After 3 flights, 2 layovers, and 1 bus, we made it Malaysia! Fun fact: on our way here we crossed the international date line so we are 12+ hours ahead of our homes in America and IT IS HOT. But I am so glad to be here!! Malaysia marks the first country in our last continent.
My team and I are in Penang, Malaysia – specifically in Georgetown, the island side of the city. We are right outside Little India and this is also a place where many people from China immigrate too. So we are getting a taste of all kinds of cultures! Literally – we are in one of the places with the best food in the world and some of the coolest street art I’ve ever seen! Around us is very city like with restaurants, stores, and even some 7/11s! There are temples and mosques here (which we don’t see everyday in America) because the primary religions are Islam, Hindu, and Buddhism. It’s one thing to learn about those religions but another to actual see them in action. It gives a whole new view to the spiritual world. The people here are incredible and so fun to get to know!
My team and I are serving alongside YWAM in trying to provide for those in need and get to know the people around town! We volunteer at a place called the Kawan Center which every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday serve breakfast and lunch to anyone who comes – targeting the poor and homeless – and gives them loads of leftovers if they want them! “Kawan” in one of the local languages means “Friend” which is exactly what we have found there. Everyone that serves there and everyone that comes in simply wants to be friends. I love going every other morning to see the volunteers and worship and talk with all the people that come in to get a meal, grab a shower, or take a nap in the mattresses provided upstairs. And we would never go hungry here – they feed us and give us leftovers! I see this place as a glimpse of Heaven with all different nationalities, languages, social classes coming together to share what they have and worshipping the Lord.
Along with working at the Kawan center, YWAM has given our team a lot of freedom to do whatever we find or want to do with our time here. While I can’t mention too many specifics to what we have been doing – I will say it has been a lot of fun and we have been led to a lot of different people and opportunities. We have been able to build relationships with the Food Truck guys and were even asked by a hostel worker to come sit and chat just because! His exact words “Come in, I have banana bread” and we did not even hesitate (sorry,mom). We had passed this guy everyday and everyday he had asked us if we liked Penang so there was some familiarity there! We have also been given the opportunity to paint a mural in Penang! One of my teammates is heading that up and is hoping to convey the message that there is something more to this life then living the same routine everyday. We are all searching for something more and that more is Jesus.
Our team has been invited to a church on the Mainland this Friday which we are all very excited about! We will be leading the service through worship and speaking! I am excited for the opportunity to encourage our fellow brothers and sisters in Malaysia! Please be in prayer for us as we lead this service! That the Lord would use us to encourage them and that we have safe travels! We will also be helping to paint the church and they have planned a special outing to the park afterwards!
We are learning to live interruptible lives here in Penang which has led to the Lord using us in ways that we would otherwise walk right past. With the freedom we have been given this month, the Lord has taught us a lot about what it means to just trust Him and to literally take every step with Him. He has led us to some incredible and honestly, unexpected people! Just extending a kind “good morning” or “hello” can be a brighter light then you could imagine! We, as people, live to be seen and love connection! Make eye contact with a stranger today and extend a warm smile and a kind hello! As a family of Christ our main goal should be to invite people into the family – which is actually easier than we think it is! Inclusion and being interruptible are two of the biggest tools we can use to make people feel loved.
Prayer request:
-pray that we can continue to serve the Lord joyfully these last four and half months of the race!
-pray against sickness!! (A lot of people on our squad feel sick after travel days)
-pray for softened hearts and opportunities for us to speak to people in Malaysia!
-pray for transition – I am going through a time that is bringing a lot of change!
Overall, I am doing well and very excited to be in Malaysia! They LOVE 3D things here and am currently sitting in a 3D coffee shop! They do 3D art on top of the coffee!! (Mine was a cute bear!). Thank you everyone for your support and if you have ANY questions about the race or how you can support me while I am on the field – please message me or email me!
