My last blog probably seemed kind of dark and hopeless……rightly so I suppose. This month is different and I am growing into it, I am learning more and more about Trust.
Have you ever Prayer Walked? Well, I never really had, although I have Prayer Ran back home. Walking is a little different, as it can take a lot longer and so can go a lot deeper. This month my New team and I are hooked up with a contact that has given us a variety of things to do. One of those things is Prayer Walking.Our first morning with our contact, he had us up at 7 AM for devotions/worship; and said we would be fasting until lunch. In-between that time, we walked around the neighborhoods of the town for 3 hours. This time was spent praying for the city, it’s people, the churches….for salvation. Many of the homes we walked by had tons of Plastic idols by their doors, burning incense to something Unreal. It was a good way to experience the atmosphere of this place…the lack of joy. It’s also a great way to become more disciplined and steadfast.
The next day we walked around the downtown area for 3 plus hours…..approximately 14 miles. The sun blazed down on us, dripping with sweat we prayed over the city and the corruption. People stared (Muslims, Hindus, Chinese, etc.) and I wondered what they could be thinking as we continually passed by. Our contact talked about the corruption in the government and even the police force (who will accept money bribes….good to know:) ). Though our purpose was to mainly pray for this place, my prayers also went a different direction. I start praying for my family and friends back home, for my new team, for my squad, and for whatever else was on my heart. This time with God seems to bring new revelations and helps me to realize the things I lack in my spiritual life.
With blisters formed on my feet, I actually start to look forward to the next long walk….
Here is a bit of what my muddled mind has been feeling this month or at least my first impression of this place:
Metal Bars everywhere. On Gates, on doors, on windows. Desolation n these populated places. Lack of 
movement among a people. Where are they? Do they watch from their windows…with suspicion? Man-made alters at their doors- red plastic, incense burning. I have a sense of brokeness, a feeling of destruction seeing this. There is no welcome mat, no joy, no ‘atmosphere.’ Kids don’t play in the yard….they are out of sight. There are playgrounds with toys- unused toys. The merry-go-round is still, the swing unmoving. Where is the life? Women with covered heads are everywhere, some with covered faces- blank eyes stare out. Interaction seems impossible. The heat is stifling, the air heavy- heavy with a collision of spiritual apathy and humidity. Metal bars are enveloping me-closing in my heart. I feel seperated from God, like I am getting farther away from him. I stare out through the bars- holding on to his Truth, seeking Him desperately for me….for Malaysia.
Take this impression with a grain of salt, as God will be transforming me all month……my views will surely change. Revelation and discoveries are ahead for sure…stay tuned.
Since writing this, I prayed to God to change my heart…..and he has been. Things are getting a little brighter and I am starting to recognize where there may be some color in the black. I have gotten past my selfish acts of comparison and assumptions, allowing God to be my glasses.
