I spent this past month in a small town called Changlun in the northern region of Malaysia. Changlun is a town of about 10,000 people and is surrounded by the lush green of the jungle as far as the eye can see. Surprisingly, Changlun is also an area full of diversity. Changlun boasts a proud population of Indians, Nigerians, Arabs, Iranians, and several other nationalities. As a predominantly Islamic community, Muslim prayers echo throughout the city during the day and continue into the night.
My team had the opportunity to work with an incredible ministry called LOGO {Lovers of God} this month. LOGO was founded by Pastor Thomas and his wife Sharmila.
Several years ago, Pastor Thomas and his wife felt God calling them to move from their home in southern Malaysia to the northern region near Thailand. They left their friends and family and moved with their three young children to Changlun. They left everything they knew and everything that was comfortable because God said ‘go.’ They truly believe that God has big plans for Malaysia, and that He has called his family there to be part of that change – and I believe it, too.
Malaysia is a country that isn’t privileged with the religious freedom that we are blessed with in the States. It’s illegal for a Muslim to convert to any other religion, even if it’s their own personal choice. In a country where the majority of its people practice Islam, this limits the bulk of the population from having a choice when it comes to who they call their god. Preaching the gospel to a Muslim could result in prison time.
So, Pastor Thomas and Sharmila had to get creative with their ministry. They opened a kindergarten in order to teach Christian values {without explicitly proclaiming the name of Jesus} while also teaching English and providing an education. They believe that change in Malaysia will begin with the children. They see a generation of future leaders – a generation that is raised with the love of Christ and will share it with others.
Because preaching about God outside of church can be dangerous in Malaysia, our task this month was to join Pastor Thomas and Sharmila in the work they’re doing to positively influence the children’s lives. As we sang the ABC’s and counted to ten, we loved these children with God’s love, shared our joy that we have through Christ with them, and gave them the attention their Father in Heaven so desperately desires for them.
Though the government has put restrictions on religion in Malaysia, the Spirit of the Lord is reigning in this place and change is coming. Before our arrival, Pastor Thomas had recently acquired a building to use as a worship center. Though small, Tuesday night worship sessions here are powerful and God’s presence is clearly evident. Having heard music coming from the building, teenagers in the area have begun to come to service. Teachers from the kindergarten and parents of the children routinely come to Pastor Thomas asking for prayer in times of crisis. After spending months praying for a child for a man and woman, the woman was finally blessed with a baby and now attends service regularly with her family.
Whether the government recognizes it or not, the Lord is moving here in Changlun and throughout the nation. However, there is still a spiritual battle being fought and Malaysia needs your prayers. It would mean so much to me if you would pray for freedom in Malaysia and shower Pastor Thomas and his family with prayers as they continue to live out the plan the God has for them.
