Alrighty friends, I have a few updates about my time in Malaysia! WOW! There has been so many fun things that have happened these past 12 days. Our travel day to Malaysia consisted of a 14 hour flight to Qatar, a 3 hour layover, followed by an 8 hour flight to the capital of Malaysia, and finally a 6 hour bus ride to the church we are staying at for the next 4 weeks. Travel day really revealed how much the Lord took care of us, and how He provides an unexplainable amount of peace even in situations that normally would be so overwhelming. He definitely had His hand over my squad, and He still does. Now, I can’t speak for my whole team, but I have struggled with adjusting to my new life here. Trying to learn how to navigate through situations and emotions that I’ve never had to face before has been a challenge. But through that I’ve been forced to put all my trust in God, in ways that I’ve never had to before. I’ve really had to change my mindset about who I believed God to be, and surrender to who He actually is. He has been so kind to me by bringing light to how much He loves me and how He really is in pursuit of me. He is a God of gentleness, kindness, joy, peace, and He is love. He has shown me that He is a safe place for me to lay everything down at. That has been a huge encouragement for me this week, because even on days that I feel so weak, He shows me that He is my strength and that He provides in an abundance.
A beautiful way that He has revealed that to me is through my student who He blessed me with. For the next 4 weeks I will be teaching a 6 year old girl how to speak English. She knows zero English, which has been a challenge, but also makes her accomplishments so much more valuable. This past week she learned her ABC’s and five colors! Seeing how excited she was when showing me her progress was the best! Although I’m not allowed to directly share the Gospel to her because of the laws in Malaysia that go against sharing with Muslims, I can still see how loving on her has opened up her heart. When we first met she refused to smile or play with the other kids, but after this past week its been harder for her to cover her smiles, and she has even been open to the idea of letting us join her in games. Seeing her childlike joy grow has given me a reminder that all of us are Gods children. Her life has encouraged me to be in constant pursuit of Gods heart because He is just SOOO amazing, and true childlike joy comes from Him, and Him alone.
Throughout these next few weeks, I ask for prayer against any lies of the enemy and that the Truth of God may shine through all of us. I also ask that you pray for my student, that she may have a protection over her life, and most of all, protection over her heart. Seeing the lack of security that she has is heartbreaking, but I pray that my friends and I may be able to provide a home for her and that the love of our Father may shine through us, and fill her life in an abundance.
I love each of y’all so much! I can’t wait to let y’all know all about the new things that God will continue do! MUAH
