The travel days from Cambodia to Malaysia were quite grueling. I was excited and nervous about going to Malaysia. I knew that we would not have a host month or any organization to connect with, but instead we would be “asking the Lord” this month what our ministry would be on a day to day basis. We would just meet people and ask them how we could best serve their community well in essence. This thought enticed the adventure side of me while fear trepidation teetered on the other side.
One thing X squad was rather excited about, however, was taking the train from Bangkok,Thailand, to Butterworth, Malaysia. On the train, a few of us met an English gentleman traveling to Malaysia on a “holiday.” I decided to sit beside him as he had traveled to many places in the world and I wanted to hear stories about the places I hadn’t been to yet. At one point, he walked away, and I got out a colouring book and some pencils I had come across on the race. He came back and asked what I was working on. The coloring really was not remarkable by any stretch of the imagination, so I passed it off by saying, “It’s something to pass the time, you know?” To which he nodded and dug in his bag for a minute. He then produced a small book and opened it. “I sketch some. It passes the time like you say.” I looked up to see some of the most astounding drawings you could ever imagine. I was shocked at how modest he was about them! They were beautiful! As I looked through them, a few other squadmates came around and a discussion on art was born. The others were quite talented and they all exchanged ideas while I looked down rather pathetically at my coloring book which seemed so insignificant and tried not to feel sorry for myself. “I wish I could draw! Think of how exciting that would be!” I thought. Instead of gloating about his obvious talent, the man simply encouraged all of us to try to draw, to experiment, to even get together and teach each other when we had free time. We exchanged farewells at the end of our train ride and each went our separate ways.
A few days later I decided to see what YouTube had to say about drawing. I found a few videos and made a few attempts. Those of you who have seen my stick figure drawings can imagine how ratchet those first few attempts were. However, I refused to let my inner perfectionist trample my spirit and persevered in my efforts. One of my teammates bought me a sketch book, and I was so encouraged in her belief in me that I proceeded to take it to a coffee shop and attempt to sketch what I saw. I also hoped to spark conversation… perhaps with a real artist who could give me a few tips.
I sat looking forlornly at my rough sketches. I had attempted to draw my coffee cup as well as the chair that was little ways away. They looked ok, I guess. I struggled inwardly as I thought about ministry for the month. Talking with people and finding things out about the community, that I get. But it didn’t seem like much was happening, and I was beginning to lose heart. I took a deep breath and as I breathed out, I prayed for the presence of the Lord to fill the coffee shop. I prayed for the people sitting in the chairs, the people who had been there that day, and the people who would be there after I left. I took up my pencil and decided to try to sketch a man who was sitting a table over. He was busy at work making phone calls and writing in his notebook. I thought, “there’s no way this is gonna turn out well, but I’m just gonna try it anyway.” I drew one line, then the next, and soon it turned out rather decently. I sat there amazed. It was actually not bad. It was primitive at best, but it wasn’t terrible either. “Why don’t you go over and give it to him,” a Voice whispered inside me. “What?! Oh that’s a terrible idea.. Oh well, what the heck.” I walked over with my sketch book and slid into the empty chair next to him. “Do you mind if I sit for a few minutes?” I had expected to walk over, hand him the sketch and awkwardly walk away, but instead we chatted for quite awhile. Suddenly, I asked if he knew of any places my team and I could volunteer at. He thought for a moment and suggested a few places. “When my wife and daughter come back they may have more ideas.” And indeed they did. They knew of a special needs home and a few other opportunities in the area, and more than that they were willing to contact them for us! At the end of the conversation, I timidly held up my sketch. “I really came over here to show you this sketch that I drew of you. I’m learning how to draw. Would you like it?”
As I reflect on these moments, I realise that each of the small moments in our lives is a line or perhaps a shape…. A shade or a detail in the grand drawing of our lives by the Ultimate Artist. He uses any canvas, any medium, with which to display His marvelous handiwork.
“The evidence is all around, that the Spirit of the Lord is here.” – Here as in Heaven, Elevation Worship
