This month was a growth process from praying over the sick to having stereotypes destroyed. Coming on the race I had a huge expectancy to see God move through miracles. In India, our first month, I was ready to see God move, and I prayed over the people with the worst health problems hoping that God would move. Why did He not move? Well, I cannot understand all of His ways but I can say that my heart was not in the right place. My heart sought after a selfish experience in which I would receive so much joy out of seeing a miracle. In John we see the shortest verse in the bible “Jesus wept.” This verse pertains to Jesus’s heart melting for His people. My heart was not melting for the people around me. So I asked God for a deeper love for everyone, and that each time I prayed for healing it would be because I want that individual to experience the true love of Christ. As time went on I began to see that deeper love especially when praying over a little baby in Malaysia named Glory. Having a deeper love will not be the fix all but the Spirit calls us to live a life like Christ. In Malaysia we saw a lot of pain up front and personal. We would pray over multiple people a day seeing no progress. Was God being Mysterious? Haha well we will never understand everything but in the confusing times we should seek the Spirit. Paul says that Jesus reveled the deep things of God, and even though we do not have the mind of God we do have the mind of Christ. In the mysterious times I need to stop cookie cutting everything, and seek the Spirit because in Ephesians “we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” God always has good works for us! In all this month was spiritually challenging, heart breaking, faith building, and full of love.
Stereotypes arise from every civilization but it’s our decision to believe these stereotypes or to investigate each one. I grew up with the stereotype that Muslims are dangerous, and that they are out to destroy Christians. Yes, there have been documented reports of Muslims killing Christians, but there have also been reports of Christians committing terrible crimes. We do not discount all Christians because of one Christian, and yet we sometimes condemn all Muslims for what one Muslim did. My stereotypes were destroyed because I met many Muslims, Hindus, and non-believers that loved me like a brother. Even when I told them I was Christian their views did not change. My team was invited to a Muslim household to celebrate one of their festivals. Yes, even though we are Christians they asked us into their home to celebrate. They gave us tons of food, and revealed to us their most beloved hobby. That hobby was riding motorcycles! They are in a biker club in which they ride all around Thailand and Malaysia having a blast. These people amazed me because despite the fact that it is illegal for Christians to talk with Muslims about Jesus we were still able to enter their household.
Leaving Malaysia was tough but we went out with a bang. The last three nights my team was invited to three weddings to sing songs and to dance. Even though we were not family members we took pictures with the bride and groom, ate cake, ate some awesome Indian food, and did gangnum style (with around 50 Indians)! In all, the weddings were fantastic and it was great to see our contacts jam out. Side note: Our ministry contact, Thomas, has 4 brothers and their weekend job is to play songs at weddings. Malaysia was nothing like I expected instead it blew my expectations out of the water. Yes, it was one of the hardest months for our squad of 50 because we had two teammates go home, and desperation arose for more of God. The disciples had the chance to walk with Jesus in the flesh, and we have the same chance to walk side by side with Christ in the Spirit. I’m convinced that it takes more faith to walk with Jesus in the Spirit because He is unseen but the fruit is so beautiful!
P.S. – I’m already in Cambodia at an awesome ministry location. Internet is very limited this month so I will post blogs whenever I get the chance. The next couple of blogs will talk about debrief, Cambodia, and more. Thanks to all my family and friends for all the support and instead of sending me birthday money (Nov. 12) this year you can support me on the mission’s field. I still have 2,000 left to raise before Jan.1 and I know that God will use His beautiful children. Thanks and I love you all!
