We arrived in Malaysia last Wednesday with the news that we would not be going to our destination until the next night, so we needed to find a place to stay. We were able to book a night at a hostel (we were in a large, open room that housed 24 people total). On the way into downtown Kuala Lumpur, our bus driver dropped us off at a stop we did not agree to. We had no choice but to get our things and go, because he was determined to leave with or without some of us and our stuff. We all stood there trying to put our packs on, asking strangers where the hostel was. People weren’t too friendly, and we felt as if we were invading their privacy.
We found our hostel thanks to a kind stranger who approached us and pointed us in the right direction. The place was pretty nice, but I slept with a knife under my pillow, making sure, every now and then, that it was still right where I’d put it. The train we’d booked to our ministry site didn’t leave until the next evening, so we were able to get up and explore Malaysia the following day!
After an eight-hour, overnight train ride to our destination, we awaited our ride, not knowing what we were in for. The seven of us sat in this old, desolate train station at 4 in the morning, tired and anxious. We were picked up and dropped off at a building where we had no idea what was going on. The people who picked us up opened the front door, handed over the keys, and left. This place would be our home and classroom for the next month. We still hadn’t met our contact and wouldn’t until Friday.
Our job this month is to teach English. After meeting our contact, our anxieties eased up and a peace overcame us as we realized that we are going to have a great time here. We were able to meet the kids that we’ll be teaching, breaking the ice with some word games!
Believe it or not, it truly is a different feel here in Malaysia. No, we are not able to be as free as we would like, but we are learning to do things differently. We are learning to internalize everything. I’ve never been in a place where I’m restricted from things I want to say or do, and it is hard; however, this month will teach me how to express myself in a different way. What we cannot hide is our joy and laughter. As we walk around and explore different places surrounding our ministry site, we stick out to everyone. But what I believe to stick out the most is our joy. As cars pass by and blow their horns we wave and smile. Every bit of joy counts. We will let our light shine. We are not here in vain.
