Annnnddd that wraps up Malaysia! I’m currently writing on the train to Chiang Mai hehe. There’s a lot to process about our time in Sungai Petani, but I’ll start with our last week here.
We finished our last days of school ministry with the refugee kids on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.
Monday we had pretty much the last day of normal school, Tuesday we had picture day, and Wednesday a lot of teachers had their kids do crafts.
On Thursday we had the opportunity to go to their village and hangout with them there for the last time. It was sweet but also so sad to see the living conditions of the kids that always have huge smiles on their faces. They provided us with a great meal, then we played games! Unfortunately we did have to say an official goodbye. There were a quite a few tears all around from both students and teachers.
Wednesday we had a combined house churches with the whole squad and the houses we’ve each been ministering to. I got to talk to PT for a bit which was so awesome and we just had a short and sweet service.
The very last evening church service was Friday as usual. Here it started to really hit me that we were leaving.
Saturday was our sabbath/processing/packing/cleaning day LOLLLL. I just stayed back at the church to chill and do everything I needed to do.
Malaysia was not exactly what I thought it was going to be like. Coming into it I didn’t feel like I had expectations, but looking back this is NOT how I thought our first country would go. I was expecting more of a culture shock in terms of the city, people, and our ministry. I guess for me, this country was easier than I expected? I think God seriously blessed me with a heart of gratitude and patience here. That’s what I keep seeing when I look back on the themes of this past month. Even though everyone did sleep a few inches from each other in a room without windows, the room had AC and it was protected by a heavy door to keep the sound out if people were upstairs. Even though we each had to share toilettes/showers and we had to throw all used toilettes paper away in the trash can, we HAD toilette paper and also just bathrooms inside. Even though all the food we were provided with was bread, chicken, and rice, it was all sooo good and we were always able to buy our own food. Our ministry was only three hours a day, three days a week. Every day we got nap time and free time. I seriously could keep going on. We were SO blessed in Malaysia.
It was interesting because although our main ministry was in the church, it was so hard to experience God (at least for me). It wasn’t one of those things where He was just right in front of me, and at times that was frustrating. But in that it taught me discipline. Although God does want us to experience Him and His love for us, what He’s teaching me is Matthew 7:7-8. I won’t experience the effects of our relationship if I don’t seek Him. Pretty much every morning I would get up an hour before we were supposed to be up and spend time in the Bible. The mornings where I didn’t do this I felt so empty all day. I felt like I had to muster up all my energy and joy by myself. For me that is the proof that Jesus was with me throughout Malaysia. He does want me to lean on Him because without Him it’s literally impossible to be joyful in the midst of these conditions.
I already know Thailand will be challenging, and I’m excited for that. I want to grow with God beyond what I think is possible. The main way for growth is through suffering.
I am so thankful for the connections I made in Malaysia with the kids in church, everyone associated with the church, my students, people around town, and with my squad. It’s sad to leave, but I’m glad it is because otherwise it would mean it wasn’t that impactful. I’m going to miss that tiny church and the memories my squad and I made there. SO thankful for Sungai Petani. God is going to do some awesome things there.
Off to Thailand!!
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