Malaysia was incredible! My team and I had the privilege of doing ministry in the capital city, Kuala Lumpur where there is SO much culture! There are several different languages, religions and so many different foods there. My favorite was fish head currie!
Overall, Malaysia is a melting pot for Asian culture heavily influenced by China and India. So there are three sub-groups of people: Chinese, Indian and Malay. Islam is the predominant religion, but Hinduism and Buddhism are very prevalent as well. While taking a 10-minute walk to the supermarket, it is common to pass an Islamic mosque, a Buddhist temple and a Hindu temple.
The Malays here are all required to attend Islamic schools. It is against the law for them to be anything other than Muslim. I have become so much more thankful for having freedom of religion in America and realize how often that precious right is taken for granted.
While there, we got to work with two different impactful, enlightening ministries. One was SIB Brickfields Church where we stayed and the other was a safe house for women who have been trafficked.
In SIB Brickfields Church we had the opportunity to work with 3 influential pastors. The lead pastor, Pastor Edwin is from Borneo, Malaysia. The two other pastors, Pastor Joe and Pastor Epeli, are refugees from Fiji who were forced to leave the country for their own personal safety when the military coup took over in 2006. They blessed us so much during our time with them in every way they could think of. They made sure to give us plenty of time to rest during the first month of our journey. They wanted to make sure we had an ample amount of time to feel situated and comfortable in an unfamiliar culture. They treated us to many meals several times a day, let us take hot showers in their homes and really took us in as their own. I have never encountered people more generous than those in Malaysia. They have radically changed my view of serving others forever. Generosity has been completely redefined for me. They have inspired me to find more satisfaction in giving more and more.
At the safe house for women we were able to befriend several women that had been trafficked. We did prayer walks in the red light district and ministered to the women soliciting themselves on the street. We brought them food and drinks and attempted to make conversation with them. Women living on the streets is a focus group for this organization as well. They do their best to enable these women to support themselves in an honorable way. One of these ways is teaching them how to make jewelry. They meet women and invite them to the jewelry making sessions twice a week with a guaranteed income as an incentive. Working with this ministry stirred my heart to fight for these forgotten women in every way I can think of. It was such an eye-opening experience!
Thank you so much for all of your support and prayers! They are truly making a difference. Without each of you, I would not be able to be a part of all that God is doing around the world!
