned to love. They need to know that they play a part of this orchestration. God is seeking worshipers. I want people to know that He’s looking, and I want God to see them worshipping. I pray that they do, that by some miracle from God they chew on the love and words I've shared with them, and that they would start singing. And I pray that whomever I encounter in the future months on this trip, that they would hear the song and start singing as well. I pray that you would sing along so all who you encounter will hear it too.
 
My soul sings, my soul sings out only to You.
 
 
Check out my new video to hear the songs, the stories of the mission field.