This a brief update for those who are wondering how I am/what I'm doing. It's not a super profound blog. For profound thoughts, read books by old dead Chinese men, or possibly some earlier blogs!
I'll write this week about some of the cool goings on and stuff, but for now!
So,
I'm in a predominantly Muslim town in Malaysia. It is illegal to evangelize to native Malay people in this country. Because of that we spend a large amount of time building relationships and connecting with people. Malaysia is still a free country in the sense that Westerners, Chinese and Indian people have freedom of religion. Yet it is a punishable offense to evangelize a native.
I went caving with around 30 Islamic students last weekend, am making videos for the sake of ministry, met fantastic Westerners, helped at a local kindergarten with much of the grounds and maintenance work.
My next destination is Vietnam (I leave around November 3rd). That will quite a difference experience as it a closed country. My whole understanding of the underground church has been rewritten even here in Malaysia alone. It's so easy to take our freedom for granted in the states, let alone religious freedom.
There is a ton going on everyday. Yet often I haven't been able to share it 🙁 Or pursue religious conversations with locals. Instead our team has focused a ton on personal growth, some teach English to kindergartners, and we are preparing this place for some projects that will happen in November and December.
It's really hard to see what missionary work is like from Facebook, it can be deceptive in a sense, often people tend to only post photos of…
1. Children
2. Things that look fun
Then we sometimes face-palm when we hear through the grapevine,
"Is anyone actually doing any ministry or work out there?"
No one has said that to me 🙂 But I've had a couple friends get picked on for that in times past.
And it saddens me, because I know I saw them sweat and sometimes in the realest sense bleed. I saw them work for hours digging trenches, weep for the lost, dance and play with orphans, and most of all spread the love of Jesus.
I can explain that for numerous reasons, such as sometimes being in a sensitive location with limited internet access. This month because of that I tend to not blog that much or show many photos, I can assure you I have taken hundreds though.
My teammates would confirm that, especially Karen who remarks it is "Creepy".
That's probably a joke FYI.
Also taking photo's of people you are serving can be kind of awkward, it's much culturally appropriate and less sensitive to take a photo on a beach or a child grinning then of a homeless man being prayed for or an Imam. Let alone taking photos of the holiday where they sacrifice goats.
I may have still photographed that.
So to clear the air, if anyone ever has a thought like that about what I'm doing or another missionary…
Ask them 🙂 In general the amount they can share through social media is a little bit confusing. We are not afraid of questions and WANT you to know what we are doing is not only useful and valid but a good stewardship of your investment in us! I just happen to be that awkward guy who does feel comfortable taking the photograph of the homeless people I serve. Not everyone is that way.
So at the end of the day, it's often…
1. Children
2. Fun Things
3. That one time you preached
I've been on the field about a month and ten days.
Some things I've been involved with so far:
Ministered in the Red-Light District in the Philippines
Fed numerous people in streets and towns who have experienced flooding and poverty
Construction projects for disadvantaged kids
Helping clean and maintain the grounds of a Kindergarden
Visited and volunteered at several orphanages and children's homes
Held kids with no mother or father
Laughed, lived, and seen amazing things
We get one to two day's off a week, depending on location, so the "Fun" looking things I've done are,
Touched a Sea Turtle (Not illegally actually)
Seen Monkey's and they do steal things
Visited the hospital when a teammate got stung by a sting ray
Climbed a volcano
Met Relient K
And much more both on the ministry and amazing life-changing side!
Most of all though…
I'm changing. I am seeing so much more how important our decisions are, how privileged I am to live in the U.S.
I am seeing poverty and suffering, different world-views and religions.
And it's making me desperate to know Jesus more. I had my heart wrecked this week by Psalm 18. I was convicted of how I viewed life by the preaching of Preson Philips. We sit around everyday that we can and go around encouraging one another, giving constructive feedback, and keeping short accounts. I am learning about community in quite the intense fashion. I am learning ways that I need to change, grow, and be a better person in.
I'll be writing soon of how caving changed my views on Islam, God showed me his love through Relient K, Psalm 18 ripped my face off, and God is TOTALLY RENEWING ME! I hope to release a small video soon and upload photo's when my internet is less senile.?
With that, I still need financial support to keep doing ministry. My next deadline is in December!
SPOOKY…
Thank you everyone for your prayers and support and how much you have all poured into me! I promise it's making a difference in the lives of MANY people. And I know one day, you'll get to see many of them face to face 🙂
