Almost…
9 months down and 2 more to go.
Crazy, right???
Some days I have thought 3 months left!? That’s gonna fly. Minutes later I’m thinking WHAT?? we STILL have 70 days left?! That’s forever away.
Every month it seems to get a lil more tiring and exhausting and I wonder how much longer can I live out of a bag…
Then it hit me.
The way I finish this season is the way I start the next season.
We were challenged at debrief to expect BIGGER and greater things in these last three months. When I look back at my first 3 months on the Race- I was expecting BIG, living up each moment, and begging God for more and more each day. As time goes on it’s easy to go through the motions.
But something ignited in me with a new determination and excitement to finish the Race with more expectation than when I started this thing out.
I left Thailand and boarded my last train ride of the year with sheer excitement for these next 3 months.
Excited for MONTH 9 in Malaysia!!
I had 20 hours of reflecting on these last 8 months and thanking the Lord for all that He has allowed me to see and experience. And filled with a new anticipation for these last 3 months believing they will be the sweetest of them all.
But it’s funny how feelings and emotions can switch in an instant.
My second day in Malaysia I woke up in a hot sweaty mess, cursing the heat, missing my bed, annoyed that I have mysterious rashes and spots all over my body, sick of living out of a bag, and just when it couldn’t get worse our bedroom completely flooded with water. As I was dragging out our floor mats and hang drying my clothes I was thinking,
“I’m OVER IT!”
Take me home.
Give me air conditioning, normal food, a shower, and a cold dark room…
all to myself.
I quickly hit my breaking point.
How did I go from being so thankful and happy to completely irritated and done in less than 24 hours?
We were told that morning we were going to a sand quarry to minister to men from Burma. And to be honest that was the last thing I wanted to do.
We piled in a little car that evening and headed to this sand quarry. As we were driving we found out we’re headed to one of the oldest jungles in the world.
It was beautiful.
Incredible.
Our heads were out the window hoping to see a wild boar come after us. I thought I was in Jurrasic Park.
We finally arrived and greeted by a group of men with the biggest smiles on their faces. They proudly took us to this small room and to our surprise there was a feast of snacks waiting for us.
I was speechless.
These men have left their homes in Burma to earn money for their families. They have nothing, yet blessing us with everything they do have.
I suddenly was so ashamed of my horrible attitude I had all day…
20 men were sitting on the floor worshipping the Lord and the presence of God filled the room. It was thick where you can feel the Spirit and see the joy and love all around.
Blessed.
Humbled to be in this room. Thankful to be in Malaysia, in one of the oldest jungles worshipping my Heavenly Father and thinking…
there is no place I’d rather be right now. I wouldn’t trade this for anything.
Isn’t it crazy how we always what we can’t have? And think the grass is greener on the other side. I’m in MALAYSIA!! and yet wishing I was home? That doesn’t even make sense. And just like that I saw how easily I can miss out on what’s right in front of me because I’m thinking of what I don’t have.
Ohhhh the secret of CONTENTMENT….in any and EVERY situation…
“for I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want." Phil 4:12
It is an art. A secret…to be grasped.
So even though I had a few homesick days and crabby attitudes I’m thankful He is teaching me the secret of contentment. And that it's ALL found in Him. No matter where I'm at or what I'm doing. He's the source. He is the ONLY one that can satisfy.
I am thankful for another sweet month on this wild journey called the World Race.
Thankful..
for all the things He’s teaching me on a daily basis.
that I’m not the same person I was 9 months ago.
the way He loves me with so much grace.
so thankful for all of you-
for all the love, support and prayers I receive from back home.
And thankful for what I’ve experienced this month in Malaysia.. Here’s a few pics of our time thus far.
My first 2 weeks were with Pastor Thomas and his precious family.
The Lord called them to be a light in their dark city. It’s a mostly muslim community with couple Christian churches in the area.
We have spent time with the children in the community teaching English classes to character building.
More and more children are coming. Pastor’s home is a safe haven for these children.
We spent a couple days in Precious Home- a place for abandoned or disabled children. This is a place filled with love. We played, taught, worshipped, prayed with them, watched movies, sorted donations, ate interesting foods like snails… did a lil bit of everything. This place blessed me big time.
And we even had a couple days on Langkawiw Island to relax and experience the incredible beaches!
Even though I may miss home at times, I'm thankful I'm here.
I miss you all. Would love to hear how you're doing and what the Lord is teaching you.
much love,
michelle
