I'm sitting in the absolute best corner of the Kuala Lumpur International Airport as I write this. Why is it the best? Well, I'm sitting in a cushioned seat. That alone is plenty to be thankful for during a 16 hour stay in an airport. But the blessings continue, as I'm sitting next to a power outlet…again, often a real find in an international airport…and key for maximum computer usage. On top of that, I'm sitting by the entrance of McDonald's, which not only affords ample and incredibly interesting people watching, but it also allows me the use of FREE COKE REFILLS….which is the rarest of all luxuries in another country. (America does a lot of things, well, let's say not perfectly…but I love that my homeland values the idea of free refills. Whoever came up with that idea was a messenger from God who gives good gifts indeed.)
But that's not the reason (well, not the only one) why our God is so good. This month in Malaysia has been absolutely fantastic. We've gotten to travel the country coast-to coast, meeting fascinating people. We got to worship with a number of different people. We were honored to serve at a number of churches, praying for people, and we SAW GOD HEAL! We were blessed beyond belief by those we met. This was truly a month of being blessed from beginning to end. I have loved it. It has been my absolute favorite month of the race so far, by far.
If you ever have an opportunity to visit Malaysia, do it! The culture is unique. The landscape is beautiful. The people are beautiful. God is here and He is doing great things. I cannot express enough what an honor, what a privilege it has been to be here this month. I told someone we met, "You a part of an incredible church community. I am amazed that God brought me here, because you all deserve amazing people to come serve you, to worship alongside you, to learn from you. And I don't feel like I'm amazing enough to be the one to get to experience this. But thank you for allowing me to anyway."
Here's a quick recap of our final week or so as wayward wandering missionaries. We spent a week in Sitiawan, on the west coast, preaching and leading a number of church gatherings. I spoke about how Christ truly changes lives, in big ways. (My first 70 minute sermon ever.) Phil and I lived with Pastor David, who was nothing but generous. We prayed for church members and spent time recovering from slight illness and weariness after close to three weeks of traveling, preaching and praying.
Eating breakfast with Pastor David, and laughing of course.
Meeting with a doctor who runs a small clinic with his wife, mostly doing consultations. This guy has like four medical degrees from three countries, and chooses to work at this clinic without a salary, relying on God to provide.
Nikki preaching and Pastor David translating.
Church service.
Final night dinner with the pastor and his family.
And yes, I finally shaved. It was time. (Time that I finally admitted that a living, growing rat's nest on my face wasn't the best option. It only took me five months to realize that. Also, the kid to the left is Jerrol, the pastor's son. Great kid…lots of energy. Lots)
Then we finished up the month in Niali, about an hour outside of Kuala Lumpur. There we stayed in a children's home with five kids who won us over within minutes. We led five services during our three days there, had a couple of intense conversations with Pastor Raymond about spiritual warfare, and really, really finished the month strong with multiple times of prophetic prayer and great group feedback. I got to preach again, this time about how with Holy Spirit, we don't need as much knowledge or preparation or anything as much as we think we do. We need faith. Always faith. I found it encouraging. Then again, I rarely have trouble entertaining myself, so no real surprise there.
Alana leading worship at church while some of the youth join in with some solidly choreographed dancing!
Angie preaching it up!
We played musical chairs with the kids we lived with. I dominated, and this was my victory pose every time I advanced to the next round.
Winner winner chicken dinner! (Except dinner was rice…and curry.)
Some of the kids we lived with our last few days in Naili.
Team shananigans during our time in Kuala Lumpur before flying out.
I don't think this blog is really "hitting" the way I want it to. I'm not sure why. So, instead of rambling on, thinking of what I would call incredibly genius analogies to describe my thoughts and feelings, in hopes of truly conveying what I'd like, I'm going to take the advice of one of my teammates and not repeat myself over and over again to try and make a point. I will simply say this…
I have been filled with a lot of joy this month. I have loved this month through and through. God is good, He showed me that again and again this month. God is good all the time, and all the time, God is good. I am excited about heading to Cambodia, but am sad to leave these beautiful days behind. My hope and prayer is that they will continue to follow us next month.
