Our short time with the women, often referred to as "Bar girls" in Thailand was peppered with joy and sadness. We got to know some wonderful people but left seeing very little fruit in their lives. My hope is that we encouraged them to want more for themselves and to know that there is hope and people who will help them should they want change. I'm so thankful that there is a permanent ministry that was there long before I came and will be there long after I'm back home in the states. Its times like this where all we can do is trust God to bring love and healing in places and ways we simply cannot.
Goodbye Thailand! Hello Malaysia!
It was a 23hr bus ride to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and another 7hrs to Kuala Krai where we spent a week with Pastor Yesudasson. After Kuala Krai was Kuantan, Kuantan to sitiawan and sitiawan to Nilai with many stops in between. Myself and Team Refresh had the privledge of traveling from the East to West coast of Malaysia and visiting 4 different Tamil Methodist Churches (TMC) with about a million house visits throughout the trip. We did such things as preaching, sharing testimonies, activities for a youth camp, a healing service, prayer, fellowship and trying to express how much we absolutely loved the food but there was simply no way any more could be squeezed into our bodies, but my favorite moments of the month were…
Pastor Yesudasson
Sitting at midnight on a pitch black plot of land with Pastor Yesudasson eating sunflower seeds and sharing the numerous and miraculous ways God had shown up time and time again in our lives followed by jokes and worship. Pastor Yessu had put a down payment on the plot of land planning to build a children's home, youth center and church but was still waiting for another 10,000 Ringet (Malaysian currency equal to about $3333) just to pay off the land. He shared his vision and his heart with us. As I listened to his painful testimony of abuse, forgiveness and deliverance I understood why he labors so hard for Christ amidst so much opposition. It was such an inspiration to persevere through setbacks, disappointment and pain. We spent the ride home in fits of laughter with one of the happiest souls I have ever met! oh, just a few weeks later he is only in need of about 1000ringet for the land to be paid off!
Youth camp at Kuantan
A sweet and humble Pastor Samuel opened his home to the 7 of us strangers and the people of Kuantan TMC trusted us to teach their youth. The kids were 13-17yrs old so there was no shortage of awkward moments between boys and girls while doing trust falls, the human knot and other such activities they had never heard of. It was great and full of laughter but closed on a serious note as we left the ball in their court challenging them to make their faith their own because salvation is their choice, no one else's. After team building, self-esteem and explode for Christ workshops we asked the kids if they would like to rededicate their lives to Christ or pray for a closer relationship with Him. I will never forget a young man that look like and Indian version of Harry Potter coming up for prayer. He openly confessed to feeling like he had many enemies and often intentionally making people mad. He wanted more of Christ and blessings for his studies. There was something so innocent and trusting about him that moved my heart so much and it was an absolute joy to be an ear he could confidently confide in.
the Orphanage in Nilai
For only 3 days we lodged at an orphanage in Nilai with 4 girls and 1 boy. "They hunger for love." we were told so we knew the youngsters would be important to pour into during our short time there. I was so tired and literally falling asleep while sitting up in the early afternoon from the heat and a stomach way too full of food but the kids weren't tired, they are never tired so we played. I haven't spent an afternoon running around playing freeze tag, musical chairs or patty-cake games in years and it was so worth it. Not only did we conquer the language barrier we brought so much joy to the kids there and they brought so much joy to us! I felt like a kid again and we got to spend nearly all day lavishing them with attention they rarely receive.
there is just too much to write but God moved so strongly and brought us so much joy that we got to lavish on others all over Malaysia.
Cambodia is coming up next! stay tuned for an update.
Photos again by Mac Mitchell 😀
