Most countries in the World consist of one primary culture or group of people. Some countries that come to mind are Cambodia, Bolivia, or Mozambique. On the other hand, some countries have become melting pots, or rainbows, of cultures. The first one that comes to mind (and is the largest by far) is America. South Africa has also become the cultural rainbow of Africa.
And now I’m currently living in the cultural rainbow of Asia: Malaysia.
Malaysia became an independent country in 1963, and it never had to fight for its independence, meaning that no culture or people group took over power. The country is primarily Muslim, but all religions are practiced here.
Malaysia has been interesting because while I walk around, I could never tell you who a true Malay is and who’s a foreigner. Of course many people from other backgrounds now consider themselves Malay, but there isn’t a dominant people group that looks “stereotypical” Malay.
I walk down the street and see Middle Easterners, Indians, Thai, Chinese, and Vietnamese. This is by far the most culturally diverse place I’ve been on the race. For instance, while planning final debrief, our hotel owner was Malay but was of Chinese descent and his wife was from China. Then I get to ministry where my team is living in an Indian area with an Indian pastor. However, our main contact is a Chinese pastor named Samuel and his assistant is an Indian man also named Samuel.
All this to say that there are pros and cons to the diversity here while we’re doing ministry. Some of the pros include getting to be submerged in several cultures in the same month and eating delectable foods. It’s like we get to cram 3 different countries into the same month. Hot Dog!
On the other hand, a major con is our ability to do door-to-door. While freedom of religion is practiced in Malaysia, it is illegal for a Malay to convert from Islam, and we’ve heard it’s “illegal” to try and convert a Malay.
Despite all dangers of sharing the Love of Christ here in Malaysia, I know that our God is bigger than any law, culture, or country, and that His Spirit will shine through it all. It’s a blessing to spend month 11 of the World Race in a culture with so many cultures, especially because up until Month 5, we thought we were going to Vietnam and not Malaysia. God knows what’s best for us.
our hotel contact for final debrief is legit…and of Chinese descent
Malaysia is a new country still trying to find its identity. God has brought all these cultures together in this beautiful paradise, and I believe it’s time for the government to embracing the cultural rainbow instead of chasin’ it away.
