This month we are serving in a small town in Northern Malaysia. We cannot share the name of the town, or the ministry. Since it is illegal to tell Muslims about Jesus, we are doing a different kind of ministry this month…Teaching English and Building Character. During the day, we home school Mr and Mrs Kumar’s 3 children, and another local child who’s parents are Canadian Atheist, and Malaysian Muslim. In the evenings we teach classes for students ranging from 5 years old to adults. We teach in our main location Mon-Thurs from 9:30am till 10:30pm. On Friday, we travel to an even smaller town to teach English Friday night, then morning and afternoons on Saturday. On Sunday, we spend most of the day traveling back. We have no real ‘day off’ this month, but are working closely with the Kumars to be sure we don’t get burned out from the intense ministry schedule.
The Kumars were pastors for a long time before the Lord called them to this unexpected place. Here, they pastor the teams that serve, and build relationships with the hope of making the Character of Jesus known so people become curious and want to know more. They have seen countless miracles as the Lord is setting the stage of what He is doing here. The work is still young, but the atmosphere is shifting. The Kumars believe in the power of declarations, and the things they have declared out loud over the region have come to pass. The Lord gives them specific phrases to pray and declare. For example He had them praying that light would burst forth here. Then suddenly, in just a short time, the entire road went from pitch black with no lights at all, to being lit up for miles. We believe the spiritual atmosphere is shifting as well.
The English tutoring centers they run are making a lasting impact on families. They have parents who take their kids out of classes for one reason or another, only to bring them back because their children’s behavior and attitude is completely different when they are attending classes here verses other tutoring schools.
The Kumars do not hide their faith. They are known to be Christians, but if at any point there were miscommunication that the school was educating Muslims about Christ, or even sharing about Him, there would be serious legal ramifications as well the immediate closing of the center. The work here is about long term relationship. The teams that come in build short term relationships and keep the center operating, loving the students, and building character, but the Kumars are here for the long haul.
So far I have fallen in love with a group of high school girls I teach English to on Fridays. We are learning encouragement/affirmation words, and about the power they have to impact those around them. These are completely new ideas for them! No one has ever told them that they are unique, and they matter. No one has ever told them that they have influence and that what they do and say matters.
It is such a privilege to serve alongside a family who is so committed to bringing the love and light of Christ into this dark place!
