I heard that St. Francis of Assisi once said, “Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words.” In many parts of the world the only sign of their faith that Christians can wear is the character of Christ shown through daily actions rooted in unconditional love.
For one month, I could not wear a cross around my neck, or a shirt with our missions trip logo, or say the name of “Jesus” in the streets. Our team could not openly pray over our food in public, or say “Praise the Lord!” and “Amen!” when God blessed us with one of many miracles. I thought I knew what it meant to practice more than I preached because of having close friends and coworkers who didn’t believe in God. But at least around each of them I could wear my cross, and if someone asked about my plans on Sunday, I could say “I’m going to church.”, rather than saying, “I have a meeting/gathering to attend.”
Malaysia, was our home for month 8 of our journey and our first Asian country on the Race. Malaysia is run by an Islamic government and the majority of the people identify themselves as Muslim, though there are large Indian Hindu and Chinese Buddhist populations throughout the country. Since the government declared Malaysia a Muslim state, it’s illegal to convert from Islam to Christianity or to openly evangelize Christianity.
During the month, we were hosted by a beautiful Christian family who risk their lives daily to reveal God’s goodness and faithfulness to a people who don’t know His name or have heard He’s a lie created by people who wanted to steal their land and destroy their people. Through our host family we met several Christians of Indian, Chinese, and Malay descent all who were born and raised in Malaysia, and all of whom have spent their lives displaying the love of Christ through actions rather than words. Their most powerful tools have been constant prayer and worship of the Lord daily, as a group and individually, and simple acts of kindness, like smiling at people in the store, asking how people are doing and really listening for a response, visiting the sick and lonely, and praying for people in their homes when asked.
Our hosts have spent the love and resources God has given them for the community development and education of the Malay people. Our family ran an education center where they conducted health clinics, clothing drives, after school tutoring and evening English and math classes during the week. We met Christians who were organizing and leading housing projects for the poor, building schools to educate local illiterate children and adults, and helping new entrepreneurs establish and promote their businesses. One of my favorite people, who inspired my soul within five minutes of talking to them, was a person who has spent the past 30 years fighting for the rights of citizens who were uneducated and who therefore could not fight for their property rights and the inheritance of their children. This person moved to some of the most dangerous parts of the country to help God’s people and proclaim His name through their actions as an advocate.
When we came to Malaysia, we were told that constant prayer, a smile, and small acts of generosity go a long way. We learned that it was legal to share the Gospel with Hindus and Buddhists if asked but not to Malay Muslims or indigenous tribes in the jungle. We spent much of the month teaching English and math to Indian Hindu children and Chinese Buddhist children in an office building used for church service on Sundays. We also homeschooled our host family’s children 5 days a week because they were pulled out of public school due to persecution for their refusal to convert to Islam at the demand of their peers and teachers.
Teaching neighborhood children and interacting with the parents through smiles and gestures (because most of the parents didn’t speak English, none of us spoke their languages, and there were too few interpreters to go around), was our main outlet to spreading the Gospel by displaying God’s character. I mostly taught English and math to 7-8 year old who knew very little English. I relied on God and the occasional help of the overworked staff to help me communicate when basic words, smiles, or stern looks were not enough. Quickly the children and I came to understand one another and learn.
Jesus told His disciples in John 4:38, “I sent you to reap what you have not worked for. Others have done the hard work, and you have reaped the benefits of their labor.” Everyone in the neighborhood and at the learning center whether they were Muslim Malay, Hindu, or Buddhist were so kind to us, helpful, and even trusting because they knew our hosts. Our underground Christian family has been working tirelessly (and I do mean tirelessly because we didn’t meet anyone who slept more than a few hours a day) for years and some for generations to shine God’s light and goodness.
The hope that our Malay Christian family lives by is the understanding that “Love never fails.” (1 Corinthians 13:8) If we keep having the courage to bring God’s light to all the ends of the earth and persistently let our lights shine at home and in far off lands, “the darkness can’t overcome it.” (John 1:5)
Please pray for our brothers and sisters in Christ who take God’s message where they can lose their lives for doing so. Also please pray for all of us in nations where we have religious freedom to courageously pave the path for the next generation of disciples in our hometowns by being kind, patient, and loving toward everyone we meet. Let us greet each person with God’s loving smile and be the evidence for those walking by faith that God is here.
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