This month the wheels on the vehicles we’ve been in have gone around a lot. We’ve been traveling more than usual- and even our “usual” includes a lot of travel!
By the end of our 21 days in Malaysia we'll have spent the night in 6 different places. Although we do have a host home, our pastor has arranged travel to several other places so we can serve there.
We arrived in Malaysia at our host’s home and did a few days of ministry. We ran a kid’s program, taught English classes, and preached at church. After five days we headed off for a two day break at the beach on Langkawi Island. We had some good rest there!
Sunset on Langkawi Island
We came back home for a night, taught an English class, packed our bags again (same clothes, no time to wash- this is how we roll. Thank goodness for Febreze!) and headed out the next morning.
This time we went to an orphanage called Precious Home for two nights. This place is home to 25 kids from the ages of 5-20 and is run by Pastor Peggy and her husband. It was a joy to be there and reach out to them. We helped them with some small projects and worshiped with everyone during their service both nights. The heart behind their worship was so real. It was a blessing to see this place raising kids that love and serve the Lord.
Funny story- Peggy’s father lives there and helps at the home. He’s such a caring man and all the kids love him. We came to love him as well in our short time there. He welcomed us so warmly and made us feel at home. He has over 4,000 movies in his room and a flat screen TV! During our breaks we would watch movies and eat snacks in his room. I sat there wondering if I was still on the World Race.
Praying for one of the Chinese boys at the home
Our next stop was Pastor Mark and his wife Tina’s home and church. They are good friends with our host and welcomed us into their family like daughters. We stayed in their church and ate meals with them in their home. Each of us had a few minutes to share about the past 9 months of this journey in the church service. We also did kids and youth programs at a nearby church.
One day they even took us on a picnic at a river in the jungle and we went on the "Tree Top Walk" looking down on the jungle. Beautiful!
View from the Tree Top Walk
Such a short time in places like these leaves me wondering what kind of impact I had. There was no significant time to build relationships or accomplish a project but I’ve come to realize that God will touch who He wants to touch in His own timing. It has nothing to do with me. I could be there one month or one day and still have the same impact. It all depends on how God works in that person’s life.
It’s takes me saying “yes” to what the Lord has for me in the moment and trusting that He’s working where I can’t see.
Now we’re back with our host and his family for a few days. We’ll get to celebrate Easter with them and the day after we’ll leave to begin our travel to Cambodia. We fly there on April 11th. Thanks all for your continued prayers!
