What it’s Like

For a girl who likes to talk a lot, I sure have a hard time figuring out what to write for these blogs.

 

But how do I find words to describe my life over the past two weeks? What could I possibly say that would let you see, hear, smell and feel the things around me? How do I explain what it’s like to experience Malaysia?

 

What it’s like to have a Hindu temple next door to my house? What it’s like to live with five other people? What it’s like to walk around the neighbourhood and pray over it? What it’s like to feel the sun beating down? What it’s like to eat at local restaurants and have the workers smile with recognition when they see us? What it’s like to spend the day hiking inside a limestone cave? What it’s like for my mouth to feel like it’ll burst into flame every time I eat somewhere?

 

What it’s like to lock our doors and carry our passports at all times? What it’s like to watch a child’s face light up when they pronounce an English word correctly? What it’s like to scrub someone else’s bathroom for a couple of hours? What it’s like to be grumpy and joyful all at the same time? What it’s like to have your dreams transformed before your eyes? What it’s like to watch people live in secrecy and fear?

 

What it’s like to share my faith without being allowed to talk about it? What it’s like to look into the eyes of strangers and share my heart? What it’s like to worship in a different language? What it’s like to see passion in the hearts of the local church youth? What it’s like to have our team leader go home?

 

What it’s like to speak in church and not be nervous? What it’s like to be blessed by the people we came to bless? What it’s like to learn from the people we came to teach? What it’s like to accept generosity from people who have nothing? What it’s like to be thankful when I don’t want to? What it’s like to fall more in love with Jesus every day?

 

I wish that I could go for coffee with each of you,
look into your eyes,

and tell you the things that God has done.

Even then,

I doubt I could find the words,

but perhaps you would see into my heart.