WELCOME TO MALAYSIA!
(MONTH 11!)
What would the last month of the Race be without not knowing where you are going next, sketchy internet, chicken feet, daily thunderstorms, and extreme heat?
Ministry Update:
This month we’re taking it bit by bit. We stayed a few nights in the city (with a team celebration trip to Chili’s for dinner – yay!), and the past week we have spent at Ray of Hope Children’s Home (we didn’t know where we’d end up until we pulled up there, haha.) We actually loved it there – seven of us piled on some bunk beds in the girls’ home. The kids were some of my favorite from the Race!
We also had the opportunity to paint a mural in the Ray of Hope Boys’ Home. Because we were so busy, we didn’t have a ton of time. So, I got the job of painting the mural, and we had less than two hours. So this is what I came up with. For not even having two hours, I’m decently happy with it 🙂
We’ve also been going to two different churches and doing whatever they ask of us. We’re talking sitting down for church and having someone come up and say, “Can you lead worship? Six songs please.” Ummm… haha. Sure? So we did it. Or how about in the middle of the service, “Who is preaching?” Ummm… I? Am? Haha.
So… we taught Sunday school classes, and I preached at both first and second service on the book of Haggai. Just talking about obedience, having confidence that God keeps His promises and He is with us, and we don’t have to fear – He will take care of us no matter what He calls us to do. God’s cool like that!
Side note and funny story: In order to sleep on the Race, I use earplugs and an eyemask – every. single. night. Anyway, the other night, my teammate woke up in the middle of the night and rolled over, and I was facing her with my black eyemask on, asleep. Because she was groggy and out of it, she instinctively jumped because she thought Batman was in her bed. It was hilarious 🙂
They also dressed us up in Sari’s, which are traditional Indian dresses. In Malaysia, it is illegal for a Malay to be a christian, so they have underground churches. We are working with the Indian population, who have actual church buildings. So we’ve actually experienced more of their culture than Malay this week.
So, we have a little less than three more weeks of ministry, and then our squad heads to Pangkor Island for FINAL DEBRIEF. We’ve recently been cutting back on our (already 10 dollars a day) budget in order to afford a relaxing end to our trip. Apparently, Pangkor is a beautiful island that at one time played host to pirates and adventurers. Needless to say, we’re excited!
I’m hoping for internet during the next couple weeks, because I have some updates on things I’m learning and things God is doing.
Thanks so so much for all your support. I can’t believe I’ll be home in less than a month. That’s just weird. K, bye 🙂
You are “sari” sight 🙂 Hey the mural looks great..2 hours, wow. You have left your “mark” with those children. I will be praying for you and a few others will be praying also for God’s wisdom, power, and fulfilled promise regaring the thing we spoke of this morning. Be well, and finish well. Can’t wait to see you come home.
Love, Dad
What a wonderful adventure you are having. May God give you clarity regarding what is next on His plate for you. Safe travels.
Love,
Capi
Wow, beautiful Sari’s!! And, BEAUTIFUL mural. What a great thing to be able to leave behind. Praying for your final days and weeks. Looks like you have some pretty amazing things at your finger tips ;). LOVE you!!
Well, I certainly know about murals and ‘leaving something behind’…it’s an honor to be a servant of God and realize what he gave us the talent for. Praying for your last days on the road. Have been keeping a friend in California posted on your ‘adventures’ for her daughter who is very interested in ‘The World Race’. Cool Sari’s, AND as far as YOUR mural goes….I guess the apple doesn’t fall too far from the tree!
Love ya, Susan
Hi Stephenie, so good to see the updates, looks like God is showing you all some of His beautiful creation, hope the time in Pangkor is very special for you and the team. Our prayers are still for your safety, and that you and the team are accomplishing the work He sent you to do. We are so looking forward to your arrival. We’ll be keeping the travel in prayer also. Bless you for allowing God to use you as He wishes. Love and hugs, Peg
Hi Steph! You are a sight for “Sari” eyes! That green is your color, girl! You look beautiful. And, as far as the mural is concerned, Sue MacGregor beat me to the punch when she said “the apple doesn’t fall too far from the tree.” I thought that as soon as I saw the finished product. Very impressive — and a beautiful gift to leave behind.
I have so treasured receiving and reading your blogs; and I wouldn’t trade your coming home just to continue receiving your blogs, so maybe you should just consider continuing the blogs after you return! Your first blog could be entitled, “You Know You’re No Longer on the World Race When. . .” And maybe it would go something like, “You know you’re no longer on the World Race when there’s only one bed in your bedroom and you’re the only person in the room; when you can get on the Internet anytime you want and it’s free (because Dad is paying the bill); you’re not eating rice and beans for breakfast and there are no chicken feet in your soup; you don’t have to step over poop to get to the shiny, white, clean, porcelain toilet that’s inside the house; there’s hot and cold water coming from the stainless steel shower head, and all the electrical wires are safely tucked inside the walls; the occasional bug you find on the floor or flying around can’t kill you; or you know you’re no longer on the World Race when you get in the car and you have more leg room than you need for just two legs! Well, you get the idea, and I’m sure you’ll say it much better. Oh, and thanks for the tip that when you’re back, we’ll be able to call upon you at a moment’s notice to lead worship or preach the sermon — Trinity needs people like you!
OK — all kidding aside — as I mentioned in a previous post, I will continue to pray for you now and when you return, as I’m sure you don’t even know yourself what the adjustment will be like and what emotions you will be dealing with — not to mention missing the people who were on the Race with you and all those kiddos who left a mark on your heart. But keep trusting that God has a perfect plan for your life, and if you delight yourself in the Lord, He will give you the desires of your heart. And, I’ll be praying that you have Internet access the next couple of weeks to keep us posted until God brings you safely home.
With Love,
Angela
What a beautiful mural!!! The artistic genes definately run in the family.
You all look so beautiful in your saris!!!
Dear Steph
Sorry I have not sent any recent replies to your blogs…but know that your emails are the FIRST that I open when I logon and they are the ones I MOST look forward to reading. I agree with Angela; we are all spoiled
and will need you to keep blogging even when you return.
It is hard to believe that almost 11 months have past since you set out on this seemingly impossible journey (in my limited realm of mission travels) and it has been AMAZING to have travelled it alongside you. To have shared in the joys and the trials and everything inbetween. I know I have learned so much about the rest of the world through your eyes and experiences. And the most important of all, is realizing that its all about the kiddos — like World Vision–impacting and changing one life at a time by whatever means available; from Neosporin on blistered cheeks, to hugs and holding babies, to rescuing beautiful ones from the hideousness of the world’s depravity, to preaching to them, dancing and laughing with them and blessing them with a mural from God’s own heart!
I too agree, you look very beautiful in that green sari.
But throughout this journey I have seen YOU GROW MORE BEAUTIFUL every step of the Race… the radiance of your smile and the joy in your eyes and the glow of the Lord…
so more intense and noticeable with each new posted pix.
HE truly has changed you from the inside out..and IT SHOWS.
Encouraged by you. Loving you. Praying for you. And knowing GOD will be with you through the homestretch.
With Love,
Iris