When we first arrived in Kuala Krai, Malaysia, we knew that we would be doing a bit of traveling during our daily ministries. Still, from house visits to preaching at Chinese and Tamil churches, and from tutoring children to leading Sunday School programs, we spend an average of three to five hours on the road each day.
Our little red van, which I shall affectionately call “Old Faithful,” has certainly seen many of the rural roads of Kelantan province. The Malaysian countryside is quite beautiful, especially with miles of palm tree plantations cut step-like into otherwise rolling green hills. The roads, however, are rather reminiscent of Africa’s torturous pothole-ridden byways. Many a time, we will be coasting along smoothly when Pastor will suddenly slam on his brakes to avoid the canyon-like potholes that appear before the unexpecting eye. Meanwhile, our bodies catapult through the van’s innards, with air that would make most Olympic high jumpers jealous. Let’s just say that eating snacks or drinking water while riding in the van is all near impossible. Pastor has actually stopped the van before, just to allow us to take a sip of water without spilling.
Despite the adventurous rides, however, we have loved meeting many beautiful people along the way. Most of the families we meet with are Tamil Indians who have been in Malaysia for several generations. The homes we visit are often filled with Hindu shrines and pictures, but the families we meet have all been very warm, welcoming, and receptive to the messages we share. Many of asked us to pray for them, specifically for their health, for their families, and for healing, restoration, and God’s provision.
Last week, we traveled three hours to Gua Musang, where we spent several days visiting Tamil families and leading a Tamil Church service. Two days later, we traveled another 5 hours roundtrip to Aring, a remote village dotted with palm plantations, where we were able to share with more than 20 Nepalese immigrant workers. Oddly, our language of communication was not Nepalese, nor Tamil or Malay, but a random mix of Hindi and English. Still, I have to say it was not quite as odd as the cultural hodge podge we encountered a few days ago, when we ate an “American” meal of spaghetti, while visiting a Chinese-Malaysian home with Tamil Indians.
This weekend, we are traveling to three different cities in western Malaysia, near the island state of Penang. Despite the promise of another 15 hours of riding in our little red van, I am excited to see all that the Lord has for us this weekend and look forward to sharing many more adventures along the way!
