At 10:15pm we had just finished wandering through a very huge and expensive mall and we went outside and met with a pastor from the area as it started to rain. We prayed in a circle on the sidewalk on the dark streets of Penang with this pastor and a few people from his congregation. Then we piled into a couple vans and went out looking for homeless people.
Even on the dark streets of the city we could see them. Usually curled up under the porch of a storefront, or laying on park benches, they looked cold and miserable in the rain. We brought them hot food and a prayer, if they wanted it. Some took it quietly, and some expressed gratitude. I was surprised when a couple even refused food because they just wanted to get some sleep.
Megan was amazing at talking to the people about Jesus and a few even prayed with her to accept Christ!
There was one couple we found wrapped up under a tarp with a couple of umbrellas propped up to provide some shelter against the wind and rain. And it was pouring by now. They told us through a translator that they had grown children, but the children refused to take their parents into their home. The parents seemed too old to work, so they had no other options but to sleep on the street. My heart broke when I heard this and I wanted to do something to make it better for them. I wanted them to have a place to stay where they would be loved and cared for by their family. But I felt completely helpless as I realized I could really do nothing. I couldn’t even come back later because this was our only time in this city. I wanted to at least let them know how much God loves them and how heartbroken He is about their situation. But I wondered what good are words when you are sleeping outside when it’s raining. Yes, we gave them hot food, but I wanted to do more for this mother whose years of caring for and raising her children was counted as nothing to them.
So I gave what I had. I took the jacket off my back and wrapped it around her shoulders. I hoped it wasn’t too wet and I hoped it was still warm from me wearing it. It seemed like so little. I wished I had more to give. I’m still praying for them. I pray that God will make a miracle in their family.
Again, my obedience was exhilarating. I didn’t really feel cold as we continued to get out into the rain to give food and pray for people. We finished up at about 2am and we made it to bed by about 3.
The next morning we had to be up in time to go to a church and preach. Joshua, Sarah, and Emily did an amazing job preaching considering how much sleep they got. I did a short worship dance too.
I actually almost fell asleep during a prayer that morning in church, but I didn’t regret one moment of the night before.
Sunday night we were split up and Megan and Stephen preached at one church and Tom and I preached at another. I loved the church we were at. They had such awesome worship and a great heart for God. And afterwards they took us out to McDonalds. Who knew that stuff could taste good? I guess that’s what happens when you’re out of the States for 7 months.
The next morning we headed back to home base. Still no elephants. Even so, it was a great weekend.
In a couple days we'll be leaving Malaysia and heading to China. We won't have internet access there so I'll blog again when we reach the Ukraine!
I'll miss you all at home. Please don't forget to pray for me!
