I came on the race with the intention to leave nothing behind. I paid off school, I left my job for good, I poured all of my money into this, and I sold over half of all my belongings. I wanted to prove to God and myself how serious about this I was. I didn’t want to be held down by anything at home that didn’t need to be there.
For the first half of my race that was a blessing to not have anything to fall back on. Now I am over the half way point of this thing and life is starting to creep itself back in. I am going home in a few months and have a very minimal starting point. I don’t have a solid degree, I don’t have anymore money, and I don’t know where I am supposed to be going.
From the day I dropped out of my program in school my prayer has been for direction. I was tired of wasted classes and wasted time. I so badly wanted God to reveal his plan for me. I have carried that prayer with me every city I go around the World. God answered that Prayer in a coffee shop in Kuantan, Malaysia.
Hok Kean Leong Is the owner of the Pull a Shot Coffee bar located in Kuantan Pahang, Malaysia. He has been running the business with his wife for a little over a year.
“The business is a dream come true.” says owner Hok. “I never wanted to live a life I didn’t enjoy. I wanted to do what I love.”
“My family told me to try and open a coffee shop wasn’t good business, but I knew it is what I wanted to do.”
Hok told me of the many years he spent in Kuala Lumpur and Singapore working to save up for his dream. The cost of living in Malaysia is very expensive throughout the whole country. The wages people are paid is less than sufficient outside of Kuala Lumpur (KL) and Singapore. Consequently, a lot a people leave there homes and move to these cities to earn enough money.
“I have a daughter and I want to have something to give her someday.” Hok’s journey started with a dream and has brought him to the spot he is at now. He continues to dream and told me at the end of our interview that he would like to take this brand and create a franchise.
A dream is not a destination but the journey. “I thought this would be easy but it has been very very difficult. But it has been really fun and its all worth it.” Hok told me when asked if this was what he thought it would be.
I started this month with the idea that I would like to pursue journalism but wasn’t sure if it was what the Lord was calling me to do. The other day he told me that I need to go into Pull a Shot Coffee interview the man behind the counter and hear his story. I did so and it was like a light came on. Its not about the destination or some job I am chasing it is the journey. There isn’t some place out there that will be the final step of this journey. God has called me to Love people and hear their stories. Whether it be recorded with a camera or just heard by my own ears. Every story can be used to touch others. Hok’s story was used to touch me exactly how I needed it to. I am not being called to be a journalist. I am being called to hear peoples stories, love them through it, and share there incredible lives with others.
