Sorry friends, I’ve left you long unaware of life in Southeast Asia.
Currently, my team is beginning our SEVENTH month in CAMBODIA! However, before I jump into Cambodia news, let me share more about our time in Malaysia:
Our month in Penang flew by…which is probably why I only posted once during our time there. The historic island is home to a population of Malays, Indians, and Chinese with an continuous flow of Western tourists. We lived in a hostel nestled in the Little India part of town, enjoying the blessing of running water, beds, A/C and delicious, cheap food. Walking down the crowded streets, I felt safe and very much at home. The locals were warm and friendly, and by week one our teams were on a first name basis with the hotel staff and servers at our favorite Indian restaurant.
Snapshot of why I love Malaysia:
Our beautiful friend Cat.
Cat works at the Adventist Hospital where we volunteered, and day one she opened her arms and heart to us and it was because of Cat that we truly experienced Penang. She took us to all the island hotspots, encouraging us to try the local cuisine and love Penang as much as she does. Cat is full of joy & life, and everything done with her is 10 times more fun! Through her we had the opportunity to attend a traditional Malay wedding reception, and get all dressed up in local attire! So fun!
Selling fish & making friends
Our areas of ministry were not ones I initially felt comfortable in, but God taught me so much through selling fish (left) at the Adventist Hospital to raise money for children & adults in need of heart surgeries, and working at the KAWAN feeding center.
At the hospital we had an opportunity to lead a morning devotion, and our two teams (En Gedi & Wow) lead worship and Brandi Jo shared her beautiful testimony. The room was full of Buddhist and Muslim nurses and doctors and it was an amazing opportunity to share the love and glory of Jesus Christ.
We went to the KAWAN (translated “friend” in Malay) feeding center 3 times a week, and during those times we helped a YWAM staffer, Hannah, with her bible study, talked to men and women, and cooked a free lunch for those who came. The faces I will carry with me are those of Xaverine, Tommy (on the right!) Stephen and Madam Koh. Getting to know these individuals made me realize each person has a story and a way God is working in their lives. For a month I befriended men and women who are often overlooked and forgotten. Thank you Jesus for showing me we are all are worth pursuing and loving.
Another facet of KAWAN’s outreach is prayer walks on Wednesday nights. Those nights we traveled through Penang’s streets listening to the Holy Spirit, praying for the community and speaking to those of whom we felt led. Relationships were built, the love of Jesus Christ was shared, and light went forth into darkened streets. It was my first Wednesday night that I met Stephen. He shared his story with our group, of losing his wife and coping with the pain through a world saturated in alcohol. He spoke of his uncertainty of life after this one, and was hesitant as we prayed for him. We invited him to KAWAN and much to my suprise, he came the following Friday and each day after. Thankfully those days allowed our conversations and friendship to grow. God is moving in his heart, and I fully believe that soon Stephen will find fullness in the freedom of Jesus Christ and not the emptiness of alcoholism.
PENHOP
We also participated in a interceding/prayer ministry called PENHOP (Penang House of Prayer). Two/three times a week this community met together to pray over the city and the KAWAN ministries. I loved these times of worship & prayer SO MUCH! Forty or more people filled a small room on the 3rd floor of a random building to praise God and intercede for His people in Malaysia.
It was at Penhop that we met a Melanie, a missionary who’s lived in Cambodia with her family for the past 18 years, and she connected us with a ministry focused on brining aid to Burmese refugee’s living in Malaysia.The ministry began a school in January and we had a chance to visit the students and see them in class. I spoke with their teachers and heard stories of the prejudice they have endured as they live in a country not their own. It was beautiful seeing the mighty ways God is moving in this ministry and providing for this people group.
Running an 8k.
Early in the morning, before cars, rickshaws and mopeds take over, Penang’s streets are ideal for running. Our team took advantage of this rare opportunity and got up before the sun and heat descended upon the city to run. A week before leaving, our teammate Paul found out about a 8 & 26k Race the city was hosting and since we had been “training� haha, we decided it would be something fun to do as a team. It was the first time I’d run in a “legit� race and I think I’m hooked for life! Our team of foreigners was a tiny percentage of the total number of Racers, so it was neat to join the locals and feel like a part of the community.
I will always remember Malaysia with a feeling of home. It was comfortable, full of friendships and community, and a place where the spirit and power of the gospel of Jesus Christ is going forth!
