It was the best of times; it was the worst of times. This is a statement that captures much of your experience while on The World Race. We have been sent to a variety of locations, and had some incredible and incredibly tough experiences along the way. Through these we have seen both growth and frustration.
We are currently in Malaysia working with a girls and boys orphanage in Kula Lumpur. This has shown to be one of the toughest months so far while on the race. Driving into the countries capital we were surprised by the striking resemblance Kuala Lumpur had to an American city. We were also surprised when we arrived at our location to discover the conditions we were going to be living in. The orphanage, which houses 14 boys, is in an old two story house in the ghetto of the city. The house is hot, dimly lit, and in many areas throughout, full of black mold. Many of the boys staying here still have at least one parent, but their families cannot afford to send them to school, so they stay at the orphanage which pays for food, housing, and an education.
We are in ministry 24 hours a day while at the orphanage, and often have little to no time on our own. However, during the weekends we usually go into the city as a team to rest and buy things we will need throughout the week. On one of our trips into the city we took the bus through an area full of foreigners and packed with high end hotels and luxury car dealerships. As I looked around in amazement thinking about how much it reminded me of any city back home, I began to think back to the world that the boys live in. Their world is not air conditioned, leather seated, or luxurious.
So much of what I seek in this world is what will make me comfortable, how can I serve myself, and what new thing can I get, so that things in my life are more convenient. However, Jesus taught that it is not these kinds of things that we should be concerned with, we should instead focus on serving those in need, the widows, and the orphans. Comfort is not a bad thing; I don’t believe God calls us to suffering for suffering’s sake. However we are often called to step down from our leather seats where we have been comfortably sitting and walk in a new world, or a new city, one that’s tale is often different then our own.
Realizing that other people have needs, and we have the responsibility, if we can do so, to fulfill those needs, is not something easy. However, it does not take going to the other side of the world to choose to “love our neighbor as our self”. Instead it takes small steps, and small acts of love that in turn make a huge impact. I once thought, “I am not meant to be a missionary”, however, I now realize that is not true, because we are all called to be missionaries, whether it is in Kuala Lumpur, or Maryville Tennessee (where I am from).
I say all these things to let you know that you have been called to a life much greater than the one we so often just accept. This is a life where we are all part of a community, one that takes care of all its members, and may sacrifice its own comfort for the comfort of others. This community is in the suburbs, and also in the ghettos, at the boy’s home in Malaysia, and the soup kitchen in Knoxville. So now it is time for the invitation to this community and way of doing life, and it is Shane Claiborne who says it best, “now with every head bowed and every eye closed, let’s get started.”
Thank you for reading. If you have any questions about me or The Race feel free to send me an email. I am continuing to raise money to stay on The World Race, if you feel led to support me you can do so by clicking the "support me" link on the left side of this page, or by contacting me directly. Thanks again.
Sincerely In Christ,
Garrett
