The fluorescent white light flashes against the concrete floor and yellow walls of the room as Heith and I begin our process of relaxing ourselves into sleep for the night. Actually, no, Heith is already asleep after laboring with the Holy Spirit all day. I’d like to rest my body to sleep now, but it has failed to adjust to this Malaysian time zone just yet. Regardless, the reciprocating pattern of lighting, thunder, lightning, thunder is proving to be ever more hypnotic. The rain falls steadily on the metal roofs throughout the neighborhood, creating that wet tinny sound that I’ve cherished since spending many childhood nights in a barn. This environment is surreal. Heith and I share a simple room: Bare yellow walls, unswept concrete floor, industrial metal ceiling fan with a slight wobble in operation, and a large window with security bars on the inside. The window has several horizontal panes that fold out like a louvered vent, all of which are kept open as to ensure adequate cooling. The temperatures aren’t unpleasant here, mostly because it’s the beginning of rainy season. If you look out the window toward the street in front of the house, a mango tree is almost within reach. On the other side of the street is a coconut tree and a lychee tree. Banana trees also line the streets here. With actual forests and small mountains within cycling distance, this environment is like a dream come true. But we’re not here on vacation. No, we’re here to do God’s work. I’m here because people like you are supporting me. Wait, allow me just a moment to let this saturate my mind. This is really happening. I’m really here, in Malaysia, on the complete other side of this globe, actually performing the act of ‘going to the nations.’ Even though that’s one sentence, it’s a lot to let soak in, and my mind is nowhere near as spongy as the earth outside.
(several minutes go by before I type this next paragraph)
So what exactly is Brian Barnett doing in Malaysia in a town called Sungai Petani? Well, since this is Month 1 for us, consider every day a team building exercise. My team consists of 5 ladies and 1 other man. As we are discovering through the sharing of our testimonies and daily life, God has pursued us all in very different ways, but He has chosen to partner us together on this journey, and so far, it’s working out great (Glory be to God!) So far, we have a significant amount of free time during the first half of the day. Our host works and is therefore unable to join us until late afternoon. Until we meet with Pastor Thomas, we start the day with increasing routine and predictability; quiet time in the Word and in prayer, exercise, breakfast, group discussion, perhaps an outing to the local grocer or eatery for internet access. Hmm, maybe I should put internet in quotation marks here since it’s so incredibly unpredictable and slow. Anyways, our ministries here include visitation at the hospital (praying for the sick and offering encouragement), home visits for the same reasons, leading church activities (church happens on Friday here, by the way) such as music and message delivery, and playing football (real football, not American football) with the youth. We have made a few visits to the hospital already and we are all touched by the sweetness of God’s children in need of restoration. Please pray for this ministry and our effectiveness as servants of God. Heith brought up a good point during our nightly team discussion and reminded us that Jesus never simply walked up to a town or strangers and began healing people. These acts were always preceded by deep prayer. As we pray, please pray with us. And Please continue to support me financially and with your prayer as the World Race begins to unravel uncontrollably. Thank you!
Oh, and one more thing: I am taking pictures and videos but the internet isn't speedy enough for me to quickly post these things, but rest assured, I will return to these posts soon with pictures 🙂
