As we entered Penang Island on a ferry with 2 other teams during the early days of March, almost immediately a connection formed with the city. Maybe the beauty of the sea port or the historical buildings, temples, and churches captured me at first. I am not quite sure, but the connection became ever more evident as we entered Little India. Perhaps in this moment it was the aroma of chicken curry which permeates through the air, or maybe the hot snake dancing beats that flood the streets. Again I am not quite sure, but I have learned through our travels there is normally significance in such connections.
Our team ended up only staying in the city for a couple of days before prayerfully choosing to pursue a ministry opportunity in another location. During those next 2+ weeks we served a contact not far from the port on the mainland and lived at her ministry home. We spent a few days serving at a special needs home consisting mostly of people with autism or down’s syndrome. We helped them perform their daily skills as well as hopefully encouraging the teachers through prayer and communication. Team Rockstar then had the opportunity to spend time at a local orphanage loving on the children. In what was an uplifting story around 12 kids, whom most of which were abandoned when they were young, now live in a fully donation funded home along with several older woman who care for them. The children have had an opportunity most Malaysians do not in that they are exposed to the truth that is Jesus Christ through this Christian home. Along with various Church services and activities our team also had an incredible opportunity to visit and share with Indonesian Immigrants in the jungle. Yea that’s right, we packed into a van and rode 2 hours into the jungle with a local pastor/translator to show some love to a [Insert Ashley term] “Gnar” group of farming Indonesian immigrants. A splendid experience to say the least, we had no electricity for some of the night but the Holy Spirit made our words come to light, and many of these Christian family men left encouraged. They work long hours each day and have each left their families in Indonesia to make enough money to support them. It was a truly memorable experience.
Only a couple of days later our team was informed we would be looking for a new ministry for the last 11 days of the month. Our contact was leaving to visit her sick mother in Singapore and needed several days to prepare herself and get travel arrangements in order. Our team viewed this situation as an opportunity to pray fervently and listen to where the Lord wanted to take us for the final week of our time in Malaysia. Two days before we were set to head off into the unknown Rockstar got invited to an all night prayer meeting on a mountain. At this point we did not know where it was exactly, but we were riding with the same pastor who brought us to the jungle so we were excited to spend more time with him. The travel to get there was intense as what seemed like a monsoon faceted itself upon us. Along the way we discovered we were heading over the bridge to Penang Island, and would later discover the mountain we would pray from was located directly in the center of the Island.
Our travel to the mountain top went something like this;
– A 2 hour van ride through hectic traffic in raging rain
– A multiple kilometer ride in a truck bed up a steep eroded dirt path while dodging trees and hanging on for dear life
– An umbrella and rain jacket equipped trek up the hills to a home where our meal for the night would be consumed
– One final slippery hike to hill top
[Keep in mind the storm was ongoing until we got to the hill top]
When we reached the hill top I found myself tinged with awe as anticipation had been building from our truck ride up, and the final destination failed to disappoint. Here are some initial thoughts I was left with as this majestic night of prayer began…
What do you do when you find yourself in an awe provoking moment? What some would describe as breathtaking, spine-tingling, or stunning? Some people cheer and express tremendous joy through praise and thanksgiving, while some others may stand entranced with wonder. I find that my actions never live up to the occasion. My outward expression fails to reveal the internal cardiac explosion of passion, thanksgiving, and grace. Conviction tends to grip my soul as I feel ungrateful for not having an adequate reaction.
This is exactly where I found myself St. Patty’s day 2011 on the mountaintop of Penang Island, Malaysia. In what is a difficult scene to describe picture yourself on a flat mountain top with rolling hills on your right and left. Luscious vegetation surrounds you and you overlook a sea of lights in what is an old city full of huge 20th century buildings. Beyond the city you can see the port with light reflecting off the water and large ferries slowly trickling from one port side to the other. A bridge is visible and so are the city lights from the mainland across the port. Above you hangs a full moon, a vibrant red sky, and a select assortment of stars. What I came to realize throughout the night was the internal celebration carries far more value than any external actions. While often times the external is an overflowing expression of what’s taking place within, it tends to manifest itself in different ways in people. My heart was dancing on this night. I experienced God’s compassion for the people of Penang Island and as I wept over the city, my heart pumped the spirit of the Lord over the lost and Idol bound. Morning slowly came and although I was slightly chilly and exhausted, God refilled us with bliss as an ear to ear smile of radiant colors stretched across the sky. Sunrise and the joy of the morning capped off a moonlit beautiful night. I know this blog is getting fairly long, so I will leave you with a short poem I wrote on this night.
The Dancing Heart
Bright light
Inhabits the Malaysian night sky.
Inhabits the Malaysian night sky.
A body of souls take flight
Seeking a contrite reply.
A fight against idols
Of years gone by.
Of years gone by.
A battle for life
Not stricken with strife.
An awe-inspiring view
Of this Island city,
Of this Island city,
A prayer to renew
With passion not pity.
Center stage we stand
Upon a mountain of Grace
as the sound of an angelic band
as the sound of an angelic band
Floods fountains of faith.
Lord, tear down the walls
Of temples and mosques,
Of temples and mosques,
Let a Jericho fall
Break these fake Gods,
While grace upon grace
Recaptures the lost.
Jesus, my heart dances
On this illustrious eve,
Listen as it prances
And we faithfully believe
And we faithfully believe
For your return
To burn the curse.
To burn the curse.
Our best is so much worse
While sin drives the hearse.
While sin drives the hearse.
Yet for your glory
A redemption story
A redemption story
Shall ignite those before me.
God, take back Penang…
God, take back Penang…
A generation stands ready,
The arrows of an archer so steady,
To carry love and grace
To carry love and grace
To every place
To every space
To every space
So pierce darkness
For loves sake.
For loves sake.
