I’ve been in Malaysia for about a week now. Our wonderful host has driven us EVERYWHERE. You pretty much have to drive everywhere. It’s the city. Most of the places my team and i have gone is the mall and food places. Malaysia has a ton of them! In all our driving, I hadn’t really grasped what we are to do here. You know, like what’s our purpose here. I see that this is a culture of diversity. There are about four different and distinct religions/cultures here. Our Pastor has allowed us to experience all of them. It’s a bit overwhelming but it’s great.
Yesterday, we all gathered in the van for a road trip. Honestly, we didn’t know what to expect. We knew our Pastor wanted to take us to some natural hot springs and to a tribal village. I think overall we were just tired. We also had to visit the doctor that morning for my mysterious skin issue…I just had some spots on my leg that spread to my arm pit. My team thought it was best to have them looked at. The down side i won’t be shaving my one arm pit for a week or so. HAHAHA! I began to get real excited about the tribal village. Our Pastor told us they live as ‘free people’ which meant they would walk around topless and are crazy worshipers. ( who knew the two went together??) He also said the whole village was excited to have us, they had never had white people visit, Foreigners as we were called. We arrive at the gate of the village and drive further into the forest. The main source of income for the village is rubber and palm tree oil. They harvest the rubber out of a tree and the palm tree oil as well. There where people everywhere, waiting to shake our hands and worship with us. It was awesome! I had never felt more safe and awkward at the same time. We go inside the church for service and worship. They delivered a message in their language then it was time to worship. In my head i kept thinking of the prayer Jeff prayed over us before we left Manila…He said ‘ Breathe…and bring it!” They really get into worshiping our God. They have no fears of what it looks like and the atmosphere of freedom is heavy. I’m not a big dancer in worship nor have i ever been apart of leading worship. This day i did both. They wanted us to lead them in a few songs…so we brought it. Only one of my girls has actually lead worship so you can image our fears in doing this. BUT WE DID IT. And it was awesome. I played electric guitar, one played piano, a couple sang, and some danced in the crowd. I was overwhelmed with what God had asked us to do and how he provided when we had no idea where it would come from.
We worshiped with people who many didn’t even speak English but because of Christ we were free to do just that. There was no question that we were there for that very moment. They understand what is meant when it was said ‘ I want your whole heart.” I’m learning more and more to operate in that. We had some tea and coffee and more food before we left. Thats what they do, no small portions…they give everything they have to guest and to Christ. They don’t even have much but they gave it all. Such communities are rare and hard to find. I expected to impart something into them yesterday but as i write i realize they imparted more of the Spirit in me and my team. We all realize that after that we can never worship the same. I believe God has taken us a bit deeper in that. It just gets better and better. I want to forever be a changer. To always be changing in myself and being apart of people changing.
We always have two roads to choose in life…the safe one or the unknown one. To be a person of change you must always choose the unknown one.
Life is no fun in a box.
**I’m still in need of funds for my journey. Since last month, I only need about 6,000 dollars to finish the race. PRAISE THE LORD!! If you would like to give, please click the link on my homepage, “support me!” link and give…all donations are tax deductible.** Thank you for your continued support and prayers.
all my love from across the seas!
