A few weeks back I made my second trip to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Just like the first time I visited, it was a blessing. Team SE7EN members Jillian (J-bone) and Jenae were also there. Jenae is serving in the Philippines, and J-bone had just finished a month of ministry in India with her job. Also, another dear friend of mine and fellow World Racer Liz Olson visited. She is currently serving in Thailand.
After 38 hours of traveling, including a 14 hour flight followed by a 12 hour layover, it was nice to finally arrive in KL. I spent the first night upstairs above the restaurant in the same room where we stayed during the WR. With J-bone and Jenae there, I felt a bit sad to not have Jessica (who’s married now), Jessi, and Trev with us. Everything reminded me of the race. The smells. The food. The heat. The showers. It took a day for me to get over the “I can’t believe I’m back” mindset. But it felt right being there; with Peter and Carol again.
My whole purpose for going was to speak at a university. I also wanted to participate in as many ministries as I could.
I arrived on Oct. 13th, and spoke at the university on the 14th. Before I spoke, we played charades, and had a time of worship and prayer. Then I spoke for about an hour.
I spent some of the days working in the restaurant again. Peter and Carol have opened a second one called Kennedy’s. It’s an American themed restaurant with movie posters, and sports gear covering the walls. Also, there are pictures of past WR teams spread throughout the room. A few teams have there own booth. And team SE7EN is one of those teams!
One of the contacts Amy, or Snoop as we call her, asked me to go to a worship service that lasted from 11:00pm to 6:00am. I stayed for half of it and then took a taxi back to where we stayed. In the taxi though, the driver (who was also at the service) asked if I would go to his house and pray for his brother who had recently suffered his second stroke. I agreed to go. We arrived at the man’s house where his brother, sister, and wife all lived together. His brother was lying on a hospital bed in an open room to my right as we entered the house. I approached his brother, and began to pray for him. As I prayed, the man’s wife and sister asked if I would anoint him with oil. Again, I agreed, and held out my hand. Not knowing exactly what to do, or what they were expecting me to do, I then made the sign of a cross on his forehead and kept praying. The taxi driver then began to take pictures of me praying for his brother. After the Amen, he asked if I would pray over his sister and wife. This time no oil was used. However, he took pictures of this prayer as well. Then he handed me a bag with cookies, tea, and money in it and told me this was a gift for my prayers.
When team SE7EN was here in April of 2010, we visited the Stepping Stones Living Centre Orphanage. On this past trip of mine, I was able to return and visit the children again. They enjoyed seeing pictures of themselves from the first time we all were together. Their living conditions are rough though. There is one main room where the children do their homework, play games, eat their meals, and sleep. Pastor Johnson, the man who runs the orphanage, gave me the opportunity to stay a night with them and film the events of a typical day. I was surprised to see exactly how they live. Not once did any of them complain about their situation. I hope to post a video blog sharing that experience with you.
I was asked to share the gospel with one of the Muslim staff members from the restaurant. For his safety, I won’t reveal his name, but you must know his story.
I was getting ready to leave on Friday the 21st. On Thursday morning after I had just tied my apron and was preparing to wait some tables, I approached him and said, “I’m leaving to go home tomorrow, but before I do, I would like to share the Gospel about Jesus Christ with you.” He said ok and we planned it for the same time the next day. You should know this. It’s illegal to share the gospel with a Muslim.
That next day, we met. I asked him about his family and religious background. His family lives in Pakistan and are all Muslim. I asked him who he believed Jesus was, and he replied “I don’t know much about Jesus. Teach me.” Carol later joined and helped interpret. From there, the door was open to share about Jesus. So I did. After some 30 minutes if not more, I asked him again the same question. “Who do you believe Jesus is?” His response, as he pointed one finger to the ceiling, “God’s Son. Jesus is the Son of God.”
That’s where our conversation ended. I didn’t feel the need to go any further. We simply got up, and went to work. Hours later I boarded the plane and flew home.
On that next Monday, the 24th, I received a Skype call from Peter and Carol. It was in the 7:00am hour for me so it was in the 8:00pm hour for them. Carol told me that that morning, the young man of 21 came in to work like normal, and approached her. The news was truly life-changing. He had given his life to Christ. I teared up as they told me the news. I went into work that day happier than I ever had before. No better news could one receive. Well, that’s my opinion. But this goes a bit deeper.
When the young man told his mother, her was response was this: “You can’t come home.” Now, I don’t know if these words were spoken out of fear, or out of anger. He was told that the Taliban would kill him if he returned. So for now, he will remain in Malaysia. He chose Jesus over the possibility of never seeing his parents again; over the possibility of never seeing his family or friends again. He chose Jesus over his safety, his home, and everything that he has ever known. What a decision. What a Godly man.
I wanted to keep this blog short and simple for a few reasons. 1) I can’t go into a lot of details about the ministry for Peter and Carol’s sake. 2) I understand you’re all busy. So I’ll simply provide a summary of the events.
I plan on returning in March, so I’ll try to post that experience as well. Thanks for reading. Take care.
Preparing for the 11:00pm-6:00am service.
