Tonight is the first night at our ministry site here in Malaysia. We’re living at a girl’s home this month with about 12 girls who range in age from 7-18. Our living quarters are very tight; Kenra and I are roommates and we’re crashing on the floor of a bedroom for two of the young girls. I just took my first bucket shower and spit my toothpaste into a drain in the floor.
It’s been an interesting day observing the culture and routine that takes place here. It’s also been a bit overwhelming to cram all 8 of us into such a tiny space and feel like we’re completely taking over their home.
One of the first girls we met is Agnes; an adorable 7 year old with big brown, inquisitive eyes. She seems quite excited to have us sleeping in her bedroom! Tonight, while she was getting ready for bed she handed me a little white envelope and told me to open it. I pulled out a little passport-sized picture of a Malaysian lady. She told me that it was her mom and then she spoke all about her family. I learned the names of her brother and sister, mother and grandfather as she asked me where I was from and about my family. Then she said, “But my daddy…he’s up there”. “Is your daddy in heaven?” I replied. “Yes, he died already” said Agnes as she peered up at me. I told her that my daddy was in heaven too and immediately this little girl and I had a special connection.
Next, she asked me if I sing; I said no. “Well…I can sing. Do you like to sing”? She said yes, and asked if I would sing a Christian song. I started to sing “Jesus loves me” and she joined. We just sat there staring into each other’s eyes and singing a universal song about His love for us.
I couldn’t have imagined a more beautiful moment. God’s got me here for a reason…in this hot and sweaty room with absolutely zero personal space, away from the love of my life for a month. If I can connect and share God’s love with these young women who have such impressionable minds, I will be happy. I want to live the way that Jesus did, to honour the Lord with my time and to love the people I’m with.
