What a Diverse Place!

Malaysia is such a unique place. We are in the city of Georgetown,Malaysia and there is so much diversity, which I love. Half the country is Malay, This month in Malaysia I’m living with 15 women (all of which are all the women on my squad). That’s a lot of women, but I’m glad I like them. This month’s ministry is primarily working with Ed our ministry host who is part of YWAM (Youth With A Mission) and assisting him with the community outreach he has here in Penang, Malaysia. This week we volunteered at a homeless shelter called The Kawan Center (Kawan means friend in Malay) and we have also participated in Penang’s House of Prayer.

Within Malaysia the country’s population is made up of half Malay people (100% Muslim), ? Chinese-Malaysian, 1/12 Indian (from India), 1/12 Orang Asli (aboriginal people, which consists of 18 tribes), and ? mixed ethnic groups. The mixed ethnic groups are people from Indonesia, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal, and others are Refugees (89% of the refugees are from Myanmar). There are so many people groups within this one place.

What I appreciate the most about diversity is the way it shows a different beautiful image of God because in all we are all created in the Lord’s image.

Ministry at Kawan:

During my time at the Kawan Center I have had the opportunity to practice my cooking skills and cook for 150+ people. I have never cooked for so many people in my life. Thankfully, my friends and I have Uncle Ben. Uncle Ben is the main cook for the Kawan Center and is so patient and kind in the way he teaches. He constantly tells us that if we mess up its okay because if we didn’t then that means we didn’t try. I have greatly enjoyed learning to cook from him.

Also, at The Kawan Center they have church Saturday mornings and I had the privilege of sharing a testimony. When I get up in front of people and speak I get so nervous, but the fact that I get to share what the Lord has shown me and how He continually shows His faithfulness gives me a far better feeling afterwards. My time here has been very sweet so far and there are so many stories to tell and share.

 

 

Here are a few more!

The other day after church I was sitting and having lunch with an older man named Ezra. As we talked I asked if he was getting baptized and he said yes with a great big smile raising his hand in the air. Moments like this are so special! An elderly man in Malaysia is so excited to get baptized and wants to proclaim that he loves Jesus and wants to pursue him the rest of his life.

Another story was not at Kawan, but in a car. While driving home from a prayer meeting in a Grab (Asia’s version of Uber), we found out our driver was a believer. After our conversation he invited us to his church. He told us he was the worship leader. This past Saturday we attended his church and watched him praise the Lord on stage. We both left church encouraged and filled.

This story is about politics. We entered this month during Malaysia elections. For the past week we have been praying for a good change and the Lord heard us! This past election ended a 61 year reign by a corrupt leader. So many Malaysians are celebrating this transition and are continuing to pray for their country and current leader.