For the past four months I’ve questioned whether I would ever have a “ministry” here on the Race. Some people leave their hearts in countries, with people, or just fall completely in love with certain ministries because they are called to them and are gifted in those areas.
Thus far, I haven’t felt any ministry was “for me” from the Lord. I’ve worked hard, loved well, and tried to shine Jesus’ light within me wherever I’ve been – but I wanted so badly for God to provide a ministry that was 100% for me given by Him.
And in Malaysia, during Month Five, He did just that!
The first full day with our contact in Malaysia he took us to a wedding his band was performing at. During one of the songs, some young Malaysian women came up to us and asked us to dance. JB, Candace, and I all braved what could possibly be really embarrassing, and tried to follow the ladies as they danced.
It was so.much.fun. As soon as we finished I kept saying, “More! More!” It felt so good to dance again. Since I was born, theater, dance, and performing have been part of my life. I was born to two dancers, Karen and Bobby, and God gifted me with some natural ability from that. Starting in fifth grade, I began performing in musicals at my school and in the community. While some people live to be the lead in shows, I always desired to just be a featured dancer. I loved coming alive on stage through dancing in a show.
When I graduated high school I didn’t really think I’d do theater, but throughout college I ended up in three different musicals as a featured dancer.
When I graduated college this past May, I thought for sure that was the end of my dancing career because I couldn’t foresee myself auditioning for any more shows. Besides, it’s a cutthroat field.
But then I came to Malaysia and went to an Indian wedding where my contact saw me dance. Since the first day he’s been pursing me to dance more because it’s part of their culture. Then the other night as we were all sitting in on their worship practice for a big worship concert on January 16th, Pastor Thomas called me up and told me to go with the dancers.
It was awkward at first – they giggled at the American here to dance with them, and the language barrier was tricky. But I did what I knew best and followed, picking up the steps quickly.
The following night as all my teammates went to bed, I stayed up an extra hour or two with the ladies, practicing the dance again and fooling around with a new one. It wasn’t until the leader, Elisia, turned to me and said, “We’re doing 6 dances, you’ll do them all?” I realized that THIS is my ministry.
I was the only American in a room full of Indian Malaysians that barely spoke English – and I was dancing with them. I couldn’t understand a word as they gave each other critique, but I just did what I always do and followed, learning along the way. By the end, they were asking me for help, and watching me for how I danced because they liked what I did.
How cool is that?! I might not be able to communicate with them very well, but I can minister to them through their art. Together we can bond over dancing. I can learn their style of dancing while showing them some of my own. As we watch each other, both sides are learning so much more about a gift given to them by the Lord and taking this new information to grow as a performer.
As midnight drew to a close, I realized I had busted open a cut on my foot – a typical “injury” I would get while rehearsing for the musicals I was in during college. It was a little piece of home: dancing, a busted toe, late at night, simply using a gift God had given me to connect with beautiful Malaysian women.
