- As a new
missionary in Malaysia attempting to shop—do not be fooled by their modern
looking malls. Most stores just sell Hello Kitty paraphernalia. You will walk
around for over an hour just trying to find a store that sells a glue stick.
People will look at you strange and wonder why you would want to buy anything without Hello Kitty on it J
- If you
are missionary trying to catch a bus and you run through the streets jumping
and flailing your arms, be prepared to get onto a bus full of people already laughing
at you.
- If
visiting Malaysia in the rainy season keep in mind that it will never rain if
you bring your raincoat with you. If you do, by chance, leave it behind, there
will most definitely be a monsoon.
- You must
remember that certain places in the world tend to be slightly behind the times
with lingo. When looking to buy a shirt, the Malaysian sales person may say to
you, “This fashion is so phat right
now.” Don’t worry, they are not insulting you.
- When
coming to Malaysia be sure to leave your diet at home. Every other food stand
sells freshly made waffles. Or ice cream. Or waffles and ice cream. Or donuts. Asia is obsessed with donuts. Who knew?
- As a new
missionary in Malaysia remember that when your friend tells you to press the
‘fresh and clean’ button on the toilet, DO NOT LISTEN. Water will spray out from
the toilet all over you and you will walk away soaking wet while your friend
dies of laughter.
Ahhhh
Malaysia…my final leg of the journey and an INCREDIBLE month of the World
Race! We were living at a YWAM base in Penang and doing a variety of ministries
there…with 3 of my favorite teams together we had a TON of fun. We did special
game nights, Secret Santa, baked cookies, and even got free gym memberships
together which was a rare treat on the World Race!
As I
mentioned in a previous blog, our main focus this month was serving at Kawan, a homeless shelter which reaches
out to people living on the streets of Georgetown. This hands-on ministry
provides food, clothes, showers, haircuts, and a place to rest. It was one of
my favorite months because we got to know so many awesome people and has such a
wide range of tasks. I got to work in the kitchen, distribute shirts, pants,
toothbrushes and razors, work the front reception desk, and we all helped clean
throughout the day. A few times we also got to visit the other team’s sites.
One day we helped make calendars at a home for the handicapped. Another day we
went around fundraising at a hospital, to raise money for kids who need heart
surgery but can’t afford it. One time I even spent the day working in the
hospital bakery…now THERE’S something that’s right up my alley! Who would
have thought I’d even get to work at a bakery on the World Race? I guess God
has a sense of humor. Each week we were also involved with outreach on
Wednesday nights where we went around and prayed for people on the streets or
stayed and shared testimonies at the street church. One night when I was out on
the street team I was amazed at how many different people we encountered and
how simple their needs were if someone would just reach out…
…there was the homeless family with kids who just needed some diapers, a
young woman addicted to drugs who just needed a blanket, an old woman
surrounded by cats who just needed a cane to walk, a homeless man who sits in
his chair dressed as a security guard who just needs someone to talk to, and
the prostitutes working the corner who just needed a little love.
Even after a year of serving I realize that the Great Commission cannot be
confined to a missions trip or a Sunday morning service. It is a lifestyle.
Some of you may have thought I was crazy to go on this journey these last
11 months. You may have thought it was a nice vacation. You may have even been
a little jealous or terrified for my safety. But life is not about playing it
safe! At this holiday season as you think of all the blessings you have and
things to be thankful for I encourage you to look around you and see if there
is a way you can be Jesus to someone truly in need. You may remember His words
in Mark 25:
“Then
the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my
Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation
of the world. For I was hungry
and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to
drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I
was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.”
So the question to ask
yourself today is—are you living your life in a way that He can say these words to you?
