Where AM I?
Georgetown is the city, Penang is the state and Malaysia is the country. My team lives in a Hostel-ish place with one other team. The four boys have a room, the eight girls have a room and the married couple to have a small room of their own. There is a small kitchen we can use for breakfast and creative dinners, like spaghetti in the microwave, which I've had three times. We have REAL toilets (no squatty potties yet) and window AC at night. I have to say, it's not what I expected, but it has been a definite blessing for my team to be mostly comfortable on our first month away from home.
What am I doing?
My ministry this month is a place that serves the homeless breakfast and lunch on Monday's, Wednesday's and Friday's. I won't say the name just yet so the government doesn't get angry with me, but they also offer a voluntary Bible study in between the two meals, as well as, a new set of clothes, a nap, a shower, and a shave. It has been cool to get to know the men and women and why they are homeless/jobless right now. It's different than the US, because people here are not on welfare and milking the system, they are simply too old to work or have something mentally wrong and their family can't/won't take care of them. On Wednesday night swe also split into small groups and meet sex-workers and people on the streets to try and share the hope they could find in Christ.
Our host told us Georgetown was an unsafe area, but I haven't felt afraid or uneasy in the city one time. I've realized it is because my teammates and I are on first name basis with the "so-called" dangerous ones (the people on the street). Now, don't worry. That doesn't mean I'm not being cautious and safe, but it does mean that the Holy Spirit is giving me compassionate eyes and the ability to see past what is on the surface and realize what is on the inside.
One Saturday:
The past on eto be exact, my teammate preached at a service, then we listened to a 2 hour testimony and went to a revival service we were invited to that night. It was a church filled day, but I learned a lot from our "day off". I learned that spiritual growth from that day was far more important than hiking to a beach. I learned that some teachings have theology I may disagree with, but I can love the person and learn from what they have to say regardless. I can be offended by what someone tells me, but I need to take a look at why I'm offended and decide if I'm in the wrong or if there is a misunderstanding.
FYI:
I am trying to add pictures under the tab "picture time", but the Internet here is being rebellious, so feel free to check soon to see some of the sights I think are neatl! If they aren’t up right away, I apologize and I’ll add them as soon as I can get to a coffee shop or the signal increases! Also, facebook has more than my blog will so if you are able, check it out!!
Georgetown is the city, Penang is the state and Malaysia is the country. My team lives in a Hostel-ish place with one other team. The four boys have a room, the eight girls have a room and the married couple to have a small room of their own. There is a small kitchen we can use for breakfast and creative dinners, like spaghetti in the microwave, which I've had three times. We have REAL toilets (no squatty potties yet) and window AC at night. I have to say, it's not what I expected, but it has been a definite blessing for my team to be mostly comfortable on our first month away from home.
What am I doing?
My ministry this month is a place that serves the homeless breakfast and lunch on Monday's, Wednesday's and Friday's. I won't say the name just yet so the government doesn't get angry with me, but they also offer a voluntary Bible study in between the two meals, as well as, a new set of clothes, a nap, a shower, and a shave. It has been cool to get to know the men and women and why they are homeless/jobless right now. It's different than the US, because people here are not on welfare and milking the system, they are simply too old to work or have something mentally wrong and their family can't/won't take care of them. On Wednesday night swe also split into small groups and meet sex-workers and people on the streets to try and share the hope they could find in Christ.
Our host told us Georgetown was an unsafe area, but I haven't felt afraid or uneasy in the city one time. I've realized it is because my teammates and I are on first name basis with the "so-called" dangerous ones (the people on the street). Now, don't worry. That doesn't mean I'm not being cautious and safe, but it does mean that the Holy Spirit is giving me compassionate eyes and the ability to see past what is on the surface and realize what is on the inside.
One Saturday:
The past on eto be exact, my teammate preached at a service, then we listened to a 2 hour testimony and went to a revival service we were invited to that night. It was a church filled day, but I learned a lot from our "day off". I learned that spiritual growth from that day was far more important than hiking to a beach. I learned that some teachings have theology I may disagree with, but I can love the person and learn from what they have to say regardless. I can be offended by what someone tells me, but I need to take a look at why I'm offended and decide if I'm in the wrong or if there is a misunderstanding.
FYI:
I am trying to add pictures under the tab "picture time", but the Internet here is being rebellious, so feel free to check soon to see some of the sights I think are neatl! If they aren’t up right away, I apologize and I’ll add them as soon as I can get to a coffee shop or the signal increases! Also, facebook has more than my blog will so if you are able, check it out!!
Much Love
