Malaysia has been unforgettable. Check out my gallery for stories with pictures and videos for a glimpse into the last month 🙂
Here is the Link!
https://padlet.com/mummavery1/rxsmuaa1uher
Gods Plan // Matthew & Patricks Story
wow wow wow.
you know that cliche, yet very true, saying “God has a plan” … ive seen it come alive in so many ways these last three months — also what it’s been three months?!? It is so weird … at one moment it feels like it’s been three weeks, then another moment it feels like 3 years.
Anyways, I’ve seen this truth come alive. This adventure is really that — an adventure. It is an adventure into yourself, into who you are when everything familiar and comfortable is stripped away. You’re faced with the realities of wounds not yet healed, pain you’ve shoved down, facing tough choices you made, mistakes and hurts done to you and also the ones that’s you’ve caused; you’re left reflecting present and future. BUT with reflection comes healing, release, and revaluation — one of which is how ive seen God. He really does have a plan, and his timing is impeccable. For all people, whether the realize it or not.
I’ve seen this as I look back, and all the pieces that didn’t make sense at the time, I am seeing come together. All the highs and lows, leading me to the ground i’m standing on now. All the people i’ve met, all the conversations, all my relationships with friends and family throughout my life, all the transitions and struggles and “setbacks” — everything!!!, all setting the stage for moments I haven’t even seen or could imagine. It’s blowing my mind!!! N O T H I N G I S W A S T E D. In every season, in every circumstance, God is moving and working and we have a reason to cling to hope and cling to him and know that we can be thankful and assured that when we look to him and ask for help he comes. And not only that, but he gets us to the other side. always. I’ve seen this in one of the guys the team and I had the privilege of getting to know in Malaysia, as well as in his family.
Ok, so in my last blog I told you about PT. The guy i’m about to tell you about is one of his four brothers; his name is Matthew.
Matthew is a legend. He has changed my life and ,for me, is a big part of what made Malaysia such a special place. On our last day *tear tear* a few of the girls and I were hanging out at the kitchen table. Matthew came over to work on a video project with Lily (you go girl), and while he was waiting for her to finish getting ready, he sat down with us. We began to talk to him about how thankful we were to get to know him and — OH YEAH!! I FORGOT TO MENTION!! THE TEAM GOT TO BE IN A MUSIC VIDEO!! — we asked him questions about his music and his newest album. Matthew began to tells us how he has always loved music and how music has influenced him. His heart behind his music is for people to know about who God is and give all glory to God through his music.
He told us about how music is produced in India / Malaysia / Asia and how usually it is written in minors. Versus North America / Europe, music is typically written in Majors. Matthew is passioante about music and using it to be healing for people and he told us about the research he herd was done with the effects of music. There was an experiment done; they put two flowers, each in their own box, to see how music affected the growth and health of each of the flowers. The box that played songs only in Major keys had better growth and results compared to the flower that only heard songs in minor keys — Wow!! so Matthew mixes both major and minors in his music. He does it to have it be a familiar sound to Indian / Asian culture while also incorporating majors to uplift and have music that moves listeners by the sound and the lyrics. Matthew shared his heart is to bring glory to God in the success of all of his music and that’s what keeps him moving. He told us of how he got started and this is the part this is the coolest of all:
There is a man that lives with Matthew and his family, and his name is Patrick.
10 years ago, Patrick’s mom called Matthew in distress and desperate for help for her son. She asked Matthew if he could drive to their town to meet with her son (Patrick) and convince him to admit himself to a rehab facility to get help with his drug addiction.Matthew said he’d love to come and chat with him and help anyway he could. Matthew began the journey to their home, to talk with this man he’d never met and knew nothing about, but was moved by this mans mothers compassion for her son to find healing.
Years previous to this phone call, a preacher had given Matthew a prophecy that he would be a musician and release an album that would tell people about God. AND he’d record the music in his own studio — keep in mind that when Matthew received this prophecy, all he knew how to do was write music and compose but had no knowledge or experience of mixing and mastering / producing music.
So Matthew gets to this woman’s house and talks with her and then her son. Her son, Patrick, says if they make him go, he’ll leave the center. So, him and Matthew talk and come up with a plan. Matthew offers and welcomes Patrick to come to his home and to stay with him and his family; an opportunity to come get a fresh start. So Patrick agrees and together the trek back to Matthews home in the town a few hours away— keep in mind they met the first time that day!!
At this point Matthew has been writing songs and composing music and still had no studio or knowledge of mixing and mastering.
On the drive back, the two talk and get to know each other. Matthew than finds out that Patrick worked for a computer intel company and was very tech savvy, and he also likes music. But he only knows how to mix and master and not compose…WHAT? TALK ABOUT GODS PLAN.
So, Patrick and Matthew get to work!
Since that day 10 years ago, Patrick has been drug free, he is still living with Matthew and is a part of their family. AND Matthew is about to release an album that he created in his own studio (it’s in his family’s church — the one we’ve been helping out at) AND one that him and Patrick worked together to write, compose and produce.
If that isn’t Gods perfect plan and timing I don’t know what is.
When I heard this I was blown away. It AGAIN reminds me how intentional God is. All the pieces of our lives. He can take something as devastating and difficult and hopeless as a drug addiction and turn into a situation of freedom from addiction, a fresh start, a purpose, and a friendship turned family. Patrick does not have a relationship with God yet, but I know one thing for sure, He sees Jesus and his Love in Matthew and the family everyday.
I also love this story because it captures the heart of this family here; they really do love people, and because they want to not because they feel an obligation to. Their heart is to first and foremost love; to build relationships and show people they care about them. Then they share their why — because He first loved us and he loves his people. That he came and died to save us. That he is after hearts, to heal and fill us with joy and love and wholeness.
This whole story gives me hope and rest knowing I don’t need to try to figure all the details of my life out; clearly Gods got it figured out and it’s always a better and more amazing plan than we could ever try to imagine. He does make ALL things work together for our good.
I hope this story fills you with hope too. I hope you can cling to this truth: God really cares about you, a lot. God really loves you. a lot. God wants you to walk in all the wonderful ways he has for you, and all you have to do is say yes. He will not drag you or force you, but he’ll a gentleman and he’ll wait for you. he’ll pursue and fight for you when you can’t even fight for yourself. he’ll fill you and love you when you feel the whole world is against you. he’ll mend those places in your heart you feel are permanent and replace them with deep love and a heart for the people who limp like you.
So, yes; God Does have a plan for me and for you too.
—————————————————————————————————————–
UPDATES:
I’m currently at Debrief, which is a mini break where we get to process, prepare and get focus for our next destination. It’s a mix of emotions. From grieving and processing what has been, to resting physically and mentally. It is a breather and a refocus time to keep pushing, and a heart check to keep learning and growing.
So, in a few days we will begin the trek in INDIA!!!
I am very excited and feel good vibes for all that is to come.
I will update again soon!
Also, My phone is slowly puking out on me so if you want to chat, please message me via whatsapp, facebook messenger or instagram! The mic is still broken-ish on my phone so I cant facetime or send videos unless I use my laptop. Yay technology 😉
God is good. I miss you all. Thank you for your support and love and messages and life updates and checking in and just doing life with me even when i’m half way across the world. you guys are a true blessing.
If you have ANY prayer requests, please send them to me!!! Prayer is a game changer and i’m really diving in! Big or small, send em my way 🙂
Hugs and love to you all
MWAH
Love, Aves
