I'm back 'home' at YWAM Brisbane. And it's cold!
In comparison to the hot and humid temperatures in Malaysia, it's quite chilly. The rain is falling. But I'm still sporting shorts. Had to bust out my umbrella too for the walk to the mall earlier today.
Our travels back from Miri, Malaysia took us through Bandar Seri Begawan, the capital of Brunei. We stayed at a youth hostel for one night, then caught a bus to the airport.
Being back in Brisbane is so sweet. The air here as such a floral aroma, it's amazing.
Tomorrow morning my team leaves for Toowoomba for the last part of our outreach.
Please pray that we will be able to be a blessing to the community and to the two YWAMers who are starting a new base in the town.
****
I will send you rain in its season, and the ground will yield its crops and the trees of the field their fruit. Leviticus 26:4 (NIV)
Showing posts with label Malaysia. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Malaysia. Show all posts
March 19, 2011
March 11, 2011
Mustard seed-sized faith
I remain hopeful that God will heal Mark Andreas, the little boy whom I have visited at Miri General Hospital already a few times. I continue asking God to take my mustard seed-sized faith and move the mountain of Mark's health problems.
On Thursday, Julianne and I had the chance to spend the afternoon visiting hours at the hospital with Mark and his mother, Anna. Pastor John dropped us off and we were able to find our way to the same pediatric room where Mark is staying.
His status is basically the same. Mark is on a ventilator, hooked up to a heart monitor and doesn't really move. Doctors did a tracheotomy surgery about one week ago because Mark has been on the throat ventilator for so long. But, get this! The hospital didn't have the breathing tube needed for the trach, and it's now on order from Kuala Lumpur. I asked Anna why the doctors would have done the surgery on her son without knowing whether the hospital had all the necessary supplies. Her response, a shrug of the shoulders. It makes me wonder if Mark would be getting better if he were in a different hospital.
Miri General Hospital is the public, government-run facility in the city. According to Pastor John many people would rather go to the private hospital, but cannot afford the fees. I asked Anna if her husband's job provides enough money to cover Mark's hospital bills. She said no, but that in the upcoming week she will be applying for more government aid. She said it's not too hard to get, one just needs to apply.
I had the chance to walk around the hospital with Anna and talk with her one-on-one while Julianne stayed and prayed with Mark Andreas. It was really inspiring to speak with her, and her happiness at the changes that have been happening in her family during Mark's hospitalization.
Her husband comes and spends each night at the hospital with her and Mark. They sleep in a tiny corner of the five-bed hospital room. Anna said she wakes up at 4am to start feeding Mark. But more excitedly she tells me that she and her husband read the Bible and pray together each morning before he heads off to work. It's something Anna says they never did during their 25 years of marriage until Mark was sent to hospital. Then she went on to tell me that her eldest son, Pares, is now going to church each Sunday, was recently baptized and cannot stop reading his Bible. The most amazing thing is that less than one month ago when I first met Anna she told me how Pares had no interest in God. Anna said she's not sure what God's plan is in all this, but that there are really fantastic things happening in her family.
After our walk, Anna and Julianne talked for awhile in the hospital room while I had a chance to sit, talk and pray with Mark. His eyes are fairly attentive and followed my face around. Poor kid is probably wondering "Who is this strange white woman with curly hair?" Ha ha!
I couldn't help but get choked up when talk to Mark about how I hope to see him running like any other 18 month-old boy. I sang the children's song "My God is so big/great", both as an encouragement for Mark and even more so for myself. I will continue to pray for his healing - strength in his lungs, his heart, his muscles and nerves. I know that God is bigger, and stronger than any illness, and He could heal Mark with the snap of His fingers.
Our outreach team had time this week to reflect on our time in Malaysia has progressed, and think about what we still want to do with our week left here. My number one hope is to visit Anna and Mark again, and to witness a miracle and God's healing power.
But will I?
***
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1 (NIV)
I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you. Matthew 17:20 (NIV)
On Thursday, Julianne and I had the chance to spend the afternoon visiting hours at the hospital with Mark and his mother, Anna. Pastor John dropped us off and we were able to find our way to the same pediatric room where Mark is staying.
His status is basically the same. Mark is on a ventilator, hooked up to a heart monitor and doesn't really move. Doctors did a tracheotomy surgery about one week ago because Mark has been on the throat ventilator for so long. But, get this! The hospital didn't have the breathing tube needed for the trach, and it's now on order from Kuala Lumpur. I asked Anna why the doctors would have done the surgery on her son without knowing whether the hospital had all the necessary supplies. Her response, a shrug of the shoulders. It makes me wonder if Mark would be getting better if he were in a different hospital.
Miri General Hospital is the public, government-run facility in the city. According to Pastor John many people would rather go to the private hospital, but cannot afford the fees. I asked Anna if her husband's job provides enough money to cover Mark's hospital bills. She said no, but that in the upcoming week she will be applying for more government aid. She said it's not too hard to get, one just needs to apply.
I had the chance to walk around the hospital with Anna and talk with her one-on-one while Julianne stayed and prayed with Mark Andreas. It was really inspiring to speak with her, and her happiness at the changes that have been happening in her family during Mark's hospitalization.
Her husband comes and spends each night at the hospital with her and Mark. They sleep in a tiny corner of the five-bed hospital room. Anna said she wakes up at 4am to start feeding Mark. But more excitedly she tells me that she and her husband read the Bible and pray together each morning before he heads off to work. It's something Anna says they never did during their 25 years of marriage until Mark was sent to hospital. Then she went on to tell me that her eldest son, Pares, is now going to church each Sunday, was recently baptized and cannot stop reading his Bible. The most amazing thing is that less than one month ago when I first met Anna she told me how Pares had no interest in God. Anna said she's not sure what God's plan is in all this, but that there are really fantastic things happening in her family.
After our walk, Anna and Julianne talked for awhile in the hospital room while I had a chance to sit, talk and pray with Mark. His eyes are fairly attentive and followed my face around. Poor kid is probably wondering "Who is this strange white woman with curly hair?" Ha ha!
I couldn't help but get choked up when talk to Mark about how I hope to see him running like any other 18 month-old boy. I sang the children's song "My God is so big/great", both as an encouragement for Mark and even more so for myself. I will continue to pray for his healing - strength in his lungs, his heart, his muscles and nerves. I know that God is bigger, and stronger than any illness, and He could heal Mark with the snap of His fingers.
Our outreach team had time this week to reflect on our time in Malaysia has progressed, and think about what we still want to do with our week left here. My number one hope is to visit Anna and Mark again, and to witness a miracle and God's healing power.
But will I?
***
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1 (NIV)
I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you. Matthew 17:20 (NIV)
March 9, 2011
Two hands
Two grateful hands to thank the Lord
whose blessings never cease,
Two gentle hands to ask that God
grant all-enduring peace,
Two faithful hands to glorify
the Father and the Son,
Two willing hands to toil
until the Master's work is done.
That beautiful poem hangs on the wall in the home where I'm staying in Malaysia. It's a great reminder of how we are to live out each day.
***
I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands. Psalm 63:4 (NIV)
whose blessings never cease,
Two gentle hands to ask that God
grant all-enduring peace,
Two faithful hands to glorify
the Father and the Son,
Two willing hands to toil
until the Master's work is done.
That beautiful poem hangs on the wall in the home where I'm staying in Malaysia. It's a great reminder of how we are to live out each day.
***
I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands. Psalm 63:4 (NIV)
March 8, 2011
Joy
It's a slogan word at Christmas time.
It's also one of the fruits of the Spirit.
And now I know that unequivocally God has placed joy in my heart too.
This past Saturday the pastor with whom we are staying in Miri commented to me that I have such joy. I asked if he was being sarcastic, but he assured me that no he was not. And that in fact he had been observing me in the team and noted how joyful I am. He also said my joy is infectious, and helps boost the rest of the team.
Wow! I know this joy is coming from God, because I don't always feel like being the joyful one. And I remember vividly how unhappy, even depressed, I have been in the past. Junior high comes to mind!
You might be thinking that age helps us deal with our emotions better. I agree. But there is no doubt in my mind that God fills me with His joy when I don't have my own. He responds to my request to be joyful and loving so that I can bless other people.
****
The joy of the Lord is your strength. Nehemiah 8:10b (NIV)
The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song. Psalm 28:7 (NIV)
It's also one of the fruits of the Spirit.
And now I know that unequivocally God has placed joy in my heart too.
This past Saturday the pastor with whom we are staying in Miri commented to me that I have such joy. I asked if he was being sarcastic, but he assured me that no he was not. And that in fact he had been observing me in the team and noted how joyful I am. He also said my joy is infectious, and helps boost the rest of the team.
Wow! I know this joy is coming from God, because I don't always feel like being the joyful one. And I remember vividly how unhappy, even depressed, I have been in the past. Junior high comes to mind!
You might be thinking that age helps us deal with our emotions better. I agree. But there is no doubt in my mind that God fills me with His joy when I don't have my own. He responds to my request to be joyful and loving so that I can bless other people.
****
The joy of the Lord is your strength. Nehemiah 8:10b (NIV)
The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song. Psalm 28:7 (NIV)
February 23, 2011
Long life for a little boy?
The sound of a heart monitor beeps while a ventilator keeps the lungs of one-year-old Mark Andreas' breathing in fresh oxygen. It's heartbreaking to see his small body laying on bed in Miri General Hospital.
On Monday and Tuesday I, along with one of my YWAM team-mates, Julianne, visited Mark Andreas and his mother, Anna. The boy has been in hospital for one month essentially on palliative care. The doctors aren't sure what's wrong other than the fact that Mark Andreas' muscles and nerves stopped working properly.
We found out about this little boy after meeting one of his older sisters in the Bantu Niah SIB church the previous weekend. She asked us to pray for her brother, whom she said the doctors believe have no hope of living. Once back in Miri, Julianne and I began visiting the hospital.
We must look quite bizarre; me a curly-haired Canadian and Julianne with her reddish-blond Norwegian looks showing up to a Malaysian hospital. Luckily we have a friend here who works in the ER so she was able to bring us. The building is a sprawling low-rise with covered outdoor hallways. The first day we visited the hospital, my first reaction was that I'd walked into a Caribbean resort. But that was just on the outside.
Once inside the hallways and rooms are quite simple, even dingy. Female nurses with Muslim head coverings sit at the station right inside the pediatric ward. As we walk the halls I can see small children lying in giant hospital beds. A door reads "Do not enter. Chemotherapy in progress." My heart breaks.
We find the room where Mark Andreas is staying. It's no bigger than most living rooms, with five beds. Each bed with a tiny patient and family members nearby. At least one parent lives at the hospital with their child. So Anna, Mark Andreas' mother, has been living at Miri hospital for one month as an additional caregiver to her son. At home, she has seven other children. She understands our English but finds it hard to answer. So she speaks Malay to our doctor friend who then interprets for us.
Anna asks that we pray for her son. Julianne does with tears rolling down her face. I pray for Anna the first and second day that God will show more of Himself to her during this difficult time. And Anna asks that we pray for her faith so it will not be shaken by this trying time. She tells me in English that 'nothing is impossible with God'. How interesting that an angel tells Mary those very words that Anna, a mother herself, is clinging to.
The second visit, Anna tells me that she prays Psalm 91 over Mark Andreas from her Malay language bible. I ask if I can pray over the boy in English. So as I sit at his eye level and read/pray from my bible, Mark Andreas' eyes follow mine from the page to his face and that back to the page again. I want to cry. He's so small, but his eyes are so big and strong. Anna tells me that Mark Andreas' loved to watch Western cartoon when he was still healthy.
I'm praying for a miracle. But God, please forgive me my unbelief. I know God is a healer and that Jesus says we can ask for anything in His name it will be done. But as I watch the rise and fall of Mark Andreas' chest, I can't help but wonder if God will in fact heal him. It would be such a glorious testimony in that hospital to see a clinging-to-life baby regain strength and the ability to breath on his own.
****
Because he loves me,” says the LORD, “I will rescue him;
I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
He will call on me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble,
I will deliver him and honor him.
With long life I will satisfy him
and show him my salvation.” Psalm 91:14-16 (NIV)
On Monday and Tuesday I, along with one of my YWAM team-mates, Julianne, visited Mark Andreas and his mother, Anna. The boy has been in hospital for one month essentially on palliative care. The doctors aren't sure what's wrong other than the fact that Mark Andreas' muscles and nerves stopped working properly.
We found out about this little boy after meeting one of his older sisters in the Bantu Niah SIB church the previous weekend. She asked us to pray for her brother, whom she said the doctors believe have no hope of living. Once back in Miri, Julianne and I began visiting the hospital.
We must look quite bizarre; me a curly-haired Canadian and Julianne with her reddish-blond Norwegian looks showing up to a Malaysian hospital. Luckily we have a friend here who works in the ER so she was able to bring us. The building is a sprawling low-rise with covered outdoor hallways. The first day we visited the hospital, my first reaction was that I'd walked into a Caribbean resort. But that was just on the outside.
Once inside the hallways and rooms are quite simple, even dingy. Female nurses with Muslim head coverings sit at the station right inside the pediatric ward. As we walk the halls I can see small children lying in giant hospital beds. A door reads "Do not enter. Chemotherapy in progress." My heart breaks.
We find the room where Mark Andreas is staying. It's no bigger than most living rooms, with five beds. Each bed with a tiny patient and family members nearby. At least one parent lives at the hospital with their child. So Anna, Mark Andreas' mother, has been living at Miri hospital for one month as an additional caregiver to her son. At home, she has seven other children. She understands our English but finds it hard to answer. So she speaks Malay to our doctor friend who then interprets for us.
Anna asks that we pray for her son. Julianne does with tears rolling down her face. I pray for Anna the first and second day that God will show more of Himself to her during this difficult time. And Anna asks that we pray for her faith so it will not be shaken by this trying time. She tells me in English that 'nothing is impossible with God'. How interesting that an angel tells Mary those very words that Anna, a mother herself, is clinging to.
The second visit, Anna tells me that she prays Psalm 91 over Mark Andreas from her Malay language bible. I ask if I can pray over the boy in English. So as I sit at his eye level and read/pray from my bible, Mark Andreas' eyes follow mine from the page to his face and that back to the page again. I want to cry. He's so small, but his eyes are so big and strong. Anna tells me that Mark Andreas' loved to watch Western cartoon when he was still healthy.
I'm praying for a miracle. But God, please forgive me my unbelief. I know God is a healer and that Jesus says we can ask for anything in His name it will be done. But as I watch the rise and fall of Mark Andreas' chest, I can't help but wonder if God will in fact heal him. It would be such a glorious testimony in that hospital to see a clinging-to-life baby regain strength and the ability to breath on his own.
****
Because he loves me,” says the LORD, “I will rescue him;
I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
He will call on me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble,
I will deliver him and honor him.
With long life I will satisfy him
and show him my salvation.” Psalm 91:14-16 (NIV)
February 21, 2011
Bantu Niah and back again...
"We all want to talk but we don't know how to speak," Ribena, a woman from the church in Bantu Niah commented to me while my YWAM outreach team was visiting an Iban long-house. She said many people are excited to talk and share with us, but they just can't find the words in English to express it.
 |
| Long-house which our outreach team visited |
The feeling was mutual. I longed to speak Iban or Malay in that moment so I could share a laugh, cry or just talk more about our common faith. But praise God that despite the language difference I could at least sense a comradery between us YWAMers and those living in the long-house.
We came to Bantu Niah (about one-hour away from Miri) to visit an evangelical church and some of its members who live in one of the long-house communities. The long-house itself was part of several similar dwellings in which dozens of family live. The wooden homes are built on stilts with a single, main common hallway on the second level. Off the hallway are separate 'apartments' for each family. It is very simple living.
Our mini-church service was held in the main, shared hallway in one long-house. About 40 members of the community took part in the service. We sang a few worship songs in Malay, with us YWAMers attempting to follow along using song sheets. The good thing with Malay is that it uses Roman letters and sounds exactly how it's spelt. Unfortunately that doesn't mean I know what it being sung or said. Tuhan is God. So that's good enough to know which songs focus on Him. One of our team members delivered a short message through an interpreter about God's faithfulness. Heads nodded along to the message once it was interpreted.
 |
| Lots of "village food" including rice, chicken, greens and pumpkin. |
And then it was time for the feast! The pots and other containers with the food were placed down the middle of the hallway, almost like a giant dining room table. As guests we ate first - rice, chicken cooked in bamboo with tapioca leaves, pumpkin/squash, and this amazing local green cooked with egg.
During the meal we all sat on the floor, which was planks of wood covered with thin linoleum. I sat with four young boys with whom I had been beside during the worship service. They themselves rushed over to sit with me during the meal to chat. Well, chatted is an overstatement. We joked with each other using sound effects and hand gestures to explain what we were trying to say. Plus one of the boys, Nathanial, spoke enough English that we could ask each other simple questions.
 |
| Little admirers: Peter, Nathanial, Gregory & Valentino |
Before leaving that night I along with two other YWAMers prayed for woman in the community who is pregnant. She is expecting in June. I think several of us YWAMers enjoyed getting to know these lovely people from a culture so different than our own. Yet, we are somehow all the same.
That night my YWAM outreach team stayed in a small inn. It was quite comfortable and far more comfortable I'm sure than staying in the long-house, which had been one of the earlier suggestions. Then it was up early the next morning for a 7:45am breakfast at the church that invited us. Green bean bread, fried eggs and bee hoon (skinny noodles with egg, shrimp, chicken and greens). Oh yes, and coffee!
More than 100 people ended up packing into the second floor room that houses the church above other business in the community. It was such a blessing and spiritually moving to take part in the Malay worship. I cried at the overwhelming sens of joy I felt to be part of another culture's praise to God. It is so thrilling that God made us all. He loves us all, and delights when we can come together in His name. So powerful. Even though I didn't know what was being sun or prayed, the passion and love shone through. Celine (one of the women with whom we've gotten to know through the church in Miri) led worship as well as translated the sermon by one of our YWAM team members.
Then after the service I along with some other YWAMers had the chance to pray for the churches leadership team. And guess what? Most of the leadership group is comprised of women! My excitement over that fact was quickly quenched when I was told that the women take the lead in the church because few men in the community are Christian. Many of the women are married to men who still practice the traditional, animistic religions or other faiths.
Again it was time for more food. By the end of our trip, the Bantu Niah group had fed us three meals, paid for our hotel accommodations and then gave the group a cash donation to help by for our travels. I have never experienced the gratitude and generosity I have witnessed here in Malaysia.
***
There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:28 (NIV)
February 14, 2011
God is love
The refrain of a children's worship song is repeating itself in my head: ♫God is so good, God is so good, God is so good, He's so good to me.♫
I don't have a romantic card or a bouquet of flowers this Valentine's Day, but I know for certain that I have the greatest love of all in my life. God loves me dearly.
He was always showing it to me, but I finally see it now. God brings birds, sunshine, sweet smells, food, friends and laughter all into my life. Right now in Malaysia I cannot pinpoint one specific thing that has really cemented my understanding of God's love for me - it's really everything! I get to wake up early and have a peaceful time with God before the day really get started. I have breakfast, a cold shower and time with the friends I've made in my DTS. We are pushed to share God's love and gospel with people we meet. I have my health. So many simple things I would more often than not take for granted. But I know that all things come from God - the good and the bad.
***
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 (NIV)
 |
| Along the South China Sea in Miri, Malaysia |
I don't know what I've done (nothing really) to deserve His blessings in my life.
He was always showing it to me, but I finally see it now. God brings birds, sunshine, sweet smells, food, friends and laughter all into my life. Right now in Malaysia I cannot pinpoint one specific thing that has really cemented my understanding of God's love for me - it's really everything! I get to wake up early and have a peaceful time with God before the day really get started. I have breakfast, a cold shower and time with the friends I've made in my DTS. We are pushed to share God's love and gospel with people we meet. I have my health. So many simple things I would more often than not take for granted. But I know that all things come from God - the good and the bad.
***
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 (NIV)
February 7, 2011
Blessings upon blessings
Would you be satisfied and still want to go to heaven if Christ was not there?
Ouch! That's a slap in the face for me. Sometimes, I'd probably say "yes".
However, yesterday during worship at the Miri church I attended I had a flicker of how joyful it will be to praise God for all eternity. My spirit was almost in tears, but doing cartwheels at the same time as I joined the congregation in song.
In Revelation 4&5 we read about John's vision of God's throne, and the songs of praise offered by angels and saints. If I could always remember that glimmer of Lord-worship from church, I would only ever want a heaven that includes Jesus.
Not only that, but I feel so incredibly blessed to be in this city, at this moment in my life. We've been visiting homes for the past three days to celebrate Chinese New Year with some families. I am so overwhelmed by their generosity and hospitality, especially for people they do not know. There is always an abundance of food, drinks and conversation - even if it's broken English or just a few words here and there to express sincere thanks.
God has been so faithful in providing for us. We have places to sleep (even if it's on a thin mattress on the floor), running water (even though it's a cold shower), food to eat (even if I have no clue what it is!) and great people with whom to build relationships.
***
Day and night they never stopped saying:
Holy, holy, holy
is the Lord God Almighty,
who was, and is, and is to come.
Revelation 4:8b (NIV)
Ouch! That's a slap in the face for me. Sometimes, I'd probably say "yes".
However, yesterday during worship at the Miri church I attended I had a flicker of how joyful it will be to praise God for all eternity. My spirit was almost in tears, but doing cartwheels at the same time as I joined the congregation in song.
In Revelation 4&5 we read about John's vision of God's throne, and the songs of praise offered by angels and saints. If I could always remember that glimmer of Lord-worship from church, I would only ever want a heaven that includes Jesus.
Not only that, but I feel so incredibly blessed to be in this city, at this moment in my life. We've been visiting homes for the past three days to celebrate Chinese New Year with some families. I am so overwhelmed by their generosity and hospitality, especially for people they do not know. There is always an abundance of food, drinks and conversation - even if it's broken English or just a few words here and there to express sincere thanks.
God has been so faithful in providing for us. We have places to sleep (even if it's on a thin mattress on the floor), running water (even though it's a cold shower), food to eat (even if I have no clue what it is!) and great people with whom to build relationships.
***
Day and night they never stopped saying:
Holy, holy, holy
is the Lord God Almighty,
who was, and is, and is to come.
Revelation 4:8b (NIV)
February 3, 2011
Call to prayer
The call from an Islamic school located behind the guesthouse in Miri where we are staying rings out to bring believers to prayer.
This video is from a 4pm call to prayer. But we also get to hear it at 5am, before the sun even comes up!
The call is both an eery and beautiful sound. And for the last few mornings I've felt compelled to pray while the call is being made. Instead of feeling intimidated by this overwhelming sound, I feel compelled to praise God and Jesus.
I feel so blessed to be called to pray whenever and wherever I want. There is not set time or set way I have to talk to God. He wants to hear from me any time of day or night. He's always ready to listen. He's always ready to hear my praise. He's always available. He's all powerful, all knowing and all loving.
****
Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. Matthew 7:7-8 (NIV)
In every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6b (NIV)
Pray continually. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 (NIV)
February 2, 2011
Dew drops and daylight
I was sitting on the rooftop of the hostel where I am staying in Miri, Malaysia enjoying the morning breeze, when I noticed the way some dew drops clung to the leaves of a nearby bamboo plant. It's interesting how small things like that take my breath away and get me to focus on God.
But it's also a great reminder of how I should always be thinking of God and praising Him for His goodness. Creation is in continual worship and I should be too! In Psalm 19, David writes how creation is expressing God's glory in every language, all over the world, all the time. That is so amazing! God made the ant, the Alps, the sunrise, the sunflower, the palm tree, the parrot and me just to express His creativity and glory.
So even though I'm now in a completely different part of the world, it's comforting to experience God's goodness and beauty in new ways.
****
The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge.
They have no speech, they use no words; no sound is heard from them.
Yet their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. Psalm 19:1-4 (NIV)
 |
| Red lanterns dot the streets in Miri, Malaysia ahead of Chinese New Year |
But it's also a great reminder of how I should always be thinking of God and praising Him for His goodness. Creation is in continual worship and I should be too! In Psalm 19, David writes how creation is expressing God's glory in every language, all over the world, all the time. That is so amazing! God made the ant, the Alps, the sunrise, the sunflower, the palm tree, the parrot and me just to express His creativity and glory.
So even though I'm now in a completely different part of the world, it's comforting to experience God's goodness and beauty in new ways.
****
The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge.
They have no speech, they use no words; no sound is heard from them.
Yet their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. Psalm 19:1-4 (NIV)
November 10, 2010
The big decision - Malaysia or Peru?
We found out on Saturday morning which countries are the options for the DTS Outreach: Malaysia or Peru.
In each country we'd be pioneering new ministries or reaching out to new communities, which between then included working with kids, backpackers, jungle communities, a new YWAM base and running our own mini-DTS.
And we only had until late Monday to tell our school leader where we believe God is telling us to go.
I initially had thought I would be presented with options that would give me a clear "yes, yes, yes" or "no, no, no", but when those two countries were named I was a bit more lukewarm. So God was playing a little trick on me, and forcing me to REALLY lean on Him and His leading for this decision. Good one God!
So I prayed. Then I fasted and prayed. And God and I decided where I should go: Malaysia. I will need to rely on God's power much more there I believe than if I were to go to Peru.
But just like many other godly people before me, I wanted to know that God and I were on the same page. So I asked God to give me clear confirmation of this decision. Well, as I've been noticing, God DOES have a sense of humour.
First, I checked out the YWAM Brisbane clothing/stuff giveaway pile, and while rummaging through some of the items came across a '30 Days of Prayer of Muslims' booklet. Okay God, I get it, I should start paying attention because Malaysia is a predominately Muslim country. Well, then I started waiting for the next sign, which came in the form of a fellow classmate.
After learning of the Outreach locations I did a little bit of research online and found photos from a previous Australia DTS group that travelled to Malaysia. And in one photo, each member of the group wore an "I ♥ Miri" (the town where for the outreach). I started remembering that photo and those t-shirts early on Monday, when one of my friends came around the corner wearing a similar shirt which read "I ♥ Paris". Yes, I know it wasn't an identical shirt, but too much of a similarity to be a coincidence.
****
Fast forward to Tuesday morning, we found out who else is in our outreach team...
Abbey (staff)
Kate (staff)
Maija (Finnish student)
Racheal (American student)
Jake (American student)
Alex (Belgian student)
Julianne (Norwegian student)
Krista (Canadian student)
Trent (Australian student)
I am very excited and a bit freaked out. But I know that this will be an amazing experience in which God will be able to use me.
****
The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Matthew 9:16
In each country we'd be pioneering new ministries or reaching out to new communities, which between then included working with kids, backpackers, jungle communities, a new YWAM base and running our own mini-DTS.
And we only had until late Monday to tell our school leader where we believe God is telling us to go.
I initially had thought I would be presented with options that would give me a clear "yes, yes, yes" or "no, no, no", but when those two countries were named I was a bit more lukewarm. So God was playing a little trick on me, and forcing me to REALLY lean on Him and His leading for this decision. Good one God!
 |
| Post-its to help me pray for guidance on choosing my outreach. |
Within a few hours I started leaning towards one of the two countries. But each time I made a logical argument about going to the other nation, I reminded myself how silly some of the arguments where. Just because I can speak a bit of Spanish, doesn't mean I should go to Peru. Just because I brought some winter clothing is also not another reason to go somewhere for outreach.
But just like many other godly people before me, I wanted to know that God and I were on the same page. So I asked God to give me clear confirmation of this decision. Well, as I've been noticing, God DOES have a sense of humour.
First, I checked out the YWAM Brisbane clothing/stuff giveaway pile, and while rummaging through some of the items came across a '30 Days of Prayer of Muslims' booklet. Okay God, I get it, I should start paying attention because Malaysia is a predominately Muslim country. Well, then I started waiting for the next sign, which came in the form of a fellow classmate.
After learning of the Outreach locations I did a little bit of research online and found photos from a previous Australia DTS group that travelled to Malaysia. And in one photo, each member of the group wore an "I ♥ Miri" (the town where for the outreach). I started remembering that photo and those t-shirts early on Monday, when one of my friends came around the corner wearing a similar shirt which read "I ♥ Paris". Yes, I know it wasn't an identical shirt, but too much of a similarity to be a coincidence.
****
Fast forward to Tuesday morning, we found out who else is in our outreach team...
Abbey (staff)
Kate (staff)
Maija (Finnish student)
Racheal (American student)
Jake (American student)
Alex (Belgian student)
Julianne (Norwegian student)
Krista (Canadian student)
Trent (Australian student)
I am very excited and a bit freaked out. But I know that this will be an amazing experience in which God will be able to use me.
****
The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Matthew 9:16
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