Malaysia.
A country with gorgeous beaches and high temperatures.
A country where wealthy vacationists come to relax.
A country where Christians are being persecuted every day.
Before entering Malaysia, I was told it would be another country in which we couldn’t tell people we are missionaries. “No big deal,” I thought. There have been a few countries along this journey that we’ve been given this warning. All that usually means is labeling ourselves “tourists” on our visas at the border. Then we travel to our ministry sites and join a Christian community that may be small, but who we can speak freely with about our beliefs.
Malaysia has been a different experience. My team had a few days alone at our ministry site before meeting our contact, who had been out of town when we arrived. We found notes and guidelines written by our contact and past Racers who have stayed here. They told us the “rules” of the area, including how to dress appropriately for the community. Since several cultures we’ve been in on the Race have required a more modest wardrobe, this didn’t come as a surprise. What did surprise me was the warnings against sharing the Gospel with ANYONE, or even revealing that we are Christians if it can be avoided.
At our first meeting with our contact, he painted a picture of the struggles Christians in Malaysia must face for their beliefs. The Malaysian population is dominated by Muslims, who are highly supported by the Malaysian government. Laws are already in place that limit the rights of non-Muslim citizens. Christians are especially discriminated against, both legally and illegally. There is a law soon to be passed that will outlaw the Christian Bible in Malaysia, because it uses the word “Allah.” Supporters of Islam claim this word should be used solely by Muslims. Recently Gideon Bibles have been forcibly removed from all hotels in the area. Besides legal discrimination, Christians in Malaysia are treated with disdain, ostracized, beaten, or imprisoned for the sake of Christ. It is not unusual for people who claim the Christian faith to have their cars, homes, and businesses vandalized.
Our ministry this month has been to teach English at the English Center our contact has created in our town. No one teaches religion there, or even mentions Jesus, the Bible, or anything else about Christianity. Our contact is never referred to as a pastor, and he doesn’t tell anyone he’s a Christian unless he is asked.
And yet, God’s love and presence saturate the building. Many classrooms have murals with hints of Scripture adorning the walls, painted by past World Race teams. Children, youth, and adults who come here to learn English leave asked why it feels so different. Our contact has already seen the Spirit moving among this community.
I have never experienced this kind of outreach. The patience and faith required to trust God to do all the work is difficult. It is a slow process, and one that our pastor might not see the rewards from until he reaches heaven.
I remember my Mom telling me about meeting a girl from some far off place who had faced dangers and persecution for her faith. She was amazed to learn that many Americans felt like persecution was a thing of the past, something we don’t deal with in today’s world. Honestly most people I know, myself included, have not faced serious persecution in their lifetime. This month I have been reminded that persecution is not dead, and we in America are blessed to have the freedom to worship God. I am more aware of how priviledged I am at home to be free to proclaim the Gospel anytime I want.
The Bible says we are to be a people “set apart,” bright lights in a world filled with darkness. No matter where I am in the world, God is always at work in and around me. When words are not possible, I can use my actions to glorify Him and share His love with others. And I can trust Him to do the rest!
