Here it is folks. My last list on the race…
Malaysia was absolutely beautiful! We were stationed in Kuala Krai for two weeks and traveled all around to tons of cities around there, and then we moved to Kuala Lumpur for the last little bit. We worked closely with an Indian pastor and Hindus, wonderful Chinese people, and ended it all sleeping on the floor of a church in the big city! At first, we thought this month would be restful and a time to reflect, but we were very very wrong. My team’s last month was intense spiritually and emotionally. We learned about spiritual warfare and encountered it in a major way. Yet, in the end, we dove into prayer and into deeper intimacy with each other and our Maker…such a great and PERFECT way to end this crazy journey.
The last list of the race, but definitely not an end to the epic, weird, crazy adventure that life will bring :D…
After mini debrief on Pangkor Island that included a lot of sun, fun in the water, and amazing conversations…we headed to Kuala Lumpur
Our first night in the city, we stayed at an amazing hostel: POD’s and one of the girls who worked there bought us dinner-a chicken burger wrapped in egg!
Next we got shipped off to Kuala Krai and felt like city girls getting dropped in a po-dunk town
Our first “act” of ministry was wrapping presents for children followed by a house visit with a precious Hindu woman who was suffering from a broken heart due to her husband’s death a few years ago..God reached out to her through me by caressing her cheek and whispering truth into her. Powerful.
We leveled out land that has been purchased for the building of a church..shoveled and transported dirt…all before 8 am!
One of the highlights for me was getting to room with my girl Katie Howard- life chats and reading chapters of Love Does by Bob Goff
It was my turn to share my testimony at the church, but instead of talking about me, I spoke into where God was taking them and prophesied over them…a first from the pulpit…
We spent the entire day at our Chinese friend Crystal’s house- got a tour of the town, went to the local market, taught English and played with precious Chinese kids, and ate three DELICIOUS meals..and that was all for “ministry”
Traveled and met Mr. and Mrs. Chua at a rubber plant deep in the jungle. I fell in love with them right away.
Went to the beach in Kota Bharu! One of the most unique and breathtaking beaches I have been to around the world
We ate at a woman’s house named Sister Glory, but instead of her cooking for us, we prepared a delicious meal including pasta, garlic bread, fruit salad, and Jill’s famous no-bake cookies
Shared my testimony again at church, but actually talked about my life and story this time
Ran a Bible lesson for Chinese kids…taught them the story of Noah and had them act it out as we told it. They were certain animals and I was Noah’s wife
We drove to Ipoh, Malaysia through a mountain-hands down the most beautiful drive ever that displayed waterfalls, cliffs, mountains, clouds, mist, lush trees, and sunsets!
A monsoon came, on the day we were supposed to go to the wedding…we drove to the church and got stuck in a huge puddle in the road, then had to get out of the van and be picked up by the pastor’s friends. Earlier in the day we hung out with Indian children and taught a Bible lesson then watched them practice their traditional dances for the wedding…at the wedding we sat at a reserved table and were so blessed with amazing food.
Towards the end of the wedding we were asked to dance on the stage…of course we said yes, so we danced with the kids at a HUGE reception, on stage, and I got to do a signature move from So You Think You Can Dance. Dream come true guys!
The next day we went to the pastor’s brother-in-law’s church, who was suffering from kidney failure, and I believe with my whole heart that God healed the pastor through me during worship. It was beautiful, painful, and unexplainable. This day marked the beginning of many miracles and deliverances according to what God spoke to me
Watched a DVD on prayer (which I now have) and it changed my life. Seriously. Ask me for it.
Headed back to Kuala Lumpur and experienced evil in a very real and scary way, but God came through, as He always does, and brought me to a safe and spirit filled place.
Attended a prayer service from 11pm-6am. Craziest night on the race. There’s too much to even start, but I was freed from fear, I was prophesied over, I encountered God and felt His Hands, literally…I received the gift of tongues and this night began a huge inner battle of what my calling will actually look like.
We were adopted by a English speaking Chinese church with no beds, no water, and eventually had thirty Burmese refugees living there with us for a week. We chose these conditions over comfort and luxury simply because we felt the peace of God there and felt safe
One of the women from the church, Mrs. Anthony, who is married to a blind man, spoiled us in Kuala Lumpur. She took us site seeing around the city, paid for transportation, and paid for almost every meal including random snacks. She was such an unexpected blessing
I explored the city, mostly with Rose, and saw the Petronas Towers, the Kuala Lumpur Tower, the crazy malls there, navigated through the metro system, and saw the highlights of the big city!
Visited a blind school!
Had Thanksgiving dinner with my team, the squad leaders, Mrs. Anthony’s family, and our friend Zach from the hostel (who is from sacramento! What a small world!) The food was not up to par regarding American standards, but it was still a blessing to have a taste of Western food!
A few of us flew to Singapore for a couple days!
It all ended with FINAL DEBRIEF, where we laughed, cried, worshipped, and dreamed of what was to come, all while looking back and thanking Him for everything He had done. This included skits of our race, prophetic words for past teammates, a flash mob, superlatives, and an EPIC dance party to seal the deal.
I am home now. Christmas has come and gone, and a new year is quickly approaching. My “race” may be over, but I can’t wait to bring you along with me on my next journey…
