Do you want to be fed? Then come…

Penang, Malaysia.  That's what our flight ticket said.  Okay, so we have an island to go to.  But what about a specific person?  Where are you going to stay?  What ministry opportunities are there for us?  I have no idea!  But we have 18 days, so let's go and find out.  Is that not what traveling by faith is all about?

18 unplanned days, in another foreign country.  I think this is starting to become my comfort zone.  Since we had no contacts in Penang, we decided to take the bus into Little India and look for cheap accommodation and then we'll take it from there.  We just wanted to split up 2-by-2, when a guy approached us and asked if we need help.  He was just on his way to cross the street when God told Him to go back and "help those people".  Turns out he's part of a ministry organization in Penang who hosts teams and reaches out to the local community.  As God would have it, they don't have any teams for August and were wondering what they were going to do and then we really just fell from the sky, or out a bus.  It wasn't even 10 minutes, then we had a place to stay and a schedule filled with various ministry opportunities.

I was really struck by Jodie's obedience to God's voice, going back and helping us.  It challenged me, because many times we might feel something on our heart, but sometimes we think it's silly or we just don't obey.  If it wasn't for his obedience, we wouldn't have been so blessed.  (Or maybe we would, I'm not going to limit God, but you know what I mean).  God speaks in His Word about blessings for obedience.  I realized that it's not only about us being blessed, but others are also blessed through our obedience. 

During our time in Penang, we had the opportunity to serve at a homeless shelter, 3 times a week.  Penang is a melting pot of many different nationalities: Malay, Chinese, Indian and even Westerners.  So in this homeless shelter, even though it's run by Christians, they welcome any religions, Muslims, Buddhists, Hindu, Christians, Atheists; offering space for homeless men and women to sleep, take a shower, wash their clothes, get new clothes and have breakfast and lunch.  Sharing the love of Christ with them, through providing for their physical needs as well.

We helped cook a healthy and delicious meal for more that 100 people every time.

Saturday morning there is church, also for the homeless people, with different church groups coming in to serve, by leading the worship and sharing testimonies.

Wednesday evening we went into the streets to do street evangelism and prayer walking.  Focusing on the homeless, prostitutes, transvestites, Muslims, or any one God brought across our paths.  Relationship building is really important for the local missionaries in Penang, just to love the people.  Through this I learned that without God's hand guiding me, I'm clueless.  I'm so dependant on God!

We also served at a second-hand store, ironing and steaming "new" clothes that comes in.

Helped out at a local coffee shop.

Volunteered at a hospital, by raising funds for cancer and heart patients.  By God's favor, we were able to raise more than R10 000 in only 4 days.

Cleaned up some rooms, kitchens and bathrooms where teams come and stay.

Visited various churches, sharing about missions and presenting programs to the kids.

We even got to paint a wall in the homeless shelter, leaving the GCEX mark!

Then every Tuesday and Friday night, we visited PenHOP (Penang House of Prayer).  They are a group of young people with a heart for worship, passionate to see God moving in Penang, Malaysia and all over the world, praying into the early morning hours.  It was such a privilege to be part of it.  Just being in God's presence, where everything just makes sense.  There is nowhere else I'd rather be…

God spoke to me a lot about the importance of surrendering my flesh and giving all control over to Him, because He does know best.  I realized that in my life, surrendering my mind and actions to Christ is not a lifestyle yet, I still have to choose to do it.  This means that I'm complete dependant on God for living in victory!  Apart from Him, I can do nothing!  This is such a freeing thought for me.

One day when we were at the hospital, we thought it would be quicker to take the fire stairs down than waiting for the elevator, but when we got to the door to go back into the hospital, there was no handle on the door from the outside for us to get back in.

This is exactly what the door of our heart looks like as well.  Jesus stands on the outside and He knocks.  In Revelations 3:20, Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock.  If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with Me."  Following God; being obedient to God; surrendering to God; allowing Jesus into my life; continuing in faith; it's all my choice.  I have a free will.  That is what the love of God is all about.  He loves us enough to give us a choice.  He doesn’t force Himself on anyone.  But I want to encourage you, choose life, choose Christ.