MALAYSIA: THE WRAP UP

Rozzy & Doc - she lead the youth outreach

One of few monkeys we saw.

This is David - the key leader of the church and a good friend.

I needed one picture to explain why I gained 13 pounds!!!

John Manjaji - working and improving his preaching skills.

Hannah, Doc, Pastor Fred and grandchild in front of biggest jungle tree in the world

OK - this is a jungle rolly - polly - and we think things are big in Texas!!!

Walking over the canopies - high above the jungle.

Mt. Kinabalu - 2nd tallest mountain in SE Asia - I could see it from my patio.

Kota Kinabalu - the city where I lived.

Students working on Nehemiah.

Bible School in the jungles of Tawau 

My time in Malaysia was a wonderful and fruitful experience.  We had 24 people make professions of faith and many others make recommitments of various kinds.  Let me share just a few special highlights.

 

My discipleship group was a small, but intimate group that grew very close over the three months.  They became my home group and, as such, they became my family away from home with each person like a sister or brother.  They also really grew by leaps and bounds.  Let me give you an example.  John wanted to improve his preaching.  He developed a message and we videoed it and he went through the painful process of watching himself.  If you’ve ever done that before you know how hard it is. But he worked hard and made amazing progress in a few short weeks.  He’s prayerfully considering when he should preach in church.  I’m praying for him to continue to grow in his confidence and communication skills.  Another member of the group was Rozzy.  She’s a young (21) and intelligent (speaks 3 languages) woman with an internal as well as an external beauty (her picture is above).  She took on the youth.  She was the point person for putting together a youth outreach for the night before I left.  We had a band, half a dozen singers, a testimony from one of the kids, a video, cool invitations and programs and, oh well, me speaking.  There were probably 50 or more people there and the response was great.  Rozzy showed such good leadership.  Another guy named Jasson joined the leadership team and I think there may be the core for a youth ministry in place.

 

Another highlight was my trip to Tawau.  I was with an amazing pastor called Pastor Fred who has ministered in the Tawau area for over 30 years. He is a converted Muslim and has such a heart for the people and a gift in evangelism.  He translated for me and we had a great time.   When I arrived we immediately went to the Bible school where I was scheduled to teach “Nehemiah.”  The students were so sweet and eager to learn.  These will be future leaders in churches in the jungle areas around Tawau.  How exciting to be a small part of their ministry. The next day Pastor Fred and his wife took me out into the jungle for a long hike through a national park to see the tallest jungle tree in the world (pictured above).  When I got home he told me to be sure and check for leeches. I found 11 leeches!  They are slimmy things, but, fortunately, they aren’t painful – just disgusting.  That night I spoke at a home group.  James, a group member, was one of the first people I visited in Malaysia.  He had gone to a hospital in Kota Kinabalu (the city where I was living) for brain surgery and was just beginning his recovery when I visited him.  After just two months, he was doing amazingly well and it was so cool seeing the prayer and physical support he had received from his home group.   The next day was Sunday and I performed my Peter monologue for the English congregation then for the Malaysian congregation and then after lunch we traveled several hours through the jungle to preach at another church.  On the way we saw a monkey crossing the road and signs warning of elephant crossings.  He also told us that they baptize in one of the rivers we passed, but they have to watch for alligators!  That would test your commitment level.  The convenient part is that we couldn’t be late.  They start when we arrive.  Not only that, but the Muslims next door starts when we start – to keep their people from coming to church.  People responded well to the monologue and especially loved taking pictures with me while I was in costume.  After the service we feasted on wild boar they had hunted down for us the night before.  Most exciting was that people made professions of faith at each of the services.  It was a wonderful and exhausting weekend. 

 

I’m home now and trying to get my internal clock back on Texas time, but I'm a little slow at adjusting.  I would appreciate prayer for the people I had the privilege of ministering to and for what God might want for me in 2009.  I’m teaching at LeTourneau University part time and hoping to teach a few seminars for Walk Thru the Bible and then later this year, Lord willing, I plan to return to China and perhaps even to Malaysia or South Korea.  Also, pray for us to finalize our nonprofit status from the government.  By the way, while I’m here in the USA I’d love to meet with some of you and would be glad to come to your church and speak, teach the Walk Thru or share some of my ministry experiences.  Thanks and I’ll keep you posted.   

OVER HALF WAY

Nora - the day she trusted Christ - a good day!

Games - wrapping them up like mummies - a favorite game! 

More games at the church wide picnic.

We're very near the ocean.

Prayer seminar - praying conversationally in small groups.

me - Rozzy (in my discipleship group); Sheila (Indian); Shina (Nigerian) 

Sheila and Shina are student nurses.

Boy's Brigade - Some of the young people I often speak to.

The Mala Pastor - Tommy; English Pastor - me; Chinese Pastor - Ooi

Th

There's a restaurant called "Texas" in Malaysia.

Things are going well in Malaysia.  I’ve been here almost two months and will be here for about a month more.  Time is going fast.  I spend a lot of my time visiting with families, counseling, preparing to speak and then, of course, speaking.   I’ve been teaching the Walk Thru the Old Testament to the Adults, preaching on things like the priorities of Jesus and an in-depth look at the parable of the Sewer. I recently led a seminar on conversational prayer.  I’ve also had the opportunity to speak to the youth on several occasions.  One of the highlights of the time came when I met with Nora.  Nora trusted Christ as her Savior and we’re doing a six-week follow up.  I included her picture above.  She’s arranged for me to meet with her family and friends this Thursday.  It’s a cool opportunity.  It looks like I may even get to baptize her before I leave.  I’m also meeting with a couple who work together and their coworkers.  They work in a law firm.  It’s not a Christian group, but this couple has a tremendous influence and they do Bible study and prayer with those who desire it.  I also have gotten to meet with several visitors.  In the picture above I’m with one of the girls from my discipleship group and two nursing students who recently visited.  One is an Indian girl from West Malaysia and the other is a student from Nigeria.  They brought a fellow student to church with them the following Sunday.  It’s exciting to see people reaching out to friends, family, fellow students and coworkers. 

 

The people are so very hospitable and helpful.  I go out with people almost everyday.  I’ve eaten barbequed stingray, squid, chicken necks, chicken feet, octopus, soymilk, coconut milk, sauta and something called ABC.  It’s a mixture of ice, corn, beans, fruit and a sweet kind of sauce.  My friend David wants me to try chicken intestines, but I told him to make sure I ate it before he told me what it was.  I’ve actually eaten several things that I wasn’t sure of, but almost everything has been good.  I’m healthy and, unfortunately, gaining weight I’m sure. 

 

When you think of me please pray for Nora and her family; for my time meeting with various people; for God to keep the little bit of homesickness from growing; and for an upcoming trip to Taw-wow.  I’m sure that’s not spelled right.  Anyway, I speak at the seminary and at a home group and then I’m doing my Peter monologue several times.  It will be a fun packed, busy weekend. 

 

7 things you didn't know about me

My daughter, Mandy Casteel, tagged me.  I didn’t know what that meant, but she shared 7 little known things about herself and now I’m suppose to share 7 little known things about myself.  Here it goes:

 

1. When a child I fell and hit my nose on the bumper of a car and almost lost my nose.  I had to get a bunch of stitches to save it.
2. I was an all-district, alternate all-state guard on my high school football team.  I was a 155 pounds of a mean, fighting machine.
3. I took Spanish one twice! See-see  
4. On my first job at a gas station I once put oil where the transmission fluid goes.  I thought sure I'd get fired, but didn't. 
5. I once stayed up literally all night to study for an Old Testament Introduction class and made a 50.  Fortunately, that turned out to be a “B”.
6. I’ve had the privilege of serving God in the USA, Mexico, Guatemala, Peru, Lithuania, Russia, Moldova, the Ukraine, China and most recently (right now) in Malaysia.
7. I now live in Denton just 20 minutes from where I went to high school in Lewisville, Texas.

IN MALAYSIA

Doc performing "Peter" monologue

Praise band & singers

College students - in my apartment for pizza

Me in the Muslim market shopping during Ramadan

Ken (center) is my jogging buddy

John, Yoke Fong, and Rozzy - part of my discipleship group

That's me teaching the Walk Thru for a class

I've arrived in Malaysia and have been here almost three weeks of my planned three months.  I wanted to give you a quick update.  Things are going well.  They have provided me a nice, comfortable apartment above the church and I'm in walking distance of a couple of supermarkets and a few local restaurants.  I certainly won't starve to death.  Also, the people have been so gracious and welcoming.  I've gone out to dinner with several families and gotten to know a good number of people.  I take lots of pictures and study them to learn the names more quickly.  I'm a little slow, but I'm beginning to put names and faces together.

I have had lots of opportunities to do ministry.  Most of the speaking (but not all) is concentrated on the weekends.  I have spoken 4 or 5 times each weekend (Sunday School, preaching, discipleship group, young people, college students, etc.) so by the end I'm usually pretty exhausted.  I get Monday off so I recharge a little before I jump back into the race. During the week I attend staff meeting, meet with people and do some visiting.   I have something almost every night.  Tomorrow I have staff meeting then I go with Adam (who works with college students) to see the University of Malaysia.  I can't actually get out on the campus because it is a Muslim country and my very presence could put in danger the ministry to college students here.  It is actually against the law to share the gospel with a Muslim.  One staff woman with Campus Crusade was put under so much pressure that she finally felt like she had to leave campus.  There is definitely a spiritual war going on here.    

As you think about it, would you pray that I would maximize my time here.  I need to keep in mind that 3 months is a long time to sprint, so I want to keep a sensible pace, but I also know it will go by quickly so I want to make the most of my time here.  Also, pray for opportunities to get to know some non Christians.  I spend almost all of my time with believers so there isn't a natural time to get with lost people.  I have met a guy named "Augustine."  He showed an interest and I've invited him to come see me, but he hasn't yet.  Finally, pray that I won't give in to loneliness.  I spend a lot of time studying and preparing and with new people, but there aren't any what you might call old friends here.  People I can relax and be myself around - not that being myself is always such a charming thing, but nice to be at least some of the time.  

I hope the pictures give you a feel of what's going on here.  Tune in and I'll keep you posted.  

Newest member of the family

Liam Max Casteel

Justin, Cameron, Rylee and Hudson 

Isaac (not pictured) makes five

Mandy with Liam - Layton in the background

Janelle with new born Liam

I stayed home six weeks between my summer in China and the beginning of my fall ministry in Malaysia.  During this brief time some significant changes took place.  First, Mandy, my daughter, and her husband Tim, had their fourth child, a beautiful boy named Liam.  I had the privilege of being there during the birth - well right outside the door.  Lily, my oldest granddaughter and I heard the first cries!  It was so much fun.  As many of you know they serve with Campus Crusade for Christ at the University of Arkansas.  I got to help out by speaking for Tim to the students at the weekly meeting.  We had a great time.  

The second big change is that my daughter Cameron and her three kids are moving in with Janelle and me for a year while Justin serves our country in Iraq.  We're praying for safety for him and for the time when we're all together under one roof.  Janelle accused me of going to Malaysia for the peace and quiet which is of course almost completely not true.  The truth is that I'm going to really miss being there.  They are great kids. I'm actually planning on staying closer to home in early 2009 so I can spend more time with them.  

I'm in Malaysia now and just settling in.  I preached for the first time Sunday.  I'm also teaching a Bible study, leading a discipleship group, doing lots of visiting in people's homes and this next Sunday I'm having all the college students over for pizza.  I'll post another entry soon to let you know how things are going.  

Pray for me to maximize my time, but also to keep a balance so that I don't run out of gas.  Also, pray for my family.  Janelle is at home with Cameron and the grandkids and Mandy and Tim are adjusting to a growing family while trying to lead the ministry to students at the University of Arkansas.  

HOME FROM CHINA

Some of the breakfast club

Bible Club - small, but great group!

This is the entire team of teachers for 2008

My jogging path - beautiful - but not much time to use it

Talking to home via computer - my lifeline!

Studying English gave more than one person a headache

Feet washing - with Bible Club

I lead a believers group each Sunday 

With Tom - a new believer and friends

The final week was hectic and then I made a quick trip to Korea concerning a ministry opportunity with SIM for 2009.  I was home two days and Janelle and I went on an exciting trip with close friends to celebrate her birthday.  

I couldn't speak very opening in China, but now I want to share some of the highlights of my trip to China.  I'll be a little more straightforward in my prayer letter I'm sending out in September, but for now, this will have to do.

As you know we were teaching English to Chinese English teachers.  They were excellent in grammar and writing, but for the most part did little English speaking.  24 hours a day, 7 days a week they were to only speak English.  As someone who knows virtually no Chinese this was a perfect opportunity for me.  They would often ask me what I did.  I would explain that I was a pastor for 25 years.  I often had to explain what a pastor was.  Then I'd tell them I taught at LeTourneau University and at other places around the world.  They naturally ask what I taught and I'd tell them Bible.  They would almost always say they had never read the Bible.  I would offer to meet with them before breakfast to answer any questions (6:30 am) and then we had a group that ate together for breakfast and we talked about the Bible (not a Bible Study - that would be illegal).  At times we had around a dozen seekers talking about Bible stories at breakfast.  Some were just mildly curious and some were full blown seekers.  

Early in week two a man named Tony - we called him "Big Tony" - would walk around and stop right behind me and look over my shoulder and then walk around and come back.  I found out a few days later he was a communist member and most likely keeping an eye on us.  I heard that he had left for an important meeting one day and thought to myself, "uh-oh."  However, hes came back and not only didn't give me the boot, but started sitting in on our breakfasts.  He started asking me and others lots of questions.  It was so cool.  One day near the end of the time I asked one of the seekers, "Would you like to become a Christian?"  She said, "What does that mean?"  I didn't notice stealth Tony walking up on my left side, but suddenly I heard him say, "He means, do you want to repent and put your faith in Jesus?"  I almost fell over.  The last day Tony came up to me and apologized he would have to miss the our breakfast, but had a conflict.  The Sunday after I left I heard that Tony had gone to church and even joined a new members class.  He's still not a believer, but moving in the right direction.

One other highlight was a girl I'll call "M."  She had a beautiful smile and was there every morning.  She asked great questions and by the end seemed ever so close.  As I did with several I asked her if she was ready to become a Christian.  She explained to me, "Before you came I didn't believe anything.  Now I believe much, but I still need more time."  The next day she asked to speak to me and explained that her husband, her father, her brothers were all members of the communist party.  She said that you couldn't be a member of the party and believe in God.  A member of our team had several friends who were both so I asked if she would talk to him.  When they met he told her about communist Christians, but then very soberly he said, "It maybe that someday you will have to chose what is most important to you."  She's still considering what to do. Pray we don't loose contact.

One last story.  We were graciously granted permission to have a Bible Club.  You had to already be a Christian and member of a legal church to attend, but we did have 10 out of the 380 who both could and wanted to attend.  The first week we attempted to build a unity ending the week with communion and foot washing.  It was something I had never done before and in the Chinese culture a teacher washing a student's feet was hard to take - much like what happened with Peter in John 13.  After washing their feet one of the guys came to me and pushed me in the chair and said, "Now, your feet!"  Afterwards, each of the guys came and gave me a big bear hug and each of the women gave my assistant a kiss on the cheek and a hug.  It was an incredible experience.  The next week we talked about ways to share your faith (your story; the wordless book) and  the last week we talked about how to study the Bible - which I'm continuing to do through email - very carefully.  The amazing thing is that are doing all this in English.

This really was the most awesome ministry experience of my life.  I've never before seen such a great opportunity and openness.  The Chinese people are proud of their country - and you could especially see that with the Olympics there, as well as kind of gracious.  Lord willing, I hope to return again in the future.

Thanks so much for all your prayers and support.  Keep watching the blog.  I'll keep you posted as I go to Malaysia from September 15th to December 15th to pastor a church there.  I have no idea what to expect.  If you want a break from every day life come and see me.

The 

The first three weeks are filled with training.  We start at anywhere from 7 to 8:30 a.m. and finish from 9 to 10 p.m..  We observe classes, take classes and have even taught a couple of classes.  This is all to prepare us for our teaching assignments.  We will be teaching English to Chinese English teachers.  Most of them have a good technical grasp of English, but have never spend any significant time actually talking.  They will spend the next three weeks speaking English 24 / 7.    It has been exhausting!  

            I have had some great experiences.  I’ve gotten to have several meaningful conversations with the students.  I’ve gotten really good with chop sticks.  I’ve eaten more Chinese food in two weeks than in the past two years.  The classes are designed to help the students really get involved in speaking so we play lots and lots and lots of games.  I’m not usually a game person, but I’ve actually enjoyed it.

            We even play hard.  We went to the “Great Wall” last weekend and this weekend we’re going to the “Forbidden City” and Tianimen Square. 

            We have just started classes and I’m helping in one class and leading Bible Club.  We don’t advertise Bible Club, but if a Christian student ask for it we can allow them in.  We started with 7 and added one last night and another will be added next week. 

            I would like to ask for your prayers in a couple of areas.  First, I went to the dentist just before I left, but I’ve had sore gums since I arrived.  It’s not killing me, but a couple of times I’ve gotten up in the night to take Tylenol.  I mostly want to ask that things won’t get worse.  I’m not sure I’m up for going to the dentist here.  Second, I’m having breakfast with a growing group of students.  We eat breakfast and talk about the most important things in life.  They are so open and looking for answers.  I think it maybe the highlight of my day – even so early in the morning.  

ARRIVED IN CHINA

After 30 hours of flying, layovers and waiting for the rest of the team to arrive in Beijing I made it to our dorm at the University of Beijing at 1:30 a.m. Beijing time.  We've had a couple of days of orientation, getting to know one another and learning basic Chinese phrases, customs and learning how we'll go about teaching English to our students.   It sounds like we'll be going from 8 in the morning until about 9 or 10 at night 7 days a week - ambitious schedule!

One of our weirdest teaching sessions was on how to use what they call a "squatty potty." Apparently they are holes in the floor that flush and everything, but you don't have your throne. So we learned the art of using this Chinese version of our western toilets.  I should have taken pictures of it.   To celebrate  we went out to a Chinese restaurant.  It was an eleven course meal, but you had to use chop sticks It was great fun, but I'm afraid I may loss weight if I don't improve.   I got to play the part of the guest of honor and my seat was between our two facilitators.  It was a real education in Chinese customs.  I included a shot of the heavy rainfall we encountered on our way home from dinner. 

I'd appreciate your prayers that we will do a good job for our students and that God may really shine through us.