Friday, January 2nd – Sunday, January 4th.
20 D-squaders travelled to Ipoh for a waterfall adventure!
We left our church in Sungai Petani around 11pm January 2nd and arrived at “Arise Shine” assembly in Ipoh near 3am January 3rd. I got snapped by the camera right before we left home base.
JANUARY 3RD WAS CARTERS 20th BIRTHDAY!!
Van rides are usually extended because our ministry vans require frequent breaks to cool off the engine (the coolant either doesn’t cool enough for the amount of heat produced by the engine or the coolant system is simply broken- so we have to pause and let it cool off, sometimes pouring cold water over the system.) We arrived at “Arise Shine” assembly and set up our bedding on the upstairs floor of the church! Because of our late arrival, we decided to begin our waterfall adventure later than planned. Instead of leaving at 7:30 in the morning, we left at 8:30.
The waterfall was beautiful!! As we hiked up to a higher point in the falls, we greeted and passed by so many people and were waved to by random kids splashing in the water pools below. Before long, I had my swim shirt and shorts on and was slipping and sliding in the falls! Our group of 18, 19 and 20 year olds seemed like a group of little kids: energetic, wild and entranced by the magic of fast moving water and slippery rocks! I myself spent some time alone to cherish the view and enjoy the gusts of fresh wind from the rushing rapids.
But the waterfall wasn’t the only thing I cherished and enjoyed.
Rissa and I met a Hindu couple and sat in a water pool just talking and laughing with them. They were some of the sweetest people I have met. Rissa and I quickly struck up a conversation at the urging of the Holy Spirit. Our conversation ranged from the absurd disparity of weather in Malaysia compared to the U.S.A. to hearing their viewpoints on spiritual forces and love. It was a truly refreshing conversation because of their kindness and openness to share their viewpoints and continue conversing with us. Naturally, the conversation brought up the Gospel story, Rissa’s testimonies, Jesus’ teachings on love and the way we are actively trying to live out what the Lord has called and allowed us to do.
We also prayed blessings and life over them before parting ways!
It is not always possible to have this kind of conversation due to language barriers, timing, receptivity, understanding and the Holy Spirit’s leading. As a result, this was the most fulfilling conversation with strangers that I have had in a while. And I am so grateful to have gotten to know those wonderful souls and plant a seed of the Gospel Truth in their hearts.
Once we had finished at the waterfall, Rissa, Carter and I walked over to a food stand and struck up a brief conversation with the ladies there. Carter led the conversation as he continued to use and practice his Malay language. We discovered that the ladies were actually Christians! It was a sweet moment and we took a picture for memories before heading back to “Arise Shine” assembly.
We had church the next morning which lasted about 3 wonderful hours! The sermon was filled with words from the Holy Spirit entering into my heart.
The pastor talked about hiding ourselves away in the presence of the Lord. Isaiah 26:20. The Lord has revealed to me that He wants perform inward heart surgery on me this year especially. The Lord reminded me through the sermon that I need that precious time alone with the Him who is my Father, friend and lover. How could I refuse Him that?
Soon, we had prayed over the pastor and began our journey back to Sungai Petani to our home, “Bethel Assembly”.
We were on the road by 2pm and Parker B. asked me jokingly, “Do you think we’ll be home before sunset?”
“Of course!” I replied optimistically since the ride was a calculated 3 hours and the sun sets around 6.
We drove for 45 minutes and then…the car broke down.
It had overheated and we were stuck on the shoulder of the highway. But I sensed the Lord tell us to pray.
We all layed hands on the hood and prayed aloud and within 3 minutes we were rolling down the highway in search of a rest stop where we could really cool off the engine.
We arrived at a rest stop and 45 minutes later set off again…
But it wasn’t long before our driver was pulling us to the side again. We prayed for the vehicle but it wouldn’t go. The Lord must have had something else in mind…
We ended up having roadside adventures which were some of the most fun moments of my World Race so far: running up the hilly roadside, getting soaked in the rain, doing some kips (gymnastics) on a playground bar, meeting a Muslim family and getting towed to a rest stop until we were picked up by our faithful church leader friends!
When did we finally get home?
Only 11:45! Still before curfew!😉
(P.S. We met a Christian woman at a rest stop who has invited us to her church on Penang on Sunday. The Lord truly makes these divine appointments!)
I would love prayer for:
- More divine appointments to meet and talk with the hearts that have been softened by the Lord.
- For peace and reliance on the Lord to serve with an overflowing heart in the various ministries here (I.e. The special needs bakery, the church, the Rohingyan school and meeting the particular spiritual needs of the locals.)
- To appreciate every moment and to find unexplainable joy. (Lately, I have been weighed down by a burden in my head which feels like a headache. Yet, the Lord is beginning to break that burden and I want to feel His joy!)
Please thank the Lord for:
- His blessings and guidance on the ministries here in Malaysia.
- For continuing to reveal to me areas of my life to let Him perform heart surgery on.
- A new project that our squad is doing for the church. (We are in the process of creating a long lasting funding website to raise awareness and support towards the needs of our various church ministries!)
May the Lord bless you and keep you all this year,
Lia.
Leave a Reply