Hello Asia, where have you been all my life?
Did you ever feel like you were born in the wrong time? For me it’s not time but it’s a place. Who would have known I would feel so at home in Malaysia? Now before I get a head of myself, I just spent the last three months in Africa. Africa is a beautiful place, but things aren’t as accessible as you think they would be. Of course, that’s coming from a westerner’s perspective. Malaysia reintroduced pieces of home that I didn’t even realize I missed. I really appreciate accessible Wi-Fi! No longer having to walk a mile or two and pay a fortune for poor connection was amazing! Food was another thing I used to I take for granted back in the states. In Africa I felt like half the day was spent cooking, preparing meal, making meal plans for the week or going to the grocery store. It was a nice brake to see so many familiar signs for Starbucks, Texas Chicken, McDonalds, Nando’s, and Burger King. Debrief was a time where I did not have to worry about preparing and planning meals for 6+ people. Not to mention, toilets! We all use them, at least I hope you do, and if not I hope you at least use a squatty potty. I’m happy to report that here in Malaysia you can flush toilet paper. I mean really, is this not Heaven?
I’m telling you it’s the little things. But with having access to whatever I wanted, many distractions followed and it was hard to stay focused. It was hard for me to find a balance of the amount of time I looked at entertainment from home. Luckily, because I had limited access to things in Africa, it wasn’t always my first instinct to seek them out when I first arrived in Malaysia. Towards the end of debrief and my time spent in our nice hotel, I realized I would have a battle. I knew I could fall right back in to the distractions that I faced back home. I’m sure many could venture to guess or not be surprised by me saying I am hooked to social media. It’s like a drug I keep using and I’m trying to get better. Though many could say I’m being to hyper aware of it, defending it with retorts such as “you and the rest of your generation”. Either way if it’s distracting me from what God is trying to show me or tell me, then it shouldn’t be something I give all my time too. Most of the time “I just need five more minutes,” turns into countless hours scrolling. I’m sure at some point we have all been guilty of this. If you’re not one of those people major points to you! Please help encourage the rest of us to do better.
Debrief, as you should all know (hint: read my blogs), is a great time to process what has happened the past few months. If I’m being truthful, debrief wasn’t a relaxing time. It was more of a time to adventure and get to see and replenish the things I really thought I needed: clothes, tennis shoes, food, more food, and hair products. I know what you’re thinking “hair products”? Okay. I said “thought I needed”. Start to realize missionaries want and need things too. When you think of missionaries what comes to mind? For me I see this perfect human following Christ and people looking up to them. They heal the sick and they pretty much walk on water. There is some truth that my teammates have healed people. However, none of my teammates or squad mates are perfect human beings. There is no need to be praised because that is not our place. I’m not here wanting to save the world. Jesus has already done that and He sometimes calls the unified to have a part of that. I’m extremely unqualified; the only thing that qualifies me is Jesus. I’m just along for the ride to be a helping hand for God. I believe God can do miracles through people, but you have to be willing to have the faith of a mustard seed, and to know Jesus (Matthew: 17:20 he replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have the faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, “Move from here to there,” and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”). You don’t have to be half way around the world for God to do a miracle through you. Now when it comes to healing the sick and walking on water all I can say is read (John 14:12 NLT “I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father”). I fully believe and know that God heals through people if we ask in His name.
So far Malaysia has been a much needed blessing to refuel and do some fun things that reminded me of home. Only God knows what the rest of Malaysia will look like. I’m excited to move forward and know what my distractions are and continue to pray for strength as I keep my eyes focused on Him.
Disclaimer: I love America and I’m so blessed to live in a country to have the freedom to believe in Jesus Christ openly without out fear of being taken to jail or beaten in some parts of the world.
