The story of a Chinese man named Jit.
What does it mean to live by faith? People often say ‘have faith’, usually for a hard-pressed situation or a time where joy or peace are missing. However, what does it practically mean to ‘live by faith’. I’m writing this blog because I have been inspired by a simple man and his family here in Malaysia. We only have had the chance to stay with him for one week, however that has been enough time for me to see his heart, and the faith of he and his family.
There is so much I could say about Jit, however I will cover the highlights to convey the heart of what I want to be heard and known. Jit is a husband and a father of three, two daughters and one son. He has been doing ministry for quiet some time now. Although he has Chinese descent, he is a native here to Malaysia. He has travelled a lot throughout his life and asked God to use him, but just not to send him back to his hometown. Sure enough God called Jit back to his hometown, where he met his wife, followed by becoming a youth pastor. After being a youth pastor for a number of years, the Lord started working on his heart to really live by faith and trust him. As a youth pastor Jit found himself not having enough time for everything. He was spreading himself to thin with youth activities and working with the church and was not with his family as much as he wanted. Although he loved (still loves) youth and being a youth pastor, he felt God calling him to quit his job and minister to the street kids.
Background context:
Malaysia is know as the great melting-pot of Asia. There are many Indians, middle-eastern, Chinese, and many other ethnicities that come together to make up “Malaysian”. Because of this huge mix, it can make citizenship very difficult. Unfortunately, if you do not have Malaysian citizenship it is very hard to acquis. Simply put, once a citizen always a citizen, if not a citizen, always not a citizen. consequently enough, If you do not have Malaysian citizenship, the government does not provide things like schooling, healthcare, etc… This creates a family tree of uneducated non-citizens stuck in Malaysia as poor laborers. Which leaves a lot of families and kids poor, uneducated, and overlooked. There are no dreams for these kids, there are no retirement plans for these families, and there are no Cinderella stories. Although there are always exceptions, mostly these families are simply stuck in a vicious cycle of poverty and being overlooked by the government since they are “not citizens”.
Back to the Story…
Jit went began to work with the street kids that the Lord had burdened on his heart, but still was battling with the Lord telling him to live by faith. Their third and final child they named Faith. Because this is the time where both Jit and his wife both chose to no longer work and receive paychecks. They devoted all of their time to the ministry that Jit was called to, but was not a paying job position for. This happened 5 years ago, since then he and his family have been living month to month. They do not know where the money will come from to pay the bills at the end of every month, but they are always paid and never late. They do not know where the money will come to provide food for the street kids and the ministry, but one way or another it always comes. 4 years ago, he got into fitness after having a heart attack. He started a fitness group in a public park. That has now grown into a small crossfit gym where he makes enough money to keep the gym going and the equipment right. Jit and his wife both still live by faith, and rely on the Lord every month, week, and day of their life to provide for their needs.
Jit has been very honest about how tough it has been at times. About the sleepless nights, the tears, and the times where he doesn’t feel like all of a man. “What kind of a man doesn’t have a job and provide for his family” he has often been plagued with questions like these over the years. But ultimately, Jit has pursued and obeyed the Lord and trusted the Lord as he stepped out and continues to step out in faith in Jesus, despite all the odds.
When they made the decision to live solely by faith, they had a house mortgage, a car loan, 2 kids and one more on the way. Despite the mirky waters Jit choice to obey the Lord. There house was paid off by a random person he never met, they owned no cars before, and now they own 4 (two vans, 2 cars). In reflecting on what it was like after stepping out in faith Jit said, “we had no money coming in, but we had no debt. God’s economy is very different.”
What impresses me the most is that Jit and his family live a life with open hands. Not only are they living by faith for the Lord provide, but they are living in love and generosity towards others. Despite having nothing, this whole week I have not paid for one meal or drink while I have been with Jit. I have not been charged to workout at his gym, and I have slept in his friends hotel (with AIR CONDITION!) for free. This man who has nothing, has provided for us in every way. This is a man who lives by faith, and truly understands where our provision comes.
Jit currently runs a school-like function where he is able to educate, feed, and play games with the kids. Because of the legalities, Jit is not able to introduce Jesus into curriculum or else he would be shut down. However, on Saturdays they have church that the kids come to which is “optional”.
When the Israelites were in the wilderness, God provided manna for them and said eat until your satisfied but do not store up any for yourselves. He wanted to teach the Israelites that He is able to provide daily for them. And this is a lesson I want to truly understand and be able to live by in confidence one day. Jit has trail blazed a way to encourage me and many others to truly put our faith in the Lord!
