We were taught “life equals ministry and ministry equals life” since day one of The World Race. The idea is simple, God can use wherever and whenever we are to build His Kingdom. In the past few months I have learned more and more what this idea looks like in real life: from the time praying for a stranger in restaurant to playing guitar on the street to building a website. Well, God is so creative! Before the Race, I thought my ministry only happens at homeless shelter and church. But God took me to places I would never have expected and His creativity amazed me once again in this past week.
My squad met with R squad (my previous squad if you know my story) this month in Malaysia and all the men got together and we traveled a 10 days journey called the “Manistry”. 13 of us decided to go to an island – Pulau Kapas. An insanely beautiful place with clear water, gorgeous beach and incredible nature. Honestly I struggled to share this because it looked like we were on a vacation. I certainly don’t want anyone to think that or I shouldn’t be going to place like this for mission trip. It doesn’t make any sense to me at first neither. However, I certainly don’t want anyone to think mission trip is only about volunteering in places where you see the sick and poor.
We spent our days there to do what we do best: be intentional with others. We talked to the locals and the travelers, getting to know their stories and told them our mission. We worshiped and shared testimonies on the beach. Then one day we met a lady named Dina, she is a part of a group that call themselves “The ocean’s gardener”. They plant and take care of corals in the ocean! Well, if you ask me how exactly do people plant corals? I don’t really know how to explain scientifically even after I did it first hand. (OK, basically you cut off a live corals which there many different kinds and “glue” it on a rock with many different ways) Long story short, that was our ministry. I learn so much about the small things we do that are good or bad for the ocean’s live.
Dina told us “This is how I serve, by taking care of His creation.” Indeed, that was the first job God gave to Adam. I saw the nature in a total different perspective after serving with the group. I now understand why they get upset when people throw a tiny little trash in the ocean. Who knew flipping around a living coral when it is upside down could save its live? All lives matter, it is our responsibility to take care of our world. (It is super chessy, I know)
Anyway, since we got to plant coral, we also got to snorkel a little bit and here is a short clip of our 3 days on the island. Enjoy!
