I wasn’t excited about heading to Malaysia.
My squad leader had always noted to us that this country on her race was her least favorite. Malaysia was also a place of obscurity for me. Our squad had 3 Asian countries (Thailand, Malaysia, and the Philippines) on our route of 11 countries. The month of June in Thailand had been a month of fun. We taught English and explored Chiang Mai, a pretty city full of coffee shops, food stands, and exotic markets. The Philippines I looked forward to because I have family and familiarity there, and I had been once before. Malaysia, though, I didn’t know what to think and there was a shroud of mystery before me.
On top of a new country, this month of July, our World Race would look a little different than usual. This month they placed all 10 guys, from our squad of 45 people, together on a team. This is a typical practice and its aptly called “manistry month.” So for our Manistry month the guys were at a ministry just outside of the Malaysian capital, Kuala Lumpur, working with kids with special needs and doing occasional manual labor.
The place was called Siloam House. The ministry was run by an elderly, wise, and loving Chinese woman ad well as some volunteers. As we would come to find out, Siloam is a Hebrew word that refers to a body of water that refreshed and renewed – and little did I know I would be so revitalized this month.
It was a warm and welcoming ministry. The guys had their own guest house and we would walk 5 minutes up to the main residents’ house every morning for manual labor, and the same in the afternoon to play with the residents with special needs. I was apprehensive for those coming interactions though. I’ve never had many relationships with people with special needs and I knew this would be a new world for me. How would I act? What could I talk about? I’ll never forget the first day of playing with them. Our guys walk up to be house and we are swarmed with big smiles, big hugs, high fives and quirky stares. Sounds like one of those yearly family get togethers right? There are about 10 residents and each has their own personality, story, and unique traits. My favorite came to be Carlvin. Carlvin is one of the most outspoken extroverts I have ever met, and definitely the most talkative resident out of the bunch. He has to say hi every time he sees someone and a high five is usually included too. Even if you part with him for a moment, and then see him again, be assured that another greeting is on its way. Carlvin also has cerebral palsy.
Even in our manual labor mornings, Carlvin would ask our host to spend time with us, even if it meant having to lay bricks, or paint a gate, or prune limes with the guys – he would love to simply hang out with our team.
What I learned from a friend back home this past month, through a simple message, was that these residents are people. They have special needs yes, but before we classify them as anything else we must acknowledge they are people who are meant for relationships and for friendship just like all of us. We like to classify each other in America don’t we? I remember in college a whole ton of assumptions and thoughts came whenever someone asked what my
Major was. Or even asking where someone is from in the U.S., we love to categorize someone to “supposedly” get a better idea of who they are before we even spend time getting to know them.
I like in Psalm 139 when it says “You know when I sit and when I rise. You discern my thoughts from afar. You search my path and are acquainted with all my ways.” Our God is an intimate God concerned and loving, and longing to know the tiniest moments of our lives.
He intimately loves the residents at Siloam House too. I learned a ton from my new friends this past month. I learned to be more open and raw about how I’m feeling. I learned to find joy from God and to give it freely to others. I learned to love simplicity. I got a glimpse of how the Father sees us. I re-learned that we truly are made for relationships of all kinds.
So I think back to the question I had before meeting the residents at Siloam House – “what do I say?” I was kind of naive. You’d say anything you would to anyone else when you first meet them. You ask good questions, and look forward to spending quality time with them, and you love well. 🙂
Jesus changed my heart this month. He showed how to love and be loved in new ways.
