Adventure /noun/ – An unusual and exciting, typically hazardous, experience or activity
The road was the epitome of bumpy and dusty beyond all reason. We were steadily climbing higher into the jungle with a pastor and his wife, and the scene was like something out of postcard. The jungle enveloped the road on all sides. Thick with all kinds of trees. Logging is a huge enterprise, so enormous logs lined the road. Giant mountains loomed off in the distance while sheer cliffs jutted out of the ground close to where we were driving. We were later told that it’s not strange to come across elephants, tigers, and honey bears on the road. I wondered if I had seen some of this mountain jungle on a nature program before.
I am still kicking myself for not bringing my camera.
Tayo, James, and I were heading deep into the jungle mountains to do a church service with a bunch of plantation workers. All we knew is that they are from Indonesia and live on a palm tree plantation. They make money to send home and spend a year if not more on the planation, doing whatever work there is to do on a palm plantation.
It’s strange, but I’ve come to be more comfortable in village settings than in big cities. The rural areas are always so genuine. The people are always so joyful and kind. So when we set out I figured it would be like all the other times I’ve gone into a village or rural area.
As we drove it soon became evident that this would be a bit different from usual. The further we got towards the mountain the more the pastor revealed what was going on. He said we must try not to stop because if we do the Malay people will call the police on us. They are wary of people trying to preach the Gospel, and will not hesitate to try and get us thrown out. He said he has been chased out of the area before by the authorities.
It’s illegal to preach the Gospel to the Malay people. So much so that the people themselves have become extremely paranoid. They watch people, track them down, and make sure they’re not trying to convert anyone.
The government gives incentives to Malay who convert to Islam. Especially in the more rural areas. They receive bigger houses, money, items. You can tell who has converted or not by how nice their things are.
Because we were going to do church with foreign workers, it wasn’t much of a problem. But if we were stopped we could have potentially been in trouble.
Several times in my head I compared the situation to being a spy in enemy territory. Coming up with backstory. Trying to avoid the authorities. Being quick and unassuming. This is the way it is all over Malaysia. If you want to share the Gospel to the Malay, you have to be sneaky.
The drive suddenly went from cool little venture to something a bit more serious. Were we ever in real danger? I highly doubt it. It wasn’t so much about our personal safety as it was about keeping the pastor’s ministry intact.
I began to contemplate the gravity of what we were doing. What I was doing. What it’s like to be a Christian in a closed country. It’s having to be vague. It’s having to be sly in ways you wouldn’t have to in other countries. Seeing God show up in crazier, more creative ways than you thought possible. Letting Him guide you completely sometimes.
It was on this drive that I began to contemplate the reasoning behind the name Adventures in Missions. Upon signing up for the Race it seemed like just a name. You know, a cool sounding name to catch people’s attention. The World Race is the same way. You’re sure there’s some meaning there, but you don’t really know what it is. It just sounds interesting.
When I started the Race (I assume this is what most people feel), you think that the adventures in the mission are all the crazy things you get to do. Go to beaches, see cool wildlife, go up on mountains, see ancient temples, visit new cultures, run around in caves. See the world. Take it in. Become cultured by it, whatever that means. Basically the adventure had more to do with the things we do rather than the ministry we’re apart of.
It struck me on this drive that the real adventures in missions happen on the missions themselves. Here I was going deep into a jungle to share the Word with a bunch of Indonesian men, all the while sneaking under the government’s nose. Risking the ministry of this pastor if we got caught, and potentially a bit of trouble with the law.
And not just this drive. There are several mosques where we live. The calls to prayer sometimes overlap each other. We’re the vast minority. We have to be careful what we reveal about ourselves for our contact’s sake.
THIS was an adventure. THIS was what we came for. The little trips and things are great. They’re fantastic even. But the adventure is bringing the Word of God into places that it wouldn’t be otherwise. Going into the dark, distant places and bringing the Light. Letting Him take us to unimaginable places to do things we’d never do. Going against what the world wants. What governments enforce.
Driving up this mountain for 2 hours was an adventure. A true, legitimate adventure. The reward? Getting to worship, share, and pray with 15 Indonesian men who would rather spend their time in Christian community than doing anything else. Who spend time getting ready for worship and reading their Bibles rather than doing whatever else can happen in a large community of men. Getting to meet brothers in Christ in the most unlikely of places. Getting to pour into them and help them on their spiritual journey. It will stand as one of my favorite memories of the Race, I think.
Adventure has taken on a new meaning for me. It isn’t something you can just Instagram or Tweet about as much as it’s living in the moment doing what God has for me. Getting out of my comfort zone has been an adventure. Living in constant community has been an adventure. Learning to listen and completely rely on God is an adventure.
I dare you to try it. Try an adventure. A true blue adventure out in this crazy world. It’s like nothing you’ve ever done! Find your own adventure. God’s willing to use you if you’re willing to go.
One last thing that I would ask is to pray for Malaysia. Pray for the missionaries here to find support for their ministries. For God to continue to make those connections. For Him to bless this country and shine the light for all of the Christians here. It’s a beautiful country full of beautiful people. But it needs Jesus. It needs His love.
I can’t help but love this place and it’s people. Even more so, I can’t help but love this adventure.
Seth
